IGNOU PG Diploma Environmental Studies: 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 Environmental Studies (PGDEVS) is a one-year distance learning programme offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) under the School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-Disciplinary Studies (SOITS). The programme carries a total of 40 credits and covers a wide spectrum of environmental topics including ecology, pollution control, climate change, environmental legislation, and sustainable development. The total programme fee is Rs. 6,000 (plus applicable registration and development fees), making it one of the most affordable postgraduate diplomas in the country. Admission is offered twice a year - in January and July sessions - with no entrance exam required, making it accessible to graduates from any discipline. The programme is popular among working professionals, government employees, and social science graduates who wish to build expertise in the growing field of environmental management and sustainability.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing. The last date for submission of the application form (for ODL programmes, except certificate and semester-based programmes) is 30th March 2026. Students are advised to apply at the earliest via the official IGNOU Samarth Admission Portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

Distance Mode Centres:

PGDEVS is offered exclusively through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The programme is available across IGNOU's extensive network of Regional Centres and Study Centres spread across India. Key regional centres include:

Regional Centres

Regional CentreLSC Code
Hyderabad0100
Karnal1000
Shimla1100
Jammu1200
Bangalore1300
Cochin (Kaloor, Ernakulam)14000
Bhopal1500
Pune1600
Imphal1700
Shillong1800
Aizwal1900
Port Blair0200
Kohima2000
Bhubaneshwar2100
Khanna2200
Jaipur2300
Gangtok2400
Chennai2500
Agartala2600
Lucknow2700
Kolkata2800
Itanagar0300
Srinagar3000
Dehradun3100
Ranchi3200
Vijayawada3300
Raipur3500
Nagpur3600
Jorhat3700
Delhi 3 (Naraina)38039
Noida3900
Guwahati0400
Trivandrum4000
Rajkot4200
Madurai43015
Koraput4400
Siliguri4500
Darbhanga4600
Aligarh4700
Varanasi4800
Mumbai4900
Patna0500
Raghunathganj5000
Chandigarh0600
Delhi 1 (Mohan Estate, South Delhi)0700
Panaji0800
Bhagalpur8200
Vatakara8300
Visakhapatnam8400
Bijapur8500
Saharsa8600
Deoghar8700
Jodhpur8800
Ahmedabad0900

Key Points

  • The programme follows a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, integrating science, law, policy, and social dimensions of environmental issues.
  • Students can complete the programme in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years, offering flexibility for working professionals.
  • The medium of instruction is English, and study material is available in both digital (eGyanKosh) and printed formats.
  • No entrance exam is required; admission is purely merit-based on qualifying degree marks.
  • The programme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to generate awareness on a wide variety of environmental concerns.
  • Degrees and diplomas awarded by IGNOU are recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
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IGNOU PGDEVS Fees

The PGDEVS programme is priced very affordably at Rs. 6,000 for the full programme. In addition to the programme fee, students are required to pay a one-time Registration Fee of Rs. 300 at the time of admission. A Development Fee is also applicable as per university norms. There are no hostel facilities associated with this distance learning programme.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount (Rs.)
Programme (Tuition) Fee6,000
Registration Fee300
Development FeeAs applicable
Total Fees6,300 + Development Fee
  • The Registration Fee is non-refundable.
  • Fee paid will be refunded prior to confirmation of admission.
  • After confirmation of admission, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted if cancellation is requested.
  • No refund of fee is admissible after 60 days of the closing date of admissions.
  • Fee can be paid online via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.
  • SC/ST students may be eligible for fee exemption/reimbursement as per IGNOU norms.

IGNOU PGDEVS Admission 2026

Admissions to PGDEVS are offered twice a year - in January and July sessions. The January 2026 session is currently open, with the last date for application extended to 30th March 2026. The admission process is entirely online through the IGNOU Samarth Admission Portal. No entrance exam is required; students are admitted based on eligibility criteria alone.

IGNOU PGDEVS Admission Dates

EventDate
Admission Portal Opens (January 2026 Session)December 16, 2025
Last Date for Fresh Admission (ODL Programmes)30th March 2026
Re-registration Last Date (January 2026 Session)31st March 2026 (with late fee of Rs. 200)
Exam Form Submission Last Date10th April 2026
Tentative Batch CommencementJanuary 2026
Tentative July 2026 Session Admission OpensMay 2026
Tentative July 2026 Session Last DateJuly 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

Entrance Exam Dates
No entrance exam is required for admission to PGDEVS. Admission is granted directly on the basis of eligibility (graduation in any discipline from a recognised university).

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university or institution is mandatory.
  • There is no minimum percentage requirement specified by IGNOU for this programme.
  • There is no upper age limit for admission to PGDEVS.

Admission Process

  • Visit the official IGNOU Samarth Admission Portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
  • Click on New Registration and create a login with your email and mobile number (verified via OTP).
  • Log in and fill out the online application form for PGDEVS, selecting your preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre.
  • Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph, signature, graduation certificate, category certificate (if applicable), and experience certificate (if any).
  • Pay the programme fee and registration fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
  • Download and save the application summary and fee receipt for future reference.
  • Admission confirmation is sent to the registered email/mobile after verification of documents.

