Social Work and NGOs

What you need to know

1. 1
   A social worker helps people and families in trouble: in hospitals, with children, in villages and city slums, and in government schemes. It is a trained profession, not just kindness.
2. 2
   The usual path: Class 12, then a 3-year BSW (or any degree), then a 2-year MSW (Master of Social Work). Most good jobs ask for the MSW.
3. 3
   Top places include TISS, the Delhi School of Social Work and Jamia. IGNOU teaches BSW and MSW by distance.
4. 4
   Pay at the start is modest. A real NGO or government job never asks you to pay to be hired.

Official sources

• admissions.tiss.ac.inTISS: admissions↗
• ignou.ac.inIGNOU: Master of Social Work↗

Inside this branch

• Every year: the calendar
• Who does what2 more
• After Class 122 more
• After graduation: MSW3 more
• Government jobs2 more
• Fellowships2 more
• Volunteer first1 more
• Jobs and pay2 more
• Start your own NGO2 more
• For girls1 more
• Avoid scams1 more

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   CUET (UG) for BA and BSW at central universities: usually in May.
2. 2
   CUET-PG for MSW at TISS, Delhi University and others: form usually from December to January, exam usually in March.
3. 3
   Exact dates change every year: always check the official website before you apply.

Official sources

• cuet.nta.nic.inNTA: CUET (UG)↗
• exams.nta.nic.inNTA: CUET-PG↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Article
  Mental Healthcare Act 2017 (text)Section 2: who counts as a psychiatric social worker.
  Free
• Official
  PIB: Mission VatsalyaHow child protection works in every district.
  Free
• Official
  MCA: CSR questions and answersWhich companies must spend on CSR.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Kinds of work
• Hospitals and mental health

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What you need to know

1. 1
   Community development (villages, slums, self-help groups), child protection, medical and psychiatric social work, work with women, the elderly and people with disabilities, CSR teams in companies, NGOs, and staff for government schemes.
2. 2
   NGOs run schools, health camps, livelihood and relief projects, and need field staff, project officers and managers. Field work (going out to meet people) is a big part of every social work degree.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Medical social workers help patients and families with money, care and follow-up. Big hospitals like AIIMS have Medical Social Service Officer posts that need a Master's in Social Work.
2. 2
   A psychiatric social worker works in mental health teams. The law says this needs an MSW plus a 2-year M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work with clinical training.

Official sources

• aiimsbhubaneswar.nic.inAIIMS Bhubaneswar: medical social work post (PDF)↗
• casemine.comMental Healthcare Act 2017 (text)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapPsychology and counselling→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  Jamia: Department of Social WorkBA (Hons) and MA Social Work.
  Free
• Official
  IGNOU: Bachelor of Social WorkEligibility, fees, duration.
  Free
• Official
  NTA: CUET (UG)Entrance for central universities.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The degree
• Study by distance

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   A BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) or BA (Honours) Social Work teaches the basics plus field work. Jamia and Delhi University colleges teach it in regular classes; central universities admit through CUET (UG).
2. 2
   You can also do any BA, B.Com or B.Sc first: the MSW is open to graduates of any subject at most places.

Official sources

• jmi.ac.inJamia: Department of Social Work↗
• Vaidaani roadmapAfter Class 12: all choices→
• Vaidaani roadmapArts and Humanities careers→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   IGNOU's BSW needs only Class 12. It takes at least 3 years, is taught in English and Hindi, and costs about ₹6,700 a year. Field work and practical attendance are compulsory.

Official sources

• ignou.ac.inIGNOU: Bachelor of Social Work↗
• Vaidaani roadmapScholarships for every stage→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 5

• Official
  TISS: admission questions (CUET-PG)Admission on CUET-PG scores only.
  Free
• Official
  Delhi School of Social Work: MA Social WorkEligibility and field work rules.
  Free
• Official
  IGNOU: Master of Social WorkDistance MSW, fees, duration.
  Free
• Official
  NTA: CUET-PGForms, syllabus, dates.
  Free
• Official
  CIP Ranchi: entrance examsPsychiatric social work course.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The MSW
• Entrance tests
• After the MSW

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   The MSW or MA Social Work takes 2 years, with a lot of supervised field work.
2. 2
   Delhi School of Social Work (Delhi University) takes graduates of any subject; the minimum marks are in DU's yearly PG brochure. It was the first school in Asia to offer a master's in social work.
3. 3
   By distance, IGNOU's MSW takes 2 to 4 years, in English or Hindi, and costs about ₹36,000 for the whole course (exam fees extra).

