SDO Chanchal Malda ASHA Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for 19 Posts

ASHA Worker Recruitment 2026 in Chanchal Sub-Division, Malda

The Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Chanchal Sub-Division, Malda district, West Bengal, has issued an official notification inviting applications from eligible female candidates to fill 19 vacant positions of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers. This recruitment is being conducted under the National Health Mission (NHM) to strengthen community-level healthcare delivery in rural areas of Chanchal sub-division. ASHA workers serve as a crucial link between the community and the public health system, playing a vital role in promoting maternal and child health, immunization, family planning, and prevention of communicable diseases.

ASHA workers are frontline health workers who work at the grassroots level in villages and rural communities. They act as health educators, counselors, and facilitators, ensuring that health services reach the most vulnerable sections of society, particularly pregnant women, lactating mothers, newborns, and children. This recruitment offers an excellent opportunity for women from Chanchal sub-division who are committed to community health and social service to contribute meaningfully to the health and well-being of their communities while earning a regular honorarium and performance-based incentives.

Understanding the ASHA Worker Role and Responsibilities

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are selected from the community and trained to work as health promoters in their villages. The primary responsibilities of an ASHA worker include creating awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition, and sanitation among community members, especially women and adolescent girls. They mobilize pregnant women for antenatal check-ups, institutional deliveries, and postnatal care. ASHA workers accompany pregnant women to health facilities for delivery and ensure they receive government benefits under various health schemes.

Other key duties include promoting immunization of children and ensuring 100% coverage in their designated areas, distributing contraceptives and promoting family planning methods, identifying and referring sick children and patients to health centers, maintaining village health registers and reporting monthly activities, participating in village health and nutrition days, and creating awareness about government health programs and schemes. ASHA workers also play a crucial role during health emergencies and disease outbreaks by conducting surveys, contact tracing, and community mobilization.

Honorarium and Incentive Structure

ASHA workers receive a fixed monthly honorarium as per National Health Mission norms, which currently ranges from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 per month in West Bengal. In addition to the fixed honorarium, ASHA workers are entitled to performance-based incentives for various activities they perform. These incentives include amounts for facilitating institutional deliveries, promoting immunization, distributing contraceptives, attending training programs, and participating in health campaigns.

The total monthly income of an active ASHA worker, including fixed honorarium and performance incentives, typically ranges from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 8,000 depending on the workload and activities performed. ASHA workers who demonstrate exceptional performance can earn even higher amounts. The government also provides insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and other applicable schemes. Additionally, ASHA workers receive free uniforms, bags, registers, and other working materials required for their duties.

Educational Qualification Requirements

The educational qualification for ASHA worker positions is designed to be inclusive while ensuring candidates can perform basic reading, writing, and record-keeping tasks. Candidates must have passed Madhyamik examination (Class 10th) or appeared in Madhyamik examination, or possess an equivalent qualification from a recognized board. This flexible criterion allows women who may have appeared in the Madhyamik examination but did not pass to also apply, recognizing that basic literacy and numeracy skills are more important than examination results for this community-level position.

While formal educational qualifications are important, preference is given to candidates who demonstrate good communication skills in the local language, understanding of local culture and traditions, ability to work with community members, willingness to learn and undergo training, and commitment to social service and community health. Candidates who have previous experience in social work, healthcare activities, or working with women and children's groups will have an advantage during the selection process.

Age Limit and Eligibility Criteria

The age limit for ASHA worker positions has been specifically designed to select mature women who have family responsibilities and are well-settled in the community. Candidates must be between 30 to 40 years of age as on the date of advertisement (January 16, 2026). This age range ensures that selected candidates have life experience, understanding of family and community issues, and are likely to remain in the community for a longer duration, providing continuity in healthcare delivery.

Additional eligibility criteria include that the candidate must be a permanent resident of the village or gram panchayat where the ASHA position is available. This residential requirement ensures that ASHA workers are known and trusted by the community they serve. Preference is given to married women who are actively involved in community affairs. Candidates should be physically and mentally fit to undertake field visits and perform the duties assigned. Knowledge of local dialect and cultural practices is essential for effective communication with beneficiaries.

