Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Certificate in Environmental Studies (CES) is a short-term distance education programme offered by Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), Prayagraj, under its School of Sciences. The programme is designed to create environmental awareness and impart foundational knowledge about ecology, natural resources, environmental pollution, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Offered entirely in distance/open learning mode, the CES has a minimum duration of 6 months (extendable up to 2 years), making it accessible to working professionals, students, and anyone interested in environmental issues. The total fee is Rs. 4,700, and admission is direct with no entrance examination. The programme is popular among students from science and arts backgrounds, NGO workers, teachers, and individuals seeking to build a career in environmental management or awareness.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing. The last date for admission has been extended to April 10, 2026. Students can apply online through the UPRTOU Samarth portal at uprtouadm.samarth.edu.in. The July 2026 session is expected to open around July 2026, based on the previous year's schedule.

Distance Mode Study Centres:

UPRTOU operates through a wide network of authorised study centres spread across Uttar Pradesh. The CES programme is offered through these study centres located across districts including Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Meerut, Aligarh, Bareilly, Mathura, Jhansi, Moradabad, Azamgarh, Faizabad (Ayodhya), and other districts of Uttar Pradesh. Students must select a study centre at the time of admission. The complete and updated list of study centres offering CES can be checked on the official UPRTOU portal at count.uprtouexam.in.

Key Points

Offered exclusively in Distance/Open Learning mode through UPRTOU's authorised study centres across Uttar Pradesh
Programme Code: 410; Medium of instruction: Hindi and English
Minimum duration is 6 months; maximum permissible duration is 2 years
No entrance exam required; admission is direct based on 10+2 qualification
Covers key topics: ecology, biodiversity, natural resources, environmental pollution, climate change, and sustainable development
Ideal for students, teachers, NGO workers, and professionals seeking environmental literacy
Study material (SLM - Self Learning Material) is provided by the university

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

UPRTOU CES Fees

The CES programme at UPRTOU is an affordable certificate course with a total fee of Rs. 4,700 for the entire programme. This fee covers tuition and study material charges. There are no hostel facilities associated with this distance learning programme.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	4,700
Registration/Admission Fee	Included
Study Material (SLM)	Included
Total Fees	4,700

The fee of Rs. 4,700 is the total programme fee as per UPRTOU's official fee structure document (2024-25).
Fee is to be paid online at the time of admission through the Samarth portal.
There is no separate hostel fee as this is a distance learning programme.
Fee once paid is generally non-refundable; students should verify the latest refund policy on the official website before applying.
Students who have already enrolled and paid fees in a previous session are not required to pay again for re-registration within the maximum duration.

UPRTOU CES Admission 2026

Admission to the CES programme at UPRTOU is direct and requires no entrance examination. UPRTOU conducts admissions in two sessions every year - January session and July session. The January 2026 session admission is currently ongoing with the last date extended to April 10, 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open around July 2026.

Important Dates

Event	Date
January 2026 Session Admission Opens	January 2026
Last Date for Admission (Jan 2026 Session) - Extended	April 10, 2026
Late Fee for Admission (Jan 2026 Session)	Rs. 1,000 (applicable after regular deadline)
Assignment Submission Last Date (Jan 2026 Session)	As per university schedule (check official website)
June 2026 Semester-End Exam	June 2026
July 2026 Session Admission Opens (Tentative)	July 2026
Last Date for Admission (July 2026 Session) (Tentative)	September 30, 2026
December 2026 Semester-End Exam (Tentative)	December 2026

Entrance/Qualifying Exam Dates

Entrance/Qualifying Exam Dates
No entrance exam is required for this programme. Admission is direct based on 10+2 qualification.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Intermediate) or equivalent examination from a recognised Board/Council.
There is no upper age limit for admission.
Candidates from any stream (Arts, Science, Commerce) are eligible to apply.

