IGNOU PhD Admission 2025: UGC-NET Based Selection, Eligibility, Interview, Fees

IGNOU PhD Admissions – July 2025 Session:
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has started the admission process for its PhD programmes for the July 2025 session. Applications are now invited online through the official PhD admission portal.
Admission for 2025 will be based on UGC-NET and Interview only — IGNOU will not conduct a separate PhD entrance test this year.
The last date to apply is generally 21 days from the official announcement, as mentioned on the PhD portal. Candidates must regularly visit the official IGNOU website for updates.

You Can Also Read:

• IGNOU Courses List 2025
• IGNOU PhD Entrance Hall Ticket 2025
• IGNOU PhD Entrance Result 2025

IGNOU PhD Admission 2025 – Overview

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IGNOU PhD Eligibility 2025

Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for PhD admission at IGNOU:

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree (1-year or 2-year) after a 4-year or 3-year undergraduate programme, with at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade).
• Relaxation of 5% for SC / ST / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / PwD / EWS candidates.
• Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree can apply directly if they have 75% marks or equivalent grade (5% relaxation for reserved categories).
• M.Phil. holders with 55% marks are eligible.
• Foreign degrees are accepted if accredited by a recognized authority in that country.

Important Note:

• Candidates can apply for only one discipline per session.
• Discipline-specific criteria must be checked in the official brochure.

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Selection Process for IGNOU PhD Admission 2025

The selection procedure for PhD admission at IGNOU has been revised for 2025. There will be no separate entrance exam. Admission will be made based on UGC-NET results and interview performance.

Category A – UGC-NET (JRF)

• Direct Interview (no written test)
• 100% weightage given to Interview performance

Category B – UGC-NET (Non-JRF)

• 70% weightage for UGC-NET marks
• 30% weightage for Interview performance

Interview Components:

1. Research Methodology – 40%
2. Subject Knowledge – 40%
3. Communication Skills – 20%

Interview Venue:

IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.

The discipline-wise interview schedule will be published on the IGNOU Research Unit website. Candidates must regularly check the “Interview Schedule” section for updates.

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IGNOU PhD Important Dates 2025

Event	Date / Status
Release of PhD Information Brochure	Released
Online Application Start Date	Open for July 2025 session
Last Date to Apply	21 days from the official announcement
Interview Schedule	Released discipline-wise on IGNOU portal
Final Merit List	Published on the IGNOU website (Research Unit section)

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How to Apply for IGNOU PhD Admission 2025

Follow the steps below to complete the online application process for IGNOU PhD 2025:

1. Visit the PhD Admission Portal and click on “PhD July 2025 – Online Application Form.”
2. Register as a new user using a valid email ID and mobile number.
3. Login using the provided credentials and fill in your personal, academic, and category details.
4. Upload Documents:
   • Recent passport-size photograph
   • Signature
   • Academic certificates and mark sheets
   • Category or experience certificates (if applicable)
5. Pay the Application Fee of ₹1000 online (non-refundable).
6. Submit the Form and download the confirmation page for your records.

Note for Working Professionals:
Candidates applying for a part-time PhD must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer in the prescribed format during the interview.

For any queries related to registration or login issues, candidates can contact the Research Unit at researchunit@ignou.ac.in

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IGNOU PhD Interview and Merit List

• Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview at IGNOU HQ.
• The merit list will be prepared based on UGC-NET and interview performance (70:30 ratio for NET-qualified candidates).
• Final merit lists will be published discipline-wise on the IGNOU official website.
• Being shortlisted for an interview does not guarantee admission; final selection depends on seat availability and supervisor allocation.