IGNOU PGDEVS Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers several scholarship and fee exemption options for eligible students, making the already affordable PGDEVS programme even more accessible. SC/ST students, physically challenged students, economically weaker sections, jail inmates, and students from the Weaver community and transgender community are eligible for fee exemptions or reimbursements. Additionally, students can apply for Government of India scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / SchemeEligibilityBenefit
IGNOU Fee Exemption for SC/ST StudentsSC/ST students enrolled in IGNOU programmesUp to 50% fee concession / full fee reimbursement as per state norms
IGNOU Fee Exemption for Physically Challenged StudentsStudents with more than 40% disabilityFee exemption/reimbursement as applicable
IGNOU Fee Exemption for Jail InmatesJail inmates enrolled in IGNOU programmesFull fee exemption including registration fee (re-registration, exam fee payable after release)
Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Minority StudentsMinority students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year; minimum 50% in previous examRs. 20,000/year; maintenance allowance Rs. 500-1,000/month
Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with DisabilitiesSpecially abled students with 40%+ disability; family income below Rs. 6 lakh/yearFull tuition up to Rs. 2 lakh/year; books/stationery Rs. 5,000/year; one-time laptop allowance Rs. 45,000
Top Class Education Scheme for SC StudentsSC students admitted under general category seats; family income below Rs. 8 lakh/yearFull tuition up to Rs. 2 lakh/year; books/stationery Rs. 3,000/month; one-time laptop allowance Rs. 45,000
National Scholarship Portal (State/Central Schemes)As per individual scheme eligibilityVaries by scheme
  • A student can avail only one scholarship at a time.
  • Students must apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
  • IGNOU scholarship forms are available at Regional Centres and must be certified by the Regional Director before submission to the State Social Welfare Office.
  • Family income should generally not exceed Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum for IGNOU's internal scholarship schemes.
  • Students must not be availing any other scholarship simultaneously to be eligible for IGNOU's internal schemes.

IGNOU PGDEVS FAQs

Ques. Is the PGDEVS degree from IGNOU recognised by employers and other universities?

Ans. Yes, the PGDEVS diploma awarded by IGNOU is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is accepted by employers across India. However, students should note that IGNOU is a distance learning university, and some competitive employers or government departments may prefer candidates with regular mode qualifications for certain roles.

Ques. Can I pursue PGDEVS while doing a full-time job?

Ans. Absolutely. PGDEVS is specifically designed for the Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, which means there are no mandatory daily classes. Students can study at their own pace using printed or digital study materials (available on eGyanKosh). The only mandatory activities are submitting assignments and appearing for term-end examinations at designated exam centres.

Ques. What is the difference between PGDEVS and PGDESD (Post Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development) at IGNOU?

Ans. Both are postgraduate diplomas in the environmental domain offered by IGNOU. PGDEVS (Environmental Studies) is offered under SOITS and focuses broadly on environmental science, ecology, pollution, climate change, and legislation. PGDESD (Environmental and Sustainable Development) has a stronger focus on sustainable development frameworks. Students should check the current programme availability on the IGNOU Samarth portal before applying, as programme offerings may be updated.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing PGDEVS?

Ans. After completing PGDEVS, graduates can explore roles such as Environmental Consultant, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Analyst, Sustainability Officer in corporates, NGO Programme Officer, Pollution Control Board Officer, and CSR Manager. The diploma is also useful for government employees seeking to upgrade their knowledge in environmental compliance and policy implementation.

Ques. Is there any practical or lab component in PGDEVS?

Ans. No, PGDEVS is a fully theory-based programme with no practical or lab component. The curriculum consists entirely of theory courses covering environmental science, ecology, pollution management, climate change, environmental laws, and sustainable development. Assessment is through written assignments and term-end examinations.

Ques. What happens if I miss the January 2026 admission deadline?

Ans. If you miss the January 2026 session deadline (30th March 2026), you can apply for the July 2026 session, which typically opens in May 2026 with a last date in July 2026. IGNOU offers admissions twice a year, so there is always an upcoming session to apply for. It is advisable to keep checking the official IGNOU Samarth portal for updated dates.

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This is a frequently asked question among students navigating higher education decisions.

Important considerations:

  • Research Thoroughly: Verify information through official websites, NIRF rankings, and authentic reviews.
  • Campus Visits: Attend open houses or virtual tours to understand infrastructure and culture.
  • Alumni Insights: Connect with graduates for honest feedback about academics and placements.
  • Document Verification: Check NBA/NAAC accreditation, UGC approval, and affiliations.
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For the most accurate information, contact the college admission office directly or consult the official prospectus and website.

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how to change subject/course/medium at IGNOU:

IGNOU allows changes in certain circumstances:

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the annual window for changes is narrow — usually the first month of each admission cycle (Jan or July). after the window, changes are not generally accepted. visit ignou.ac.in ? student support or your nearest IGNOU regional center. bring your enrollment ID and relevant documents. call your regional center to confirm the current process as IGNOU procedures can vary slightly by center.

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