IGNOU PhD admission 2024 is expected to start in the month of January 2024. Interested candidates can apply online on the official website @ignou.ac.in. Admission to the PhD program at IGNOU is based on a written test followed by a personal interview conducted by the university.

IGNOU offers Doctoral programs in 12 different streams. The doctoral program offered at the university is both in distance as well as in regular mode. Admissions to the PhD program at IGNOU are based on scores in the entrance test followed by a personal interview or presentation. Candidates holding M.Phil. Degree (along with course work and dissertation both) or those candidates who have cleared NET or any other equivalent examination will be exempted from appearing in the Entrance Test. Check IGNOU Admission 2024

IGNOU Ph.D. Course Highlights 2024

Minimum Duration 3 years
Maximum Duration 5 years
Eligibility Postgraduate Degree
Minimum Age No Bar
Maximum Age No Bar
Admission Criteria Entrance Exam + Interview
Application Fees INR 1000

IGNOU Ph.D. Admission Dates 2024

Event Dates
Applications Start Date January 2024 (Tentative)
Application Last Date February 2024 (Tentative)

IGNOU Ph.D. Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must have a master’s degree in the relevant discipline from a recognized university by UGC.
  • There is a relaxation of 5% marks for reserved category candidates (SC/ ST/ OBC).

IGNOU Ph.D. Admisson Process

The selection is done on the basis of the written test followed by an interview. Applications found suitable for admission will be called for the entrance test. Shortlisted candidates on the basis of their performance in the written test will be called for the interview round. Offer letters for admission will be sent to the Selected Candidates only.

Note: Candidates holding M.Phil. Degree (along with course work and dissertation both) or those candidates who have cleared NET (conducted by UGC/ CSIR/ ICAR) or any other equivalent examination will be exempted from appearing in the Entrance Test.

IGNOU Ph.D. Entrance Test

  • The list of shortlisted candidates who will be required to appear for the Entrance Test will be displayed on the IGNOU website.
  • The admit card will also be released on the official website of IGNOU one week prior of the exam date.
  • Candidates must bring their admit card to the exam center, else they will not allow sitting for the written test.
  • Applicants have to bring an original identity proof having a photograph, such as Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving License, Passport and ID card at the examination center.
  • Students must score a minimum of 50% marks in the entrance test to qualify the exam.
  • The Entrance Test will be held in 13 cities. 

Interview/ Presentation

  • Qualified candidates in the written test will be called for interview round/ Presentation.
  • Offer letters for admission will be sent to the Selected Candidates only.

How to Apply for IGNOU Ph.D.?

IGNOU offers admission to Doctoral courses on basis of percentage scored in a postgraduate degree along with an entrance test and interview. The application procedure is online.

Application steps in Ph.D. Program

  • Visit the IGNOU Website.
  • Fill the form for new registration if you are not a registered candidate.
  • Select your course, and note down its Course ID.
  • Next, click on “Application”
  • Fill the form for the candidate’s application.
  • Pay the course fees for one year.
  • Upload the required documents.
  • Click on the submit button.
  • Your application is provisionally accepted. 

Note: After verifying all the details, and documents, your application will be finally accepted by the authorities.

Read More IGNOU Courses

IGNOU Ph.D. C Structure

The doctoral program at IGNOU is offered in 12 different streams which are listed below in tabular form along with the eligibility criteria and Number of seats. 

