Competitive Exams & Career Opportunities
Social Work education opens up many career paths which include both government and non-government sectors. We guide all competitive exams related to social work. Which helps students to succeed in their careers.
Exam Sector Wise
| Sector / Dept. | Exam Conducted By | Common Posts | Eligibility – social work relevance | Level | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Civil Services
(IAS/IPS/IFS) |
UPSC |
Collector, Director |
Social Work Optional in Mains |
National (Group A) | |
State Services
(e.g. MPSC) |
State PSCs |
CDPO, Dy collector, CDO |
Optional Subject, Social work related degree |
State Level | |
Social Welfare Dept |
State PSC / Direct |
Probation Officer, Welfare Officer, Inspector |
MSW/BSW Required or Preferred |
Class 1-3 | |
Women & Child Development |
State PSC / Direct |
CDPO, Counsellor, Social Worker |
MSW/BSW + Specialization in Family/Child Welfare |
Class 1-2 | |
SSC & Central Jobs |
SSC / Ministries |
Officer in WCD, Social Justice, Rural Dev. Ministries |
Any degree; social work preferred |
National | |
Urban Local Bodies (Municipal) |
Municipal Bodies |
Project Officer, Counselor, Community Dev. Coordinator |
Social work degree or NGO experience |
Local Govt. | |
Tribal / Health / Education Dept. |
State PSC / Dept. |
Social worker in Hospitals, Schools, Tribal Welfare |
MSW, Specialization in Medical Psychiatric Preferred |
State / Local | |
Rural Dev / Panchayat Raj |
Dept / Zilla Parishad |
Community Organizer, Field Worker |
MSW/BSW or Rural Dev Degree |
District Level | |
Bank & Financial (CSR roles) |
NABARD, SIDBI |
Rural Development Officer, CSR Officer |
MSW + Specialization in Rural / Community |
Central | |
NGOs / INGOs |
NA (Interview based) |
Project Officer, M&E, Trainer, Counselor |
MSW + Experience |
National / Global |
Specialization wise job
| Specialization | Target Departments / Organizations | Common Posts | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
Medical & Psychiatric Social Work |
Health Dept, Hospitals, Mental Health Inst. |
Medical Social Worker, Case Worker | |
Family & Child Welfare |
WCD, NGOs, Family Courts |
Counselor, CDPO, Welfare Officer | |
Rural & Urban Community Dev. |
Panchayat Raj, ULBs, NGOs |
Community Dev. Officer, Organizer | |
Industrial & Labour Welfare |
Labour Dept, Factories, HR Units |
Labour Welfare Officer, Industrial Social Worker | |
Research & Policy |
Research Institutes, Policy Think Tanks, UN Agencies |
Research Associate, Policy Analyst | |
CSR / Corporate Social Work |
CSR Depts of Companies, Banks |
CSR Executive, Social Impact Manager |
Frequently Asked Questions
I have done my degree in social work. Which kind of government jobs can I apply for?
If you are a social work degree holder, you can apply for various jobs like CDPO (Child Development Project Officer), Probation Officer, Welfare Officer, Counselor etc. You can also appear for UPSC/State PSC exams with Social Work as an optional subject. You are also eligible for various posts in the health, education, rural development and tribal welfare departments.
Can I choose Social Work as an optional subject in UPSC exam?
Yes, Social Work is offered as an optional subject in UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam. This subject is often considered as a mark-getting subject, especially for those whose educational background is in social work. If you are interested in social issues and community development, this can be a smart and meaningful option.
Is social work experience useful for NGO and UN jobs?
Yes, experience, degree and project management skills in social work are considered important for NGO and UN jobs. The above qualifications are also important in organizations like UNICEF, WHO and UNDP.
Can I pursue a career in social work without taking any exams?
Yes! There are many non-exam based jobs available in NGOs, CSR departments, fellowships, research institutes and hospitals. These jobs are mostly filled through interviews. However, a strong CV, fieldwork experience and communication skills are required.