About AIIH&PH, Kolkata 🏛️
The All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health (AIIH&PH), established in 1932 by the Government of India with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, is the oldest institution for public health education in Southeast Asia. It is an autonomous "Centre of Excellence" under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The institute is affiliated with the West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) for its degrees. It does not offer MBBS but is a premier training and research institution for postgraduate professionals, offering Master of Public Health (MPH), MD (Community Medicine), M.Sc., and various Ph.D. and diploma programs.
Key Information at a Glance 📊
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Fees (Approx.) | Extremely low government fees (e.g., ~₹20,000 - ₹50,000 for the entire course) |
| Flagship Program Intake | Varies by specialized course (MPH, MD, etc.) |
| Highest Package (2025) | Not applicable; graduates are senior public health professionals. |
| Average Package (2025) | Stipend during MD residency: ~₹90,000/month |
| Median Package (2025) | Not Applicable |
| Scholarship Availability | Yes, various government fellowships and stipends are provided. |
| Top Career Avenues | Government Public Health Depts., UN Organizations (WHO, UNICEF), Academia, NGOs |
| Top Recruiters | State/Central Government Health Services, WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, Research Institutes |
| Approvals | MoHFW (Govt. of India), NMC, UGC |
Career Prospects & Further Studies 📈
As a premier government institute, AIIH&PH is not about corporate placements but about creating leaders in public health. Graduates are highly sought after by national and international health organizations and governments.
| Primary Career Paths | |
|---|---|
| Government Services | Graduates are prime candidates for senior roles in state and central health ministries, managing national health programs. |
| International Organizations | A significant number of alumni work with the WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, and other international health bodies. |
| Academia & Research | The institute is a major hub for producing faculty for the 'Community Medicine' and 'Public Health' departments in medical colleges across India. |
| NGOs & Public Health Policy | Graduates work with major NGOs and as policy advisors and epidemiologists. |
Common Career Paths
- Public Health Manager (Government)
- Professor of Community Medicine
- Epidemiologist / Biostatistician
- Consultant for WHO/UNICEF
Fee Structure & Scholarships: Funding Your Education 💰
As a central government institute, the fee structure is negligible and highly subsidized. Most students are, in fact, paid to study.
Fee Structure (Approx.)
- PG Course Fees: Extremely nominal, often just a few thousand rupees per year.
- Stipend/Salary: All students admitted to MD (Community Medicine) are paid a full junior residency stipend (~₹90,000/month).
- Fellowships: Ph.D. and other research students are supported by UGC/CSIR/ICMR fellowships.
Scholarship Opportunities
Financial support is integral to the institute:
- Stipends for Residents: All medical postgraduates are paid as resident doctors.
- Government Fellowships: All national fellowships (JRF, SRF) are applicable.
Research & Practical Training 🏢
Training at AIIH&PH is entirely practical and field-based, serving as the apex training center for public health professionals in the country.
- Rural & Urban Health Centers: The institute operates its own rural and urban health training centers, providing direct, hands-on community-level experience.
- Extensive Field Work: All programs (especially MPH and MD) involve mandatory, extensive fieldwork, outbreak investigations, and implementation of health programs.
- Specialized Labs: It has high-end labs for epidemiology, biostatistics, microbiology, and environmental health.
- Policy Making: Students are often involved in projects directly for the Ministry of Health, contributing to national health policy.
The Real Campus Experience: Life at AIIH&PH 🧑🎓
The historic campus is located in central Kolkata. The environment is highly academic, professional, and research-oriented, populated by doctors, engineers, and scientists pursuing postgraduate studies.
Campus Facilities
The campus is equipped with specialized infrastructure for public health training.
- Historic heritage building with modern academic blocks.
- A vast, specialized library for public health, one of the best in Asia.
- Advanced laboratories for all public health disciplines.
- Hostel facilities are available for postgraduate students.
A Day on Campus
The daily life revolves around lectures, intense lab work, statistical analysis, and extensive field visits.
- An environment defined by research, data, and policy discussions.
- A diverse and mature student body of medical and non-medical professionals.
- Close interaction with some of the most experienced public health faculty in India.
- A strong culture of seminars, journal clubs, and academic conferences.
Admissions Process & Eligibility 📝
- Check Eligibility: Varies significantly.
- MD (Community Medicine): Requires an MBBS degree.
- MPH (Master of Public Health): Open to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH graduates, and also to candidates with M.Sc. in relevant fields.
- M.Sc (Applied Nutrition, etc.): Requires a relevant B.Sc. degree.
- Appear for Entrance Exams:
- For MD: Admission is based on rank in the NEET-PG examination, followed by All India/State counseling.
- For MPH & Other PG Courses: Admission is typically through a centralized entrance test conducted by the West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS).
- For Ph.D.: Based on NET/JRF qualification or a separate university entrance test.
- Register for Counselling: Candidates must register for the respective counseling (MCC for All India, WBMCC for State Quota, or WBUHS for other courses).
- Final Admission: Seats are allotted based on entrance exam rank and category. Cutoffs are extremely high due to the institute's reputation and low fees.