The Certificate in Environmental Studies (CES) is a six-month programme offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under its School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The programme is designed for the general public at all levels of formal and non-formal education, and is particularly useful for ecologists, hydrologists, environmentalists, foresters, landscape architects, administrators, planners, engineers, industrialists, agriculturists, and NGO professionals. The programme attempts to interface science and social science to advance understanding of ecology and environment. With a total fee of Rs. 2,700, it is one of the most affordable environmental education programmes in India. The programme is available in both English and Hindi medium, and has one of the widest study centre networks at IGNOU, spanning colleges, ITIs, Jan Shikshan Sansthans, and Army centres across all major states.
Admissions to CES are offered in two cycles: January and July. As of March 2026, the January 2026 admission cycle is currently open, with the last date for application submission extended to 30th March 2026. The July 2026 cycle is expected to open tentatively in May 2026, with a last date around August 2026.
Distance Mode Study Centres (CES is offered in ODL mode at a very large network of study centres across India, including colleges, ITIs, Jan Shikshan Sansthans, and Army centres. A representative list by region is given below):
| Regional Centre | Representative Study Centres |
|---|
| Hyderabad | Aurora Degree College; Kavitha Memorial Degree College; Lal Bahadur College; Govt. ITIs (multiple); Jan Shikshan Sansthans (multiple) |
| Shimla | Government Degree Colleges (multiple); Govt. ITIs (30+ centres); Jan Shikshan Sansthans (multiple) |
| Bangalore | BES College; DVS College; Nrupathunga University; Jan Shikshan Sansthans; PMKK Centres |
| Bhopal | Holkar Science College; Jiwaji University; Vikram University; Govt. ITIs (50+ centres); Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Jaipur | DAV College Sriganganagar; Govt. PG Colleges; Govt. ITIs (75+ centres); Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Lucknow | Bareilly College; Lucknow Christian PG College; Govt. PG Colleges; Jan Shikshan Sansthans (multiple) |
| Noida | Hindu College; MMH College Ghaziabad; Meerut College; Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Kolkata | Banwarilal Bhalotia College; Midnapur College; Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Dehradun | DAV PG College; HNB Garhwal University; Govt. PG Colleges; Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Ranchi | Bokaro Steel City College; Marwari College; Govt. ITIs; Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Vijayawada | KBN College; TJPS College; Govt. ITIs (50+ centres); Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Patna | Gaya College; JP University; IGNOU RC Patna; Govt. ITI; Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Chandigarh | SGGS College; Govt. Model ITI; Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
| Army Centres | Western Command HRDC; HQ Northern Command; HQ 11 Corps; HQ 15 Corps; HQ 16 Corps (multiple Army centres) |
| Delhi | Kalindi College (Delhi 2, Women only); IGNOU RC Delhi 3; ITI Pusa; Jan Shikshan Sansthans |
Note: CES has one of the largest study centre networks at IGNOU, with centres in 40+ regional centres across all states and union territories, including dedicated Army study centres. Students can check the complete list on the IGNOU Admission Portal.
Key Points
- CES is offered under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) and interfaces science and social science for a holistic understanding of ecology and environment.
- The programme is available in both English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to a very wide audience.
- Eligibility is 10+2 or equivalent (or BPP from IGNOU), making it open to fresh 12th pass students as well as working professionals.
- The programme includes a Project Work component (PES-1, 4 credits) in addition to theory courses, giving students hands-on experience in environmental studies.
- CES has one of the largest study centre networks at IGNOU, including colleges, ITIs, Jan Shikshan Sansthans, PMKK centres, and Army HRDCs across India.
- The programme is useful for professionals in ecology, hydrology, forestry, landscape architecture, administration, planning, engineering, industry, agriculture, and NGOs.
- The programme can also be pursued by candidates who have passed BPP (Beginners Programme in Preparatory) from IGNOU, in lieu of 10+2.
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