Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. in Sociology (PHDSO) offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) is a research-oriented doctoral programme available in both full-time and part-time modes. The programme aims to advance in-depth knowledge in sociological theories, research methodologies, and critical analysis, enabling scholars to contribute original insights to the field. It prepares candidates for academic and research careers in sociology, policy analysis, and social research. 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 by IGNOU, making it a rigorous and highly respected doctoral programme.

IGNOU PhD admissions for the 2026 cycle are expected to open around April 2026, based on the previous year's schedule. The last date for the July 2025 session was August 9, 2025. Candidates with valid UGC-NET (JRF or non-JRF) scores are eligible to apply through the dedicated PhD admission portal at ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in. The application fee is Rs. 1,000 (non-refundable). Interviews are conducted at IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.

Key Points

Admission is based on UGC-NET qualification; candidates with JRF 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, making it accessible to working professionals and academics.
The programme is offered under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS), one of IGNOU's most active research schools.
Mandatory coursework component in the first year covers research methodology and sociological theory.
Scholars must submit a thesis based on original research; the thesis is evaluated by external examiners.
A 2-year extension is available for women candidates and persons with disabilities beyond the standard 6-year maximum.
Interviews are conducted only at IGNOU Headquarters, New Delhi; candidates must be prepared to travel for the interview.

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FAQs

IGNOU Ph.D. (Sociology) Fees

The IGNOU Ph.D. in Sociology 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. The total fee over the minimum 3-year duration would be 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.
Examination fees are charged separately and are not included in the programme fee.
SC/ST/PwD candidates may be eligible for fee concessions as per IGNOU's reservation and fee support policies.

IGNOU Ph.D. (Sociology) 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; UGC-NET score serves as the qualifying criterion. The entire application process is online through the dedicated PhD portal at ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in.

IGNOU Ph.D. Sociology Admission Dates

Event	Date
PhD Admission 2025 (July Session) Opens	July 2025
Last Date for PhD Application (July 2025 Session)	9th August 2025
Interview for PhD Sociology (July 2024 Session)	As per IGNOU notification (SOSS)
PhD Admission 2026 (July Session) Opens (Tentative)	April 2026
Last Date for PhD Application 2026 (Tentative)	August 2026

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Event	Date
UGC-NET June 2025 Exam	June 2025 (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) from the year of application. Candidates should check the official IGNOU PhD admission notification for the exact NET score validity period.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

A 2-year/4-semester Master's degree (after a 3-year Bachelor's) or a 1-year/2-semester Master's degree (after a 4-year Bachelor's) in Sociology 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.
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).
There is no upper age limit for PhD admission.

Admission Process

Visit the IGNOU PhD Admission Portal at ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in when the admission notification is released (expected April 2026).
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.
Upload scanned copies of: photograph, signature, 10th/12th certificates, Bachelor's and Master's mark sheets/degree certificates, UGC-NET JRF certificate or NET score card, and category certificate (if applicable).
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).

IGNOU Ph.D. (Sociology) 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 typically do not receive JRF stipends but may be eligible for other institutional support.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Benefit
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	UGC-NET with JRF qualification	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 Ph.D. (Sociology) FAQs

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU PhD in Sociology in part-time mode while working full-time?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU offers the PhD in Sociology in both full-time and part-time modes. Part-time scholars are typically working professionals who conduct research alongside their employment. However, it is important to note that part-time PhD scholars are not eligible for the UGC JRF stipend. The minimum duration for part-time scholars is also 3 years, and they must fulfil all coursework, research, and thesis requirements. Attendance at IGNOU Headquarters for coursework and interviews is mandatory.

Ques. Is UGC-NET mandatory for IGNOU PhD Sociology admission? Is there any other way to get admission?

Ans. Yes, as per the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations 2022, UGC-NET qualification is mandatory for PhD admission at IGNOU. There is no separate IGNOU PhD entrance test. Candidates with UGC-NET JRF are directly called for interview, while those with non-JRF NET scores are shortlisted based on a combined merit of NET score (70%) and interview (30%). IGNOU does not accept GATE, GMAT, GRE, or CAT scores for PhD Sociology admission.

Ques. How many seats are available for PhD Sociology at IGNOU, and what is the reservation policy?

Ans. The number of seats varies each year and is announced in the official PhD admission notification. Seats are allocated as per the Government of India reservation policy: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), EWS (10%), and PwD (5% horizontal reservation). The exact number of seats for Sociology is published in the Information Brochure released with each admission notification. Candidates should check the official IGNOU PhD admission portal for the current year's seat matrix.

Ques. Where are the PhD interviews conducted, and can I appear online?

Ans. IGNOU PhD interviews are conducted only at IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. There is no provision for online interviews. Candidates shortlisted for the interview must be present in person. The interview panel evaluates candidates on Research Methodology (40% weightage), Subject Domain (40% weightage), and Communication Skills (20% weightage). Candidates are also required to submit a 500-word research proposal to the interview board.

Ques. What is the coursework requirement for IGNOU PhD Sociology, and is attendance mandatory?

Ans. Yes, attendance is mandatory for the coursework component of the IGNOU PhD programme, with a minimum of 80% attendance required. The coursework is conducted at IGNOU Headquarters and covers research methodology and advanced sociological theory. It is typically completed in the first year of the programme. Failure to maintain the required attendance may affect the scholar's eligibility to continue in the programme.

Ques. How long does it typically take to complete a PhD at IGNOU, and what are the extension provisions?

Ans. The minimum duration for the IGNOU PhD is 3 years and the maximum is 6 years. Women candidates and persons with disabilities are eligible for an additional 2-year extension beyond the 6-year maximum, making the effective maximum 8 years for these categories. In practice, many scholars take 4 to 5 years to complete the programme, depending on the complexity of their research topic and the time available for fieldwork and writing. Scholars must submit their thesis within the maximum duration to avoid cancellation of registration.