Highlights of NHM CHO Exam 2024
Understanding the NHM CHO Exam
The National Health Mission (NHM) conducts the Community Health Officer (CHO) exam annually to recruit qualified candidates for various health programs across India. The exam is a crucial stepping stone for aspiring healthcare professionals seeking to contribute to the nation’s public health system.
Exam Pattern:
- Mode: Online Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Sections:
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs
- Reasoning and Logical Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language
- General Science
- Health and Family Welfare
- Public Health and Nutrition
- Community Health
- Basic Medical Science
Eligibility Criteria:
- Educational Qualification: Graduate in any discipline with a Diploma in Community Health or equivalent.
- Age Limit: Varies depending on the state and category.
Key Areas to Focus on for NHM CHO Exam 2024
1. General Knowledge and Current Affairs:
- National and International Events: Stay updated on major political, economic, social, and cultural events.
- Health-related News: Focus on recent developments in healthcare, public health policies, and disease outbreaks.
- Important Schemes and Programs: Familiarize yourself with government initiatives related to health and family welfare.
- Awards and Honors: Be aware of prominent awards and recognitions in the field of healthcare.
2. Reasoning and Logical Ability:
- Verbal Reasoning: Practice questions on analogies, syllogisms, blood relations, and coding-decoding.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Focus on series, pattern recognition, mirror images, and spatial reasoning.
- Analytical Reasoning: Develop skills in data interpretation, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
3. Quantitative Aptitude:
- Arithmetic: Master topics like percentages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, speed, distance, and time.
- Algebra: Understand basic concepts of equations, inequalities, and quadratic equations.
- Geometry: Familiarize yourself with properties of triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, and mensuration.
- Data Interpretation: Practice interpreting data presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
4. English Language:
- Grammar: Focus on tenses, articles, prepositions, and subject-verb agreement.
- Vocabulary: Enhance your vocabulary by learning synonyms, antonyms, and idioms.
- Reading Comprehension: Develop the ability to understand and interpret passages.
- Writing Skills: Practice writing essays, letters, and reports.
5. General Science:
- Physics: Understand basic concepts of motion, force, energy, heat, light, and sound.
- Chemistry: Focus on the periodic table, chemical bonding, acids, bases, and salts.
- Biology: Familiarize yourself with cell structure, human anatomy, physiology, and common diseases.
6. Health and Family Welfare:
- National Health Policies: Understand the National Health Policy, National Rural Health Mission, and other relevant policies.
- Reproductive Health: Focus on family planning methods, maternal and child health, and sexually transmitted infections.
- Communicable Diseases: Learn about common communicable diseases, their prevention, and control measures.
- Non-Communicable Diseases: Understand the prevalence, risk factors, and management of chronic diseases.
7. Public Health and Nutrition:
- Epidemiology: Understand the principles of epidemiology and its application in public health.
- Health Education: Learn about different methods of health education and their effectiveness.
- Nutrition: Focus on essential nutrients, dietary guidelines, and common nutritional deficiencies.
- Environmental Health: Understand the impact of environmental factors on health and disease.
8. Community Health:
- Community Health Services: Familiarize yourself with various community health programs and services.
- Health Promotion: Learn about strategies for promoting health and preventing disease in communities.
- Community Mobilization: Understand the principles and techniques of community mobilization for health.
- Health Surveillance: Learn about the importance of health surveillance and its role in disease control.
9. Basic Medical Science:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: Understand the structure and function of the human body.
- Basic Pathology: Learn about common diseases and their causes.
- Pharmacology: Familiarize yourself with basic concepts of drugs and their actions.
- First Aid: Understand basic first aid procedures and emergency management.
Preparation Strategies for NHM CHO Exam 2024
1. Understand the Syllabus:
- Thoroughly go through the official syllabus and identify the key topics for each section.
- Prioritize your study time based on the weightage of different sections.
2. Create a Study Plan:
- Develop a realistic study plan that includes dedicated time for each subject.
- Set achievable daily and weekly goals to maintain consistency.
3. Choose the Right Study Materials:
- Refer to recommended textbooks, study guides, and online resources.
- Select materials that are relevant to the exam syllabus and your learning style.
4. Practice Regularly:
- Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Take mock tests to assess your preparation and identify areas for improvement.
5. Seek Guidance and Support:
- Join online forums or study groups to interact with other aspirants and share knowledge.
- Consider enrolling in coaching classes or seeking guidance from experienced mentors.
6. Stay Healthy and Focused:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, proper sleep, and a balanced diet.
- Avoid distractions and create a conducive study environment.
7. Stay Updated:
- Keep yourself updated on current affairs and health-related news through newspapers, magazines, and online resources.
- Follow official websites and social media pages of NHM for exam-related announcements.
