Public Health Officer
Protects public health by investigating outbreaks, tracking trends and educating the public.
Overview
Public Health Officers are responsible for taking measures to protect the public's health. They do this by investigating disease outbreaks, monitoring public health trends, and educating the public on how to stay healthy. Public health officers may work directly with patients or they may focus on research and policy development.
Where they work
- Government and Private hospitals
- Dispensaries
- Government Offices
- Pharmaceutical Companies
Work environment
It is not a desk job. You are likely to oversee a team of officials. Local travel is part of the job profile. Hospitals usually work 6 to 7 days a week and 8 to 10 hours every day. This may vary from hospital to hospital.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like to help others
- You are concerned about social issues
- You can comfortably talk with all kinds of people
- You are a practical person
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)
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.P.H.A.) in Public Health Administration.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (M.P.H.A) in the same field.
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health (PGDPH)
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 Public Health Administration/Medicine. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala
- Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR), New Delhi
- Dr D Y Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra
- Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram, Haryana
- Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, Maharashtra
- School of Medical Education, Kottayam, Kerala
- JSS Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra
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
- 1Health Workers
- 2Health Officer
- 3Senior Health Officer
- 4Chief Health Officer
Expected income
₹17,000 – ₹80,000 per month or more
The figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Healthcare Manager
Runs a healthcare facility — staffing, budgets and day-to-day functioning of the hospital.
Medical Writer
Writes scientific and medical documents — research results, product use, health content.
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
Nanjundachar Sumana — Co-founded Train and Help Babies (TaHB) in Texas in 2015 with her husband Prakash Kabbur. She studied public health in the U.S. after passing out of JSS Medical College, Mysuru. The NGO encourages medical professionals or others to adopt a medical centre — either a government or government-funded hospital. TaHB provides all the funds.
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 413 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Skill=Public_Health/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The printed government list names the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru twice (entries 4 and 7); it appears once here.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.