Certified Course in Food and Nutrition: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Fee, Colleges

• Updated on  Jul 24, 2025, by Manisha Rao

The Certified Course in Food and Nutrition (CFN) is being offered by the IGNOU as a foundational course for people who want to learn about food, nutrition, and health. People and housewives who want to learn about food values, nutrition, and how to make healthy meals should take this course. It's mostly about how food affects health, how to cook safely, and how to plan meals that won't break the bank. People who work in health and community aid will find it especially helpful.

 

The sole institution in India that provides this course is IGNOU. The program can be taken online or through distance learning, which makes it easier for people who are working or learning from home to join without having to interrupt their daily activities. The course is taught in both English and Hindi so that it can reach more students. The study materials are made easier to understand.

 

For the course, students don't need to have any official schooling. Anyone who is at least 18 years old at the time of acceptance can apply. Anyone who wants to learn more about health, eating, and planning a diet can take the class. It works best for people who work in rural development, public health programs, or who want to take care of their families' diet at home.

 

It costs INR 1,900 to take the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition. This price covers both the written course materials and the test fees. Also, students have to pay a one-time fee of INR 300 to register when they first register.

 

Table of Contents

  1. Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Key Highlights
  2. What is a Certified Course in Food and Nutrition?
  3. Why Study a Certified Course in Food and Nutrition?
  4. Who should study the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition?
  5. Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Eligibility Criteria
  6. Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Colleges in India
  7. Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Admission Process 2025
  8. Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Syllabus
  9. Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Job Opportunities in India
  10. Certified Course in Food and Nutrition FAQs

 

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Key Highlights

Below are the key highlights of the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition in India:

Particulars

Details

Course Name

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition

Admission Process

Apply through the IGNOU official website

Eligibility Criteria

10+2 from a recognized board

Course Fees

INR 2000 – 5,000

Top College

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

Job Profiles

Dietitian / Nutritionist, Nutrition Educator / Specialist, Food Quality Executive, Research Assistant / Analyst, Community Nutritionist

Job Recruiters

Hospitals, Clinics, Health Depts, Slimming Centers, Gyms, Schools, NGOs, Food Companies, Wellness Platforms, Food Industry, FMCG, QA Labs, Food Factories, Research Institutes, Mass Media, R&D Labs, Government/NGO Projects, Health Camps

Average Salary in India

INR 3-5 LPA (Freshers)

 

What is a Certified Course in Food and Nutrition?

A Certified Course in Food and Nutrition (CFN) is a short-term training program that teaches people the basics of health management, nutrition, and meal planning. The course is meant to make people more aware of nutrition, especially those who care for families, work in community health, or make decisions about food. It shows how to plan healthy meals, how to store food safely, and how to cook and eat food without spending a lot of money.

 

The students in this class learn about nutrients, food groups, making meals for different age groups, the connection between diet and disease, and easy ways to keep things clean and germ-free.

 

Also, read Diploma in Food and Nutrition

 

Why Study a Certified Course in Food and Nutrition?

Taking the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition (CFN) can make a big difference in your health, the health of your family, and the health of your community. Students, stay-at-home moms, health workers, and anyone else interested in food, diet, and health will benefit the most from this study. These are some of the main things that make this course stand out:

  • This course helps people understand how the foods they eat affect their health as a whole, especially when it comes to handling lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes, obesity, and poor nutrition.
  • People who finish the CFN course can work as community nutrition educators, wellness trainers, health workers, or people who promote food safety in schools, health centres, NGOs, and social service programs.
  • The program goes over many useful topics, like how to plan meals, what nutrients are good for you, how to keep food fresh, and how to make sure that people of all ages have healthy diets.

 

Who should study the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition?

People who want to learn more about nutrition, health, and well-being in everyday life should take the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition (CFN). This is the right way to go if you want to improve your health by planning your meals and eating better, and being more aware of food safety. The people listed below would gain the most from this program:

  • People in their teens and 20s who are interested in health studies, biology, or wellness, and want to learn more about how nutrition affects both individual and general health.
  • Homemakers and carers who plan family meals and want to make sure that kids, adults, and the elderly all have healthy, balanced food to eat at home.
  • Health workers, volunteers, and community educators who are trying to raise understanding need to know how to plan meals, meet nutritional needs, and deal with health problems that are linked to food.
  • People who work in early childhood education, exercise, or public service and want to learn the basics of nutrition to improve their services and advance their careers in wellness, food service, or community support jobs.
  • Individuals who want to go on to study dietetics, food science, or health education further, and need a solid base in these areas, and want to take a short, self-paced course to do so.

 

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Eligibility Criteria

People in India who want to take the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition (CFN) must have completed basic schooling. To encourage people to learn about nutrition, this course is open to a wide range of students. Those who want to apply for the CFN course in 2025 must meet the following requirements:

  • At least a 10th pass (Class X) or a comparable grade from an Indian board that is recognised is needed.
  • Admission to this course is open to students of any age.
  • Both men and women from any school or career background can take the course.
  • There is no test to get into the course because it is a certificate-level, non-laboratory course that is offered through open and online learning (ODL).

