Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. in Political Science (PHDPS) offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) is a doctoral research programme available in both full-time and part-time modes. The programme is designed to advance scholarly expertise in political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, Indian government and politics, and political economy, enabling candidates to contribute original research to the discipline. It prepares scholars for academic careers, policy research, civil services, and positions in national and international political institutions. The minimum duration is 3 years and the maximum is 6 years, with a 2-year extension available for women candidates and persons with disabilities. The first-year fee is Rs. 17,850, followed by Rs. 8,400 per year for subsequent years. Admission is based on UGC-NET qualification and an interview conducted at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi.

IGNOU PhD admissions are conducted once a year, typically for the July session, and the 2026 cycle is expected to open around April 2026. It is important to note that the availability of seats in Political Science varies each year depending on faculty availability and research capacity at SOSS. Political Science was not listed in the July 2025 session seat matrix, indicating that seats may not be offered every year. Candidates are strongly advised to check the official IGNOU PhD admission notification each year to confirm whether seats are available in Political Science before applying. The application fee is Rs. 1,000 (non-refundable) and interviews are conducted exclusively at IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.

Key Points

Seat availability in Political Science varies each year; the discipline was not listed in the July 2025 session, so candidates must verify availability in the official notification each year.
Admission is based on UGC-NET qualification; JRF holders are directly called for interview (100% weightage), while non-JRF NET qualifiers are shortlisted based on 70% NET score and 30% interview weightage.
Both full-time and part-time modes are available; part-time candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
Mandatory coursework in the first six months is conducted at IGNOU Campus, New Delhi, with 80% attendance compulsory.
The programme is offered under SOSS, which has a strong tradition of social science and political science research.
Scholars must submit a thesis based on original research, evaluated by external examiners.
A 2-year extension is available for women candidates and persons with disabilities beyond the standard 6-year maximum.
IGNOU does not have hostel facilities; students must arrange their own accommodation in Delhi for the coursework period.

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FAQs

IGNOU PhD Political Science Fees

The IGNOU Ph.D. in Political Science has a first-year fee of Rs. 17,850, which includes the registration fee, course work fee, and research fee. From the second year onwards, a re-registration fee of Rs. 8,400 per year is charged. A thesis submission fee of Rs. 5,000 is payable at the time of thesis submission. Examination fees are charged separately at Rs. 200 per subject. The total fee over the minimum 3-year duration is approximately Rs. 34,650 (excluding thesis submission and examination fees).

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)	When Payable
Application Fee (non-refundable)	1,000	At time of application
Registration Fee (1st Year)	1,050	At time of admission
Course Work Fee (1st Year)	8,400	At time of admission
Research Fee (1st Year)	8,400	At time of admission
Total 1st Year Fee	17,850	At time of admission
Re-registration Fee (per year, from Year 2)	8,400	Each subsequent year
Thesis Submission Fee	5,000	At time of thesis submission
Examination Fee (per subject)	200	At time of exam form submission

The application fee of Rs. 1,000 is non-refundable.
The total fee for the minimum 3-year duration (excluding thesis submission and exam fees) is approximately Rs. 34,650 (Rs. 17,850 for Year 1 + Rs. 8,400 x 2 for Years 2 and 3).
Thesis submission fee of Rs. 5,000 is payable separately at the time of submitting the thesis.
SC/ST/PwD candidates may be eligible for fee concessions as per IGNOU's reservation and fee support policies.
IGNOU does not have hostel facilities; students must budget for accommodation in Delhi during the coursework period (first six months).

IGNOU PhD Political Science Admission 2026

IGNOU PhD admissions are conducted once a year, typically for the July session. The 2026 admission cycle is expected to open around April 2026. Admission is strictly based on UGC-NET qualification and performance in the interview conducted by IGNOU. There is no separate IGNOU PhD entrance test. Candidates must note that seat availability in Political Science is not guaranteed every year and depends on faculty research capacity at SOSS. The entire application process is online through the dedicated PhD portal at ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in.

IGNOU PhD Admission Dates

Event	Date
PhD Admission 2026 (July Session) Opens	July 19, 2026
Last Date for PhD Application (July 2026 Session)	August 9, 2026
PhD Admission 2026 (July Session) Opens (Tentative)	April 2026
Last Date for PhD Application 2026 (Tentative)	August 2026
Interview for PhD Political Science 2026 (Tentative)	October to December 2026 (if seats available)

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Event	Date
UGC-NET June 2026 Exam	June 2026 (conducted by NTA)
UGC-NET December 2025 Exam	December 2025 (conducted by NTA)
UGC-NET June 2026 Exam (Tentative)	June 2026

Note: Candidates must have a valid UGC-NET score (JRF or non-JRF) in Political Science from the year of application. Candidates should check the official IGNOU PhD admission notification for the exact NET score validity period and to confirm whether seats are available in Political Science for that year.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's Degree or M.Phil. Degree in Political Science or a related discipline from a recognised university, with at least 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates).
Candidates with a valid UGC-NET with JRF are directly called for interview (100% weightage).
Candidates with a valid UGC-NET score (without JRF, Categories 2 and 3) are shortlisted for interview based on NET score (70% weightage) and interview (30% weightage).
Part-time candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the time of interview.
There is no upper age limit for PhD admission.

