IGNOU PhD in Education Admission 2026 | Eligibility & Fee Details

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers a PhD in Education through its School of Education (SOE). The program is designed for professionals and academics who wish to pursue advanced research in education. Below are the details for PhD in Education admission for the 2025-26 session:

IGNOU PhD in Education Admission 2025-26: Key Details

1. Eligibility Criteria

• Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed) or a related discipline with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD candidates).

• Candidates with a Master’s degree in other disciplines must have a B.Ed degree with at least 55% marks.

• UGC-NET/JRF/CSIR-NET/SLET/GATE/Teacher Fellowship holders are exempt from the entrance test but must appear for an interview.

• Others must qualify for the IGNOU PhD Entrance Test (PET) followed by an interview.

2. Admission Process

• Step 1: Entrance Exam (PET) – If not exempted.

• Step 2: Interview/Viva Voce – Conducted by the SOE.

• Step 3: Provisional admission after clearing both stages.

• Step 4: Submission of research proposal within 6 months.

3. Application Fee & Course Fee

• Application Fee (PET): ?1,000 (?800 for SC/ST/PwD).

• PhD Course Fee:

  • Total Fee: Approx. ?16,800 (may vary slightly).

  • Breakup:

    • Registration Fee: ?1,000

    • Course Fee: ?7,000 per year

    • Examination Fee: ?1,200 per year

    • Other charges may apply.

4. Important Dates (Tentative)

• Notification Release: March-April 2025

• Last Date to Apply: May-June 2025

• PET Exam Date: July-August 2025

• Interview: September-October 2025

• Session Starts: January 2026

5. Duration

• Minimum: 3 years (including coursework)

• Maximum: 6 years

6. How to Apply?

• Visit IGNOU’s official website (ignou.ac.in)

• Fill out the PhD application form online.

• Upload required documents (qualifying marksheets, category certificate if applicable, etc.).

• Pay the application fee online.

7. Selection Process

• Based on PET score (if applicable) + Interview performance.

• NET/JRF-qualified candidates are directly called for an interview.

Important Notes

? IGNOU follows UGC PhD regulations, so ensure your eligibility before applying.
? The entrance test (PET) consists of Research Aptitude + Subject-specific questions.
? Part-time PhD is allowed for working professionals, but they must attend regular supervision meetings.

For official updates, check IGNOU’s PhD portal or contact the School of Education (SOE).