Official sources

• socialwork.du.ac.inDelhi School of Social Work: MA Social Work↗
• ignou.ac.inIGNOU: Master of Social Work↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   TISS once ran its own test, TISSNET. Now its MA Social Work admission is based entirely on CUET-PG scores, with no group discussion or interview.
2. 2
   Delhi University also admits to PG courses through CUET-PG. Other universities may hold their own tests: check each prospectus.

Official sources

• tisscuet.samarth.edu.inTISS: admission questions (CUET-PG)↗
• exams.nta.nic.inNTA: CUET-PG↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Psychiatric social work: a 2-year M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work with hospital training is offered at places like CIP Ranchi. M.Phil courses are being phased out in India, so check the latest notice.
2. 2
   Teaching and research: Social Work is a UGC NET subject. With an MSW and NET you can teach in colleges or do a PhD.

Official sources

• cipranchi.nic.inCIP Ranchi: entrance exams↗
• ugcnetonline.inUGC NET: subject list↗
• Vaidaani roadmapTeaching careers→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  Nagaland: child protection posts and pay (Word file)Real example of posts, qualifications and pay.
  Free
• Official
  AIIMS Bhubaneswar: medical social work post (PDF)Senior hospital post needing an MSW.
  Free
• Official
  PIB: India's mental health programmesDistrict Mental Health Programme and Tele-MANAS.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Child protection units
• Hospitals and mental health

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Every district has a District Child Protection Unit under the District Magistrate (about 760 in India), run under Mission Vatsalya.
2. 2
   States hire for these units, Child Helpline (1098) and adoption agencies, often on a 1-year contract that can be renewed.
3. 3
   Example (Nagaland advert): District Child Protection Officer ₹44,023 a month (PG degree in social work or similar + 3 years' experience); Protection Officer ₹27,804; Social Worker ₹18,536 (graduate in social work or sociology + 1 year's experience).

Official sources

• pib.gov.inPIB: Mission Vatsalya (child protection)↗
• dsw.nagaland.gov.inNagaland: child protection posts and pay (Word file)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Government hospitals and medical colleges hire medical social workers. The District Mental Health Programme and the Tele-MANAS helpline need psychiatric social workers.
2. 2
   Watch your state's health and women and child development department websites for adverts.

Official sources

• aiimsbhubaneswar.nic.inAIIMS Bhubaneswar: medical social work post (PDF)↗
• pib.gov.inPIB: India's mental health programmes↗
• Vaidaani roadmapGovernment Jobs→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  SBI Youth for India: who can applyAge, degree, stipend.
  Free
• Official
  Teach For India: how to be a FellowEligibility and pay.
  Free
• Official
  Gandhi FellowshipRural fellowship by Piramal Foundation.
  Free

Inside this branch

• SBI Youth for India
• Other fellowships

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   A 13-month fellowship to live in a village and work with a partner NGO. For graduates aged 21 to 32.
2. 2
   Pays ₹16,000 a month for living plus small allowances, and ₹1,10,000 at the end if you finish well (check the current batch).

Official sources

• register.youthforindia.orgSBI Youth for India: who can apply↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Teach For India: 2 years teaching full-time in a government or low-cost private school in one of nine big cities. For graduates. Pays ₹30,000 a month plus a city allowance.
2. 2
   Gandhi Fellowship (Piramal Foundation): about 2 years working in rural districts with government schools and systems (reported). Check eligibility and stipend on its website.

Official sources

• teachforindia.orgTeach For India: how to be a Fellow↗
• gandhifellowship.orgGandhi Fellowship↗
• Vaidaani roadmapTeaching careers→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 2

• Official
  NSS: questions and answersHours, camp, certificate.
  Free
• Official
  MY Bharat portalFind volunteering near you.
  Free

Inside this branch

• NSS and MY Bharat

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What you need to know

1. 1
   Join the National Service Scheme (NSS) in school or college: 240 hours of social service over 2 years plus one 7-day camp in a village or slum. You get an NSS certificate.
2. 2
   The government's MY Bharat portal lists volunteering for youth aged 15 to 29. NSS and Nehru Yuva Kendra are now part of it.

