IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) Syllabus 2026: Year-wise Subjects, Credits and Study Blocks
Part of IGNOU Syllabus: IGNOU Syllabus 2026: Programme-wise Course Structure
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) syllabus structure: 16 credits
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) syllabus totals 16 credits across three courses. This programme is a post-literacy level awareness programme, suitable for individuals aged 18 years or older with basic reading and writing skills. The minimum duration to complete the CFN programme is 6 months, with a maximum duration of 2 years.
The programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 2,600/-. These courses cover topics such as food selection, nutrition from infancy to old age, and consumer rights. The programme is offered in English, Hindi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Oriya. The admission cycles are January and July.
Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 3 courses | 16 |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) 1st year subjects: You and Your Food, Your Food and its Utilisation
CFN 1 and CFN 2 are the heaviest courses, each carrying 6 credits. CFN 3 carries 4 credits.
CFN 1 You and Your Food introduces foundational concepts across four eGyanKosh blocks, including food groups, nutrients, and food preservation. CFN 3 Economics of Food covers food budgeting, agricultural production, and governmental policies, across three eGyanKosh blocks.
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) 1st year: courses and credits
| Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CFN 1 | You and Your Food | 6 |
| CFN 2 | Your Food and its Utilisation | 6 |
| CFN 3 | Economics of Food | 4 |
CFN 1 You and Your Food: study blocks
- Block 1: Food Groups, Nutrients and their Functions
- Block 2: Food Choice, Preparation and Preservation
- Block 3: Process of Food Selection and Preparation-I
- Block 4: Process of Food Selection and Preparation-II
CFN 2 Your Food and its Utilisation: study blocks
- Block 1: How to Meet the Nutritional Needs of Body
- Block 2: Assimilation of Food and Effects on Growth and Activity
- Block 3: Nutrition of the Mother and the Child
- Block 4: Nutrition from School Age to old Age
- Block 5: Nutritional Status, Food Habits and Food Misconceptions
CFN 3 Economics of Food: study blocks
- Block 1: Food Budgeting, Agricultural Production and Distribution
- Block 2: Governmental Politics and Programmes
- Block 3: Protection, Safety and Consumer Education
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) assessment: assignments, term-end exams and pass marks
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition programme assesses learners through compulsory assignments and a term-end examination. Learners must submit assignment responses before they can take the Term-End Examination. Assignments for the current session are available for download from the IGNOU website.
Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) must be submitted to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre. If an assignment is failed, it must be re-submitted. Once an assignment is passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
Term-end examinations are held twice a year, in June and December, at examination centres across India and abroad. The December 2026 TEE has two sessions daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM. The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course. Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if they registered in English medium, except for language programmes.
The University provides numerical marks and division (I, II or Pass) for bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon request. A copy of an answer script can be obtained for Rs. 100 per course. Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible for re-evaluation.
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) study material: printed blocks and eGyanKosh
Learners enrolling in the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition programme have two options for study material. Choosing the digital material option gives a 15% discount on the programme fee of Rs. 2,600/- for the July 2026 session.
The self-learning material for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition is also available on eGyanKosh. This repository contains self-learning material for over 3923 courses across 384 programmes. For CFN 1, ‘You and Your Food’ (6 credits), eGyanKosh lists four study blocks: Food Groups, Nutrients and their Functions; Food Choice, Preparation and Preservation; Process of Food Selection and Preparation-I; and Process of Food Selection and Preparation-II.
For CFN 3, ‘Economics of Food’ (4 credits), eGyanKosh provides three blocks: Food Budgeting, Agricultural Production and Distribution; Governmental Politics and Programmes; and Protection, Safety and Consumer Education.
Counselling sessions are also available, held according to the schedule set by the Learner Support Centre. One credit represents 30 hours of learner study. Technology-enabled support is offered through Gyan Darshan, Gyan Vani, Swayam Prabha, and web-based resources.
Study support: IGNOU study material status; IGNOU previous year question papers and IGNOU regional and study centres.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the total fee for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition programme?
The total programme fee for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition is Rs. 2,600/- for the July 2026 session. Additionally, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are paid at the time of admission.
How many credits does the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition programme carry?
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition programme has a total of 16 credits.
Are there any practical components or labs in the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition syllabus?
The programme description focuses on awareness and theoretical understanding of food and nutrition.
Where can I find the study blocks for the CFN courses?
The study blocks for CFN 1, CFN 2, and CFN 3 are available on eGyanKosh. For example, CFN 1 'You and Your Food' has four blocks covering topics like Food Groups and Food Choice.
What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
Learners can complete the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition in a minimum of 6 months. The maximum duration allowed to complete the programme is 2 years.
Can I get a discount if I choose digital study materials instead of printed books?
Yes, IGNOU offers a 15% discount on the programme fee for learners who opt for soft copies of study materials instead of printed books.
What are the eligibility criteria for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
There are no formal educational qualifications required for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition.
In which languages is the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition offered?
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition is offered in multiple languages. These include English, Hindi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Oriya.
What is the admission cycle for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
Admissions for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition are conducted twice a year. The admission cycles are January and July.
Does the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition syllabus include topics on consumer rights and food adulteration?
Yes, the programme description states that the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition includes features like food adulteration, consumer rights, safety, and education. CFN 3 'Economics of Food' covers topics like protection, safety, and consumer education.