Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Social Work) programme at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, is a doctoral research programme offered under the School of Social Work (SOSW). The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, with a total fee of Rs. 34,650 for the minimum duration. It is designed for social work practitioners, NGO professionals, community workers, and researchers who wish to contribute original research to social welfare, community development, and social policy. Admission is based on UGC-NET score and an interview at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi, and the programme is popular among social work educators and practitioners across India.

As of March 2026, the July 2025 session admissions are closed. The next admission cycle (July 2026 session) is expected to open around April-May 2026, with a tentative last date in August 2026. 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

Offered under the School of Social Work (SOSW) at IGNOU's main campus, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.
Specific eligibility requires a Master's degree in Social Work from a UGC-recognized university.
Based on the July 2025 session, IGNOU offered 13 seats (UR=5, SC=2, ST=1, OBC=4, EWS=1) for Ph.D. Social Work.
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.
Women candidates and Persons with Disabilities (40% or more) are granted a 2-year extension beyond the maximum duration of 6 years.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU Ph.D. (Social Work) Fees

The Ph.D. (Social Work) programme at IGNOU is highly affordable. 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)

Application fee of Rs. 1,000 is non-refundable.
Thesis submission fee of Rs. 5,000 is payable at the time of thesis submission.
IGNOU does not have hostel facilities; students must arrange their own accommodation in Delhi for the coursework period.

IGNOU Ph.D. (Social Work) Admission 2026

Admission to the Ph.D. (Social Work) 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.

College-Specific Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date
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)

Exam-Specific Dates (UGC-NET)

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 Social Work from a UGC-recognized university with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS).
A valid UGC-NET score in Social Work (with JRF or without JRF, from June 2024 session onwards) is mandatory.
Candidates with a 4-year undergraduate degree must have a minimum of 75% marks (70% for reserved categories).

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.

IGNOU Ph.D. (Social Work) Scholarships 2026

IGNOU PhD students may avail of various scholarships and fellowships. 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

JRF/SRF fellowships are disbursed by UGC directly.
Part Time PhD students who are already employed are generally not eligible for JRF/SRF fellowships.

IGNOU Ph.D. (Social Work) FAQs

Q1. What research areas are available for Ph.D. Social Work at IGNOU?

Ans. Research areas for Ph.D. Social Work at IGNOU include community development, child welfare and protection, women empowerment, disability studies, mental health and psychiatric social work, medical social work, tribal welfare, social policy and welfare administration, and NGO management. The specific area depends on the availability of a supervisor.

Q2. Is Ph.D. Social Work from IGNOU suitable for professionals working in NGOs and social welfare organizations?

Ans. Yes, the Part Time PhD in Social Work at IGNOU is specifically designed for working professionals in the social sector. NGO workers, social welfare officers, community development professionals, and hospital social workers can pursue this programme while continuing their work.

Q3. How many seats are available for Ph.D. Social Work at IGNOU?

Ans. Based on the July 2025 session brochure, IGNOU offered 13 seats (UR=5, SC=2, ST=1, OBC=4, EWS=1) for Ph.D. Social Work. The number of seats varies each year and is published in the official PhD Information Brochure.

Q4. Can I apply for Ph.D. Social Work at IGNOU if my master's degree is in Sociology or Psychology?

Ans. The specific eligibility for Ph.D. Social Work at IGNOU requires a Master's degree in Social Work. Candidates with degrees in Sociology or Psychology may not be directly eligible. It is strongly advised to check the official PhD Information Brochure for the specific year's eligibility requirements before applying.

Q5. What career opportunities are available after Ph.D. Social Work from IGNOU?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Social Work from IGNOU opens doors to careers in academia (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor in Social Work departments), research institutions, international organizations (UNICEF, WHO, UNDP), government social welfare departments, NGOs, and policy research institutes. The UGC-NET qualification also makes graduates eligible for teaching positions in colleges.

Q6. 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.