Official sources

• nss.gov.inNSS: questions and answers↗
• mybharat.gov.inMY Bharat portal↗
• pib.gov.inPIB: MY Bharat set up for youth↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 2

• Article
  Dheya: career after MSWCareer paths and reported pay.
  Free
• Official
  UGC NET: subject listSocial Work is a NET subject.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Honest pay
• CSR jobs

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Freshers with an MSW at grassroots NGOs often start at about ₹20,000–35,000 a month (reported). Small NGOs may pay less; big NGOs, CSR teams and international agencies pay more.
2. 2
   Government contract posts pay fixed amounts (see the Nagaland example above). Many jobs are project-based, so they end when the project ends.

Official sources

• dheya.comDheya: career after MSW (pay, reported)↗
• dsw.nagaland.gov.inNagaland: child protection posts and pay (Word file)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   A company must do CSR if it has net worth of ₹500 crore, turnover of ₹1,000 crore or net profit of ₹5 crore or more. It must spend 2% of its average profit on social causes, through its own team or through NGOs.
2. 2
   NGOs that do CSR work for companies must register with the government (form CSR-1).

Official sources

• mca.gov.inMCA: CSR questions and answers↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 4

• Official
  NGO Darpan (NITI Aayog)Get your NGO's unique ID.
  Free
• Official
  PIB: FCRA questions and answers (PDF)Foreign donation rules in plain words.
  Free
• Official
  MHA: FCRA questions and answers (PDF)Who can register and how.
  Free
• Official
  FCRA online portalApply and file returns.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Three legal forms
• Foreign donations (FCRA)

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   An NGO is usually a trust, a society (Societies Registration Act, 1860) or a Section 8 company (a not-for-profit company under the Companies Act).
2. 2
   Register free on NGO Darpan (run by NITI Aayog) to get a unique ID. Government grants and FCRA registration ask for it.
3. 3
   To do CSR projects, an NGO normally needs income tax registration (12A and 80G) and a 3-year track record.

Official sources

• mha.gov.inMHA: FCRA questions and answers (PDF)↗
• ngodarpan.gov.inNGO Darpan (NITI Aayog)↗
• mca.gov.inMCA: CSR questions and answers↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   To take any money from abroad, an NGO needs FCRA registration from the Home Ministry, usually only after 3 years of work, or prior permission for one project.
2. 2
   All foreign money must first come into one FCRA account at SBI, New Delhi Main Branch. No more than 20% can go on office costs. Registration lasts 5 years and must be renewed.

Official sources

• static.pib.gov.inPIB: FCRA questions and answers (PDF)↗
• fcraonline.nic.inFCRA online portal↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 1

• Official
  Nagaland: child protection posts (Word file)Posts set aside for women.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What to know

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Many women work in social work. Some government child protection posts are kept for women: for example, an advert asked for one woman and one man as social workers.
2. 2
   Field work can mean travel to villages: go with your team, and use your college's and employer's safety rules. Offices with 10 or more staff must have an Internal Committee for harassment complaints (POSH Act).

Official sources

• dsw.nagaland.gov.inNagaland: child protection posts and pay (Word file)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapFor girls: every scheme→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Article
  Assam Tribune: fake NGO job racketFake NGO took joining and training fees.
  Free
• Official
  NGO Darpan: check an NGOSearch the NGO before you join.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report fraud.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Red flags

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What you need to know

1. 1
   "Pay a registration, training or security fee to join our NGO": police have caught fake NGOs that took ₹5,000 "membership" and ₹30,000 "joining and training" fees, and gave no job.
2. 2
   Job offers after a fake online test, then more fees for training or a laptop: this is a known racket.
3. 3
   Before joining, look the NGO up on NGO Darpan, and check government jobs only on official .gov.in or .nic.in sites. Report fraud on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

Official sources

• assamtribune.comAssam Tribune: fake NGO job racket↗
• tribuneindia.comTribune: fake job racket with "fees"↗
• ngodarpan.gov.inNGO Darpan (NITI Aayog)↗
• cybercrime.gov.inCyber crime portal (helpline 1930)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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