Distance PhD from NOU 2026: Eligibility, Fee and Duration
The PhD programme at Nalanda Open University (NOU) is currently suspended till further order, and no admissions are being conducted for the 2026 academic session. Official university records confirm that no new PhD scholars have been registered after the year 2009. When active, the eligibility criterion for PhD at NOU was a Post Graduation degree in the relevant subject.
Key facts
| Programme Status | Suspended till further order |
|---|---|
| 2026 Admissions | Not announced as of 02 October 2026 |
| Last Registration Year | 2009 |
| Eligibility Requirement | Post Graduation in Relevant Area |
| Fee Structure | Suspended till further order |
| Women Fee Concession | Exempted (25% discount does not apply to PhD) |
| Historical Study Mode | Part Time |
PhD Admission Status at Nalanda Open University
The PhD programme at Nalanda Open University is currently suspended till further order. NOU has not published any notification, schedule, or application form for PhD admissions on its site as of 02 October 2026.
Official records from the university show that no PhD scholars have been registered at NOU after the year 2009. Candidates seeking current admission updates may check the NOU admission portal for official announcements.
Eligibility Criteria and Fee Rules
According to the official NOU course guidelines, the qualification prescribed for entry into the PhD programme is a Post Graduation degree in the relevant subject area.
The fee structure for the PhD course is marked as suspended till further order. While NOU offers a 25% fee concession to female candidates across all other academic courses, the PhD programme is explicitly excluded from this fee discount.
Historical Research Disciplines and Registration Details
Historical data published by NOU shows that PhD research scholars registered in 2009 carried out their research under Part Time mode across various faculties. Complete records are documented in the PhD scholars data PDF.
Sample Historical PhD Registrations at NOU (2009 Batch)
| Faculty | Supervisor | Mode | Registration Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | Dr. Ajoy Kumar Singh | Part Time | 30.04.2009 | Completed |
| Geography | Dr. V.N.P. Sinha | Part Time | 23.06.2009 | Completed |
| Hindi | Dr. Shankar Prasad | Part Time | 10.06.2009 | Completed |
| Psychology | Dr. Akbar Hussain | Part Time | 11.09.2009 | Completed |
| Education | Prof. Ramjee Prasad Singh | Part Time | 25.04.2009 | Completed |
| Botany | Dr. Usha Singh | Part Time | 25.04.2009 | Completed |
| Sociology | Dr. R.P. Sinha | Part Time | 29.04.2009 | Completed |
| Urdu | Dr. Ejaz Ali Arshad | Part Time | 22.08.2009 | Completed |
Important NOU links
| What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|
| Check main university admission guidelines | nou.ac.in/admission |
| Access NOU admission portal | nouadm.samarth.edu.in/ |
| Access student services portal | nou.ac.in/student-services |
| Find NOU helpdesk contact details | nou.ac.in/contact-us |
Official documents (PDF)
- View PDF — List of registered PhD scholars and supervisors at NOU
Frequently asked questions
Is Nalanda Open University offering PhD admissions for 2026?
No. The PhD programme at Nalanda Open University is suspended till further order. NOU has not published any PhD admission notification for the 2026 academic session as of 02 October 2026.
What is the eligibility requirement for PhD at NOU?
When active, NOU guidelines mandate a Post Graduation degree in the relevant area as the minimum eligibility criteria for PhD admission.
Are women candidates eligible for a fee concession on PhD courses at NOU?
No. Although NOU provides a 25% fee discount for female candidates across all standard undergraduate, post-graduate, and diploma courses, the PhD programme is explicitly excluded from this concession.
When were PhD scholars last registered at Nalanda Open University?
According to official university documentation, the last batch of PhD scholars was registered in the year 2009. No new scholars have been registered since then.
Does Nalanda Open University offer BA or BSc in Psychology?
Yes. NOU offers B.A. Honours in Psychology for intermediate-passed students at a fee of Rs. 2,400 per year, as well as an M.A. in Psychology at Rs. 7,200 per year.
What are the fees for post-graduate courses at Nalanda Open University?
Most M.A. and M.Sc. programmes cost Rs. 7,200 per year, except M.A. in Magahi, Maithili, and Rural Development which cost Rs. 4,400 per year. MCA fee is Rs. 20,000 per year and MLIS fee is Rs. 9,700 per year.
What courses are offered at Nalanda Open University?
NOU offers Intermediate, Bachelor’s Degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com, BCA), Master’s Degrees (M.A., M.Sc., M.Com, MCA, MJMC, MLIS), PG Diplomas, BLIS, B.Ed, and Certificate programmes.
Sources
Written from the official NOU pages and documents below, as read on 2 October 2026.
- Click here for Online Admission 2026 || nouadm.samarth.edu.in
- View www.nou.ac.in/…/Data regarding Phd scholars of NOU.pdf
- Admission nou.ac.in/…/admission