Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) School of Public Health, ICMR - National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Department of Health Research; Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has invited applications for admission to the Master of Public Health (Epidemiology and Health Systems) Program 2026 under the India Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP).

This is a 2-year programme of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, conducted by ICMR School of Public Health at ICMR – National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai. It trains in-service health professionals in applied epidemiology and public health skills. It equips public health managers to investigate diseases, analyze data, evaluate health programs, and manage public health threats through a combination of classroom learning and intensive field work.

MPH (Epidemiology and Health Systems) programme is designed to introduce the participants to the basic principles of public health, with emphasis on public health practices in India. Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to develop the following seven technical core competencies: (i) Understand the scope and concepts and master the methods in epidemiology (ii) Plan, implement and evaluate public health surveillance systems (iii) Investigate the outbreaks (iv) Conduct public health research in accordance with principles of human subject protection (v) Communicate public health information to lay and professional audiences (vi) Conceptualize the elements of health systems to effectively design, develop, implement and evaluate the public health interventions (vii) Comprehend the biological, social, behavioural, environmental determinants affecting health.

Eligibility: Those fulfilling the following criteria are eligible to apply for the course: (i) M.B.B.S. degree recognized by Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission) (ii) (a) Working in public health, preferably regularized and permanent employees of State or Central Government Department or Medical institutions (b) Private (Non-Government) candidates worked / working in public health (iii) Three years’ experience in public health related activities (iv) Age up to 45 years as on 1.7.2026. Departmental candidates from ICMR institutions will be granted age relaxation of 5 years. SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates will be eligible for age relaxation as per Government of India rules

Admission is open to government and private candidates. Preference will be given to the candidates sponsored by the Central / State Governments / Union Territories and Armed Forces.

Sponsorship: The sponsoring authority (Central/State Government / Non-Governmental Organizations / Private Institutions) should nominate and depute the candidates for 2 years on a full time basis. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer has to be submitted along with application or produced before joining the course.

Candidates selected for the course should be available for the entire duration of 2 years on full time basis. They should not do private practice or engage in any other employment, etc., during the Contact Sessions and Field Postings. Total credits are 60 of which 22 are for contact sessions and 38 for Field Projects.

Selection: A Selection Committee constituted by SCTIMST and NIE will select the candidates based on Written test and Personal interview.

Fees: There is no course fee for deputed candidates from State/Central Government Departments/Armed forces. One time Administrative Services fee of Rs. 30,000/- is to be paid at the time of admission to SCTIMST by both deputed and non-deputed candidates. For the non-deputed government/private candidates and deputed candidates from private institutions, the course fee is Rs.1,00,000/-, payable at the beginning of the course.

Information Brochure and Application link are available at https://www.nie.gov.in/ (Academics > India-FETP-MPH links).

Application can be submitted online at the link latest by 31st December 2025. Application fee is Rs. 600/- payable online as per the details given at the website.

Course will commence on 1st July 2026.

Website: www.nie.gov.in; Email: icmrniesph@nie.gov.in; Phone: 044-26136420.