PATNA, April 1 -- In a major reform aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency, the Bihar health department has rolled out a fully digital, time-bound system for granting approvals to new nursing institutions and those seeking to upgrade nursing courses, effective April 1.

Announcing the move, health secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh said that applications for opening new nursing colleges will now be processed within one month of inspection, provided institutions meet all norms set by the Indian Nursing Council.

The revamped system replaces the earlier manual process, under which applications often remained pending for years. Currently, around 200 applications - some over three years old - are awaiting clearance.

Under the new framework...