IGNOU PG Diploma Applied Statistics: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

The Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Statistics (PGDAST) is a 1-year distance learning programme offered by the School of Sciences at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The programme carries a total fee of Rs. 8,000 for the full programme (plus applicable registration and development fees), with a minimum duration of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years. Admission is open to graduates from any discipline, with no entrance examination required. The programme is offered exclusively in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode in English medium, through select regional and study centres across India. PGDAST is popular among working professionals in R&D, quality control, pharmaceutical industries, and data science, as well as fresh graduates seeking to build a strong foundation in applied statistics, including specialisations in Industrial Statistics and Biostatistics.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently in their final stage, with the last date for fresh admission extended to March 30, 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open tentatively from late April 2026, with a last date around July 31, 2026, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

  • Offers two specialisations: Industrial Statistics and Biostatistics (students choose one).
  • Includes computer-based lab courses (Basic Statistics Lab, Industrial Statistics Lab / Biostatistics Lab) with mandatory attendance of at least 70% for lab counselling sessions.
  • Highly relevant for professionals in data science, pharmaceutical, software, and manufacturing industries.
  • Study material is available digitally on IGNOU's eGyanKosh repository.
  • No age limit; open to graduates from any discipline.
  • The programme is structured under a yearly system (not semester-based), with Term-End Examinations (TEE) held in June and December.
  • Assignments are mandatory and must be submitted before appearing for TEE.

Distance Learning Centres

The PGDAST programme is offered through select IGNOU regional and study centres. Key centres where PGDAST is available include:

  • Hyderabad (Aurora Degree College), Bangalore (Nrupathunga University), Bhopal (IGNOU RC and Motilal Vigyan Mahavidyalaya), Pune (Dept. of Mathematics), Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur (Govt. College Ajmer, ISIM Jaipur), Srinagar, Dehradun (D.A.V. PG College), Ranchi (IGNOU RC and Marwari College), Vijayawada (S.V. Arts College Tirupati), Nagpur (Hislop College), Noida (Hindu College, M.M.P.G. College Modinagar, Meerut College), Trivandrum (D.B. Pampa College, Mar Ivanios Institute), Jabalpur (RDVV University), Madurai (Bishop Heber College), Varanasi (DDU University Gorakhpur, St. Andrews College, Udai Pratap Autonomous College), Patna, Chandigarh, Delhi (Mohyal Education and Research Institute of Technology), Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad (L.D. Arts College), Angul
  • Army Centres: SC HRDC IC/O BEG & Centre, Pune; HRDC HQ Northern Command, Udhampur

Note: PGDAST is available at select study centres only. Students should verify availability at their preferred centre before applying.

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IGNOU PGDAST Fees

The PGDAST programme at IGNOU is one of the most affordable applied statistics programmes in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 8,000 for the full programme, payable at the time of admission, along with a one-time registration fee of Rs. 300 and applicable development fee. SC/ST students are eligible for fee support/exemption as per IGNOU norms.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount (Rs.)
Programme/Tuition Fee8,000
Registration Fee300
Development FeeAs applicable
Hostel FeeNot applicable (Distance mode)
Total Fees8,300 (approx., excluding development fee)
  • The programme fee of Rs. 8,000 covers the full programme (1 year).
  • SC/ST students are eligible for fee support/exemption.
  • Students should check the latest notification on the official IGNOU website for the current cycle.
  • No EMI option is officially available; fees are paid online through the IGNOU admission portal.
  • Examination fee is charged separately at the time of filling the Term-End Examination (TEE) form (approximately Rs. 200 per subject).
  • Some third-party sources quote higher fees; the official IGNOU admission portal confirms Rs. 8,000 as the programme fee.

IGNOU PGDAST Admission 2026

IGNOU conducts admissions for the PGDAST programme twice a year - in January and July sessions. Admission is direct, based on the qualifying degree; there is no entrance test. The January 2026 session is currently open with the last date extended to March 30, 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open tentatively from late April 2026.

Admission Dates

EventJanuary 2026 SessionJuly 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Portal OpensDecember 16, 2025Late April 2026
Last Date for Fresh AdmissionMarch 30, 2026July 31, 2026
Last Date for Re-registrationMarch 31, 2026July 31, 2026
Assignment Submission Due DateMarch 31, 2026September 30, 2026
Term-End Examination (TEE)June 2026 (Tentative: June 1 - July 15, 2026)December 2026 (Tentative)
TEE Exam Form Last DateApril 10, 2026October 2026 (Tentative)

Relevant Exam Dates

There is no mandatory entrance examination for PGDAST admission at IGNOU. Admission is direct, based on the qualifying degree. No external entrance exam is required.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institution.
  • No minimum percentage requirement specified; no age limit.
  • No entrance examination required for admission.