Because of this, CFN is great for stay-at-home moms, students, working adults, and anyone else who wants to learn the basics of nutrition and good eating.

 

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Colleges in India

Various institutions in India are offering a Certified Course in Food and Nutrition. Some of the best colleges in India for Certified Course in Food and Nutrition have been mentioned below, along with their approximate course fee:

College Name

Location

Approx. Course Fees

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

New Delhi

INR 2,400

 

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Admission Process 2025

In 2025, people who want to take the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition (CFN) at the Indira Gandhi National Open University will need to do a few easy things. This certificate program is made to be flexible and open to a lot of different types of students, especially those who are interested in health, nutrition, and meal planning. Here is the step-by-step process for getting into CFN 2025:

 

Step 1: Go to the IGNOU website and find the part called "Fresh Admission." If this is your first time entering, click on "New Registration." In order to make an account, you will need to enter your name, phone number, and email address.

 

Step 2: Use your username and password to log in after you have registered. Fill out the online application form with your address, school background, and any other information asked for. Make sure that everything is correct and fits what's on your official papers.

 

Step 3: Upload scanned copies of your signature, a picture the size of a passport, proof of your age, and your educational records. Make sure the files are easy to read and in the right format.

 

Step 4: Use a debit card, credit card, UPI or net banking to pay the application fee online. The cost of the CFN course is INR 2,400, plus a one-time INR 300 application fee.

 

Step 5: Once the payment goes through, download the paper proof and print it out for future use. IGNOU will then take care of your application.

 

Step 6: IGNOU will let you know if you were accepted by email or text message. You can look at it on the admissions site, too. Once everything is confirmed, you'll get your student ID card and be able to start using the online learning tools or asking for books to be sent to you by mail.

 

The CFN course is available in both January and July, and based on the student's pace, the whole program can be finished in as little as 6 months or as long as 2 years. Since there is no test to get in, it is easy and open to everyone who wants to learn about nutrition, diet, and food.

 

Required Documents:

  • 10th results
  • ID proofs
  • Transfer certificate
  • Character certificate
  • Medical certificate
  • Category Certificate (if applicable)

 

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Syllabus

The syllabus for the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition in India is separated into three levels. For reference, the syllabus for the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition at IGNOU is given below:

Course Structure:

CFN-1: You and Your Food

CFN 2: Your Food and Its Utilisation

CFN-3: Economics of Food

 

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition Job Opportunities in India

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition graduates can have job roles in multiple fields, including Dietitian / Nutritionist, Nutrition Educator / Specialist, Food Quality Executive, Research Assistant / Analyst, Community Nutritionist, and others. Some of the common job roles for Certified Course in Food and Nutrition graduates in India are given below:

Job Title

Recruiters

Experience Level

Average Salary

Dietitian / Nutritionist

Hospitals, Clinics, Health Depts, Slimming Centers, Gyms, Schools

0–6

INR 2- 8 LPA

Nutrition Educator / Specialist

Schools, NGOs, Food Companies, Wellness Platforms

0–8

INR 2.5- 7 LPA

Food Quality Executive

Food Industry, FMCG, QA Labs, Food Factories

1–10

INR 3.5- 9 LPA

Research Assistant / Analyst

Research Institutes, Mass Media, R&D Labs

0–5

INR 3- 7 LPA

Community Nutritionist

Government/NGO Projects, Health Camps

0–8+

INR 2 – 6 LPA

 

Certified Course in Food and Nutrition FAQs

What kinds of things does the Certified Course in Food and Nutrition cover?

The CFN training goes over basic nutrition, food groups, planning meals, cooking techniques, cleanliness, sanitation, and how to keep food fresh. They also learn about the diet for pregnant women, kids, and older people. It is a hands-on class meant to help people eat better and become more health-conscious.

Can people take the CFN course while working or going to college for something else?

Yes! The CFN course can be taken at any time through open online learning, which makes it perfect for working adults, stay-at-home moms, and students taking other classes. It doesn't require students to be in class and lets them study at their own pace.

Is there any work experience or field training as part of the CFN course?

Not at all. The CFN program only leads to a certificate and doesn't require any jobs or fieldwork. But students can use what they've learnt by making healthier food choices at home, at college, or in community health programs.

Do I need to know a lot about science to apply for the CFN course?

Not at all. Anyone who has passed Class 10 (Matriculation) can take the course. You don't need to have a background in science. Open to anyone interested in diet, food safety, or living a healthy life.

Can I go to college to study nutrition after I finish CFN?

Yes, Students who finish CFN can go on to get a diploma or a bachelor's degree in health studies, nutrition or dietetics. There are more advanced courses at IGNOU and other universities that build on what you learn in the CFN course.

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