Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Gender and Development Studies) programme at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a research-based doctoral programme offered under the School of Gender and Development Studies (SOGDS) in part-time mode, with a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years (extendable by 2 years for women and PwD candidates). The programme fee is Rs. 17,850 for the first year and Rs. 8,400 per year thereafter, making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes in the social sciences. Admission is based on UGC NET qualification followed by an interview at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi. The programme is offered in distance/open learning mode and is particularly popular among gender studies researchers, development professionals, social activists, and academicians who wish to pursue doctoral research while continuing their careers.

Admissions for the July 2026 session are expected to open around April 2026, based on the pattern of previous years. For the July 2025 session, the last date for application was approximately August 9, 2025. The programme is accessible to students across India through IGNOU's extensive network of regional centres.

Since this is a part-time programme offered through IGNOU's open and distance learning mode, coursework is conducted at IGNOU Campus, New Delhi (mandatory attendance of at least 80% during the first six months). Research work can be carried out from the student's location thereafter.

Key Points

The Ph.D. (Gender and Development Studies) is offered under SOGDS (School of Gender and Development Studies), which focuses on gender equity, feminist theory, development studies, and intersectionality.
Coursework is conducted at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi, for the first six months; 80% attendance is mandatory during this period.
Part-time candidates who are employed must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the time of interview.
IGNOU does not provide hostel facilities; students must arrange their own accommodation in Delhi during the coursework phase.
The programme is compliant with UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degrees) Regulations, 2022.
Women candidates and Persons with Disabilities (40% or more) are granted an additional 2 years beyond the maximum duration of 6 years.
The programme is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing from sociology, economics, political science, and development studies.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU Ph.D. (Gender and Development Studies) Fees

The Ph.D. (Gender and Development Studies) programme at IGNOU is among the most affordable doctoral programmes in India. The first-year fee of Rs. 17,850 covers registration, course work, and research components. From the second year onwards, a re-registration fee of Rs. 8,400 per year is applicable. Additionally, a one-time thesis submission fee of Rs. 5,000 is payable at the time of thesis submission. The total cost for the minimum 3-year duration works out to approximately Rs. 39,650.

Fee Structure

Year	Fee Amount
First Year	Rs. 17,850
Second Year Onwards (per year)	Rs. 8,400
Thesis Submission (one-time)	Rs. 5,000
Total (3 years)	Rs. 39,650

IGNOU Ph.D. (Gender and Development Studies) Admission 2026

Admission to the Ph.D. (Gender and Development Studies) programme at IGNOU is conducted once a year for the July session. The selection is entirely based on UGC NET qualification and performance in an interview conducted at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi. For the July 2026 session, applications are expected to open around April 2026. The July 2025 session had a last date of approximately August 9, 2025, for online application submission. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official IGNOU PhD portal and announcements page for the latest updates on seat availability and interview schedules.

IGNOU PhD Admission Dates

Session	Expected Opening	Last Date (Previous)
July 2026	April 2026	-
July 2025	-	August 9, 2025

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Gender and Development Studies, Women's Studies, or Gender Studies with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates), OR a Master's degree in other streams with one or two courses in Women's Studies/Gender Studies and/or demonstrable evidence of teaching, research, and publications in the area.
Candidates must have qualified UGC NET (with or without JRF) in a relevant discipline.
Part-time candidates who are employed must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.

Admission Process:

Register and apply online at ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in by paying a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 1,000.
Category A candidates (UGC NET with JRF) are directly called for interview (100% weightage on interview).
Category B candidates (UGC NET without JRF) are shortlisted based on NET score (70% weightage) and then called for interview (30% weightage).
Interviews are conducted at IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi only.
Interview comprises Research Methodology (40%), Subject Domain (40%), and Communication Skills (20%).
Final merit list is prepared combining NET score and interview performance, subject to Government of India reservation norms.
Selected candidates receive offer letters; list is published on the IGNOU official website.
Admission is confirmed upon fee payment and document verification.

IGNOU Ph.D. (Gender and Development Studies) Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers scholarship support to eligible PhD students, particularly those from reserved categories and economically weaker sections. PhD scholars from SC/ST/PwD categories enrolled in full-time mode may receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 8,000 under the National Fellowship scheme. Given that this programme focuses on gender and development, female candidates may find additional support through the National Fellowship for Women scheme. The application process is offline and must be submitted through the respective State Directorate of Social Welfare or the IGNOU Regional Centre.

Scholarship Details

Category	Stipend
SC/ST/PwD (Full-time)	Rs. 8,000 per month
National Fellowship for Women	Available for female candidates

Scholarship applications are accepted in offline mode only; forms are available at IGNOU Regional Centres and State Social Welfare Offices.
Annual family income must not exceed Rs. 3,00,000 for most scholarship categories.
Students cannot avail multiple scholarships simultaneously.
Scholarship notification is typically released in December each year.
The monthly stipend under National Fellowship is applicable primarily for full-time PhD scholars; part-time scholars may not be eligible for the monthly stipend component.

IGNOU Ph.D. (Gender and Development Studies) FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between PhD Women's Studies and PhD Gender and Development Studies at IGNOU?

Ans. Both programmes are offered under SOGDS (School of Gender and Development Studies). PhD Women's Studies focuses specifically on women's issues, feminist theory, and gender-based research, while PhD Gender and Development Studies has a broader interdisciplinary scope encompassing gender, development economics, policy, and social change. Candidates should choose based on their specific research interest and background.

Ques. Can candidates from non-gender disciplines like Economics or Sociology apply for PhD Gender and Development Studies?

Ans. Yes. Candidates with a Master's degree in related disciplines such as Sociology, Economics, Social Work, Political Science, or Development Studies are eligible if they have studied courses in Women's Studies/Gender Studies or have demonstrable evidence of research/publications in the area. This makes the programme accessible to interdisciplinary researchers.

Ques. Is UGC NET in Women's Studies required, or can candidates with NET in other subjects apply?

Ans. Candidates must have a valid UGC NET score in a relevant discipline. Since Gender and Development Studies is interdisciplinary, candidates with NET in Sociology, Social Work, Economics, Political Science, or Women's Studies may be considered, subject to the Doctoral Research Committee's assessment. Confirm eligibility with the IGNOU Research Unit before applying.

Ques. What research areas are typically pursued under PhD Gender and Development Studies at IGNOU?

Ans. Research areas typically include gender and development policy, women's economic empowerment, gender-based violence, intersectionality, feminist pedagogy, gender and health, gender and environment, and gender in governance. The specific research topic is finalized in consultation with the assigned supervisor.

Ques. Is the coursework for PhD Gender and Development Studies conducted online or in-person?

Ans. The coursework is conducted in-person at IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, during the first six months of the programme. A minimum of 80% attendance is mandatory. After the coursework phase, research can be conducted remotely from the student's location.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing PhD Gender and Development Studies from IGNOU?

Ans. A PhD in Gender and Development Studies from IGNOU opens pathways to academic positions in universities and colleges, research roles in development organizations, NGOs, international agencies (UN Women, UNDP, World Bank, etc.), government policy bodies, and advocacy organizations working on gender equity, women's empowerment, and sustainable development.