Friends, indeed a good news, especially for those who are either in the teaching profession and looking for a UGC, recognized PhD degree or those who are not looking for a tag but interested purely in research and knowledge.
IGNOU, India's national university has announced admission for its research program for July 2018 session. Here are the details
Which M Phil and PhD courses are IGNOU offering in the current session?
M. Phil in Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Geography, Translation Studies, Social Work, Commerce, Distance Education and Chemistry
Ph. D in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Library and Infomation Science, Political Science, Public Administration, History, Gender and Development Studies, Women's Studies, Geography, Translation Studies, Statistics, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Environmental Science, Geology Management, Life Sciences (Botany, Zoology, Anatomy etc.), Commerce , Hindi, Distance Education, Nursing, Social Work, Physics, Chemistry and Bio-Chemistry.
Is IGNOU a recognized university?
Yes, IGNOU is a central university i.e. established by Government of India, Ministry of HRD as per the IGNOU Act passed in the parliament.
Are IGNOU research degrees (M .Phil/ PhD recognized by UGC)
Yes. IGNOU has re-started the program after due approval from UGC and the program is offered as per the UGC regulation for M Phil and PhD 2016.
Are IGNOU degree awarded by territorial jurisdiction violence?
No. A central university has jurisdiction all over India and hence the degree awarded is not a violation.
I heard its very easy to get a degree from IGNOU and really need not to put efforts?
Then you have heard wrong. IGNOU is a very strict and it's every program are very rigorous. It needs a lot of efforts, hard work and dedication. Even tougher than the majority of conventional universities. By the way, University of Mumbai also has open mass malpractices during exam and lot of setting happens. So blaming just ODL institutes are not right.
IS IGNOU PhD and M Phil program a distance program?
No, These are full-time research degree.
If it is a full-time degree, do I need to be in IGNOU main campus or regional centre full time like as a lecture for any other UG and PG Program?
No. In fact, any of the research programs, anywhere in India you do not need to be full time on campus. Except during the coursework period of 6 months to 2 years. Only during coursework, you need to visit IGNOU centre and your guide regularly.
I stay out of India, can I apply?
You can. but you need to visit your centre regularly and it involves a lot of travelling initially. Plan your cost and time accordingly.
I have completed my masters from a deemed / private university in distance mode violating territorial jurisdiction such as Jodhpur National University, EIILM, CMJ, Mahatma Gandhi University Shillong, Sikkim Manipal University, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) etc.Am I eligible for IGNOU courses?
No, IGNOU does not accept such degrees.
I have less than the required percentage but have 10+ years of work experience. Will IGNOU accept work experience in lieu of the percentage?
No
I do not have the master in the subject which qualifies to be eligible to apply for M Phil or PhD may I still apply?
No. Some 4 years back I had applied for PhD in distance education. They did not approve.
What are the eligibility criteria for each M Phil and PhD program
For M.Phil.:
a) Master's Degree from a University recognized by UGC in the relevant discipline with at least 55% marks [50% marks in the case of SC,ST and OBC(Non-creamy Layer)/ Differently-Abled and other categories of candidates as per the decision of UGC from time to time, or for those who
had obtained their Master's Degree priorto19th September,1991].
b) Applicants are required to see Appendix II for further details on eligibility criteria for specific programmes.
For PhD:
(a) Master's Degree from a University recognized by UGC in the relevant discipline with at least 55% marks [50%marks in the case of SC,ST and OBC(Non-creamy Layer)/Differently-Abled and other categories of candidates as per the decision of UGC from time to time, or for those
who had obtained their Master's Degree prior to 19th September,1991].
(b) Candidates holding M.Phil. degree (along with coursework and dissertation both) or those candidates who have cleared NET (conducted by UGC/CSIR/ICAR) or any other equivalent
examination will be exempted from appearing in the Entrance Test.
(c) Those who have not cleared NET/any other equivalent examination or not holding M.Phil. The degree will be required to appear on the Entrance Test.
(d)See Appendix II for further details.
What is Appendix II?
The appendix II talks in detail about eligibility, conditions and faculty's email id. for detailed information, please refer prospectus.
From where to download the prospectus?
From following link
http://ignou.ac.in/ignou/studentzone/adminssionanouncement/2
What is the selection process?
Stage 1: Entrance Test: a) The Entrance Test is qualifying in nature.
b) The Entrance Test will be conducted by the University on 4th March 2018 (Sunday) at National Level in select examination centres across the country (See Appendix I for the list)
c) The list of candidates who will be required to appear for the Entrance Test will be displayed on IGNOU website, www.ignou.ac.in.
d) Hall Tickets enabling the candidates to take the Entrance Test will also be displayed on IGNOU website. Candidates are required to download and print the same to appear in the Entrance Test.
e) Candidates are required to bring with them an original identity proof having a photograph, such as Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving License, Passport and ID Card issued by Govt. Agencies.
f) Those who secure at least 50% marks in the entrance test (45% marks incase of SC/ST/PH) will be shortlisted for the interview in order of merit subject to the maximum limit of five times of the available seats.
Stage 2:
Interview/ Presentation
a) Short-listed Candidates in the Entrance Test will be called for interview/presentation of Synopsis before the Discipline specific Doctoral Research Committee.
b) Those candidates exempted from appearing in the Entrance Test will also be called for interview/presentation of Synopsis before the Discipline specific Doctoral Research Committee.
c) Offer letters for admission will be sent to the Selected Candidates only.
Important Dates:
16th February 2018 ( Friday) - Last date for submission of online Application
4th March 2018 ( Sunday)- Entrance Test
6th April 2018 ( Friday) Tentative - Declaration of Result
Notes: 1. Candidates are required to apply on-line only. The Online Link for PHD and MPhil Entrance Portal is as under : https://onlineadmission.ignou.ac.in/entrancersunit/
2. No offline/hardcopy of the form will be accepted. Candidates are required to go through Appendix II and III of the information brochure for eligibility criteria and syllabus for the entrance test.
3. Application fee of Rs. 1,000/- is non-refundable under any circumstances.
4. Reservation of seats as per Government of India rules will apply.
Happy researching
Govind
Mumbai
January 22, 2018