Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education (DHEN), also referred to as Diploma in Health Education and Nutrition, is a 1-year programme offered by Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), Prayagraj, through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode under its School of Health Sciences (Programme Code: 301). The course has a flexible duration of minimum 1 year and maximum 3 years, following an Annual examination system. The total programme fee is Rs. 4,200 for the entire course, making it one of the most affordable health and nutrition diplomas in India. Admission is direct and merit-based with no entrance exam, and the minimum eligibility is 10+2 from any stream. The programme is widely popular among working professionals, homemakers, rural women, anganwadi workers, and students seeking foundational knowledge in health education and nutrition without attending regular classes.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently ongoing. The last date to apply has been extended to 10 April 2026. Students can apply online at uprtouadm.samarth.edu.in. UPRTOU offers two admission sessions annually: the July session (admissions open in June, close in July/August) and the January session (admissions open in November, close in December/January, with extensions possible).

Since this course is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode, it is delivered through UPRTOU's network of over 1,433 study centres spread across all districts of Uttar Pradesh. Key regional centres include those in Prayagraj (Headquarters), Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Meerut, Bareilly, Aligarh, Mathura, Jhansi, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Azamgarh, Faizabad (Ayodhya), Etawah, and other district headquarters. Students can choose a study centre closest to their location at the time of admission.

Key Points

The DHEN programme is recognised by UGC-DEB and is equivalent to diplomas awarded by conventional universities as per UGC ODL Regulations 2017.
The programme is available in both Hindi and English medium, making it accessible to a wide range of learners across Uttar Pradesh.
Study material (Self-Instructional Learning Material / SLM) is provided to enrolled students; students opting for online SLM receive a fee concession.
Assignments are mandatory and carry significant internal assessment weightage (minimum 35% of marks).
The programme is particularly beneficial for anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, community health volunteers, and homemakers seeking to formalise their knowledge in nutrition and health.
Examinations are held twice a year: June session and December session, aligned with the two admission sessions.
The diploma is dispatched to the student's registered address after successful completion, at no additional charge.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

UPRTOU DHEN Fees

The DHEN programme at UPRTOU is among the most affordable diploma programmes in health and nutrition in India, with a total programme fee of just Rs. 4,200 for the entire 1-year course. The fee includes the SLM (study material) charges and examination fee, so students do not need to pay any separate exam fee. The fee is payable at the time of admission.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Programme Fee (Net)	3,000
SLM (Study Material) Fee	1,200
Total Programme Fee	4,200
Registration/Application Fee (one-time)	400
Total Fees (including registration)	4,600

Examination fee is included within the programme fee; no separate exam fee is charged.
Students opting for online/digital SLM instead of printed material are eligible for a special fee concession (as per UPRTOU notification).
Back paper (ex-student) exam fee: Rs. 400 per question paper.
No hostel facility is available as this is a distance learning programme.
Fee refund policy: 15% deduction if withdrawal is made within 30 days of admission; no refund after 30 days (as per UPRTOU guidelines).
No EMI facility is officially offered; fee is paid as a lump sum at the time of admission.

UPRTOU DHEN Admission 2026

Admissions to the DHEN programme at UPRTOU are direct and merit-based, with no entrance examination required. The university offers two sessions annually. The January 2026 session is currently open with the last date extended to 10 April 2026. Students can apply online through the Samarth portal at uprtouadm.samarth.edu.in or through their nearest study centre.

UPRTOU DHEN Admission Dates

Event	January 2026 Session	July 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Start Date	November 2025	June 2026
Last Date to Apply (without late fee)	Extended to 10 April 2026	July 2026
Last Date to Apply (with late fee of Rs. 1,000)	As per university notification	August 2026
Batch Commencement	January 2026	July 2026
Assignment Submission Last Date	As per academic calendar	As per academic calendar
Term-End Examination	June 2026	December 2026
Result Declaration	After June 2026 exam	After December 2026 exam

Entrance Exam Dates

No entrance examination is required for admission to the DHEN programme at UPRTOU. Admission is direct/merit-based.

Note: No separate entrance exam is conducted for DHEN. Admission is direct based on 10+2 marks.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Intermediate) or equivalent examination from any recognised board, in any stream (Arts, Science, or Commerce).
There is no minimum percentage requirement for general category students.
Students in their final year of 10+2 may also apply provisionally.

