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Overview of Community Health Officer (CHO) in India
The Community Health Officer (CHO) is a key frontline healthcare provider within India’s National Health Mission (NHM) and Ayushman Bharat. CHOs are posted to Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to this population and facilitate access to quality healthcare services, even in the most remote areas of the country, with an aim to shape the primary healthcare landscape and to ensure every citizen in India benefits from basic healthcare services.
As a trained health care provider, CHOs form an essential part of the PHC system and assist in taking preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare services to the grass-root level. They are responsible for managing and improving healthcare delivery at the community level, administering, supervising and overseeing ASHA workers, and ensuring timely access to higher levels of health facilities (PHC, CHC, etc).
Key Features of the CHO Role in India:
- Foundation of Primary Healthcare: CHOs are in charge of HWCs, the foundation of the primary healthcare model under Ayushman Bharat to strengthen the primary healthcare infrastructure in India.
- Nationwide Placement: Now, more than ever, with over 1.5 lakh HWCs becoming functional, more CHOs across states are needed to ensure Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) practices in India.
- Improving Rural Healthcare: CHOs are working in the rural, remote and underserved areas of India to assist in strengthening and decreasing burdens on tertiary hospital care and deliver care closer to where people live by managing common diseases, providing treatment for chronic diseases and care provision at the community level.
- Employment under NHM: The majority of CHO appointments across state-level NHM programs are in contractual employment and with the right mind-set, (maybe due to improved learning outcomes), this could increase flexible employment opportunities for B.Sc. Nursing, Post-Basic B.Sc. Nursing, and GNM qualified individuals.
CHO Salary Structure 2025: State-wise
Below is a comparative overview of the CHO Salary Structure for 2025 across different states.
State | Monthly Salary (₹) | Common Allowances/Benefits |
Rajasthan | 30,000 – 40,000 | Performance bonuses, training allowances |
Maharashtra | 35,000 – 45,000 | Health insurance, housing benefits |
Tamil Nadu | 30,000 – 50,000 | Travel, medical reimbursement |
West Bengal | 28,000 – 38,000 | Performance bonuses |
Gujarat | 32,000 – 42,000 | Health insurance |
Punjab | 30,000 – 40,000 | Training allowances |
Haryana | 28,000 – 38,000 | Travel allowances |
Kerala | 35,000 – 50,000 | Performance bonuses |
Uttarakhand | 28,000 – 35,000 | Travel, medical |
Jharkhand | 30,000 – 40,000 | Health insurance, incentives |
Karnataka | 30,000 – 40,000 | Travel, medical |
Jammu & Kashmir | 28,000 – 35,000 | Health insurance |
Assam | 30,000 – 40,000 | Performance incentives |
Madhya Pradesh | 28,000 – 35,000 | Health insurance, incentives |
Andhra Pradesh | 30,000 – 40,000 | Travel, medical |
Odisha | 30,000 – 40,000 | Performance incentives |
Goa | 25,000 – 45,000 | Health insurance |
Telangana | 30,000 – 40,000 | Performance bonuses |
Manipur | 28,000 – 35,000 | Health insurance |
Sikkim | 25,000 – 45,000 | Performance incentives |
Mizoram | 28,000 – 35,000 | Health insurance |
Chhattisgarh | 30,000 – 40,000 | Travel, medical |
Tripura | 25,000 – 45,000 | Performance incentives |
Meghalaya | 25,000 – 45,000 | Health insurance |
Arunachal Pradesh | 28,000 – 35,000 | Health insurance |
Detailed Salary Structure of Community Health Officers (CHOs) in India (2025)
The salary structure for Community Health Officers (CHOs) in India varies by state health mission policies, level of experience, and specific location (urban/rural/remote). That being said, the pay structure is set to be enticing enough to get skilled professionals into primary healthcare roles, particularly in the underserved areas of the country.
CHO Salary (Monthly)
- Entry-level CHOs: ₹25,000 - ₹35,000 per month
- Experienced CHOs / Senior Positions: ₹40,000 - ₹45,000 per month
- (depends on NHM state level guidelines)
Allowances and Benefits
- These allowances and benefits are in addition to the salary stated above. Below are some of the key bonuses and benefits that improve CHOs compensation package:
- Performance Bonuses - is based on service delivery targets to achieve incentives of up to ₹15,000/month.
► Travel Allowance: depending on outreach duties are reimbursed or fixed
► Medical Benefits: the CHO and any dependents provide similar benefits as employees in state health systems (depends on individual state's policy)
►Housing/accommodation assistance: State government provides housing, in rural/remote postings or may provide HRA which is available under urban conditions.
►Insurance coverage - government schemes provide both life insurance and health insurance coverage.
CHO Annual Salary Package
- Total CTC (cost to company) is between ₹3.5 lakh - ₹6 lakh per annum.
