multidisciplinary curriculum that aims to equip learners with a solid theoretical foundation and relevant clinical abilities to serve the community and public. Various aspects of the Public Health discipline are covered under the course curriculum, such as maternal and child health, hygiene and sanitation, first aid services, and preventive and promotional healthcare.
MPHW Course admissions are primarily merit-based, with a candidate's eligibility evaluated on the basis of their 10th or 10+2 scores. Most institutes require a minimum aggregate score of 45%-50% in the same and in certain cases, only students with backgrounds in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are accepted. There is no entrance exam required for admission.
In India, the MPHW course fee can range from INR 15,000 to INR 1,00,000. The leading colleges currently offering this 2-year comprehensive study include Indira Gandhi National Open University, State Institute of Vocational Education, and NIILM University.
The average entry-level Multipurpose Health Worker salary in India ranges from INR 1 LPA – 2 LPA, while experienced level salaries range from INR 6 LPA – 10 LPA. Additionally, with the necessary industry-relevant medical and clinical skills, course graduates are highly employable in the Public Healthcare sector in positions such as Community Health Worker, Health Inspector, Public Health Supervisor, Public Health Officer, and more.
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MPHW Course Highlights
Given below are some of the basic highlights for the Multipurpose Health Worker.
What is MPHW?
MPHW, also known as Multipurpose Health Worker, is a 2-year vocational training program that prepares learners to contribute significantly to public and community health. The course curriculum is highly multidisciplinary in nature, comprising multiple classroom and hands-on learning opportunities in public health, environmental science, maternal care, and administrative skills.
The course’s duration is divided into 18 months of academic study and 6 months of intensive field training under the supervision of industry professionals. Through classroom learning, learners develop sound knowledge of the significance and various aspects of Medical and Clinical Sciences, Maternal and Child Health, Hygiene and Sanitation, Disease Prevention, and Health Education.
Why Study MPHW?
Despite its multidisciplinary nature, an Multipurpose Health Worker course is a beginner-friendly, short-term course that allows learners to easily enter and evolve their professional careers in healthcare and related industries. Furthermore, as a practical, intense course curriculum, MPHW has numerous advantages to offer, including:
- Hand-on professional training: The MPHW course duration is 2 years, which is further divided into 18 months of academic study and 6 months of field training. This training requires students to work in community health centers, clinics, or hospitals under the supervision of professionals to develop and enhance injury-relevant medical and clinical skills in a real-world setting.
- Opportunity to serve the society: As an intensive study in the various aspects of the Public Health discipline, nearly all of the job roles for MPHW graduates are in the public and community healthcare sectors, allowing them to serve the society by improving public health and contributing to disease prevention, medical treatments, and hygiene awareness.
- Groundwork for advanced studies in healthcare: As a foundational study in Public Health, MPHW lays down a solid groundwork for individuals to pursue higher education in a variety of healthcare and community health fields, such as nursing, paramedical science, community health, social work, medical assistance and more.
- Affordable: The average fee for MPHW in India ranges between INR 15,000 and INR 1,00,000, making it an exceptionally affordable course of study that prepares students to work in community healthcare and other related areas in a relatively short period of time.
Who should study MPHW?
MPHW is a foundational and beginner-friendly course of study in the Public Health discipline that anyone who has completed their 10th or 10+2 can pursue. Among the candidates who meet the fundamental eligibility criteria for the course, the following individuals can be regarded as highly suitable for this course:
- Healthcare enthusiasts who could not achieve sufficient scores in 10th or 10+2 to pursue studies in science stream or a professional medical degree.
- Empathetic individuals with a great desire to serve society and the community in the areas of health, disease diagnosis, and treatment.
- Those who prefer courses that emphasize hands-on, practical learning over theoretical ones.
- Individuals who want to work in the health and community service industries and are willing to start with lower salaries and job roles.
- Working professionals with a science background looking to transition their careers to healthcare, medical or related industries.
MPHW Eligibility Criteria
MPHW Course Eligibility in India is purely merit-based, determined by a candidate's 10th or 10+2 scores. There is no entrance exam required for the same, and the fundamental eligibility requirements, which vary from college to college, are as follows:
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board in any stream.
- At some institutes, 10th graduates are also accepted into the course.
- The merit requirements generally vary between 45%-50% in 10th / 10+2.
- Some institutes only accept candidates with a background in Physics, Chemistry and Biology into the MPHW course.
