Indira Gandhi National Open University – IGNOU PhD Admission 2025 (July)

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) invites applications for PhD Admission 2025 (July).

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates who have completed: 1-year/2-semester master’s degree programme after a 4- year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme or a 2-year/4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year/6 semesters bachelor’s degree programme or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed. or equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an assessment and accreditation agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit or assure quality and standards of the educational institution.
• A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.
• Provided that a candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.
• Candidates who have completed the M.Phil. programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed or equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an assessment and accreditation agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit or assure quality and standards of educational institutions, shall be eligible for admission to the Ph.D. programme. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.

Selection Process

Admission to the PhD programme shall be done on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the UGC NET examination and Interview conducted by the University in the following manner:

• For Category A Candidates who qualified UGC NET with Fellowship (With JRF) has to fill the online admission form for Ph.D. He/She shall be called for interview. The performance in the interview carries 100% weightage.
• For Category B Candidates who qualified UGC NET without Fellowship (this covers the Category 2 and 3 of UGC NET qualified candidates from June 2024 and onwards session examinations with validity certificate) has to also fill the online admission form for Ph.D. They shall be called for interview based on the merit of their UGC NET score. The UGC NET Score shall be given a weightage of 70% and 30% weightage shall be given to the interview. Final, merit shall be drawn combining the 70% of UGC NET Score and 30% from the performance in the Interview.
• Interviews will be conducted by the University at its Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, only. Eligible candidates shall be called for interview by the Discipline Specific Admission Committee. Information in this regard shall be uploaded on the University website.
• The interview shall have three components comprising Research Methodology(40%) Subject domain (40%) and Communication Skills (20%).
• Candidates are required to bring with them an original identity proof such as Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving License, Passport and ID Card issued by Govt. Agencies at the time of interview.
• Based on the performance in the Interview, a combined common merit list of candidates of Category A and B (list of finally selected candidates) shall be prepared subject to the Reservation Policy of Government of India and availability of vacancies/seats.
• List of selected candidates will be displayed on IGNOU official website www.ignou.ac.in. No individual intimation regarding selection will be sent. Hence, the applicants are advised to see the University website regularly for updates regarding the list of selected candidates.
• Selected candidates will be governed by IGNOU Ordinance/IGNOU Regulations/ Ph.D. Guidelines 2022 and amendments there to from time to time for conduct of Ph.D Degree Programmes.
• Offer letters for admission will be sent to the Selected Candidates, only.

Application Process

• Candidates have to apply online at url: https://ignouadm.samarth.edu.in/phd/index.php
• A Candidate can apply for one discipline, only.
• Candidates can follow the below-mentioned step to fill the IGNOU PhD application form

Steps to Apply

• You need to register first, before filling of the online entrance application form.
• The following instructions need to be followed for Registration in the beginning.
  • Click on the button NEW REGISTRTION that appears in the applicant login area and fill the required registration details.
  • Fill in the UserName and password in the appropriate columns correctly.
  • Remember, while choosing your UserName it must be in between 8 to 16 characters.
  • While choosing your password it must be alphanumeric and between 8 to 16 characters long.
  • After filling the mandatory information click the “SUBMIT” button.
  • Your username will be instantly sent to you via e-mail and SMS.
• Remember your Username and Password for subsequent login.
• If you have already registered i.e you are an existing user click the “LOGIN” button.
• Before proceeding for filling the online application form, you must have the following:-
  • Scanned passport size Photograph (less than 100 KB)
  • Scanned Signature (less than 100 KB)
  • All the supporting documents (like Proof of Date of Birth, relevant mark-sheets, degree certificates, caste certificate, income certificate, disability certificate, UGC NET-JRF certificate/UGC-NET Score card etc) (less than 500KB)
• Fee can be paid by following methods:
  • Credit Card (Master/Visa)
  • Debit Card (Master/Visa/Rupay)
  • Net Banking

• Start of Online Submission of Application Form: to be announced
• Last Date of Online Registration: to be announced

• Information Brochure
• Application Link
• IGNOU Website