The evolving landscape of master of public health (MPH) programs in India: a desk review

Introduction: India's evolving public health challenges emphasize the need for a competent, multidisciplinary public health workforce, emphasizing the importance of strengthening public health education. Since 1995, the Master of Public Health (MPH) programs in India have expanded rapidly; however, in the absence of a regulatory body, consolidated details regarding these programs remain not readily available. This study aimed at landscaping MPH programs in India and understand its key components in terms of geographical distribution, admission criteria, fee structure, electives, program delivery modes, internships, and dissertation requirements. Methods: To compile a comprehensive overview of MPH programs across India a multi-step desk review was undertaken. Results: The study identified 177 institutions offering MPH programs with intake capacity of 4,228 seats (data available from 136 institutes) across 23 states and three Union Territories. Variations were seen across institutions in program eligibility criteria, admission processes, program electives, program fees, credit requirements, the structure and duration of internships and dissertations. Discussion: The expansion of MPH programs during last three decades, highlights growing recognition of public health as a multidisciplinary field; however, the variations in program offerings and admission criteria highlight the lack of standardized structure in MPH programs across India. Introducing a standardized admission test for MPH in India, multi-disciplinarity in the program admission criteria and eligibility, developing a competency-based MPH curriculum aligning with the evolving employment market, and a national accreditation body could significantly strengthen MPH education, leading to workforce preparedness to address India's emerging public health priorities.