Sample Questions for NHM CHO Exam 2024
General Knowledge and Current Affairs:
- Which of the following is the current Health Minister of India?
- What is the full form of WHO?
- Which organization is responsible for the implementation of the National Health Mission?
Reasoning and Logical Ability:
- If A is the brother of B, and C is the sister of B, then what is the relationship between A and C?
- Find the missing number in the series: 2, 4, 8, 16, __.
Quantitative Aptitude:
- A shopkeeper sells an item for Rs. 1200 and makes a profit of 20%. What is the cost price of the item?
- A train travels at a speed of 60 km/h. How much time will it take to cover a distance of 240 km?
English Language:
- Choose the correct synonym for the word “enormous”.
- Identify the grammatical error in the following sentence: “He has been working here since two years.”
Health and Family Welfare:
- What is the main objective of the National Family Health Survey?
- Which of the following is a common symptom of dengue fever?
Public Health and Nutrition:
- What is the recommended daily intake of protein for an adult?
- Explain the concept of “health education” and its importance in public health.
Community Health:
- What are the key components of a community health program?
- Describe the role of a Community Health Officer in promoting health and preventing disease.
Basic Medical Science:
- What is the function of the heart?
- Explain the difference between a virus and a bacteria.
Table 1: NHM CHO Exam Syllabus Breakdown
| Section | Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | National and International Events, Health-related News, Important Schemes and Programs, Awards and Honors | 10% |
| Reasoning and Logical Ability | Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning | 15% |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Data Interpretation | 15% |
| English Language | Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Writing Skills | 10% |
| General Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology | 10% |
| Health and Family Welfare | National Health Policies, Reproductive Health, Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases | 15% |
| Public Health and Nutrition | Epidemiology, Health Education, Nutrition, Environmental Health | 10% |
| Community Health | Community Health Services, Health Promotion, Community Mobilization, Health Surveillance | 10% |
| Basic Medical Science | Human Anatomy and Physiology, Basic Pathology, Pharmacology, First Aid | 5% |
Table 2: Important Books for NHM CHO Exam Preparation
| Subject | Book Title | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | Manorama Yearbook | Manorama Publications | Manorama Publications |
| Reasoning and Logical Ability | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | S. Chand |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | S. Chand |
| English Language | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi | Arihant Publications |
| General Science | NCERT Textbooks for Class 9th and 10th | NCERT | NCERT |
| Health and Family Welfare | Textbook of Community Health Nursing | Park | Banarsidas Bhanot |
| Public Health and Nutrition | Principles of Public Health | Park | Banarsidas Bhanot |
| Community Health | Community Health Nursing | Basavanthappa | Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers |
| Basic Medical Science | Textbook of Medical Physiology | Guyton & Hall | Elsevier |
Note: This is a general guide and the specific syllabus and exam pattern may vary slightly depending on the state and the conducting authority. It is always recommended to refer to the official notification and syllabus for the latest updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the eligibility criteria for the NHM CHO Exam?
- A graduate degree in any discipline along with a Diploma in Community Health or equivalent qualification is required. Age limits may vary depending on the state and category.
2. What is the exam pattern for the NHM CHO Exam?
- The exam is conducted online (CBT) and lasts for 2 hours. It consists of multiple-choice questions covering General Knowledge, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, General Science, Health & Family Welfare, Public Health & Nutrition, Community Health, and Basic Medical Science.
3. What are some important topics to focus on for the exam?
- National and International Health Policies, Reproductive Health, Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Community Health Programs, Basic Medical Science, and Current Affairs related to health.
4. How can I prepare for the NHM CHO Exam?
- Create a study plan, refer to recommended textbooks and study materials, practice previous years’ papers, take mock tests, and stay updated on current health-related news.
5. What are some good books for preparing for the exam?
- Refer to standard textbooks for each subject like NCERT books for General Science, Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine for Public Health, and relevant books for Community Health and Basic Medical Science.
6. What are some tips for managing exam stress?
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, practice relaxation techniques, and seek support from friends and family.
7. What are the career opportunities after clearing the NHM CHO Exam?
- Successful candidates are appointed as Community Health Officers in various health programs under the National Health Mission, working in rural and urban areas to promote health and prevent diseases.
8. When is the NHM CHO Exam usually conducted?
- The exam is usually conducted annually, but the exact dates may vary depending on the state and the conducting authority. It’s best to check the official notifications for the latest updates.
9. How can I apply for the NHM CHO Exam?
- Applications are usually accepted online through the official website of the respective state’s NHM. Check the official website for the application process and deadlines.
10. What is the selection process for the NHM CHO Exam?
- Candidates are shortlisted based on their performance in the written exam. The final selection is usually based on the merit list prepared from the written exam scores.