IGNOU PhD Entrance Test Answer Key 2026 Released: Submit Objections by November 8

Updated 3 November 2026 News & Updates 5 min read

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has released the answer key for the PhD entrance examination conducted on October 11, 2026 for the July 2026 admission session. Candidates who appeared for the test can review the answer key and submit their queries or objections via email until 6:00 PM on November 8, 2026.

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IGNOU official site last checked: 5 Nov 2026, 11:30 AM IST

IGNOU PhD Entrance Test 2026 Answer Key Details

The Student Evaluation Division (SED) of IGNOU has published the answer key for the nationwide PhD entrance examination held on 11 October 2026. The key is available for candidates on the official university portal up to 08 November 2026 until 06:00 PM.

Candidates who took the entrance examination for the July 2026 session can check the answer key to verify their responses. The university has issued official communication through Notification P HD 2026 outlining the procedure and timeline for raising challenges against any question or answer.

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU Ph.D. Entrance Test Answer Key Query Notification 2026 — First page of the official document IGNOU Ph.D. Entrance Test Answer Key Query Notification 2026 (2026).

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU PGDRPC Entrance Test Answer Key Notification April 2026 — First page of the official document IGNOU PGDRPC Entrance Test Answer Key Notification April 2026 (2026).

How to Submit Answer Key Queries and Objections

Candidates who identify any discrepancies or have representations regarding the uploaded answer key must send their queries directly via email. The university has designated a specific email address for handling examination query submissions.

Objections must reach the university before the prescribed deadline. Representations submitted after the cut-off time will not be processed under any circumstances.

Review the official answer key uploaded on the IGNOU portal before 08 November 2026.
Draft an email specifying the query, exam details, discipline, and relevant question numbers.
Send the email to entrancetest@ignou.ac.in on or before 08 November 2026 (06:00 PM).

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU PHDFL Entrance Test Answer Key October 2026 — First page of the official document IGNOU PHDFL Entrance Test Answer Key October 2026 (2026).

IGNOU PhD Programme Rules and Course Work Requirements

IGNOU offers PhD admissions under Full-Time and Part-Time categories in compliance with the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022, and subsequent amendments. Candidates admitted under both streams must complete compulsory Course Work during the first six months of admission.

The Course Work is conducted exclusively at the respective Schools of Studies at the IGNOU Headquarters in Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. Scholars are required to attend regular classes, with a mandatory minimum attendance requirement of 80 percent.

The minimum program duration is three years, and the maximum duration is six years. Women candidates and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) with 40 percent or more disability are granted an additional two-year relaxation, extending the maximum duration to eight years. Employed candidates opting for the Part-Time mode must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer in the prescribed format.

IGNOU does not provide hostel facilities for PhD scholars. Admitted candidates must make their own lodging and living arrangements in New Delhi during the Course Work period and other campus academic activities.

Brick buildings behind a decorative fence on the IGNOU campus. — Buildings on the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) campus in New Delhi.

IGNOU student services

Disciplines Offered Under IGNOU PhD Admission July 2026

The university offers doctoral research programmes across multiple academic streams. Full details regarding eligibility, seat distribution, and discipline codes are provided in the official admission advertisement Advertisement Phd July 2026.

Humanities & Languages: Sanskrit (PHDSK), Hindi (PHDHIN), English (PHDENG), French (PHDFL), Arabic (PHDAL)
Sciences & Mathematics: Bio-Chemistry (PHDBC), Chemistry (PHDCHEM), Geography (PHDGEOG), Geology (PHDGY), Life Sciences (PHDLS), Physics (PHDPH), Statistics (PHDSTAT), Mathematics (PHDMT), Environmental Science (PHDEV)
Social Sciences & Professional Studies: Psychology (PHDPC), Anthropology (PHDAN), Political Science (PHDPS), Public Administration (PHDPA), Social Work (PHDSW), Management (PHDMGMT), Commerce (PHDCOМ), Journalism and Mass Communication (PHDJMC)
Education & Interdisciplinary Studies: Education (PHDES), Distance Education (PHDDE), Computer Science (PHDCS), Fine Arts (PHDPVA), Theatre Arts (PHDPVA), Music (PHDPVA), Dance (PHDPVA), Nutritional Sciences (PHDFN), Child Development (PHDCD), Home Science (PHDHC), Vocational Education (PHDVE), Development Studies (PHDDV), Gender and Development Studies (PHDGDS), Translation Studies (PHDTT)

A multi-storey concrete building featuring the IGNOU Regional Centre signboard and promotional posters. — The Indira Gandhi National Open University Regional Centre building located at Saida Kadal in Srinagar, Kashmir.

Where to go on the IGNOU site

visit IGNOU PhD admission portalignou-phd.samarth.edu.in ↗
contact Research Unit Maidan Garhiignou-phd.samarth.edu.in ↗
login to registered applicant accountignou-phd.samarth.edu.in ↗

Key facts

Entrance Exam Date: 11 October 2026
Answer Key Window: Till 08 November 2026 (06:00 PM)
Query Deadline: 08 November 2026 (06:00 PM)
Query Submission Email: entrancetest@ignou.ac.in
Academic Session: July 2026 (2026-27 Cycle)
Issuing Authority: Student Evaluation Division (SED Exam-II), IGNOU

Notices and Documents from IGNOU

IGNOU Ph.D. Entrance Test Answer Key Query Notification 2026 PDF — Official notification regarding PhD entrance test answer key and objection deadline
IGNOU Ph.D. Admission Advertisement July 2026 Session PDF — Official advertisement details for PhD July 2026 admission cycle

Common IGNOU Questions

When was the IGNOU PhD entrance test 2026 conducted?

The IGNOU PhD entrance examination for the July 2026 admission session was conducted across various examination centres on 11 October 2026.

What is the deadline to raise objections against the IGNOU PhD answer key?

Candidates must send their queries or objections regarding the answer key by 08 November 2026, 06:00 PM. Submissions received after this deadline will not be entertained.

How can candidates submit answer key queries to IGNOU?

Candidates must send an email detailing their queries regarding the uploaded answer key to entrancetest@ignou.ac.in before the deadline of 08 November 2026 (06:00 PM).

Where is the compulsory PhD Course Work conducted?

The compulsory six-month PhD Course Work is held exclusively at the respective Schools of Studies located at the IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. Scholars must maintain at least 80 percent attendance.

Does IGNOU provide hostel accommodation for PhD students?

No, IGNOU does not offer hostel facilities for PhD candidates. Students are required to arrange their own stay and accommodation in Delhi during the Course Work period.