This act is aimed to regulate uniform standard of training or nurses, midwives and health visitors. It extend to whole of India except the State of Jammu & Kashmir. This council is composed of 24 members from different departments – Indian Medical Council, trained nurses association, DGHS, Chief Principal Matron, Chief Nursing Superintendent, Chief Administrative Medical Officer. Among these members president, vice-president and other officials are elected. There are 47 Authorities that issue certificates, diplomas and degree in nursing. That are 20 midwifery, 13 for ANM, 22 for Health visitors and 22 authorities for higher qualification. In 1990-2000, the council has revised guidelines for opening of nursing school./colleges and syllabus for general nursing, PGs, and midwifery.

Any person may enroll in register who has recognised qualification. Any Indian person who has got foreign degree may enroll temporary in the state register for employment in particular hospital/ institution only for a particular period.

Any institution which is engaged in training, and distribution of nursing or degree have to submit information from time to time. Such institutions shall be examined and inspected by the persons appointed by the executive body of council for the purpose of adequacy of training and examination.

Such inspecting body submit a report that the institution has not adequate resources and has not maintained standards then council may withdraw the recognition. The recognized institutions are notifed in the official gazette.

According to the information available, 654 general nursing and midwifery schools, 449 ANM schools, 20 promotional training schools, 78 colleges of nursing for conducting courses and 10 colleges or PG courses are functioning in the country.