IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition is a 6-month programme with a fee of Rs. 2,600/- for the July 2026 session. Anyone aged 18 or above can apply, with no formal educational qualification required.
| Detail | Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | CFN |
| School | School of Continuing Education (SOCE) |
| Eligibility | No formal qualification, Minimum age of 18 years as on the last date for receipt of Admission form. |
| Medium | English, Hindi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil and Oriya. |
| Duration | 6 months minimum, 2 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 2,600/- |
| Total credits | 16 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN): what the programme covers
The IGNOU Certificate in Food and Nutrition (CFN) is a post-literacy awareness programme. It is for individuals with basic reading and writing skills. The programme covers the role of food in healthy living for individuals, families, and communities.
The IGNOU Certificate in Food and Nutrition programme has a total of 16 credits. The programme focuses on nutrition, cost-effectiveness, and environment-friendly approaches. The programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 2,600/-. This fee is payable per semester. The programme is offered in both ODL and Online modes.
The eGyanKosh study blocks for CFN 1 include Food Groups, Nutrients and their Functions, and Food Choice, Preparation and Preservation. CFN 3 focuses on food budgeting, governmental policies, and consumer education.
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) eligibility: who can apply
No formal qualification is required to apply for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition.
The programme is offered in ten languages. These include English, Hindi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Oriya. This wide selection allows learners to study in their preferred regional language.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
The IGNOU Certificate in Food and Nutrition (CFN) programme fee is Rs. 2,600/- for the July 2026 session. This amount is paid semester-wise.
Learners also pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 at admission for the July 2026 session. A University Development fee of Rs. 400 is also payable at admission.
Learners who opt for soft copies of self-learning material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. All payments are made online via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway. The application process is fully online, with no need to send printed forms to the Regional Centre.
Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 2,600/- |
| Registration fee (once, non-refundable) | Rs. 300 |
| University Development fee (once) | Rs. 400 |
| Term-end exam fee | Rs. 200 per theory course |
Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) duration and credits
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) has a minimum duration of 6 months. Learners have a maximum of 2 years to complete the programme. The total credits for the programme are 16, all of which are completed in the first year.
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) programme has a total of 16 credits. It is a post-literacy level awareness programme, suitable for individuals with basic reading and writing skills. The programme is offered in both ODL and Online modes.
The programme consists of three compulsory courses. Each course carries a specific credit weight, with CFN 1 and CFN 2 each being 6 credits, and CFN 3 being 4 credits. The total credits for Year 1 amount to 16.
The syllabus covers various aspects of food and nutrition. CFN 1, “You and Your Food,” includes study blocks on food groups, nutrients, their functions, food choice, preparation, and preservation. CFN 3, “Economics of Food,” addresses food budgeting, agricultural production, and consumer education. The programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 2,600/-.
Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 3 courses | 16 |
Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) 1st year
| 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 |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
IGNOU offers admission to the Certificate in Food and Nutrition (CFN) programme twice a year, in the January and July admission cycles. For the July 2026 session, applications are processed through the official ODL admission portal, the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
This includes the programme fee of Rs. 2,600, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300, and a University Development fee of Rs. 400.
Applicants must complete the entire admission process online. No printed form needs to be sent to any Regional Centre. Payment can be made using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.
Before starting the application, gather the required documents:
- A colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
- Soft copies of relevant educational qualifications, under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
- A soft copy of the category certificate (if SC/ST/OBC), under 200 KB.
- Applicants are also advised to keep their APAAR ID ready.
There is no formal qualification required for eligibility.
IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition (CFN) exams and assignments
Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU Certificate in Food and Nutrition. Learners must write assignment responses before taking the Term-End Examination (July 2026). Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). Assignments for the current session are available on the University website for download (July 2026). A failed assignment requires re-submission; once passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
Term-end examinations for the IGNOU Certificate in Food and Nutrition are held twice a year, in June and December (July 2026). These examinations take place at centres across the country and abroad (July 2026). There are two sessions daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM (December 2026 TEE). Learners may write the exam in Hindi even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes (December 2026 TEE). The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course (December 2026 TEE). For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle (July 2026). Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post (July 2026).
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the total fee for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
The total programme fee for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition is Rs. 2,600/- for the July 2026 session. This fee is paid at admission, along with a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400.
What are the eligibility criteria for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
There is no formal qualification required for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition.
How long does it take to complete the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition is 6 months. Learners have a maximum of 2 years to finish the programme.
Which courses are the heaviest in the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
CFN 3 'Economics of Food' is a 4-credit course.
Does the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition have any practical or lab components?
The FACTS block does not specify any practical or lab components for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition courses. Attendance at practical sessions is compulsory where a programme has practicals.
What are the admission cycles for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
Admissions for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition are held twice a year, in the January and July cycles. The current cycle on the ODL admission portal is July 2026.
Can I get a discount on the programme fee if I choose digital study materials?
Yes, learners who opt for soft copies of study material instead of printed material receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. The self-learning material for over 3923 courses is available on eGyanKosh.
What languages are available for the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition is offered in English, Hindi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Oriya. Learners may write the term-end examination in Hindi even if registered in English medium.
How many credits are there in the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
The IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition has a total of 16 credits. One credit is equivalent to 30 hours of learner study.
Where can I find the study blocks for the courses in the IGNOU Certificate in Food & Nutrition?
For example, CFN 1 has four blocks covering food groups, nutrients, food choice, preparation, and preservation.