Vacancy Distribution Across Gram Panchayats

The 19 ASHA worker positions are distributed across various Gram Panchayats in Chanchal Sub-Division based on population and existing ASHA coverage. Each vacancy is designated for a specific village or habitation within a Gram Panchayat. The detailed vacancy distribution, including Gram Panchayat names and specific village allocations, is provided in the official notification released by the SDO office.

Candidates must apply for the vacancy in the Gram Panchayat where they are permanent residents. Applications for vacancies in other Gram Panchayats will not be accepted. The Sub-Divisional Officer may redistribute vacancies or adjust allocations based on administrative requirements and population distribution. Reserved category vacancies (SC/ST/OBC) are allocated as per West Bengal government reservation policy.

Offline Application Submission Process

The application process for ASHA worker recruitment is completely offline. Interested candidates must obtain the prescribed application form from the official notification PDF available on the Malda district website (malda.gov.in) or collect it from the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Chanchal, or from the concerned Block Development Office. The application form must be filled carefully in the candidate's own handwriting using black or blue pen.

After completing the application form, candidates must attach the following documents: self-attested photocopy of Madhyamik admit card or pass certificate or equivalent qualification certificate, proof of age (birth certificate/school certificate), proof of residence in the concerned Gram Panchayat (voter ID card/ration card/Aadhaar card showing current address), caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) if applicable issued by competent authority, two recent passport-size photographs (one to be pasted on the application form and one to be attached separately), and self-declaration regarding accuracy of information provided.

The completed application form along with all supporting documents must be submitted in person or by registered post to the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Chanchal, Malda before the deadline of January 27, 2026. The office address and submission timings are mentioned in the official notification. Applications received after the deadline or those incomplete will be summarily rejected without any intimation.

Document Verification and Selection Process

After the application deadline, all received applications will be scrutinized for eligibility by a screening committee constituted by the Sub-Divisional Officer. Eligible candidates will be shortlisted based on educational qualifications, age, residential criteria, and category reservations. Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview or counseling session where they will be assessed on their communication skills, understanding of ASHA worker roles and responsibilities, knowledge of health issues, and commitment to community service.

The interview panel may include the Block Development Officer, Block Medical Officer of Health, representatives from the Panchayat Samiti, and other district officials. Candidates must bring all original documents for verification during the interview. Based on interview performance and document verification, a final merit list will be prepared separately for each Gram Panchayat. Selected candidates will be required to undergo mandatory induction training as per NHM guidelines before assuming their duties.

Training and Capacity Building

Selected ASHA workers will undergo comprehensive training programs designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties effectively. The initial induction training typically lasts for 23 days (divided into multiple modules) and covers topics such as maternal and child health, immunization schedules, family planning methods, nutrition and sanitation, common diseases and their prevention, first aid and basic healthcare, record-keeping and reporting, communication and counseling skills, and government health schemes and programs.

After the induction training, ASHA workers participate in regular refresher training programs, skill upgradation workshops, and monthly review meetings at the block level. Training programs are conducted free of cost, and ASHA workers receive training allowances as per government norms. Successful completion of training modules is mandatory for continuation in the ASHA worker position.

Terms and Conditions of Engagement

ASHA workers are engaged as honorary volunteers under the National Health Mission and are not considered government employees. The engagement is on an honorarium basis and does not confer any right to regular employment or absorption in government service. ASHA workers serve at the pleasure of the competent authority and can be removed from service for non-performance, misconduct, or violation of service conditions.

Selected candidates must reside in the village or habitation where they are appointed and cannot shift to other locations without permission. They are expected to be available in their designated areas for performing ASHA duties and responding to community health needs. ASHA workers must maintain confidentiality of beneficiary information and adhere to ethical standards in their interactions with the community. They are required to participate in all training programs, meetings, and health campaigns organized by the health department.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Candidates are advised to read the complete official notification carefully before applying. Only women candidates who are permanent residents of the concerned Gram Panchayat should apply. Providing false information or submitting fake certificates will lead to immediate disqualification and legal action. Candidates selected for interview must bring original certificates; photocopies will not be accepted for verification. No TA/DA will be provided for attending the interview.

The decision of the selection committee will be final and binding. No correspondence regarding selection process will be entertained. Candidates should regularly check the Malda district website (malda.gov.in) or the SDO Chanchal office notice board for updates regarding shortlisting, interview dates, and selection results. For any queries or clarifications, candidates may contact the SDO office during working hours.