Social Worker
Helps individuals, families and communities facing poverty, mental health issues, addiction, domestic violence or disability to improve their well-being.
Overview
A Social Worker is a professional who helps individuals, families, and communities improve their well-being and address social issues. They work with people facing various challenges, such as poverty, mental health issues, addiction, domestic violence, and disability, and they provide support through counseling, advocacy, and connecting people with essential services.
Where they work
- Community development organizations
- Child welfare and human service agencies
- Mental health facilities
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Non-governmental organizations
Work environment
It involves extensive field work and travel. Typically, you will have an office but also regularly work in the field, depending on the type of social work you specialize in.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You can comfortably talk with everyone
- You like helping friends, peers and others around you
- You like to analyse social problems
- You enjoy learning about different communities and their cultures
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any subject stream.
- 2Complete a Bachelor's in Social Work/Sociology.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Bachelor's in Social Work/Sociology, followed by a Master's in Social Work (MSW).
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a Bachelor's in any subject and then a Master's in Social Work (MSW).
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
This course is offered by the Department of Social Work. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying.
Government institutes
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- University of Delhi, New Delhi
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
- Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal
- University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- National Institute of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- CMR University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk, Rajasthan
- St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Bosco Institute, Jorhat, Assam
- Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
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
- 1Intern
- 2Project Associate
- 3Administrative Manager, Policy Planning Manager or Project Manager
Expected income
₹15,000 – ₹30,000 per month
The card credits these figures to the National Career Service (NCS), though its link is to a Glassdoor page. They are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Human Rights Lawyer
Fights for individuals and groups who have been denied the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
Sociologist
Studies society, human behaviour and interaction — examining institutions, cultures and groups, from family and religion to class and the state.
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 Arts, Any Stream.
- 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
Priti Patkar — Co-founder and Executive Secretary of the NGO Prerana, which works to end intergenerational trafficking and protect the rights of children. She graduated from the School of Social Work at Nirmala Niketan, College of Social Work, and stood first in her specialisation in Social Work at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in 1986. She created a 'Night Care Centre' for the safety of children living in the brothel area, described in the source as the first of its kind in the world. In 1989 she received the Ashoka Fellowship from the Ashoka Foundation, USA, and she has also received the Nari Shakti Puraskar, awarded by the President of India.
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 2, printed page 783 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/india-social-worker-salary-SRCH_IL.0,5_IN115_KO6,19.htm
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences, listed under private institutes, is a deemed university funded by the Government of India, so it is shown under government institutes here. The card gives three growth routes from Intern to Project Associate, ending as Administrative Manager, Policy Planning Manager or Project Manager; they are combined in the last step.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.