Admission Process

Visit the official UPRTOU Samarth admission portal: uprtouadm.samarth.edu.in
Register/login and create your ABC ID (Academic Bank of Credits ID)
Fill in the online application form and select the CES programme
Choose your preferred study centre from the available list
Upload required documents (10+2 marksheet, identity proof, passport-size photograph, etc.)
Pay the programme fee of Rs. 4,700 online
Submit the application and take a printout of the confirmation
Study material (SLM) will be dispatched to the registered address or made available at the study centre

UPRTOU CES Scholarships 2026

UPRTOU's CES programme does not have a dedicated institutional scholarship. However, students enrolled at UPRTOU may be eligible for government scholarships based on their category and financial background. The UP government's scholarship schemes are the primary source of financial assistance for UPRTOU students.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Provider
UP Pre-Matric/Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC/Minority)	SC, ST, OBC, Minority students with family income below prescribed limit	Variable (as per government norms)	UP Government / National Scholarship Portal
PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme	Students from economically weaker sections pursuing higher education	Collateralised education loan support	Government of India
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (Minority)	Minority students with minimum 50% marks and family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh p.a.	Variable	Ministry of Minority Affairs

Students can apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or the UP Scholarship Portal (scholarship.up.gov.in).
UPRTOU itself does not offer a dedicated institutional scholarship for certificate programmes.
Scholarship amounts, if sanctioned, are transferred directly to the student's bank account.
Students should apply for scholarships before the deadline specified on the respective scholarship portals.

UPRTOU CES FAQs

Ques. Is the Certificate in Environmental Studies (CES) from UPRTOU a recognised qualification?

Ans. Yes, UPRTOU is a State Open University established by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Distance Education Bureau (DEB). The CES certificate awarded by UPRTOU is a valid and recognised qualification. It is useful for building environmental awareness and can support applications for jobs in NGOs, government environmental departments, and educational institutions.

Ques. What topics are covered in the CES programme at UPRTOU?

Ans. The CES programme covers foundational topics in environmental science including ecology and ecosystems, biodiversity and its conservation, natural resources (water, land, forests, energy), environmental pollution (air, water, soil, noise), climate change and global warming, environmental laws and policies in India, and sustainable development. The curriculum is designed to build both awareness and practical understanding of environmental issues.

Ques. Can I pursue CES from UPRTOU alongside my regular job or studies?

Ans. Yes, the CES is a distance learning programme with no mandatory daily attendance. You study through self-learning material (SLM) provided by the university. Counselling sessions may be held at the study centre periodically, but the programme is designed to be flexible for working individuals and students enrolled in other courses simultaneously.

Ques. What is the difference between CES at UPRTOU and similar programmes at IGNOU?

Ans. Both UPRTOU and IGNOU offer Certificate in Environmental Studies through distance mode. UPRTOU's CES is specifically designed for learners in Uttar Pradesh and is offered through study centres across the state. The fee at UPRTOU (Rs. 4,700) is comparable to IGNOU's CES. The key advantage of UPRTOU's CES is its accessibility through local study centres across UP districts, making it convenient for students in smaller towns and rural areas.

Ques. How do I submit assignments for the CES programme at UPRTOU?

Ans. Assignment submission details are communicated by the university through the official website and study centres. Students are required to submit assignments before the prescribed deadline to be eligible for the semester-end examination. Assignments can typically be submitted at the study centre or as per the instructions provided in the SLM. The last date for assignment submission for the current session can be checked at uprtou.ac.in.

Ques. After completing CES from UPRTOU, what career opportunities are available?

Ans. After completing CES, graduates can pursue careers as environmental educators, NGO field workers, community awareness officers, and environmental compliance assistants. The certificate also serves as a foundation for pursuing higher programmes such as Diploma in Environmental Studies, B.Sc. in Environmental Science, or M.Sc. in Environmental Science. It is also useful for teachers who wish to incorporate environmental education into their curriculum and for individuals seeking to work with government bodies like the State Pollution Control Board or forest departments.