NHSRC Lead Consultant Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for Gender and PNDT Post

The National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi, on behalf of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the post of Lead Consultant – Gender and PNDT, purely on a contractual basis.

The role sits at the policy end of India’s response to the declining child sex ratio and the implementation of the PC&PNDT Act. It is a senior position — reporting to the Deputy Commissioner (PNDT), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare — and the eligibility bar reflects that.

Candidates should read the experience clause carefully before applying. It asks not just for 10 to 15 years in gender programmes, but for seven of those years at policy level, in a senior position at national level, monitoring PC&PNDT Act implementation. That is a narrow qualifying profile.

NHSRC Lead Consultant Recruitment 2026 at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

A postgraduate degree in women’s studies, gender studies or a related social science, with good technical knowledge of gender issues.

Experience

Beyond the years, the notification asks for a specific technical and institutional grounding:

• Technical knowledge and field experience of gender-related issues in public health programmes under NHM — particularly PNDT and sex selection, Family Planning, Reproductive Health, and Maternal and Newborn Health.
• Familiarity with the public health system, key stakeholders and relevant government policies and strategies, particularly the National Health Mission and State Health Societies.
• Strong number skills, and experience in programme management, capacity building and supervisory support.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills.
• Computer proficiency with high familiarity with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web research.
• Excellent oral and written communication in English; working knowledge of Hindi is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

Age Limit

The upper age limit is 55 years as on the last date for receiving applications. The notification adds a further condition that is easy to skim past: the candidate must be of sound health to undertake extensive field visits. This is a travelling role, not a desk-only one. Our free age eligibility calculator will confirm your position against the 25 August cut-off.

Role and Responsibilities

The Lead Consultant works with state counterparts, state advisors, NGOs and other partners, contributing to the design of the country programme and its component projects in line with government priorities. Broadly, the role covers:

• Analysing the political, social, legal, economic and administrative environment relevant to the declining child sex ratio, PNDT law and gender, and identifying opportunities for intervention.
• Preparing briefs and inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance coordination and development frameworks, by analysing policy papers, strategy documents and national plans.
• Coordinating project implementation with executing agencies, experts and government counterparts to ensure timely delivery of mission inputs.
• Supporting the Ministry’s advocacy efforts — project summaries, speeches, presentations, and participation in partner meetings and public information events.
• Assisting the Ministry’s monitoring of PNDT Act implementation at state and district level, and enabling appropriate authorities to implement PNDT law.

Key Tasks and Functions

• Assessing state sex ratios, reviewing PNDT strategies, activities and budgets, and developing communication tools to address skewed sex ratios in State PIPs — then following up to ensure suggestions are reflected in revised PIPs.
• Reviewing and revising operational guidelines based on field visit and monitoring feedback, securing approvals, and disseminating them through workshops and training modules.
• Working with divisions in the Ministry to incorporate a gender perspective into their ongoing work.
• Assessing field-level progress through analysis of reports and data in the web-based HMIS.
• Periodic visits to districts and sub-districts, and analysis of national and state inspection reports on facilities offering diagnostic services.
• Formulating proposals on emergent issues related to the declining sex ratio.
• Working with the training division to build gender issues — including PCPNDT and sex selection — into training for ASHAs, ANMs and medical officers.
• Reviewing State PIPs from a gender perspective and helping selected states reduce gender-specific barriers to health services.
• Identifying IEC innovations to reach the public, law enforcers, implementing agencies and the medical fraternity.

Key Outcome Indicators

• Training of concerned authorities and health service providers
• Development of training material for capacity building
• Handholding and guidance of states for effective programme implementation
• Monitoring and analytical reports on all programme indicators
• Policy briefs and strategic papers on convergence models of gender-related programmes and legislation
• Documentation of success stories and a scale-up strategy

Selection Process

The notification sets out a specific condition where a written test forms part of the process:

• If the recruitment process includes a written test, the minimum qualifying mark is 70%.
• If the number of qualifying candidates is high, a 1:5 ratio is adopted — for one vacancy, the top five candidates are considered.
• If two or more candidates qualify with the same marks, all such candidates are considered.

A 70% qualifying threshold is high by the standards of most consultancy recruitments, and worth planning for rather than assuming the process will be interview-only.

How to Apply

1. Visit the NHSRC website at nhsrcindia.org.
2. Fill the online application form accurately and completely.
3. Submit on or before 25 August 2026.

The notification states that applications will be accepted in the prescribed online application format only. Emailed CVs or applications in any other format are outside the process.

If you need to prepare certificate scans or a combined document set before applying, our free JPG to PDF converter and photo and signature resizer both run in the browser.

Important Dates

Important Links

Related Recruitment

Candidates with public health and programme management backgrounds should also see NHM MP Recruitment 2026 for a Senior Public Health Consultant post at Rs 1,20,000 a month, and DPMU Balangir Recruitment 2026.

For other senior contractual and research roles, see SIDBI SO Recruitment 2026 and NIT Silchar JRF Recruitment 2026. A full list of live vacancies is on our latest jobs page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the post being advertised by NHSRC?

Lead Consultant – Gender and PNDT, on a contractual basis, at NHSRC New Delhi on behalf of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

What is the last date to apply?

25 August 2026.

What is the remuneration?

Between Rs 1,30,000 and Rs 1,70,000 per month.

What qualification is required?

A postgraduate degree in women’s or gender studies, or a related social science, with good technical knowledge of gender issues.

How much experience is needed?

10 to 15 years in implementing gender-related programmes, including 7 years at policy level monitoring PC&PNDT Act implementation in a senior position at national level.

What is the age limit?

Upper limit 55 years as on the last date for receiving applications, with sound health to undertake extensive field visits.

Where is the posting?

New Delhi, reporting to the Deputy Commissioner (PNDT), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Is there a written test?

If the recruitment process includes a written test, the minimum qualifying mark is 70%. Where many candidates qualify, a 1:5 ratio applies — the top five candidates per vacancy are considered, and all candidates tied at the cut-off are included.

How do I apply?

Online only, through the application form on the NHSRC website at nhsrcindia.org. Applications in any other format are not accepted.

Details above are taken from the Terms of Reference for Lead Consultant – Gender and PNDT issued by the National Health Systems Resource Centre, New Delhi. Read the full document and check nhsrcindia.org before applying.