Application deadline: 30 April 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CHLP 2025-26
1. What does the Community Health Learning Programme (CHLP) offer?
The CHLP is an opportunity for young and mid-career professionals to deepen their understanding of community health and public health. Participants experience its scope by actively participating in a dynamic and enriching community and learner-centric programme. The CHLP is a university accredited postgraduate diploma programme (PGD) in community health, for those who meet the criteria (see later). Those unable to meet the criteria receive a Certificate of Participation by SOCHARA.
2. What are the objectives of the CHLP?
The objectives of the programme are to enable you as a learner:
- To initiate an inner-learning process to understand oneself and why one wants to work in community health
- To sharpen analytical skills and deepen an understanding of the social paradigm of community health, identifying action strategies to address these, learning from the rich experience in India.
- To broaden an understanding of socio-economic, political, cultural, and ecological inter-linkages to health and health systems, particularly the communitisation of the public health system.
- To strengthen one’s motivation, interest, and long-term commitment to develop community health competencies.
- To connect with networks for community health and development in India.
3. When did the CHLP start, what does it offer & what is the future scope for participants?
The programme has been running since 2002 and has evolved in a phased manner through a process of reflection, review and evaluation.
It was an in-person programme for several years. Since 2021 during the Covid pandemic it has transformed into a hybrid programme, thus increasing its reach.
Since May 2022, SOCHARA has been accredited for the CHLP and MPH-CH by the Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), Shillong, Meghalaya. Participants who successfully complete the CHLP in compliance with university and programme requirements, will be awarded a PG Diploma in Community Health. While this is a standalone PG Diploma, it is also accepted as the first year of the Master’s in Public Health Programme with a specialisation in Community Health (MPH-CH). The SOCHARA SOPHEA team conducts the CHLP and MPH-CH programmes including curriculum development, module planning and delivery, assignments, assessments and evaluation.
4. What are the eligibility criteria ?
The current eligibility criteria include:
Graduates of Medical Sciences – (≥ 4-year Undergraduate) (MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences (BNYS), Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS), Veterinary Sciences (BVSc.); graduates or post graduates in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physician Assistant and other equivalent degrees.
Postgraduates of Health Sciences, Community Health / Public Health, Social Sciences, Medico Social Work, Environmental Health, Demography, Population Studies, Nutrition/Dietetics, Psychology, Anthropology/Medical Anthropology, Microbiology, and other equivalent degrees.
Graduates and Post Graduates in science, relevant social sciences including social work and community development, with demonstrated experience (a minimum of 2 years’ experience), and an interest in Community Health can apply. Participants will need an ability to cope with an intensive hybrid programme that include assignments, assessments and a 3 month community health action project.
5. What are the alumni doing now?
Over 650 alumni come from a wide range of disciplines and are engaged in diverse jobs and engagements, all of which contribute to Health for ALL.
They contribute to community health in the voluntary, non-profit, government and academic spaces, and over time have taken on leadership or senior positions in different organisations in the health and development sector across India.
6. I am not in the health sector, but interested in joining this programme. Can I apply?
Yes. Community health draws knowledge, skills and experience from diverse disciplines towards addressing health, development and equity issues, both at the community level and at other levels. If you are passionate about working long-term in the domain of community health and come from a different or allied sector, we encourage you to apply for the programme.
7. I am working for the government – can I apply? If so, should I get any formal permission?
Yes, you can apply. You will need to get a letter of permission from the concerned authorities.
8. Is there a community-based project component in this programme?
Yes. The community health action (CHA) project component would be developed together with your assigned mentor and your organisation (if you are working with an organisation in a community-based setting). It is flexible and need-based. This is not a research project. The CHA helps develop competencies/ skills building on values, perspectives and knowledge.
9. What do I gain from the CHLP?
Through CHLP, you will be exposed to the large canvas of community health. The programme will introduce you to the ‘social or community’ paradigm of health and the societal determinants of health. You will be introduced to various community health initiatives in the country, as well as to the public health system and public health policies and programmes especially to ‘communitisation’ and community engagement. In addition, it offers you an experiential learning opportunity to take up a community-based health action project with any development organisation including your current organisation, supported by a mentor.
The group process provides a space to discuss, reflect, share experiences and learn from each other. The personal mentoring process during the programme ensures that you begin to internalise the community health approach along with getting guidance for planning your future course of action.
You get to interact with experienced practitioners of community health, public health and health policy in the country. You can access extensive resource materials on community health and development available on our digital platform SUDHA (Sochara Unit for Digital Humanities and Archives) and through our Community Health Library and Information Centre (CLIC).
10. Who will my colleagues be in the programme?
Participants come from varying backgrounds, already working or with a keen interest in working in the health sector. They come from different regions across India and speak different languages. Peer learning is encouraged through group formation for assignments.
11. What am I expected to do during the CHLP?
The online orientation will cover concepts of community health, public health, the health system, health status in India and how health is determined by social, economic, and political processes.
The curriculum includes 30 modules (+/- 2) over two semesters (Semester 1 and 2) with 1,200 hours of learning over 12 months. There are 40 university credits for the CHLP.
You must attend a minimum of two-hour online live sessions twice every week. The session dates and time will be decided based on the convenience of the majority of participants. The timing would be in the evening hours (last year, the sessions were held from 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.). Guest lectures/ reflection sessions/ lived experience sessions will be a part of these online live sessions. Additional sessions may be organised in response to need.
