How Do I Apply for IGNOU Scholarship? Form, Eligibility and Concession Rules
Part of IGNOU Student Services: How to Login to IGNOU Student Dashboard on Samarth Portal
IGNOU requires candidates to select their category and upload self-attested certificates during admission registration on the official Samarth portals for the July 2026 session. Registered students can also compete in university hackathons for cash prizes up to Rs 1,00,000. Applications and document uploads are completed online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), also known as IGNOU Delhi, processes category concessions and student financial awards through its official portals for the July 2026 session. Candidates applying for research and distance learning programmes must submit reservation certificates during admission registration. IGNOU also coordinates national innovation competitions that offer cash prizes to enrolled distance learners. This page explains category submission rules, disability relaxations, and university financial contest rewards based on official university announcements.
IGNOU scholarship form: category certificate submission for admissions
IGNOU requires candidates to submit reservation certificates during admission registration on the Samarth portal for the July 2026 session. Candidates applying under reserved categories must upload self-attested SC, ST, OBC-NCL, or EWS certificates to verify eligibility.
Candidates claiming disability concessions must upload a valid Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) certificate during online registration. Required registration documents must be clear and self-attested before final portal submission.
- Recent Passport Size Colour Photograph
- Signature of the Candidate
- Aadhaar Card or Valid Photo Identity Proof
- Date of Birth Certificate or Class X Certificate
- Marksheets and Certificates of Qualifying Examinations
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS)
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) Certificate
Scholarship details in IGNOU form: reserved category and PwBD requirements
Scholarship details in IGNOU form fields record category choices during admission registration on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal for the July 2026 session. Candidates must select their category and upload valid supporting certificates before completing final submission.
IGNOU grants Persons with Disabilities having 40% or more disability an additional two years beyond the maximum six-year PhD duration. IGNOU has not published separate fee concession amounts on its site as of 30 October 2026.
IGNOU scholarship form 2022: archival policies and current session updates
IGNOU scholarship form 2022 policies have been integrated into online registration workflows on the current Samarth portal. IGNOU requires all candidates seeking category benefits for the July 2026 session to upload active certificates during admission.
Applicants registering on the IGNOU PhD admission portal must verify category selections before making fee payments. Submitted information cannot be modified after final submission on the portal.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU fee concession rules: disability duration relaxations and guidelines
IGNOU fee concession rules provide academic duration relaxations for eligible candidates in research programmes for the July 2026 session. Female candidates and PwBD learners with 40% or severe disability receive two extra years beyond the six-year maximum PhD limit.
PhD coursework requires 80% mandatory attendance during the first six months at IGNOU Headquarters in Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. Candidates must arrange accommodation independently as IGNOU does not provide hostel facilities.
IGNOU financial awards: hackathon cash prizes and startup awards
IGNOU provides financial rewards and cash prizes up to Rs 1,00,000 for students participating in university innovation competitions. The Ministry of Education awards cash prizes to national winners selected through the Smart IGNOU Hackathon.
Interested candidates submitted project proposals to NCIDE by August 30, 2026 for the 2026 cycle. NCIDE also confers the Best Startup Award 2026 to the top three student ventures.
How to submit scholarship details in IGNOU admission forms?
Candidates must submit category and reservation details during online registration on the Samarth portal for the July 2026 cycle. Applicants must ensure all uploaded document scans are self-attested and legible.
- Open the official IGNOU ODL admission portal or IGNOU PhD admission portal for the July 2026 session.
- Click on new user registration and enter a valid email address and mobile number.
- Log in using your registered username and password to access the application form.
- Select your category as SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, or PwBD in the personal profile section.
- Upload scanned copies of your category certificate, photo proof, and qualifying marksheets.
- Verify all entered details and submit the application form before paying the required fee.
Where to go on the IGNOU site
- PhD admission portal registrationignou-phd.samarth.edu.in ↗
- ODL programme admission portalignouadmission.samarth.edu.in ↗
- Student grievance portal iGRAMigram.ignou.ac.in ↗
- IGNOU Samarth student portalignou.samarth.edu.in ↗
Key facts
- Admission Portal: IGNOU Samarth Admission Portal
- Current Admission Session: July 2026 Cycle
- PhD Application Deadline: 15 July 2026
- PwD Ph.D. Extension: 2 Additional Years
- Hackathon Cash Prize: Up to Rs 1,00,000
- Mandatory Coursework Attendance: 80% at New Delhi Campus
Common IGNOU Questions
What scholarship details in IGNOU form must be uploaded?
Candidates must select their category and upload valid SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, or PwBD certificates during registration on the IGNOU Samarth portal. Scanned documents must be clear, legible, and self-attested before final submission. The July 2026 session registration requires keeping original certificates ready for verification. Candidates upload these documents directly on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
How can candidates apply for an IGNOU scholarship form?
Candidates enter category details during online admission registration on the IGNOU Samarth portal for the July 2026 cycle. Applicants upload category certificates, photo proof, and marksheets while filling out the registration form. IGNOU has not published a separate offline scholarship form on its site as of 30 October 2026. Registration takes place online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Where are IGNOU scholarship form 2022 updates published?
Previous rules from the IGNOU scholarship form 2022 cycle are updated through current notices on the main IGNOU website and Samarth portals. Students seeking category benefits for the July 2026 session must upload active category certificates during online admission. Details can be accessed on the IGNOU Samarth portal during open admission windows.
What fee concessions are available for PwBD candidates at IGNOU?
IGNOU grants Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) having 40% or more disability an extension of two additional years beyond the maximum six-year PhD duration. Applicants must upload a valid PwBD certificate during admission on the IGNOU Samarth PhD portal. IGNOU has not published specific ODL fee concession amounts on its site as of 30 October 2026. Applications are processed on the Samarth PhD admission portal.
What financial prizes can IGNOU students win through university competitions?
IGNOU students participating in the Smart India Hackathon can win MoE cash prizes up to Rs 1,00,000 for national level problem solutions. NCIDE also awards the Best Startup Award 2026 to the top three student ventures. Proposals for the 2026 hackathon cycle were submitted via email to ncide@ignou.ac.in by August 30, 2026. Selection occurs through internal virtual hackathons organized by NCIDE.
Who qualifies for age or duration relaxations in IGNOU PhD programmes?
Women candidates and PwD candidates with 40% or severe disability qualify for two additional years beyond the maximum six-year PhD limit. Admitted candidates must complete mandatory coursework with 80% attendance at IGNOU Headquarters in New Delhi during the July 2026 session. Registration details were submitted through ignou-phd.samarth.edu.in before the July 15, 2026 deadline.
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