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IGNOU PhD Courses and Seats 2025

IGNOU offers PhD programmes in over 30 disciplines across science, arts, commerce, and professional studies. Some of the popular subjects include:

Program Code	Name of the Program
PHDPC	Ph.D. in Psychology
PHDAN	Ph.D. in Anthropology
PHDHIS	Ph.D. in History
PHDSOC	Ph.D. in Sociology
PHDBC	Ph.D. in Biochemistry
PHDCHEM	Ph.D. in Chemistry
PHDGEOG	Ph.D. in Geography
PHDGY	Ph.D. in Geology
PHDLS	Ph.D. in Life Sciences
PHDPH	Ph.D. in Physics
PHDSTAT	Ph.D. in Statistics
PHDMT	Ph.D. in Mathematics
PHDSK	Ph.D. in Sanskrit
PHDCS	Ph.D. in Computer Science
PHDES	Ph.D. in Education
PHDEV	Ph.D. in Environmental Science
PHDPVA	Ph.D. in Fine Arts
PHDPVA	Ph.D. in Theatre Arts
PHDPVA	Ph.D. in Music
PHDPVA	Ph.D. in Dance
PHDTS	Ph.D. in Tourism and Hospitality Service Management
PHDSW	Ph.D. in Social Work
PHDHC	Ph.D. in Home Science
PHDMGMT	Ph.D. in Management
PHDCOM	Ph.D. in Commerce
PHDFN	Ph.D. in Nutritional Science
PHDCD	Ph.D. in Child Development
PHDRD	Ph.D. in Rural Development
PHDVE	Ph.D. in Vocational Education
PHDDV	Ph.D. in Development Studies
PHDDE	Ph.D. in Distance Education
PHDITS	Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary & Trans-disciplinary Studies
PHDGDS	Ph.D. in Gender and Development Studies
PHDHIN	Ph.D. in Hindi

Each discipline has a limited number of seats, and the seat matrix is provided in Appendix I of the official brochure.

IGNOU PhD Fee Structure 2025

• Total Fee for 1st Year: Rs. 17,850/-
• Fee Breakup: Rs. 8,400/- (Registration Fee) + Rs. 1,050/- (18-Credit Coursework)
• Re-Registration Fee: Rs. 8,400/- per year until thesis submission or completion of maximum duration

Note: Additional charges may apply as per school guidelines. Fees are non-refundable once admission is confirmed.

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Important Points to Remember

• The coursework is mandatory and conducted at IGNOU HQ, with a minimum of 80% attendance.
• Duration: 3–6 years (with an additional 2 years for Women and PwD candidates).
• One discipline per application: multiple applications will not be accepted.
• Original documents must be produced at the time of the interview for verification.
• Admission is purely based on merit and subject to availability of seats in the selected discipline.
• Candidates must check the Research Unit portal regularly for updates regarding interviews and results.

Reservation of seats is applicable as per Government of India norms for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/EWS/PwD candidates.

Admission to each Ph.D. programme is strictly subject to the availability of supervisors and vacant seats in the respective School of Studies. The final seat matrix and eligible research areas are detailed in Appendix I of the official brochure.

IGNOU PhD Entrance Hall Ticket 2024-2025 (Updated)

For the July 2024 session of IGNOU’s PhD programme, a public download link for the PhD Entrance Exam hall ticket has not been clearly confirmed on the official website.

For the July 2025 session, the hall ticket release date is to be announced.

Candidates are advised to regularly check the official IGNOU PhD portal (ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in)

IGNOU PhD Entrance Answer Key 2024-2025 (Updated)

Note: The following sections apply to the July 2024 session only. For July 2025, no separate Ph.D. entrance test, hall ticket, or answer key will be issued.

IGNOU PhD Entrance Result 2024 -2025 (Updated)

For the July 2024 session, IGNOU declared the PhD Entrance Test result on 28 February 2024.

For the July 2025 session, the result is yet to be published. Candidates are advised to regularly check IGNOU’s official “Announcements” page and the Research Unit section for the notice of declaration.

The candidates can check their PhD Entrance results by two methods. They can either check through Application Number and Password or Application Number and Date of Birth. Therefore, it is necessary that candidates should have their application number, correct date of birth, and security pin to download their Ph.D. Entrance scorecard on their device.

