The National Health Mission (NHM) is one of the largest recruiters of nursing professionals in India, and for the 2026 cycle several State Health Societies under NHM are inviting applications for the posts of Community Health Officer (CHO) and Staff Nurse on a contractual basis. These vacancies are released state-wise to strengthen primary healthcare at Health & Wellness Centres, Primary Health Centres and district hospitals. As on 30 June 2026, recruitment is active in some states with live notifications, while several other states are expected to announce their cycles in the coming months, so interested aspirants are advised to track their respective state NHM portals closely.
NHM CHO & Staff Nurse Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | National Health Mission (NHM) – State Health Societies |
| Post Name | Community Health Officer (CHO) & Staff Nurse |
| Category | Contractual (State-wise) |
| Total Vacancies | Thousands across states (varies by state; refer official notification) |
| Job Location | All India (concerned state only) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://nhm.gov.in |
Important Dates
Kindly note that NHM recruitment is conducted separately by each state, so the dates below are indicative. Candidates must confirm the exact schedule from the official notification of their state.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | As per the respective state notification (2026) |
| Online Application Start | As announced by the concerned State Health Society |
| Last Date to Apply | To be notified (state-wise) – check official website |
| Exam Date | Expected in 2026 (tentative; wherever an exam is held) |
Vacancy Details
The number of vacancies differs significantly from one state to another. For instance, in recent cycles states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Karnataka have advertised anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand CHO and Staff Nurse posts. The exact post-wise and category-wise (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS) break-up is published in each state’s official notification. Aspirants are advised to read the vacancy table in the notification PDF carefully before applying, as reservation and the number of seats are decided at the state level.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Community Health Officer (CHO): B.Sc Nursing or Post Basic B.Sc Nursing from a recognised institution. In many states, GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) candidates are also eligible, generally with the Certificate in Community Health (CCH / CCHN) or an integrated/bridge programme as specified by the state.
- Staff Nurse: B.Sc Nursing / Post Basic B.Sc Nursing or GNM Diploma from a recognised university or institution.
- Mandatory registration with the State Nursing Council / Indian Nursing Council is required for both posts.
Age Limit
The minimum and maximum age generally falls between 18/21 years and 40 years, calculated as on the cut-off date mentioned in the notification. Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD and other reserved categories is provided as per the rules of the concerned state government. Since the exact age band and cut-off date vary state to state, candidates are advised to verify the same in the official notification.
Application Fee
The application fee is decided by each State Health Society and is generally payable online. As exact figures differ by state, the category-wise fee should be confirmed from the official notification. A typical pattern seen in NHM recruitments is:
- General / OBC / EWS: as specified in the official notification
- SC / ST / PwD: reduced fee or exempted (as per state rules)
Kindly do not rely on unofficial figures – the correct fee and payment mode will be mentioned on the official website.
Salary / Pay Scale
As these are contractual posts under NHM, the monthly remuneration is generally consolidated. Based on recent state cycles, the salary for CHO and Staff Nurse posts typically ranges between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 40,000 per month, depending on the state. In several states, CHOs are also eligible for a performance-based incentive (commonly up to around Rs. 15,000 per month) over and above the fixed pay. The exact pay package is mentioned in each state’s notification, so candidates should confirm it before applying.
Selection Process
The selection method depends on the policy of the concerned state. Broadly, the stages are:
- Online application and scrutiny of forms
- Written Examination (Computer Based Test / OMR based) or preparation of a merit list based on qualifying marks – as decided by the state
- Document / Certificate Verification
- Final merit list and engagement on a contractual basis
Some states recruit purely on merit (marks in the qualifying examination), while others conduct an entrance/written test. The applicable method is clearly stated in the official notification.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official NHM website at https://nhm.gov.in and navigate to your concerned State Health Mission / Society page.
- Locate the relevant CHO / Staff Nurse Recruitment 2026 notification and read it carefully.
- Click on the “Apply Online” link and complete the registration using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in the application form with your personal, educational and registration (nursing council) details.
- Upload the scanned photograph, signature and required documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online (if applicable) as per your category.
- Submit the form and download/print the confirmation page for future reference.
Important Links
- Official Website / Apply Online: https://nhm.gov.in
- Official Notification: https://nhm.gov.in
Disclaimer: The information provided above is for general guidance only and is compiled from publicly available sources. NHM recruitment is conducted state-wise and details such as vacancies, eligibility, age limit, fee, salary and dates may differ and change without notice. Candidates are strongly advised to read and verify every detail from the official notification on the official website (https://nhm.gov.in) of their concerned State Health Mission before applying. IndianJobzz is not responsible for any discrepancy.