A Diploma in Child Health, or DCH, is a two-year diploma course. DCH involves the pediatric study of diagnosing and treating infant-related health issues. It is a specialised medical course in pediatric care, neonatal care, and child health care management.
A candidate with an MBBS degree can pursue a Diploma in Child Health. Admission to DCH is mainly based on the NEET Exam. The annual average DCH fees range from INR 24,000 to INR 1,20,000.
Candidates with a DCH degree can pursue careers such as Paediatrician, Neonatal Consultant, Neonatologist, and Research Associate. Diploma in Child Health average package for freshers ranges between INR 5 LPA and INR 8 LPA.
- Diploma in Child Health Course Highlights
- What is a Diploma in Child Health?
- Why Pursue a Diploma in Child Health?
- Diploma in Child Health Course Eligibility Criteria
- Diploma in Child Health Course Admission Process 2025
- Diploma in Child Health Course Entrance Exams
- Colleges in India for Diploma in Child Health Course
- Diploma in Child Health Course Syllabus
- Diploma in Child Health Course Jobs & Salary
- Diploma in Child Health Course FAQs
Diploma in Child Health Course Highlights
Candidates can check the DCH Highlights in the table below.
Category | Details |
Course Name | Diploma in Child Health (DCH) |
Duration | 1 - 2 years |
Eligibility | MBBS degree or equivalent, recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI) |
Admission Process | Entrance Exam + Interview (varies by institution) |
Exams Accepted | NEET PG |
Average Course Fee | INR 24,000 - 1,20,000 per year |
Top Colleges | DY Patil University, Dr Vaishampayan Memorial Government Medical College, Maulana Azad Medical College, etc |
Career Prospects | Paediatrician, Child Health Specialist, Neonatologist, Pediatric Consultant, Clinical Researcher |
Average Salary | INR 5 - 8 LPA (Freshers) |
What is a Diploma in Child Health?
A postgraduate medical program of infant, child, and adolescent health and medical management is Diploma in Child Health (DCH). The doctors are trained to avoid, diagnose, and treat the diseases of children, and pediatric development and care are given special emphasis. Immunisation, nutrition, infectious diseases, and pediatric emergency management are covered under the program.
Usually 1-2 years' duration, DCH enables the practitioner to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to work effectively in children's departments, clinics, and hospitals, enhancing the health of children and assisting preventive healthcare interventions.
Why Pursue a Diploma in Child Health?
A DCH helps gain expertise in children's disease and developmental issue diagnosis and management. Given below are the benefits of pursuing a DCH:
- Gain qualifications and provide opportunities for paediatric positions in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings.
- Provide enhanced infant, child, and adolescent health care.
- Gain a formal postgraduate diploma within a relatively brief time period (typically 1–2 years).
- Suitable for general practitioners or those wishing to work in maternal and child health programs.
- As a bridge to further studies or specialisation in the field of paediatric medicine.
Diploma in Child Health Course Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in DCH or Diploma in Child Health must meet the eligibility criteria mentioned below:
- The candidate must have passed class 12 in the science stream (physics, chemistry, biology).
- Applicants should have an MBBS degree from a recognized medical institution
- Students must have a valid score in NEET PG.
- Some colleges can also conduct interview rounds before admission.
Diploma in Child Health Course Admission Process 2025
DCH admission is merit/ entrance-based. The Diploma in Child Health admission is mostly the same for all institutions; however, the detailed admission process is mentioned below:
- Entrance Exam: Admission is based on the National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post-Graduates (NEET PG). The minimum percentile for each category is mentioned below:
- General Category: 50 Percentile
- SC/ST/OBC: 40 Percentile
- UR/PWD: 45 Percentile
- Counselling Process: After qualifying for NEET PG, candidates must participate in counselling conducted by state authorities and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for seat allotment.
- Document Verification: Selected candidates must proceed for the document verification at the allotted institution after seat allotment
Diploma in Child Health Course Entrance Exams
Candidates who want to apply for DCH must appear for the NEET PG examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations. The table below shows the Diploma in Child Health entrance exam that is accepted for admission to the course:
Exams | Registration Date | Exam Date |
NEET PG 2025 | 2nd week of May, 2025 | June 15, 2025 |
AIIMS PG 2025 | April 25, 2025 | May 17, 2025 |
JIPMER PG 2025 | April 15, 2025 | May 17, 2025 |
Colleges in India for Diploma in Child Health Course
The table below shows the list of Diploma in Child Healthcolleges along with their annual course fee:
College Names | Location | Total Fees |
Shri MP Shah Government Medical College | Jamnagar, Gujarat | INR 1,20,000 |
DY Patil University | Kolhapur, Maharashtra | INR 56,770 |
NIMS Delhi | New Delhi | INR 55,000 |
Dr Vaishampayan Memorial Government Medical College | Solapur, Maharashtra | INR 82,900 |
Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi | New Delhi | INR 26,000 |
Vivekananda Institute of Medical Science | Kolkata | INR 24,000 |
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra | INR 85,000 |
Diploma in Child Health Course Syllabus
The Diploma in Child Health syllabus is similar across the colleges in India. However, the year-wise syllabus of the DCH of the School of Madras Medical College is mentioned below:
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
Hematology and Neoplastic Diseases | Preventive Pediatrics |
Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems | Neonatology: The Fetus and Neonatal Infant |
Endocrine System | Psychological Behavioral Manifestations Disorders |
Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Basic Sciences and Laboratory Medicine Applied to Pediatrics | Growth and Development |
Ethics in Pediatrics and Child Care | Metabolic Diseases |
Pediatric and Neonatal Therapeutics | Immunological System and Its Disorders |
Diploma in Child Health Course Jobs & Salary
After completing the Diploma in Child Health, graduates can explore a variety of job prospects such as Nutrition Specialist, Pediatric Consultant and much more. Some of the Diploma in Child Health job roles, along with the average package, are mentioned below:
Job Profile | Average Salary (INR) | Experience |
Associate Professor | 8 - 12 Lakh | 3+ years |
Nutrition Specialist | 6 - 10 Lakh | 2+ years |
Pediatric Consultant | 10 - 15 Lakh | 3+ years |
Sports Nutritionist | 5 - 8 Lakh | 0 - 2 years |
General Physician | 7 - 12 Lakh | 0 - 5 years |
Diploma in Child Health Course FAQs
Is there a Diploma in Child Health course available through IGNOU?
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) doesn't have a Diploma in Child Health course. However, candidates who have completed MBBS can explore other courses of IGNOU. IGNOU provides Post Graduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Health in distance learning mode and charges INR 30,000 annually for the course.
Can I pursue a Diploma in Child Health after BAMS?
Yes. It is possible to apply for the Diploma in Child Health course after a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree. Candidates holding an MBBS degree are qualified for the DCH course; however, most universities accept a BAMS degree for admission. Candidates need to cross-check the eligibility criteria on the official website before applying for the DCH course.
Is DCH (Diploma in Child Health) equivalent to MD?
No. Diploma in Child Health (DCH) is not equal to Doctor of Medicine (MD). DCH is a diploma course that imparts knowledge in child health and pediatrics, while MD is a postgraduate medical degree that imparts knowledge regarding pediatrics or another specialty. DCH is completed in 1-2 years, while MD is completed in 3 years by finishing the course.
