IGNOU PhD Fee Structure
(Doctor of Philosophy Fees Structure at IGNOU)
IGNOU carries out its goal through 67 regional centers across the world, with 21 colleges providing 227 various programs. One of these programs is the Ph.D program. The institution has been governed by the federal government since its founding and currently has a student population of 4 million. The overall cost of an IGNOU PhD program is approximately INR 28,000 to 33,000, making it highly affordable for students and working professionals.
- DURATION: 3 Years (36 months) with Flexible timelines
- Domain: Doctorate (Get Dr.'s Title)
- Study Mode: Part Time
- Fees Range: INR 38,000*
- Accreditation: UGC, NIRF, NAAC Accredited
- Last date of admission: OnGoing
This information is provided for audience reference only. Please visit the https://www.ignou.ac.in/ website for the most accurate and updated details. Video Source: @gyanaddabyshefali
IGNOU PhD Eligibility
Master’s Degree or 4-Year Bachelor’s with 75% with
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IGNOU Ph.D. Fees 2025-26 Session
Students having a Master’s degree and suitable professional experience can apply for the Ph.D. program at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The cost structure for this program varies depending on the chosen specialization. IGNOU’s Ph.D. program includes a variety of specializations. The program’s overall cost is INR 38,000, which is reasonable. It’s worth noting that the criteria for this course differ from those for standard Ph.D. programs.
Furthermore, there may be fees for study materials, workshops, and other academic resources. IGNOU frequently allows students to pay their fees in instalments or lump payments. Prospective Ph.D. candidates should visit the university’s official website or contact the admissions office for further information on the cost structure that applies to their circumstances.
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Check IGNOU Ph.D. 2025 Detailed Fees Structure
The fee structure of the IGNOU Ph.D. program depends on various components such as the application fee, registration fee, coursework charges, thesis submission fee, and more. Below is a breakdown of the key fee components for Ph.D. programs at IGNOU. This fee structure is generally common across all specializations. However, we have also provided a specialization-wise breakdown of the fees below.
| IGNOU PhD Fees Component | Amount (INR) |
| Application Fee | ₹1,000 |
| Registration Fee | ₹5,000 |
| Coursework Fee | ₹7,000 |
| Annual Fee (3 years) | ₹15,000 |
| Thesis Submission Fee | ₹10,000 |
| Total Fees for 3 Years | ₹38,000 |
Important Notes
– All fees are subject to change by the university and are non-refundable once paid.
– In case of extension beyond 3 years, annual fees continue to be charged as applicable.
– No separate fees are charged for library access, coursework materials, or lab usage (where applicable), unless otherwise notified by the school/discipline.
– For latest & updated information, you must visit IGNOU official website.
Ph.D. Specialization-wise Fee Structure at IGNOU
| List of All IGNOU PhD Specialization | Total Fees (3 Years) |
IGNOU School of Social Sciences (SOSS) – Ph.D. in Psychology (PHDPC) – Ph.D. in Sociology (PHDSOC) – Ph.D. in History (PHDHIS) – Ph.D. in Political Science (PHDPS) – Ph.D. in Public Administration (PHDPA) – Ph.D. in Economics (PHDEC) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Education (SOE) – Ph.D. in Education (PHDES) – Ph.D. in Distance Education (PHDDE) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Continuing Education (SOCE) – Ph.D. in Child Development (PHDCD) – Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences (PHDFN) – Ph.D. in Rural Development (PHDRD) – Ph.D. in Home Science (PHDHC) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Management Studies (SOMS) – Ph.D. in Management (PHDMGMT) – Ph.D. in Commerce (PHDCOM) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Computer and Information Sciences (SOCIS) – Ph.D. in Computer Science (PHDCS) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Sciences (SOS) – Ph.D. in Physics (PHDPH) – Ph.D. in Chemistry (PHDCHEM) – Ph.D. in Life Sciences (PHDLS) – Ph.D. in Mathematics (PHDMT) – Ph.D. in Statistics (PHDSTAT) – Ph.D. in Geography (PHDGEOG) – Ph.D. in Geology (PHDGY) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies (SOITS) – Ph.D. in Environmental Science (PHDEV) – Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies (PHDITS) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Law (SOL) – Ph.D. in Law (PHDLAW) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET) – Ph.D. in Vocational Education (PHDVE) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Gender and Development Studies (SOGDS) – Ph.D. in Gender and Development Studies (PHDGDS) | ₹38,000/- |
IGNOU School of Tourism and Hospitality Services Management (SOTHSM) – Ph.D. in Tourism and Hospitality Service Management (PHDTS) | ₹38,000/- |
Is There Any Fee Concession or Scholarship in IGNOU?
Here is general IGNOU policies, what applies regarding fee concessions and scholarships for Ph.D. candidates:
1) Fee Concession
– There is no specific tuition fee concession is mentioned as of now for Ph.D. students.
– IGNOU does not routinely offer direct fee waivers for Ph.D. scholars.
– However, SC/ST candidates may be eligible for tuition fee reimbursement under government-sponsored schemes.
