IGNOU PhD Admission 2025-26: Entrance Exam, Last Date, Fees, & Eligibility

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers PhD admissions exclusively during the July academic session. For the 2025-26 academic year, the admission process will begin in the third week of November 2025, with applications accepted until December 31, 2025. Candidates can apply for various PhD programs in selected disciplines, including Research Methodology, Data Collection, Psychology, History, Thesis Writing, and Educational Theories.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the PhD program at IGNOU, applicants must hold a postgraduate degree with a minimum of 55% marks. There is a relaxation of 5% for candidates belonging to OBC, SC, ST, and PWD categories.

Application Process

Interested candidates can fill out the application form by visiting the official IGNOU portal at ignouphdjuly23.samarth.edu.in. The online registration fee is INR 1000 for general candidates and INR 800 for those in reserved categories. The total course fee for the PhD program is approximately INR 17,850, which may vary based on the chosen specialization.

Selection Criteria

Admission to the PhD programs will be based on the results of the entrance exam, a merit list, and an interview round. Candidates who score at least 50% in the entrance test will be eligible for the interview.

IGNOU PhD Admission 2025-25 Important Dates:

IGNOU PhD Admission 2025-25

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will initiate the admission process for its PhD programs in the July academic session starting in the third week of November 2025. The final date for IGNOU PhD admission 2025-25 will be December 31, 2025. Aspiring candidates should visit the official IGNOU website at ignou.ac.in to complete their application. The university provides a variety of specializations within its Doctor of Philosophy offerings, including fields such as English, Computer Science, Management, and Education.

To qualify for the PhD program, applicants must possess a master’s degree from a UGC-recognized institution with at least 55% marks. There is a provision for a 5% relaxation for candidates from reserved categories. Those who achieve a minimum of 50% in the entrance examination will be invited for an interview, while reserved category candidates need to secure at least 45% marks. The selection process assigns 70% weight to the entrance exam and 30% to the interview. The registration fee for applying is INR 1000, payable through online payment options, including credit/debit cards and internet banking.

IGNOU PhD Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the IGNOU PhD program, candidates must meet several eligibility criteria. Firstly, applicants should possess a master’s degree from a UGC-recognized university, achieving at least 55% marks. For candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, EWS, OBC, and PWD, there is a 5% relaxation, allowing them to qualify with a minimum of 50% marks. Additionally, students must successfully clear the entrance exam administered by IGNOU, as admission to the PhD program is highly competitive with limited seats available.

IGNOU PhD Fee structure

The fee structure for the IGNOU PhD program varies based on the chosen specialization among the 30+ options available. For a typical three-year program, the total fee is approximately INR 17,850. If a student is pursuing the doctoral degree without coursework, the annual fee is set at INR 8,400. Generally, the average annual course fee for IGNOU PhD programs ranges between INR 8,400 and INR 9,450.The registration fee for the IGNOU PhD program is INR 1,000 for general category students and INR 800 for those belonging to reserved categories. Payments can be made conveniently through various online methods, including credit and debit cards, internet banking, and UPI.

IGNOU PhD Application Process

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) encourages students to submit their applications promptly to enhance their chances of acceptance into the PhD program. The last date for IGNOU PhD admission 2025-25 is December 31, 2025. Interested candidates must apply online through the official portal at ignouphdjuly23.samarth.edu.in. The application process involves filling out the required details, including personal information and academic certifications.To complete the application, candidates should follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the official IGNOU website.
2. Fill out the registration form to create an account using your email address and password.
3. Log in with your new credentials.
4. Complete the application form with all necessary details.
5. Upload a recent photo and signature in JPEG/JPG format.
6. Pay the application fee of INR 1000 (or INR 800 for reserved categories) using a debit card, credit card, or other online payment methods.

IGNOU PhD Specializations

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam

Eligible candidates wishing to enroll in the IGNOU PhD entrance test must navigate several selection stages. The entrance exam is conducted in two phases. In Stage 1, the test will be held offline at selected centers across the country. Following the exam, a list of eligible candidates will be published exclusively on the IGNOU website. Students are required to download and print their admit cards from the site.

The entrance test consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), featuring a total of 100 questions with no negative marking. Candidates must bring necessary documents to the exam, including a photograph, Aadhar card, voter ID, driving license, passport, and any government-issued ID. To qualify for the interview round, students must score at least 50% overall, while candidates from reserved categories need a minimum of 45%. The selection process allows for up to five times the number of available seats to be shortlisted based on merit.

Additionally, candidates who hold an M.Phil. or have qualified for UGC NET (including JRF), SLET, GATE, or a Teacher Fellowship are required to pass the IGNOU PhD entrance test as well. Applications for the PhD program must be submitted online, and candidates can apply for only one program during the entrance test, which is conducted for all programs on the same day. For reserved categories, seats are allocated for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) with at least 40% disability.

IGNOU Ph.D. Selection Criteria