IGNOU PhD Admission 2026 | Fees Structure, Admission & Selection Process

IGNOU PhD admission process will start soon for the January 2026 academic session. IGNOU offers Ph.D degree in various fields like Commerce, Political Science, Anthropology, Development Studies, Library & Information Science, Bio chemistry, etc. Ph.D degrees at IGNOU is offered in compliance with UGC Regulations 2022. Ph.D at IGNOU is offered in Part time and Full time category. Students who holds both bachelor’s and master’s degree are eligible to apply for admission through official website. The starting date of admission is not confirmed yet but it’s believed to be 15 December 2025*. The fee structure varies with specializations. Average fee range is Rs 17,000 to Rs, 23,000 per year. 

IGNOU PhD Admission 2026: Highlights

About IGNOU

IGNOU is a prestigious and reputed Open University which is not only the largest in India but is also the largest open University in the world, which offers programmes in both OL and ODL mode. IGNOU is NAAC-accredited, UGC-DEB-approved, and AIU recognised. Even after being an Open university, it offers a Ph.D in regular mode as well. 

IGNOU PhD Admission 2026

IGNOU offers admission in Ph.D programmes in two sessions January and July. IGNOU PhD admission will start soon for the January session 2026. Students fulfilling eligibility criteria can apply through registering themselves. They can either apply directly by Samarth Portal or through official website. There will be interview round after application form gets selected. Students must have UGC NET scorecard as well while filling application form. The expected date of starting admission is 15 December 2025*. 

Eligibility Criteria For IGNOU PhD Admission 2026

There is a General eligibility criteria that needs to be fulfilled by each interested candidate. They must have a 3 year Bachelor degree and 2 year Master degree or 4 year Bachelor degree and 1 year Master degree with minimum 55% aggregate marks or its equivalent grade. Also, they must have cleared UGC NET examination. 

A relaxation of 5% in aggregate marks or its equivalent grade is given to SC/ST/OBC students, differently abled students and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Students who qualify their UGC NET will be eligible to apply for admission in PhD after passing an Interview round conducted by University. 

IGNOU PhD Admission Fees Structure 2026

IGNOU has low fees for Ph.D programmes in comparison to other Universities. Fee depends on the specialization in Ph.D one is choosing. University has divided fee structure into several categories like programme fee, exam fee, development fee, and so on. There is also a registration fee of Rs. 1000 that is mandatory for every student to pay and is non-refundable. Average fee ranges from Rs. 17,000 per year to Rs 21,000 per year.

Here is a general fee breakage excluding programme fee as it differs with specializations.

IGNOU PhD Courses Offered, Duration, and Fees

IGNOU offers Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in multiple disciplines. Its course duration is minimum 3 years and maximum 6 years. Women Candidates and Person with Disabilities are given 2 extra years which means they have 8 years to complete their Ph.D. This initiative is taken by university to support them. Below mentioned table has some popular Ph.D courses with their fees. 

IGNOU PhD Admission Process 2026

Candidates can apply through Online mode only. Hard copy or Printed application for will not be accepted by University.

• Step 1: First, you need to register yourself on admission portal with your personal Email Id. For this, either go to official website or directly apply from here, www.ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in/index.php.
• Step 2: After successful registration, you will get your credentials (Username and password). Now login again to admission portal. You will get an application form to fill for admission in Ph.D programmes.
• Step 3: Now start filling application form with required details (Personal & Academic details)
• Step 4: In the next step, upload all required documents that should be scanned from originals only.
• Step 5: Now review your form one last time. Pay applicable fees and submit your form.
• Step 6: After final submission, download filled application form for future reference
• Step 7: In the last step, University will verify all documents and selected students need to go for interview round. 

NOTE: Students should have a print copy of all documents and their application form while appearing for the Interview round.

Required Documents For IGNOU PhD Admission

• 10th marksheet/certificate
• 12th marksheet/certificate
• Bachelor’s degree or Provisional certificate
• Master’s degree or Provisional certificate
• Scanned signature of Applicant
• Latest photograph of Applicant
• Government-issued ID Proof
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• UGC NET/ UGC NET-JRF Scorecard

IGNOU PhD Admission Selection Procedure

At IGNOU, admissions for Ph.D Programmes are done on the basis of student’s performance in UGC NET Examination and Interview conducted by University. General Category Students must fill admission form and has qualified UGC NET. If selected, they will be called out for Interview which carries 100% weightage.

Reserved Category/Disable/Physically Challenged and other Category students have to fill admission form as well and qualify UGC NET. If selected then they will be called for an interview too. Their final result will be announced on the basis of UGC NET Merit (70%) and Performance in Interview (30%). Interview will be conducted at IGNOU Headquarters and comprises three components – Research Methodology (40%), Subject Domain (40%), and Communication Skills (20%).

Job Roles After Completing PhD From IGNOU

Students who completed their Ph.D degree from IGNOU get decent job offers with high pay scale. They mostly get opportunities in renowned Academic Institutions. Some of the in-demand job roles after Ph.D are Computer Engineer, Research Assistant, Professor, Legal Assistant, Consultant, Senior Writer, Research Scientists, Associate Professor, and so on. Average Salary offered after Ph.D completion to candidates ranges between INR 7 LPA to INR 14 LPA.