MPHW Colleges in India
In India, a variety of private and public institutions offer the MPHW Course, with some offering it via distance learning and others through a traditional classroom learning system. The top MPHW institutes are presented in the table below, together with the essential course-specific details:
MPHW Admission Process 2025
Admission to the Multipurpose Health Worker course is direct and generally involves a few basic steps, such as filling out an application form on the college's website, submitting relevant personal and academic documents, and paying the application form fee.
For your reference, given below is the admission process for the NIILM University:
Step 1: Visit the university's admission portal and enter the requested personal information and the name of the course which the candidate wishes to pursue. The admission portal can be accessed via the university's official website.
Step 2: Verify the mobile number and click on “register”.
Step 3: The candidate will be required to fill the application form. Start by entering the personal details, followed by the relevant academic history details. Also, upload the scanned copies of the documents specified in the form.
Step 4: Pay the non refundable application form fee using debit card/ credit card/ net banking and click on “submit”.
Step 5: The candidate will receive an official email confirming that his/her application has been received by the university.
Step 6: The university reviews all the applications received for the course and shortlists candidates on the basis of their 10th scores.
Step 7: The university mails admission letters to those who are shortlisted for the course on their registered email ids.
Step 8: After receiving the mail, candidates must complete the basic formalities outlined in it to confirm a seat in the course.
Documents Required:
- 10th / 10+2 marksheets
- Character certificate
- Government issued ID proof (Aadhar card, Passport or PAN card)
- 5-7 passport-sized photographs
- Caste certificate (If applicable)
- Medical fitness certificate from a registered doctor. (If applicable)
MPHW Syllabus
The MPHW syllabus is multidisciplinary and covers various aspects of the Public Health discipline, including Community Health and Hygiene, Primary Medical Care, Health Monitoring and Record-Keeping. The course duration is 2 years and it does not explicitly follow a semester-wise structure.
Given below is the Multipurpose Health Worker Syllabus followed at State Institute of Vocational Education:
MPHW Job Opportunities in India
Multipurpose Health Worker graduates, with their industry-relevant medical and clinical skills, can find numerous job opportunities in the healthcare and community service sectors, especially at the beginner levels at first, but with experience and additional educational qualifications, they can easily move up to higher levels. Some of the most prestigious and sought-after jobs in this industry are:
MPHW Vs Diploma in Community Health Worker Comparison
While a 2-year MPHW course focuses on serving the public by offering preventative and curative healthcare services and supporting doctors in doing the same, a Diploma in Community Health worker differs greatly from this in scope, even though the two programs are somewhat similar in their training structures.
A Diploma in Community Health Worker teaches learners the various techniques and methods to raise awareness among communities about health and disease prevention, and for more information on these two courses, refer to the table below:
MPHW FAQs
What further study options are available after completing a MPHW course?
MPHW graduates have a variety of higher education options available to them, including diplomas, UG degrees, and even PG degrees. If they are looking for a short-term education, they might choose a Diploma in Medical Lab Technology, Physiotherapy, Dialysis Technology, or Public Health and Sanitation Technology. Aside from that, they can pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, Physiotherapy, or Public Health. In addition, if the candidate has previously finished UG studies, he/she can pursue a Master's degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Social Work, or other related fields.
Is it possible to find a job immediately after completing an MPHW course following 10+2 studies?
Yes, MPHW graduates can readily obtain jobs in public healthcare and allied industries, owing to their highly clinical and industry relevant skill set. It must be noted, however, that initially, course graduates are only provided jobs at junior levels, such as Health Assistant, Community worker, Rural Health Worker, Personal Care Assistant, and more. Such profiles typically offer slightly lower salaries.
What kind of training is provided under the MPHW course curriculum?
A typical 6-month field training is a mandatory component of the MPHW curriculum, such training often involves students to work in a real-world setting, such as in a rural clinic, hospitals, or health centers, under the supervision of professionals. During such training, students are mostly taught and asked to perform first aid and emergency care, vitals monitoring, basic medical procedures, and vaccines and immunizations on actual patients.
Is it possible to pursue Multipurpose Health Worker course after completing a Bachelor of Science course?
Yes, it is possible to pursue an MPHW course after graduating from a Bachelor of Science Degree since it allows candidates to build practical and clinical skills in the healthcare field, which are typically not available in the BSc program due to its theory-intensive nature. Also, it should be noted that not all institutions accept BSc graduates into the MPHW course, proper research must be conducted to identify those that do before applying for the same.