Admission Process

Monitor the official IGNOU PhD Admission Portal at ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in and the IGNOU website (ignou.ac.in) for the annual PhD admission notification (expected April 2026).
Confirm that seats are available in Political Science (PHDPS) in the current year's Information Brochure before applying.
Register and create a login using a valid email ID and mobile number.
Fill in the online application form with personal, academic, and research details. Note: a candidate can apply for only one discipline.
Upload scanned copies of: photograph, signature, 10th/12th certificates, Bachelor's and Master's/M.Phil. mark sheets/degree certificates, UGC-NET JRF certificate or NET score card, category certificate (if applicable), and NOC from employer (for part-time candidates).
Pay the application fee of Rs. 1,000 online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
Submit the form and download the acknowledgement for future reference.
Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview at IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.
Final selection is based on the combined merit list (NET score + interview performance), subject to reservation policy.

IGNOU PhD Political Science Scholarships 2026

IGNOU PhD scholars may be eligible for various fellowships and financial support schemes. JRF-qualified candidates receive the UGC Junior Research Fellowship, which is the primary financial support for full-time PhD scholars. Part-time scholars are not eligible for JRF stipends but may apply for other support schemes.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Benefit
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	UGC-NET with JRF qualification (full-time scholars only)	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years), Rs. 42,000/month (subsequent years) + HRA
UGC Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)	Upgrade from JRF after 2 years based on assessment	Rs. 42,000/month + HRA
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC/Minority/PwD students	Covers tuition and other fees; amount varies by state and category
IGNOU SC/ST Fee Support	SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh	Partial fee waiver/reimbursement
State Government Research Fellowships	Varies by state	Varies; students should check their respective state scholarship portals

JRF stipend is available only to full-time PhD scholars; part-time scholars are not eligible for JRF stipend.
JRF/SRF amounts are as per UGC norms and are subject to revision.
HRA (House Rent Allowance) is provided as per the city of residence category.
Candidates must maintain satisfactory progress in research to continue receiving JRF/SRF.

IGNOU PhD Political Science FAQs

Ques. Why was Political Science not listed in the IGNOU PhD 2025 seat matrix? Does IGNOU still offer PhD in Political Science?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU does offer the PhD in Political Science (PHDPS) under SOSS, and the programme page is active on the official IGNOU website. However, the number of seats offered each year depends on the research supervision capacity of the faculty at SOSS. In some years, no seats may be advertised if faculty supervisors are not available to take on new scholars. Candidates should check the official PhD Information Brochure released with each annual admission notification to confirm whether seats are available in Political Science for that particular year.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU PhD in Political Science in part-time mode while working in the civil services or as a political analyst?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU offers the PhD in Political Science in both full-time and part-time modes. Part-time scholars can continue their employment while conducting research. However, you must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer, which is mandatory for attending the interview and for admission. You must also attend the mandatory coursework at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi, for the first six months, with at least 80% attendance. Government employees and civil servants must ensure their department issues the NOC in the prescribed format.

Ques. What research areas are available for PhD Political Science at IGNOU?

Ans. IGNOU's PhD in Political Science under SOSS covers research areas including Indian government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and philosophy, public policy and administration, federalism, electoral politics, political economy, and South Asian politics. The specific research area you can pursue depends on the expertise and availability of faculty supervisors at IGNOU SOSS. Candidates are strongly advised to review the research interests of IGNOU SOSS Political Science faculty before applying and to prepare a research proposal aligned with available supervisory expertise.

Ques. Is UGC-NET in Political Science mandatory, or can I apply with NET in a related subject?

Ans. The UGC-NET qualification required for IGNOU PhD Political Science admission must be in Political Science (or a closely related subject as specified in the admission notification). Candidates with NET in other subjects may not be eligible. The specific eligibility criteria are published in the Information Brochure for each admission cycle. Candidates should verify the accepted NET subjects in the official notification before applying.

Ques. Where are the PhD interviews conducted, and what is the interview format?

Ans. IGNOU PhD interviews are conducted only at IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. There is no provision for online interviews. The interview panel evaluates candidates on three components: Research Methodology (40% weightage), Subject Domain (40% weightage), and Communication Skills (20% weightage). Candidates are required to bring original identity proof and all original academic documents. A research proposal is also expected at the time of interview.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing a PhD in Political Science from IGNOU?

Ans. A PhD in Political Science from IGNOU opens doors to academic positions (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor) in universities and colleges, research roles in policy think tanks (Observer Research Foundation, IDSA, CPR, PRS Legislative Research), positions in international organisations (UN, World Bank, UNDP), civil services (IAS, IFS, IPS), political consulting and electoral analysis, journalism and media commentary, and NGO leadership roles in governance and democracy promotion. The degree is recognised by UGC and is valid for applying to faculty positions in UGC-recognised institutions across India.