You will need to attend two 5-day in-person sessions at SOCHARA, Bengaluru. (see later)
A community health action (CHA) project conducted over 3 months is required to be undertaken based on an area of your interest during the programme. The project can build on your ongoing work, in the geographic area where you are based, within the organisation you are working. SOCHARA will provide support through partner networks for the community health action project if required. You need to submit regular reflective notes on each module, along with assignment submissions after each module. A final analytical report of your learning journey, and the CHA project work, will need to be submitted before the end of the programme, in order to receive the PGD.
Further details will be given during the orientation.
12. Is there any group work?
Yes, there will be learning undertaken in small groups, with presentations during the live sessions.
In our experience group work has proven to be an excellent cross-learning opportunity for participants.
13. What is the duration of the programme?
The duration of the programme is 12 months, inclusive of holidays.
14. When does the programme begin?
The programme begins on the 1st of August 2025.
15. Is it a full-time or part-time programme?
It is a part-time hybrid programme, and you can continue with your current work.
16. How many hours per week should I devote to the programme?
Participants will need to dedicate more than 10 to 12 hours/week to the programme. You are encouraged to give more time to focused reading and learning, so as to build your competence and confidence to be able to function effectively and independently in a work situation.
17. What are the programme fees?
The total annual contribution towards the CHLP is INR/Rs. 1,35,000/- only. We offer scholarships to deserving candidates on a case-by-case basis. There is an additional amount of Rs. 10,000/- for those who want the University Accreditation from MLCU.
Selected candidates are encouraged to keep your organisation informed of your participation in the CHLP. You could possibly get full or part sponsorship from your organisation as part of the personnel/ staff development policies of the organisation.
18. Do I have to be based in SOCHARA, Bengaluru for the duration of the programme?
No. This is a hybrid programme with both online and in-person sessions (in Bengaluru)
You will be required to be at SOCHARA, Bengaluru for the in-person sessions titled Community Health Changemakers Confluence (CHCC). The duration of the first CHCC will be 5 days, scheduled provisionally in the 1st week of September 2025. The registration fee and travel cost will be borne by participants and the accommodation and food costs will be partially borne by SOCHARA.
There will be a 2nd in-person CHCC session for 5 days held in Bengaluru at a convenient time during the programme This could possibly be in January or February 2026 with a focus on developing the idea draft and plan for your community health action project. We will announce the dates for it well in advance for you to plan travel etc.
19. Can I discontinue the programme at any time?
We encourage you to apply only if you are sure of being a part of this programme for one entire year. We acknowledge that unanticipated circumstances can occur which may force you to take a break or discontinue. We will provide as much support as possible in that situation to make it possible for you to complete the programme.
There will be no refund of payments that have been made.
20. What kind of support will be provided after the programme?
To continue the learning process, mechanisms are in place for networking between participants, and between participants and SOCHARA. These include CLIC, SUDHA and life-long access to the modules in the Learning Management System (LMS). There are also alumni e-groups, circulation of newsletters, background papers, reflections, research outputs, etc. In addition, the participants can keep in touch with SOCHARA team members, society members of SOCHARA, friends and associates who are located in different parts of the country and the world.
There is a need for continued learning in the practice of community health, strengthening the knowledge, attitudes and skills developed during the programme.
21. Does one receive a certificate after completion of the programme?
Yes, the CHLP is now accredited as a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Community Health by Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), Shillong. If the criteria for accreditation are met and are up to the required standards, you will be eligible for a PGD certificate. The provision of the PGD certificate entails an accreditation fee of 10,000 INR. Those not meeting the PGD requirements can get a SOCHARA certificate of completion based on certain criteria.
22. How do I apply?
- Apply online through the Google Form which is provided.
- Upload a statement of purpose (SOP) as to why you want to join the programme.
- Upload your latest updated CV and supporting educational certificates
- Provide contact details (email ID and mobile numbers) of two referees
23. How to write a Statement of Purpose (SoP)?
A SoP is an essay which mentions who you are, your educational background, and work experience.
Importantly it must explain your intent to do the programme and how it will benefit you and the work you do. It should be a compelling document and help the selection committee to get an idea of you as a person and your intent to do this programme. Please note that it must be in a Word document using Times New Roman, font size 12, with a minimum of 600 and a maximum of 1000 words. Overall, it must be a sincere document written by the applicant in simple language. If necessary, you can contact the CHLP core team for clarification. Please do not use AI tools to formulate your SoP because we would like to hear your own authentic thinking in English or your own language. Grammar and styles of sentence formation are not an issue.
24. What is the importance of the SoP?
Your SoP is an important document. The suitability of the applicant is largely based on the SoP. We recommend that you spend ample time preparing one.
25. What is the Selection Process?
After receiving and scrutinising your application with annexures and CV; your referees will be contacted. Subsequently an online selection interview will be conducted. Based on a scoring process you will be selected.
25. How do I know if I have been selected?
All applications sent to SOCHARA go through a screening process. We will get back to you after your application has been screened. If your name is short-listed, you will need to attend an interview as mentioned above. We will communicate the final selection thereafter.
26. Whom do I contact for more information?
Please write to sopheachlp@sochara.org
You can contact Mr. V Nagaraja Rao at +91 9845581133. Please call us between 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, between Monday to Friday.
Thank you for your interest in the CHLP!