2) Scholarships & Financial Assistance
a) National Fellowship & Scholarship Schemes (via UGC): Eligible IGNOU Ph.D. students can apply for external scholarships, such as:
– UGC JRF/SRF – For those who have qualified for UGC-NET with JRF
– National Fellowship for SC/ST/OBC/PwD (Ministry of Social Justice/Tribal Affairs/Minority Affairs)
– Maulana Azad National Fellowship (if restarted in future)
– INSPIRE Fellowship (for Science stream scholars under DST)
– State Government Scholarships (for domicile candidates studying in central universities)
– These schemes are not administered by IGNOU, but students can avail them if admitted to the Ph.D. programme.
b) IGNOU SC/ST Scholarship Portal: IGNOU runs a scholarship portal for SC/ST students
– While primarily for UG/PG programmes, Ph.D. students from SC/ST categories may contact the university’s Scholarship Cell or their Programme Coordinator for possible inclusion or support through Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes.
3) Women and PwD Candidates – Extra Duration (Not Monetary Concession)
– Women candidates and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) (≥40%) are granted 2 years extra over the 6-year maximum duration of the Ph.D. programme.
– This is a time-based academic concession, not a fee waiver.
For specific concession/scholarship queries, you must have visit www.ignou.ac.in.
Top 5 Online DBA Doctorate Universities Fees Comparison
| Top Universities | Online DBA Course Fees (Without Immersion) |
| ESGCI, Paris (ACBSP and IACBE Member) | Totally INR 8,14,000*/- (36 Months) |
| Swiss School of Business and Management (ACBSP, CHEA, BAC accredited) | Totally INR 7,50,000*/- (36 Months) |
| Edgewood College (Higher Learning Commission (HLC) & Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)) | Totally INR 8,75,000*/- (24 Months) |
| Golden Gate University (AACSB, WASC, WES) | Totally INR 10,65,000*/- (36 Months) |
| Rushford Business School (EduQua Certified, ACBSP, and BGA Member) | Totally INR 8,12,500*/- (36 Months) |
Ranking & Approvals
UGC Recognition
IGNOU is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 2(f) and Section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956.
Distance Education Bureau (DEB)
IGNOU is approved by the UGC-DEB (Distance Education Bureau) to offer distance and open learning programmes.
NAAC & NIRF
Accredited with A++ Grade (Score: 3.60/4) & Rank #1 in NIRF Ranking under OU Category
AIU Equivalence
Degrees awarded by IGNOU, including Ph.D., are recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as equivalent to those of any other recognized university in India.
An Online DBA Is An Alternative to a Ph.D. from IGNOU
IGNOU provides a Ph.D. program however, the course is time-consuming, making it difficult for working professionals to earn their Ph.D. degree while still working. Interested applicants can enroll in the Online DBA program, which is provided by several reputable overseas universities and has the same worth and recognition as a traditional Ph.D. degree. Here’s a list of several universities that offer online DBA programs:
Why is the online DBA program the top choice of Business Leaders over PhD?
Program Objective
Online DBA Doctorate – A professional online doctorate for business leaders & executives to apply research in solving real-world business challenges.
PhD – A traditional PhD focused on generating new knowledge through theoretical research and scholarly work.
Key Areas & Research Type
Online DBA Doctorate – Practice & Applied research, directly addressing real-world business issues.
PhD – Theoretical research, focusing on conceptual frameworks, models, and methodologies.
Career Opportunity
Online DBA Doctorate – C-suite roles (CEO, CFO, COO, etc.), Senior business consultant, Corporate strategist, Business school instructor, Policymaker & industry expert
PhD – University professor, Academic researcher, Think tank analyst, Policy consultant, Business school faculty & author
Duration
Online DBA Doctorate – 3-5 years (usually part-time to accommodate working professionals.
PhD – 5-8 years (typically full-time due to research and teaching responsibilities).
Program Mode
Online DBA Doctorate – Highly flexible (online, hybrid, or in-person options)
PhD – Mostly in-person, with a few universities offering hybrid or online PhD options.
Dissertation Type
Online DBA Doctorate – Dissertation Type – Applied research project, focusing on solving a real business problem with practical implications.
PhD – Theoretical dissertation, contributing new academic knowledge to the field.
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Disclaimer: DoctoratePath does not itself award academic credits. All credits are granted, recognized, or transferred solely at the discretion of the university or institution offering the degree or diploma. We recommend that learners carefully evaluate the program’s alignment with their academic, professional, and career goals before enrolling. Unless explicitly stated, DoctoratePath does not guarantee credit recognition or equivalency. Outcomes may vary depending on individual experience, qualifications, and job search efforts. The data and statistics presented are based on historical information and may vary across individuals. Past outcomes are not indicative of future results, and personal performance depends on several factors including effort, background, and market conditions.
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FAQs About IGNOU PhD Fees Structure 2025-26
What are the Ph.D. program costs at IGNOU?
The rates vary depending on specialization, but the overall cost is normally approximately INR 38,000.
Who is eligible for the Ph.D. program at IGNOU?
Candidates with a Master’s degree and related professional experience may apply.
What is the length of IGNOU's Ph.D. program?
The least period is 3 years, while the maximum is 6 years.
Are there any entrance tests for the Ph.D. program?
Yes, applicants must pass the IGNOU Research Entrance Test (IGNOU-RET).