Streams for Ph.D Eligibility Criteria No. of Seats
Geology Post-graduation in Geology or Geological Science or Applied Geology or Geo-Exploration or Mineral Exploration or Engineering Geology or Marine Geology or Earth Science and Resource Management or Petroleum Geosciences or Petroleum Exploration or Geochemistry or Geophysics or Hydrogeology or Geomatics or Geo-informatics or Remote Sensing and GIS from any recognized university 20
French MA in French 02
Journalism and Mass Comm Master’s Degree or M.Phil. Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication 15
Statistics Post-Graduation in Statistics/ Applied Statistics with min 55% from any recognized university 08
Geography M.A./ M.Sc. in Geography, Earth Systems Science and Relevant Discipline of Geospatial Technology 16
Gender and Development Studies Master’s degree in Gender Studies or Gender and Development Studies with 55% marks. OR Master’s degree in other streams with one or two courses in the area of Gender Studies or Gender and Development Studies or with demonstrable evidence of teaching or research and publications in the area of Gender Studies or Gender and Development Studies 06
Women Studies Master’s degree in Women’s Studies or Gender Studies with min 55% marks. OR Master’s degree in other streams with one or two courses in the area of Women’s/ Gender Studies and with demonstrable evidence of teaching and / or research and publications in the area of Women’s /Gender Studies 07
Biochemistry Master’s Degree or any other equal qualification from a recognized university 09
Fine Arts M. Phil in a relevant field with minimum 55% marks from any recognized university or Institution. OR Master’s Degree in Fine Arts/ Visual Arts/ Drg. and Ptg. / Design with at least 55% marks (50% marks for SC/ ST) 01
Theatre Arts M. Phil in relevant field with at least 55% marks. OR M. P. A. in Theatre Arts with minimum 55% marks 02
Physics M.Phil. in Physics with course work and UGC-NET (including JRF) / UGC/ CSIR-NET (including JRF) / SLET/ GATE or should be a teacher fellowship holder 05
Chemistry Master’s Degree or M Phil Degree in Chemistry -
Public Administration Master’s Degree or M.Phil Degree in Pub Administration 03
Psychology Master’s Degree or M.Phil Degree in Psychology 02
Nursing Master’s Degree or M.Phil Degree in Nursing 04
Library and Informative Science Master’s Degree or M.Phil Degree in Library and Informative Science 03
Anthropology Master’s Degree or M.Phil Degree in Anthropology 02
Computer Science MCA, BE/B.Tech (With CS/IT), M.Sc Computer Science -
Economics Master’s degree or M.Phil in Economics -
Sociology Master’s Degree -
English Master’s Degree -

IGNOU Ph.D. Study Materials

IGNOU provides study material to students free of cost. Here are the links for Ph.D. study materials that are tabulated below. Students can easily download or view the study material from here without any registration. It will help students to understand & get a clear idea about the course curriculum.

Course Name Click to Download
Ph.D. Download

IGNOU Ph.D. Assignments

Assignments constitute continuous evaluation. The marks that you secure in the assignments will be counted in your final result. As mentioned earlier, an assignment of a course carries 30% weightage. You are therefore advised to take your assignment seriously. 

Non Submission of Assignment

The TMA for each semester can be downloaded from the Student Zone of the University website. You have to complete the assignment within the due dates specified in the assignment booklet. You will not be allowed to appear for the term-end examination for any course if you do not submit the assignment in time for that course. If you appear in the term-end examination, without submitting the assignments, the result of the term-end examination is liable to be canceled.

Read More: IGNOU Assignment

IGNOU Ph.D. FAQs

Ques. What are the specializations for IGNOU Ph.D. Program?

Ans. The specializations for IGNOU Ph.D. Program are Geology, French, Women Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, Statistics, Geography, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry and Gender Development Studies.

Ques. What is the eligibility for Ph.D. Program at IGNOU?

Ans. Candidate must have a master’s degree in a relevant stream with a minimum 55% stream.

Ques. In which cities of India, Ph.D. entrance test of IGNOU were held?

Ans. IGNOU Entrance Test held in 13 cities of India. They are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna and Trivandram.

Ques. Do the M.Phil holders are exempted from IGNOU Entrance Test?

Ans. Candidates holding M.Phil. Degree (along with course work and dissertation both) or those candidates who have cleared NET (conducted by UGC/ CSIR/ ICAR) or any other equivalent examination will be exempted from appearing in the Entrance Test.

Ques. What is the application fee at IGNOU?

Ans. Application fee at IGNOU is of INR 1000.