Dietician
Registered nutrition professional who advises people on food choices, diet charts and meal plans.
Overview
A Dietician is a registered professional, who studies the science of nutrition and uses this knowledge to advise people on their food and nutrition choices. Dieticians help their patients by correcting their eating habits with diet charts, meal-plans, etc. Dieticians create awareness around healthy consumption.
Where they work
- Government and Private hospitals
- Healthcare centres
- Self-employed
- Nursing homes
- Gyms
- Fitness centres
- Schools
- Hostels
Work environment
It is a desk job. Part-time work and contractual jobs are available. Working hours are usually for 8 to 9 hours everyday. This may vary from hospital to hospital. Shift system may be available.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are interested in health and nutrition
- You like to help others solve their problems
- You like to research and work independently
- You have good communication skills
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
- 2Pursue a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc) in Nutrition & Dietetics/Food and Human Nutrition
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc) in the same domain
Alternative route 3
- 1Pursue a PG Diploma in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics/Food and Human Nutrition
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Institute of Home Economics, New Delhi
- Lady Irwin College, New Delhi
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Quaid-E-Millath Government College for Women, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Government Arts College for Women, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Women's Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
- ITM - Institute of Health Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Nehru Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Trainee
- 2Dietician
- 3Senior Dietician
- 4Head of Department
Expected income
₹5,910 – ₹20,200 per month for freshers
These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Nutritionist
Advises healthy people on eating habits, food choices and lifestyle — not on treating illness.
Public Health Officer
Protects public health by investigating outbreaks, tracking trends and educating the public.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to helping people.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Reshmi Roy Chowdhury — A renowned celebrity nutritionist and columnist. She holds a master's degree in Food & Nutrition. She has been in active clinical practice since 1992 and her research work in the field of preventive health care has helped more than 5,00,000 patients to reap the benefits of non-drug therapy. She writes frequently in several national dailies like The Times of India, The Indian Express, etc. on health issues besides appearing as guest speaker in several TV channels.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 337 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3XiGslu
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.