- (basic pay +c incentives + allowances)
Increment Policy
- Annual Incremental Salary Policy: Most states have annual increments of ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 a year based on their policy.
- Promotional Increment Policy: In states such as Maharashtra, MP, UP, and Bihar, where CHOs receive two advancements in remuneration based on consistent service as a CHO.
Perks and benefits of Community Health Officer (CHO) in India – 2025
Community Health Officers (CHO’s), deployed under the National Health Mission (NHM), and the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, have quite a few centrally sponsored benefits and perks through the government that increase job satisfaction and support financial stability esp. in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
Here is a list of perquisites and benefits that CHOs will receive in 2025:
Key Benefits and Allowances
Health Insurance:
- Complete medical healthcare insurance coverage for CHOs and their immediate family either through NHM or through the state government.
Travel & Allowance:
- Reimbursement of expenses or monthly allowances is paid for work-related travel for community outreach, home visits, and work at the primary health center, etc.
Performance & Attendance Bonus:
- Income that is earned over and above the employee's salary and wages based on certain targets for service delivery (ex. institutional deliveries, immunizations), and consistent attendance.
Training:
- Opportunities for upskilling through refresher courses, skill upgrading, and professional development opportunities through the training by the department of health at a state level, where these opportunities are provided periodically.
Housing or HRA (Housing Rent Allowance):
- Government accommodation in a rural/ remote posting or within urban areas is available or HRA is paid and will depend on the type of posting location and government/state department's policy.
Medical Reimbursement:
- Expensed for out of pocket treatment by the CHO (not covered under insurance) may be able to be reimbursed depending on the rules of the state jurisdiction, if it is possible.
Pension & Retirement Benefits:
- In some states, CHO's appointed on regular positions (not contractual), the CHO may have an opportunity - the New Pension Scheme.
Career Growth and Promotion Options for Community Health Officers (CHO) in India (2025)
Community Health Officers (CHO) are the frontline workforce of India’s public health system under programs like National Health Mission (NHM) and Ayushman Bharat. Being a CHO is much more than just a stable career, and comes with a multitude of potential future options and pathways for progress in clinical and managerial roles.
Career Paths for CHOs
1. Senior CHO/ Team Lead
Depending on experience and performance, a CHO could be promoted to Senior CHO, requiring the CHO to oversee multiple Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), and supervise/ train other CHOs and HWCs.
2. PHC (Primary Health Centre) In-Charge
After higher studies, or promotion to Senior CHO, a CHO may consider moving on to being In-Charge of a PHC, which can be a rural or urban primary health centre, and supervising ANM, ASHA and other paramedical, healthcare staff.
3. Block / District Health Officer
High performers may be posted, selected, or promoted as Block Programme Manager (BPM), or District Health Officer (DHO), and will be responsible for overseeing operations / planning, and implementation of policies within the block or district locations.
Educational and Managerial Growth
CHOs are able to engage in either distance or regular programs at the Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s level in Public Health (MPH), Community Medicine, or Health Administration.
Some states allow for study leave or sponsor such courses.
Eligibility for Government Administrative posts.
- CHOs can appear in state (or other) Public Service Commission (PSC) examinations for posts including Medical Officer, Health Educator, or Administrative Officer in the health department.
- There may also be opportunities for central deputation through the UPSC CMS, NHM national contracts or other public health missions.
Job Profile of a Community Health Officer (CHO) in India (2025)
Community Health Officers (CHO), play a key role in the healthcare ecosystem of India, especially in rural areas and semi-urban parts of the country. CHOs work primarily at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) as part of the Ayushman Bharat program and the National Health Mission (NHM) . They perform clinical, administrative, and community activities to achieve key performance indicators in terms of health, and also achieve service delivery transport.
Major Duties of a CHO
1. Providing Primary Healthcare Services
- Diagnosing and treating common illnesses and minor injuries.
- Providing maternal and child health and advisory services i.e. antenatal care (ANC), immunization and nutrition.
- Following-up on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental illnesses.
2. Implementing National Health Programs
- Implement flagship health schemes such as:
- Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A)
- National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP)
- National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP)
- Ensuring compliance and documentation of all centrally sponsored schemes.
3. Community Mobilization and Health Awareness
- Conducting Health Awareness Programs on hygiene, nutrition, vaccinations, and family planning.
- Mobilizing communities for screening camps, routine check-ups, and preventive care.
- Supervising the work of ASHA workers, ANMs, and other local volunteers on health programs and outreach.
4. Data Record & Collection
- Keep records of patient services, vaccinations, and treatments both digitally and in paper.
- Provide reports to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) or Block Health office in a timely fashion.
- Support health surveys, including, disease surveillance and MIS (management information system).
5. Coordination with all Hierarchy
- Serve as a bridge between the community, PHC and District health representatives.
- Participate in esteem building workshops and performance evaluations.
- Report in real-time to Public Health emergencies or outbreaks.