IGNOU PhD Interview Schedule 2024-2025 (Updated)

IGNOU has begun releasing the discipline-wise interview schedules for the PhD admissions for the July 2024 and July 2025 sessions. Candidates who have qualified in the entrance test (or are exempted) must check the official IGNOU website under “Research Unit → Interview Schedules” for their specific discipline’s interview date, venue, time, and reporting instructions.

For the July 2025 session, interview notices for several disciplines (e.g., Journalism & Mass Communication, Development Studies, Women’s Studies, Geography) were published in August-September 2025. Candidates are advised to act on the published schedule and arrive in time for document verification and the interview round.

Click for IGNOU PhD Interview Schedule 2024 (Released)

If your program is not available in the above list then do check this page on a regular basis to get the schedule of your Phd interview.

IGNOU PhD Interview Result 2024-2025 (Updated)

For the July 2024 session, IGNOU issued discipline-wise interview schedules and subsequently published final selection lists of candidates admitted to the PhD programme.

For the July 2025 session:

• IGNOU’s “Announcements” page shows a new entry: “List of Candidates selected for admission to Research Degree Programme for the July 2025 Session” (dated 06 Oct 2025) under the Research Unit.

Multiple discipline-wise interview schedules for July 2025 (English, Management, Psychology etc) have been published by the Research Unit.

Once the final merit list of selected candidates is uploaded, shortlisted candidates should follow the admission formalities: document verification, fee payment, joining the coursework as required.

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IGNOU PhD Admission 2025 – FAQs

Q1. Can I pursue a Ph.D. program at IGNOU?
Yes. IGNOU offers Ph.D. programs in multiple disciplines approved under the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degrees) Regulations, 2022. Both Indian and international students are eligible to apply.

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Q2. Is the IGNOU Ph.D. program Distance or Regular?
The IGNOU Ph.D. is a regular, research-based program — not a distance-learning course. All admitted scholars must complete coursework, research work, and supervisor interactions as prescribed by the University.

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Q3. Is the IGNOU Ph.D. program offered Full-Time or Part-Time?
IGNOU offers both Full-Time and Part-Time Ph.D. programs.

• Full-time candidates include research fellows and scholars under funded projects.
• Part-time candidates are generally working professionals or faculty members from recognized institutions.
  Both formats are recognized under UGC norms and carry equal academic value.

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Q4. Is the IGNOU Ph.D. program recognized by UGC?
Yes. IGNOU is a Central University established by an Act of Parliament in 1985 and recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Its Ph.D. degrees are valid for academic, research, and employment purposes across India and abroad.

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Q5. How can I get admission to the Ph.D. program at IGNOU?
To obtain admission, candidates must:

1. Apply online via the official Ph.D. admission portal (ignouphd.samarth.edu.in).
2. Qualify through UGC-NET (including JRF), UGC-CSIR-NET, GATE, or appear in the IGNOU-conducted Ph.D. Entrance Test (if applicable).
3. Attend the Interview/Viva-Voce for final selection.
4. Complete the mandatory coursework and research registration formalities.

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Q6. Do I need to pass an entrance exam for admission to the Ph.D. program?
From the July 2025 session onward, admission to IGNOU’s Ph.D. programs is primarily based on UGC-NET scores (including JRF).

• Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET / UGC-CSIR-NET / JRF / GATE are exempted from the written entrance test but must appear for the Interview/Viva-Voce.
• If required by IGNOU for specific disciplines, a university-level entrance test may still be conducted.

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Q7. What is the duration of the Ph.D. program at IGNOU?

Extension: Up to 2 additional years may be granted for women and PwD candidates, as per UGC Regulations 2022.

Minimum Duration: 3 years (including coursework)

Maximum Duration: 6 years

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Final Note:

IGNOU’s PhD programmes continue to offer a valuable opportunity for research scholars across India to pursue academic excellence through a flexible yet rigorous system. Candidates are advised to stay updated with official announcements from the IGNOU Research Unit to ensure they meet all deadlines and eligibility criteria for the July 2025 session.

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