Admission Process

  • Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
  • Register and create a login ID.
  • Fill in the online application form and select PGDAST as the programme.
  • Choose the preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre (Learner Support Centre) - note that PGDAST is available at select centres only.
  • Upload required documents (photograph, signature, educational certificates).
  • Pay the programme fee online (Rs. 8,000 + registration fee).
  • Submit the application form and note the enrollment number upon confirmation.
  • Study material is dispatched to the registered address after enrollment; soft copies are also available on eGyanKosh.

IGNOU PGDAST Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers fee support and scholarships primarily to students from reserved and economically weaker categories. SC/ST students, physically challenged students, jail inmates, and students from the Weaver community are eligible for fee exemption or reimbursement. Additionally, students can avail government scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / SchemeEligibilityBenefit
IGNOU Fee Exemption for SC/STSC/ST students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annumUp to 50% or full fee exemption/reimbursement (as per current IGNOU notification)
IGNOU Fee Support for Physically ChallengedPwD students with 40%+ disabilityFee exemption/reimbursement
IGNOU Fee Exemption for Jail InmatesEnrolled jail inmatesFull fee exemption (registration fee included; re-registration and exam fees payable after release)
Merit Cum Means Scholarship (Minority)Minority students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh; 50%+ in previous examRs. 20,000 per year + maintenance allowance
Scholarships for Top Class Education (PwD)PwD students with 40%+ disability; family income below Rs. 6 lakhTuition fee up to Rs. 2 lakh/year + book allowance + maintenance allowance
National Scholarship Portal SchemesSC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS studentsVaries by scheme; apply at scholarships.gov.in
  • Students can avail only one scholarship at a time.
  • Scholarship forms are available at IGNOU Regional Centres; must be certified by the Regional Director.
  • Application deadline for IGNOU internal scholarships is typically aligned with the admission cycle.
  • SC/ST students should check the latest IGNOU notification for the current session's fee support details.

IGNOU PGDAST FAQs

Ques. I have a background in commerce/arts - can I still apply for PGDAST? Will I be able to cope with the mathematics?

Ans. Yes, PGDAST is open to graduates from any discipline. The programme is specifically designed for a non-mathematically oriented audience and starts from the basics. The IGNOU study material is lucid and reader-friendly, making it accessible even for those without a strong math background. Students from commerce, arts, and social sciences have successfully completed this programme.

Ques. Is it mandatory to attend counselling sessions for PGDAST?

Ans. For theory courses, attending counselling sessions is not mandatory. However, for lab courses (Basic Statistics Lab, Industrial Statistics Lab / Biostatistics Lab), attendance of at least 70% of the lab counselling sessions at the assigned study centre is mandatory to be eligible for the practical Term-End Examination (TEE). Students should plan accordingly.

Ques. Can I appear for the TEE in my first year itself, or do I have to wait for the full year to complete?

Ans. You can appear for theory courses in the TEE of the same cycle you enrolled in, provided you have submitted the assignments for those courses. For lab courses, you must first complete the core theory courses (MST-001 to MST-004) before appearing for the practical TEE. So partial completion and appearing for TEE in the first cycle is possible.

Ques. PGDAST is listed as a yearly programme. Does that mean I have to complete all courses in one year?

Ans. No. The minimum duration is 1 year, but you have up to 3 years to complete the programme. You can spread your courses across multiple TEE cycles (June and December) within the 3-year window. This flexibility makes it manageable for working professionals.

Ques. I enrolled but haven't received my study material or admission confirmation. What should I do?

Ans. Admission confirmation and study material dispatch can take several months at IGNOU. It is strongly recommended not to wait for the printed material - soft copies of all PGDAST study material are freely available on IGNOU's eGyanKosh digital repository. Start studying from the soft copies immediately after enrollment to avoid losing time before assignment deadlines.

Ques. Is PGDAST from IGNOU useful for a career in data science or analytics?

Ans. Yes, PGDAST provides a strong foundation in statistical concepts that are directly applicable to data science and analytics - including probability theory, statistical inference, regression, time series, and design of experiments. Many data science professionals have pursued PGDAST to strengthen their statistical fundamentals. The programme is particularly useful as a supplement to programming skills for those already working in the data/analytics domain.

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