By Admin 
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has started the admission process into PhD programs for the July 2026 session. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online from 10 June to 1 July 2026. The university has started the application process through its official admission website. Candidates can apply for admission by filling the application form within the prescribed time limit.
IGNOU is offering admission in PhD programs in a total of 36 subjects in this session. These include Psychology, Anthropology, Political Science, Public Administration, Biochemistry, Chemistry and many other subjects. Through these courses, students will be able to do research work in various fields.
The university has clarified that the admission process will be conducted as per the University Grants Commission (UGC) rules for the year 2022. Under this, candidates will get the opportunity for admission through different categories.
Candidates can apply for PhD admission in four different categories. These include candidates having Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) with UGC-NET, UGC-NET candidates eligible for Assistant Professor and PhD admissions, UGC-NET candidates eligible only for PhD admissions and candidates applying through university level entrance examination.
Also read – Huge shortage of staff in NMC, questions on transparency and allegations of corruption; Medical students are suffering the consequences
They will get a chance for direct interview
According to IGNOU, all the candidates will be required to appear in interview or Viva-Voce as part of the admission process. However, candidates who have already qualified JRF or UGC-NET examination will not be required to appear for the entrance examination. Such candidates will be directly shortlisted for the interview stage.
According to the information released by the university, PhD programs will be available in both full time and part time forms. With this, employed and other busy candidates will also get an opportunity to do research work.
This work will be important
Selected candidates will have to complete the prescribed course work at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi. The university has also clarified that it will be necessary for the research scholars to maintain at least 80 percent attendance during the course work. Students who do not complete the scheduled attendance may face difficulties in the further process.
Will I have to apply online?
The application process will be completely online. For this, candidates will first have to register by visiting the admission portal. After this you will have to fill the application form, upload the required documents and pay the application fee.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee for PhD programs has been fixed at Rs 2,000. Fee can be paid through online mode. Candidates are advised to check all the details carefully before submitting the application.
Also read – Campuses of three more foreign universities will open in India, admission will start in Mumbai and Bengaluru from 2026.
Education Loan Information:
Calculate Education Loan EMI