IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) 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 Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare is a one-year programme with a fee of Rs. 6,200 for the July 2026 session. Graduates in any discipline from a recognised university are eligible to apply.
| Detail | Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | PGDAW |
| School | School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS) |
| Eligibility | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university. |
| Medium | English |
| Duration | 1 year minimum, 3 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 6,200/- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 6,200 (Rs. 6,200 x 1 year) |
| Total credits | 32 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW): what the programme covers
The IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare is a 32-credit programme offered through the School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS). It imparts science-based animal welfare education via open and distance learning. The programme builds the capacity of stakeholders to make socially responsible decisions concerning animal welfare.
The programme covers many animal welfare issues. The MAW-001 study blocks introduce animal welfare and behaviour, covering concepts like the Five Freedoms and methods for assessment and audit. MAW-002 focuses on specific animal welfare issues across various species, including dairy animals, small ruminants, pigs, and poultry. It also addresses the welfare of working, performing, companion, zoo, and lab animals, as well as welfare during slaughter and disasters. MAW-003 explores animal welfare laws, legal procedures, and international treaties. It also examines statutory bodies and organisations related to animal welfare, along with rules concerning farriers, registration, fines, and the transport of animals. Finally, MAW-004 establishes welfare standards for dairy animals, small ruminants, pigs, poultry, working animals, performing animals, pet animals, laboratory animals, and zoo animals. It also covers standards during slaughter and care during disasters, including animal welfare ranking.
IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) eligibility: who can apply
To apply for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare, a candidate must hold a graduation degree in any discipline. The programme is delivered in English medium. There are no specific subject requirements for the undergraduate degree; any bachelor’s degree qualifies an applicant.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
The IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 6,200 per year. For the full minimum duration of one year, the total programme fee is Rs. 6,200, excluding additional charges.
Learners pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 at admission, along with the programme fee. A University Development fee of Rs. 400 is also paid at admission. The application process is fully online through the ODL admission portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, for July 2026. Payment modes include net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
Learners who choose soft copies of study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee.
Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 6,200/- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 6,200 (Rs. 6,200 x 1 year) |
| 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 Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) duration and credits
The IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare has a minimum duration of 1 year and a maximum duration of 3 years. Learners must complete all programme requirements within this 3-year period from their admission date.
The programme carries a total of 32 credits. All programme courses contribute to these 32 credits.
IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) is offered through the School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS). This programme totals 32 credits. It aims to impart science-based animal welfare education through open and distance learning. The curriculum also builds capacities for stakeholders to make socially responsible decisions concerning animal welfare.
MAW-001 covers Introduction to Animal Welfare and Behaviour, Concept of Animal Welfare, Five Freedoms, Animal Welfare-Assessment and Audit, Improving Animal Welfare, and Ethics and Animal Welfare. MAW-002 addresses Animal Welfare Issues in Dairy Animals, Small Ruminants, Pigs, Poultry, Working Animals, Performing Animals, Companion, Zoo and Lab Animals, and during slaughter and disasters. MAW-003 focuses on Animal Welfare Laws, Legal Procedures, Biodiversity, Conservation and International Treaties, and various animal welfare rules. MAW-004 details Welfare Standards for Dairy Animals, Small Ruminants and Pigs, Poultry, Working, Performing and Pet Animals, Laboratory animals, Zoo Animals, and during slaughter and disasters.
The eGyanKosh study blocks provide detailed content for each course. For example, MAW-001 has six blocks, starting with an Introduction to Animal Welfare and Behaviour. MAW-002 has nine blocks, including case studies on poultry welfare. MAW-003 covers eight blocks, detailing legal aspects like Animal Welfare Laws and Transport of Animals and Slaughterhouse Rules. MAW-004 also has eight blocks, outlining specific welfare standards for various animal categories.
Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Programme courses | 4 courses | 32 |
Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) Programme courses
| Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAW-001 | Animal Welfare Science and Ethics | 8 |
| MAW-002 | Animal Welfare Issues | 8 |
| MAW-003 | Animal Welfare Laws, Policies and Organizations | 8 |
| MAW-004 | Animal Welfare Practices, Economics and Livelihood | 8 |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
Applicants for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare must apply online through the Samarth portal. The current admission cycle is July 2026. Two admission cycles are available each year: January and July.
The application process is fully online. No printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre. Follow these steps:
- Visit the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
- Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application.
- Upload a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
- Upload a soft copy of your relevant educational qualification, under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
- If applicable, upload a soft copy of your category certificate (SC/ST/OBC), under 200 KB.
- Pay the non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300.
- Pay the University Development fee of Rs. 400.
- Pay the programme fee of Rs. 6,200/- per year for the July 2026 session.
- Payments can be made via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.
Eligibility for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare requires graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) exams and assignments
IGNOU conducts Term-End Examinations (TEE) twice a year, in June and December. These examinations are held throughout the country at designated examination centres. There are two daily exam sessions: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM, as seen in the December 2026 TEE schedule. Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes.
Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare. Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) are submitted to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre. Assignments for the current session are available for download from the University website. A failed assignment must be re-submitted; once passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course, according to the December 2026 TEE information. 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. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post. Learners can request a copy of their answer script for Rs. 100 per course, as of January 2026. Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible.
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 Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
The total programme fee for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare is Rs. 6,200 for the minimum one-year duration, as per the July 2026 prospectus. This amount does not include the registration fee, development fee, or examination fees. A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a university development fee of Rs. 400 are paid at admission.
What are the eligibility criteria for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
To be eligible for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare, a candidate must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university. There are no specific subject requirements for the undergraduate degree. The programme is offered in English medium.
How many credits are in the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
The IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare has a total of 32 credits. Each of the four programme courses, MAW-001, MAW-002, MAW-003, and MAW-004, carries 8 credits. One credit is equivalent to 30 hours of learner study.
Which courses are included in the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
The IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare includes four core courses: MAW-001 Animal Welfare Science and Ethics, MAW-002 Animal Welfare Issues, MAW-003 Animal Welfare Laws, Policies and Organizations, and MAW-004 Animal Welfare Practices, Economics and Livelihood. Each of these courses is worth 8 credits.
Are there any practicals or projects in the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
The programme course descriptions do not mention any practicals or projects. The programme consists of four theory courses: MAW-001, MAW-002, MAW-003, and MAW-004. Attendance at practical sessions is compulsory only where a programme has practicals.
What is the maximum duration to complete the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
Learners have a maximum of three years to complete the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare. The minimum duration for the programme is one year. This flexibility allows learners to manage their studies alongside other commitments.
When are the admissions open for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
Admissions for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare are conducted twice a year, in the January and July admission cycles. The current admission cycle on the ODL admission portal is July 2026. Applications are submitted fully online through the Samarth portal.
Where can I find the study material for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
The self-learning material for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare is available on eGyanKosh. For example, MAW-001 includes study blocks such as 'Introduction to Animal Welfare and Behaviour' and 'Ethics and Animal Welfare'. Printed self-instructional study material is also provided as a print book or e-book.
Can I write the term-end examination in Hindi for the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
Yes, learners may write the term-end examination in Hindi, even if they are registered in the English medium. This rule applies to all programmes except language programmes. Term-end examinations are held twice a year, in June and December.
How much is the examination fee for each course in the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare?
The examination fee for each theory course in the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare is Rs. 200. Assignments are compulsory and must be submitted before taking the Term-End Examination.