College of Social Work

The College of Social Work, located in the heart of Imphal West, Manipur, remains a premier institution dedicated to professional social work education in North-East India. For the 2026 academic year, the college continues its mission of fostering social change and community development.

• Affiliation: Manipur University
• Established: Dedicated to addressing the unique socio-political landscape of Manipur.
• Location: Imphal West, well-connected to major administrative hubs.
• Focus Areas: Rural development, peacebuilding, and tribal welfare.
• Mode of Study: Full-time, with extensive field-based learning.

The college offers specialized programs designed to meet the growing demand for social professionals in the public and private sectors. The 2026 flagship programs include:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): A three-year foundational course focusing on social theory and local community engagement.
• Master of Social Work (MSW): A two-year post-graduate degree with specializations in Community Development, Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, and Family & Child Welfare.
• Certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies: A short-term course highly relevant to the regional context of Manipur.

Admissions for the 2026 session are primarily based on merit and performance in the entrance examination. The process is aligned with the Manipur University academic calendar.

Students consistently highlight the college's strong emphasis on fieldwork. Reviews for 2026 indicate a high level of satisfaction with the faculty's grassroots experience.

• "The exposure to rural communities in Imphal West helped me understand the real-world challenges beyond textbooks." - 2nd Year MSW Student.
• "The college provides a very supportive environment for students from diverse ethnic backgrounds of Manipur." - BSW Alumna.
• "Great library resources, though more digital infrastructure is needed." - Final Year Student.

The 2026 cutoff scores are determined by the volume of applications and the difficulty of the entrance test. For BSW, a minimum of 50% in Class 12 is required for general category students. For MSW, the cutoff is typically based on the Manipur University Common Entrance Test (MUCET) or the college's internal assessment, usually requiring a 55% aggregate in graduation.

In 2026, the College of Social Work maintains its status as a top-tier social work institute in the North-Eastern region. While national rankings often focus on metropolitan cities, this college is consistently ranked in the Top 5 Social Work Institutions in Manipur due to its high research output in tribal studies and regional social policy.

The placement season of 2025 saw a diverse range of recruiters from the NGO sector, government agencies, and corporate CSR wings. Key statistics include:

• Highest Package: INR 5.5 LPA
• Average Package: INR 3.2 LPA
• Top Recruiters: UNICEF (Regional Projects), Childline, Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM), and various local NGOs like Women's Income Generation Centre.
• Internship Rate: 100% of students secured mandatory field placements.

The college facilitates several financial aid options for students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds in Manipur:

• Post-Matric Scholarship for ST/SC Students: Provided by the Government of Manipur.
• NEC Merit Scholarship: For students from the North-Eastern states.
• Ishan Uday: Special scholarship scheme for the NER provided by UGC.
• Merit-cum-Means Scholarships: Provided by the college for economically weaker sections.

The most sought-after courses at the College of Social Work, Imphal West, are:

• MSW in Community Development: Popular due to the high demand for development officers in Manipur's hill districts.
• MSW in Medical & Psychiatric Social Work: Increasingly relevant for hospital settings in Imphal city.
• BSW (Honours): The primary entry point for social work aspirants in the state.

The fee structure is designed to be accessible to students from the region. The following are the estimated fees for 2026:

When compared to other institutions like the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) Regional Campus or RK Sanatombi Devi College, the College of Social Work stands out for its specialized focus on fieldwork and its long-standing relationship with local civil society organizations in Imphal West. While IGNTU offers broader university resources, the College of Social Work provides more intensive, localized social work training.

Applying for the 2026 academic year involves the following steps:

1. Visit the official college website or the Manipur University admission portal.
2. Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
3. Fill out the application form with personal and academic details.
4. Upload required documents (Class 10/12/Graduation marksheet, Caste certificate, etc.).
5. Pay the application fee of INR 500 (standard for general category) online.
6. Download the admit card for the entrance exam.

Despite being in a geographically challenging area, the college provides robust infrastructure for students:

• Library: A rich collection of books on sociology, human rights, and North-East history.
• ICT Lab: Equipped with internet facilities for research.
• Seminar Hall: Used for workshops with international and local social activists.
• Fieldwork Coordination Centre: A dedicated cell that manages placements across various districts of Manipur.

The academic structure is divided into several specialized departments:

• Department of Community Development
• Department of Medical and Psychiatric Social Work
• Department of Family and Child Welfare
• Department of Fieldwork and Extension
• Department of Social Research

For social work students in 2026, supplementing degree programs with online certifications is highly recommended:

• Social Work Practice with Families: Available on Coursera.
• Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: Offered by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
• Data Analysis for Social Sciences: Available via SWAYAM/NPTEL.
• Mental Health Studies: Available on edX.

The faculty at the College of Social Work consists of experienced academicians and veteran social workers. Many faculty members are actively involved in policy-making committees for the Government of Manipur, providing students with unique insights into the administrative aspects of social welfare. Over 60% of the core faculty hold Ph.D. degrees.

Recognizing the need for flexible learning, the college offers a few hybrid/online modules in 2026:

• Online Certificate in Disaster Management: Focused on the landslide and earthquake-prone topography of Manipur.
• Webinar Series on Human Rights: Monthly sessions featuring guest speakers from national law universities.

The alumni of the College of Social Work serve in various capacities across the globe. Notable alumni include:

• L. Ibomcha: A leading activist for tribal rights in North-East India.
• S. Devi: Program Manager at an international health NGO in Switzerland.
• Numerous alumni serving as District Social Welfare Officers across different districts of Manipur.