How to Enrol for Admission to PhD at IGNOU?

Learn how to get into a PhD programme at IGNOU. Check out the eligibility criteria, entrance test pattern and more. 

PhD Admissions at IGNOU

How to Get Admission to a PhD Course at IGNOU? - The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is one of the most popular colleges in India. It is often the first choice for distance learning and online education. At IGNOU, they offer numerous programmes in numerous streams. They also offer doctoral-level courses or a PhD in various disciplines. Earlier, another doctoral-level programme, MPhil, was also offered at the university. However, MPhil is no longer recognised by the UGC. In this article, we will discuss the admission process for the PhD programme at IGNOU and more. To get admission to the PhD programmes at IGNOU, aspirants must fill an online application form (available on the IGNOU website for INR 1000). They must also have a master's in a relevant discipline to be eligible for the programme. Read further to learn more. 

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PhD Course: Highlights

Some key information about the PhD programme at IGNOU is mentioned in the table below. 

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IGNOU offers the following courses in PhD

At IGNOU, PhD programmes are offered in the following subjects. 

In order to pursue a course in IGNOU, candidates need to clear an IGNOU PhD entrance exam, which will be followed by an interview round. Once both rounds have been cleared, the candidate is eligible for admission. More on the entrance test below. 

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IGNOU PhD Eligibility Criteria

Before filling out the application form, candidates are advised to check the eligibility criteria. If a candidate is found ineligible at any point in time during the admission procedure, the applicant will not be allowed to advance further in the process.

PhD

• Candidates must have a master’s degree in the relevant discipline from a recognised university by the UGC.
• There is a relaxation of 5 per cent marks for reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC).
• Candidates holding an MPhil Degree (along with coursework and dissertation) or candidates who have cleared NET or any other equivalent examination must also appear for the entrance exam.

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How to fill the IGNOU Application Form for PhD Programmes?

To enrol for admission in IGNOU, the first process begins with the filling and submitting of the application form. Candidates can only apply online on the official website of IGNOU. However, candidates must note that application forms are available on certain dates before the session commences. The varsity will not accept application forms after the due date. The steps to fill the application form are listed below. 

Step 1: Visit IGNOU's website. 

Step 2: On visiting the website, candidates will have to click on the ‘admission link’.

Step 3: On clicking the ‘admission link’, the candidate will have to enter their respective email IDs and password.  After registering, the candidate can then log in.

Step 4: On logging in, the candidate will have to click on the ‘apply now’ link. On doing so, the candidate can then fill in the application form.

Step 5: Candidates are advised to cross-check every detail that is being entered in the form. Once the applicant has filled the form, the candidate is required to upload a JPEG file of their respective passport-size photographs and signature.

Step 6: Once all the details are filled in, the candidate can then proceed to pay the application fee, which is Rs 1000. The payment can be made online or offline.

Online: The candidate can pay the application fee online via credit card/ debit card/ net banking.

Offline: Demand draft, which can be sent to the university address.

Step 7: Once the formalities have been completed, the candidate is advised to take a printout of the application form for future reference.

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam

Selection for admission to the varsity is done on the basis of the written entrance exam, which will be followed by an interview. Only those who clear the exam will be called for interviews. Candidates who have cleared NET (conducted by UGC/CSIR/ICAR) or any other equivalent examination will be exempted from appearing for the IGNOU entrance exam. Candidates need to keep in mind the following process for the entrance exam.

• IGNOU will release a list of candidates’ names who have been shortlisted for the entrance exam. Applicants can see the list, which will be available on the official website of IGNOU.
• Candidates who have been shortlisted for the entrance exam will be issued the admit cards a week prior to the IGNOU PhD entrance exam.
• Candidates must carry their admit cards to the test centres. Those who fail to do so will not be allowed to take the exam. 

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Pattern

The test will feature MCQs. The test pattern is elaborated in the table below. 

Interview Round

Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for the interview/presentation round. The results of the written entrance exam will be declared on the official website of IGNOU. Candidates can check the result through the following steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website of IGNOU.

Step 2: The candidate will have to click on ‘Results’, which will be present under the banner at the top of the page.

Step 3: On clicking the ‘result’ link, the candidate will be directed to a new page. From there on, the candidate will have to search for the MPhil/PhD entrance exam result link.

Step 4: On finding the link, the candidate will have to enter the ‘application number and password’. On entering the details, the results will be available on the screen.

Names of candidates mentioned in the list will have to appear for the second round, which is the interview/presentation process. Candidates will have to carry their documents as well, such as:

• ID proof and photocopies
• Class 10 mark sheet and photocopy
• Class 12 mark sheet and photocopy
• Graduation certificates

Candidates who clear the second round (Interview/Presentation) will receive offer letters for admission at IGNOU.

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