IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
The IGNOU Certificate in Community Health is a 6-month programme with a fee of Rs. 15,000/- for the July 2026 session. Only candidates sponsored by the National Health Mission (NHM) through State Health Missions or State Governments can apply.
| Detail | Certificate in Community Health (CCH) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | CCH |
| School | School of Health Sciences (SOHS) |
| Eligibility | GNM/B.Sc. Nursing/PB B.Sc. Nursing/Ayurveda Graduates with BAMS |
| Medium | English |
| Duration | 6 months minimum, 2 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 15,000/- * |
| Total credits | 18 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH): what the programme covers
IGNOU offers a Certificate in Community Health (CCH) programme through its School of Health Sciences (SOHS). This programme is a six-month course with a total of 18 credits. It includes two theory courses and one practical course, with 8 credits allocated to theory and 10 credits to practical components.
The CCH programme is specifically designed for in-service registered nurses (RNRM) and Ayurveda Practitioners. It aims to enhance their knowledge, skills, and competencies to strengthen primary health care services at the peripheral level. The programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 15,000/-.
Admission to the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health programme is only open to sponsored candidates. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, in collaboration with IGNOU, selects candidates through the National Health Mission (NHM). Prospective learners must contact their respective State Health authorities for information on the selection and sponsorship procedure for admission.
IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) eligibility: who can apply
To apply for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health, candidates must hold specific nursing or Ayurveda qualifications. Eligibility requires a GNM, B.Sc. Nursing, PB B.Sc. Nursing, or a BAMS degree. The programme is delivered in English medium. These qualifications ensure that applicants have the foundational medical knowledge necessary for the community health curriculum.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
This fee applies to the current Certificate in Community Health programme offered by IGNOU’s School of Health Sciences (SOHS).
Plus the programme fee, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is paid at admission. A University Development fee of Rs. 400 is also payable at admission. Learners who choose the soft copy of study materials instead of printed materials receive a 15% discount on the programme fee.
SC/ST students are eligible for programme fee exemption as per University policy, which is reviewed every admission cycle. Prison inmates are exempt from both the programme fee and the registration fee. IGNOU learners can also apply for Government of India scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal.
If an application is cancelled before admission confirmation, the fee paid is refunded. After confirmation, 15% of the programme fee, capped at Rs. 2,000, is deducted from any refund. No refund is processed after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
Certificate in Community Health (CCH) fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 15,000/- * |
| Registration fee (once, non-refundable) | Rs. 300 |
| University Development fee (once) | Rs. 400 |
| Term-end exam fee | Rs. 200 per theory course |
Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) duration and credits
The IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) has a minimum duration of 6 months. Learners must complete the programme within a maximum of 2 years. This maximum duration allows for flexibility if a learner falls behind on assignments or term-end examinations.
The programme requires 18 credits. All 18 credits are programme courses. A learner can register for a single course or a few courses, up to 16 credits, as of July 2026. Credit transfer from another university is possible for an equivalent programme, based on credits already earned, as of July 2026. Learners can change an elective or course within 30 days of receiving the first set of course material, upon payment of a fee (July 2026).
IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) syllabus is structured into two theory courses and one practical course. This six-month programme totals 18 credits, with 8 credits allocated to theory and 10 credits to practical components. The programme is specifically for in-service registered nurses (RNRM) and Ayurveda Practitioners who are sponsored candidates from the National Health Mission (NHM) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India.
The programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 15,000/-. This fee is payable semester-wise. The School of Health Sciences (SOHS) at IGNOU offers this Certificate in Community Health, which is designed to improve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of healthcare professionals at the peripheral level. Candidates must contact their respective State Health authorities for the selection and sponsorship procedure for admission.
Certificate in Community Health (CCH) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Programme courses | 3 courses | 18 |
Certificate in Community Health (CCH) Programme courses
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BNS 41 | Foundations of CommunityHealth | 4 | Theory |
| BNS 42 | Primary Health Care in Common Conditions | 4 | Theory |
| BNSL 43 | Public Health and Primary Health Care Skills | 10 | Practical |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
The IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) admission for 2026 occurs in two cycles: January and July. The current cycle open on the ODL admission portal is the July 2026 cycle.
To apply for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) programme for the July 2026 session, follow these steps on the Samarth portal:
- Visit the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
- Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application.
- Prepare soft copies of the required documents:
- A colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
- Proof of your educational qualification (GNM, B.Sc. Nursing, PB B.Sc. Nursing, or BAMS), under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
- If applicable, your category certificate (SC/ST/OBC), under 200 KB.
- Complete the application form online. The application is fully online; no printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre.
- Pay the fees online. The programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 15,000/- (semester-wise). In addition to this, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are paid at admission. Payment modes include net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.
IGNOU Certificate in Community Health (CCH) exams and assignments
Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health. Assignments for the current session are available for download from the University website. A failed assignment must be re-submitted; once passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
Term-end examinations are held twice a year, in June and December, throughout the country. Examination centres are available across the country and abroad. Two sessions are held daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM, as seen in the December 2026 TEE schedule. Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes.
The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course, applicable to the December 2026 TEE. For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits, effective from the January 2023 admission cycle. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post. A copy of the answer script costs Rs. 100 per course as of January 2026. Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible.
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the total fee for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health?
This fee is paid semester-wise. A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are also payable at admission.
What are the eligibility criteria for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health?
To be eligible for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health, applicants must hold a GNM, B.Sc. Nursing, PB B.Sc. Nursing, or be an Ayurveda Graduate with a BAMS. The programme is open only to candidates sponsored by the National Health Mission (NHM) through State Health Missions.
How long does it take to complete the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health?
The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health is 6 months. Learners have a maximum of 2 years to complete the programme requirements. The programme has 18 total credits.
Which courses in the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health have practical components?
The course BNSL 43, titled Public Health and Primary Health Care Skills, is a practical course carrying 10 credits. Attendance at practical sessions is compulsory for this programme. The programme also includes two theory courses.
How many credits are in the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health programme?
The IGNOU Certificate in Community Health programme has a total of 18 credits. These credits are divided into 8 credits for theory courses and 10 credits for the practical course. One credit represents 30 hours of learner study.
Can I get a discount on the programme fee if I choose digital study materials?
Yes, learners who opt for soft copies of study materials instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. The self-learning material is also available on the eGyanKosh repository. Printed self-instructional material is provided as a print book and/or e-book.
What is the examination fee for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health courses?
This fee structure applies from the January 2023 admission cycle.
How are admissions handled for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health?
Candidates for this programme are selected by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and must be sponsored by the National Health Mission (NHM). Prospective learners should contact their respective State Health authorities for selection and sponsorship procedures. Admissions are fully online.
When are the Term-End Examinations held for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health?
Term-End Examinations for the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health are held twice a year, in June and December. Learners must submit their assignments before appearing for the Term-End Examination. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website.
What documents are required for online admission to the IGNOU Certificate in Community Health?
Applicants need a colour passport-size photograph with a white background (under 100 KB JPEG) and soft copies of relevant educational qualification proofs (under 200 KB, JPEG/PDF). A category certificate, if applicable, is also required (under 200 KB). Applicants should also have their APAAR ID ready.