Admission Process

Visit the official UPRTOU admission portal: uprtouadm.samarth.edu.in or the university website www.uprtou.ac.in.
Register online and fill in the application form with personal and academic details.
Pay the application/registration fee of Rs. 400 online (via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI).
Upload scanned copies of required documents (10+2 marksheet, photograph, signature, ID proof, category certificate if applicable).
Select a preferred study centre from the available list.
Pay the programme fee (Rs. 4,200) online or through the study centre.
Download and save the admission confirmation/receipt for future reference.
Collect or receive the Self-Instructional Learning Material (SLM) from the study centre or opt for online SLM.

UPRTOU DHEN Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in the DHEN programme at UPRTOU can avail of various government scholarships, primarily from the Uttar Pradesh government and central government schemes. Given the very affordable fee structure of the programme (Rs. 4,200 total), the scholarship amount often covers the entire course fee for eligible students.

The UP Post-Matric Scholarship is the most widely availed scheme for SC/ST/OBC and minority students, providing fee reimbursement and a maintenance allowance. Central government schemes like the Central Sector Scholarship (CSIS) and PM Vidyalaxmi are also available for eligible students.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount/Benefit	Application Portal
UP Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC/Minority)	SC, ST, OBC, Minority students enrolled in recognised courses	Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance (varies by category)	scholarship.up.gov.in
Central Sector Scholarship (CSIS)	Students with family income below Rs. 4.5 lakh p.a.; merit-based	Rs. 10,000 per year	scholarships.gov.in (NSP)
PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme	Students admitted to recognised HEIs; income-based	Collateral-free education loan + interest subsidy	pmvidyalaxmi.co.in
Martyr Soldier Dependent Scholarship	Dependents of martyred soldiers/paramilitary personnel	Full fee waiver for one programme at UPRTOU	UPRTOU Admission Office
Chivening - Atal Bihari Vajpayee UP State Govt. Scholarship	UP domicile students	As per scheme guidelines	UP Government portal

SC/ST/OBC students should apply for UP government scholarships through the official scholarship portal before the deadline (usually October-November each year).
The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student's bank account.
Students must ensure their Aadhaar is linked to their bank account for scholarship disbursement.
UPRTOU itself does not offer any university-level merit scholarships for diploma programmes; government scholarships are the primary source of financial aid.
Application deadlines for scholarships are typically in October-November for the July session and March-April for the January session.

UPRTOU DHEN FAQs

Ques. Is the DHEN diploma from UPRTOU valid and recognised for government jobs and further studies?

Ans. Yes, the DHEN diploma awarded by UPRTOU is recognised by UGC-DEB and is treated as equivalent to diplomas from conventional universities as per UGC ODL Regulations 2017. It is valid for government jobs and further studies. Candidates should verify the eligibility criteria of specific recruitment notifications before applying.

Ques. What subjects are covered in the DHEN programme at UPRTOU?

Ans. The DHEN programme covers topics related to health education, nutrition science, food and nutrition, community health, hygiene and sanitation, maternal and child nutrition, and related areas. The curriculum is designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of health and nutrition concepts applicable in everyday life and community settings.

Ques. Can anganwadi workers or ASHA workers benefit from the DHEN programme?

Ans. Yes, the DHEN programme is particularly well-suited for anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, community health volunteers, and others working in the health and nutrition sector. The programme helps them formalise their knowledge, improve their skills, and potentially qualify for promotions or higher-level positions in government health programmes.

Ques. How does DHEN differ from DPHCN (Diploma in Public Health and Community Nutrition) at UPRTOU?

Ans. DHEN (Diploma in Health Education and Nutrition) is a more basic, introductory programme with a fee of Rs. 4,200, focusing on health education and nutrition fundamentals. DPHCN (Diploma in Public Health and Community Nutrition) is a more advanced and comprehensive programme with a fee of Rs. 8,200, covering public health, therapeutic nutrition, food hygiene, and national health programmes in greater depth. Students seeking a more detailed qualification should consider DPHCN.

Ques. How are exams conducted for DHEN at UPRTOU? Do I need to travel to Prayagraj?

Ans. No, you do not need to travel to Prayagraj. UPRTOU conducts term-end examinations at designated exam centres across all districts of Uttar Pradesh. Students can choose an exam centre near their location. Exams are held twice a year: June and December. The exam timetable is published on the official website www.uprtou.ac.in.

Ques. What is the maximum time allowed to complete the DHEN programme at UPRTOU?

Ans. The DHEN programme has a flexible duration. The minimum duration is 1 year and the maximum is 3 years. If a student is unable to clear all papers in 1 year, they can appear as a back paper student in subsequent exam sessions within the 3-year maximum span. Back paper exam fee is Rs. 400 per question paper.