Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (History) programme at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, is a doctoral research programme offered under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). With a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, the programme is designed for working professionals and researchers who wish to contribute original scholarship to the field of History. The total fee for the minimum duration is Rs. 34,650, making it one of the most affordable PhD programmes in History in India. Admission is based on UGC-NET score and an interview at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi, and the programme is widely sought after by historians, educators, and civil services aspirants.

As of March 2026, the July 2025 session admissions are closed and the selected candidates list has been published. The next admission cycle (July 2026 session) is expected to open around April-May 2026, with a tentative last date in August 2026, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official IGNOU website (www.ignou.ac.in) and the PhD admission portal (ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in) for updates.

Key Points

The Ph.D. (History) programme is offered under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) at IGNOU's main campus, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.
Coursework is conducted at IGNOU Campus, New Delhi, with mandatory 80% attendance during the first six months.
Part Time candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the time of interview.
A candidate can apply for only one discipline in a given admission cycle.
Women candidates and Persons with Disabilities (40% or more) are granted a 2-year extension beyond the maximum duration of 6 years.
IGNOU has been ranked No. 1 in the Open Universities category in NIRF Rankings 2025.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU Ph.D. (History) Fees

The Ph.D. (History) programme at IGNOU is highly affordable compared to other universities. The first-year fee of Rs. 17,850 covers registration, coursework, and research components. From the second year onwards, a re-registration fee of Rs. 8,400 per year is applicable. For the minimum duration of 3 years, the total fee amounts to Rs. 34,650. An additional application fee of Rs. 1,000 (non-refundable) is payable at the time of applying.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Application Fee (non-refundable)	1,000
Registration Fee (1st Year)	8,400
Course Work Fee (1st Year, 18 credits)	1,050
Research Fee (1st Year)	8,400
Total 1st Year Fee	17,850
Re-Registration Fee (per year, from 2nd year)	8,400
Thesis Submission Fee	5,000
Examination Fee	200 per subject
Total Fees (for minimum 3-year duration)	34,650 (excluding thesis submission and exam fees)

The application fee of Rs. 1,000 is non-refundable and is paid separately at the time of application.
Thesis submission fee of Rs. 5,000 is payable at the time of thesis submission.
Examination fee of Rs. 200 per subject is applicable for term-end examinations.
IGNOU does not have hostel facilities; students must arrange their own accommodation in Delhi for the coursework period.
No EMI or instalment options are officially mentioned; fees are paid annually.

IGNOU Ph.D. (History) Admission 2026

Admission to the Ph.D. (History) programme at IGNOU is conducted once a year, typically for the July session. The selection is based on UGC-NET score and a personal interview at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi. The July 2025 session admissions are now closed. The next cycle (July 2026) is expected to open around April-May 2026. Candidates must have a valid UGC-NET score (with or without JRF) to be eligible.

College-Specific Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (Based on 2025 Pattern)
PhD Admission Notification / Portal Opens	April 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date to Submit Online Application	August 2026 (Tentative)
Interview Schedule Announcement	August-September 2026 (Tentative)
Interviews Conducted	September 2026 (Tentative)
Merit List / Selected Candidates List	October-November 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement / Coursework Begins	January 2027 (Tentative)

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Event	Date
UGC-NET Phase 1 Exam	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 1 Result	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 2 Registration	April 1, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 2 Exam	June 1, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 2 Result	July 1, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in History or an equivalent qualification from a UGC-recognized university with at least 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS categories).
Candidates with a 4-year undergraduate degree must have a minimum of 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) to be eligible for direct PhD admission.
A valid UGC-NET score (with JRF or without JRF, from June 2024 session onwards) is mandatory for admission.

Admission Process

Apply online at ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in by paying the application fee of Rs. 1,000.
Upload all required documents including UGC-NET scorecard, master's degree marksheets, category certificate (if applicable), and NOC from employer (for Part Time candidates).
Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi.
Category A (UGC-NET with JRF): Interview carries 100% weightage.
Category B (UGC-NET without JRF): UGC-NET score carries 70% weightage; interview carries 30% weightage.
Final merit list is prepared discipline-wise based on combined score and reservation policy.
Offer letters are sent to selected candidates only; no individual intimation is sent otherwise.

IGNOU Ph.D. (History) Scholarships 2026

IGNOU PhD students may avail of various scholarships and fellowships based on their eligibility. The UGC-JRF fellowship is the most significant financial support available to PhD scholars at IGNOU.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (subsequent years)	UGC-NET with JRF qualified candidates
UGC Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)	Rs. 42,000/month	After 2 years of JRF, subject to assessment
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFS)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	SC category PhD scholars
National Fellowship for OBC Students	Rs. 37,000/month	OBC category PhD scholars (limited slots)
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Rs. 37,000/month	Minority community PhD scholars
Post-Doctoral Fellowship for Women (PDF)	Rs. 40,000/month	Women candidates post-PhD

JRF/SRF fellowships are disbursed by UGC directly; IGNOU facilitates the process.
Candidates must apply separately for fellowships through the UGC portal.
Fellowship amounts are subject to revision by UGC from time to time.
Part Time PhD students who are already employed are generally not eligible for JRF/SRF fellowships.

IGNOU Ph.D. (History) FAQs

Ques. Is Ph.D. (History) from IGNOU recognized by UGC and other universities?

Ans. Yes, the Ph.D. (History) from IGNOU is fully recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is equivalent to a PhD from any other central university. IGNOU is a central university established by an Act of Parliament, and its degrees are recognized across India and internationally.

Ques. What are the research areas available for Ph.D. History at IGNOU?

Ans. The Ph.D. (History) programme at IGNOU covers diverse research areas including ancient Indian history, medieval history, modern Indian history, world history, historiography, oral history, social and cultural history, economic history, and history of science and technology. The specific area depends on the availability of a supervisor with expertise in that domain.

Ques. Can I apply for Ph.D. History at IGNOU if my master's degree is in a related subject like Archaeology or Ancient Indian Culture?

Ans. The specific eligibility for Ph.D. History at IGNOU requires a Master's degree in History. Candidates with degrees in closely related disciplines should check the official PhD Information Brochure for that year's specific eligibility criteria, as IGNOU may or may not accept equivalent qualifications for this discipline.

Ques. How is the interview conducted for IGNOU PhD History admission?

Ans. The interview is conducted at IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, by a discipline-specific Admission Committee. The interview has three components: Research Methodology (40% weightage), Subject Domain (40% weightage), and Communication Skills (20% weightage). Candidates are expected to present a research proposal and demonstrate knowledge of historical methodology.

Ques. Does IGNOU provide hostel accommodation for PhD students during coursework?

Ans. No, IGNOU does not have hostel facilities for PhD students. Students are required to make their own arrangements for accommodation in Delhi during the coursework period (first six months). This is an important practical consideration, especially for outstation candidates.

Ques. What is the difference between Part Time and Full Time PhD at IGNOU?

Ans. In Part Time PhD, the candidate is employed and pursues research alongside their job. They must submit an NOC from their employer. In Full Time PhD, the candidate is a dedicated researcher without employment. Both categories require attendance at IGNOU campus for the first six months of coursework. JRF fellowship is typically available only for Full Time PhD scholars.