IGNOU Certification Geriatric Care Assistance: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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IGNOU Certificate in Geriatric Health and Care (CGHC), also known as Certificate in Geriatric Care Assistance (CGCA), is a 6-month certificate programme offered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode by the School of Health Sciences. The programme is endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and is designed to train youth to provide compassionate, effective, and comprehensive health and care to older individuals in community and healthcare institutions. The total programme fee is Rs. 6,500 (plus applicable registration and development fees). Eligibility is 10+2 pass, or 10th/11th pass with relevant healthcare experience. The programme includes 8 days of hands-on training at a notified study centre and 2 months of practical training at a district-level hospital. It is popular among those seeking employment as geriatric care workers, home health aides, and care providers in hospitals and elderly care institutions.

Admissions for the July 2026 session are expected to open in May 2026, with the last date to apply tentatively in July 2026 (based on the previous year's pattern). For the January 2026 session, the last date for fresh registration was extended to 30th March 2026 (with a special deadline of 15th February 2026 noted for this programme). As of the current date (March 2026), the January 2026 session admission is in its final stage. Students who missed the January 2026 session should plan for the July 2026 session.

Since CGHC is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode with mandatory practical training, the programme is delivered through select study centres (primarily hospitals and medical colleges) across India. Current study centres include:

  • Hyderabad: Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences
  • Bhopal: AIIMS Bhopal; IGNOU Regional Centre Bhopal
  • Imphal: District Hospital
  • Bhubaneshwar: College of Nursing, MKCG Medical; SCB Medical College Cuttack
  • Jaipur: Government College of Nursing, Jaipur
  • Delhi: Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
  • Dehradun: AIIMS Rishikesh
  • Ranchi: IGNOU Regional Centre Ranchi; Institute of Public Health, Govt. Vaccine Institute
  • Nagpur: IGNOU Regional Centre Nagpur
  • Noida: IGNOU Regional Centre Noida
  • Varanasi: Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU Varanasi
  • Chandigarh: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali
  • Delhi (Mohan Estate): ESIC Medical College and Hospital
  • Bijapur: B.V.V.S Sajjalashree Institute; IGNOU Regional Centre Bijapur
  • Jodhpur: Dr. Sampurnanand Medical College

Key Points

  • The programme is endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, giving it strong official recognition
  • Includes 8 days of hands-on training at a notified study centre (hospital) plus 2 months of practical training at a district-level hospital
  • Seat intake is limited (20-30 seats per study centre), so early application is recommended
  • Graduates can work as professional health and care providers in homes, specialized elderly care institutions, and hospitals
  • Available only in English medium
  • Practical training is conducted at hospitals and medical colleges, providing real-world clinical exposure
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IGNOU Latest Updates and News

26 May, 2026 IGNOU Admission 2026 (Jul Session) is open for all ODL programs. Apply by Jul 15, 2026.

06 May, 2026 IGNOU has opened re-registration for the Jul 2026 session for all ODL and Online programs. Register now! The last date to apply @ignou.ac.in is Jun 30, 2026.

IGNOU CGHC Fees

The CGHC/CGCA programme at IGNOU is an affordable certificate course for aspiring geriatric care professionals. The total programme fee is Rs. 6,500, which covers the full 6-month course. In addition, a one-time Registration Fee of Rs. 300 and a Development Fee of Rs. 200 are charged at the time of admission. Examination fees are applicable separately at the time of TEE form submission.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount (Rs.)
Programme/Tuition Fee6,500
Registration Fee (one-time)300
Development Fee (one-time)200
Examination Fee (per course, at TEE form submission)200 per theory course; 300 per practical course
Total Fees (excluding exam fee)7,000
  • The programme fee of Rs. 6,500 is for the full programme (not per semester/year).
  • Examination fee is paid separately at the time of submitting the TEE form.
  • No hostel facility is applicable as this is a distance learning programme; however, students must arrange accommodation near the hospital for the 2-month practical training period.
  • Fee is to be paid online through the IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).
  • SC/ST students with family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum may be eligible for a 50% fee concession on the programme fee.
  • No EMI option is officially available; the fee is paid as a lump sum at the time of admission.

IGNOU CGHC Admission 2026

IGNOU CGHC admissions are conducted twice a year - in January and July sessions. The admission process is entirely online through the IGNOU admission portal. There is no entrance exam; eligibility is based on academic qualification. For the January 2026 session, the last date was noted as 15th February 2026 (programme-specific deadline). The July 2026 session is expected to open in May 2026. Seats are limited (20-30 per study centre), so early application is strongly recommended.

IGNOU CGHC Admission Dates

EventJanuary 2026 SessionJuly 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission OpensDecember 2025May 2026
Last Date for Fresh Registration15th February 2026 (programme-specific)July 2026
Distribution of Study MaterialJanuary - March 2026July - September 2026
8-Day Hands-on Training (at notified LSC)February - May 2026August - November 2026
2-Month Hospital Practical TrainingMarch - May 2026September - November 2026
Assignment Submission Last Date30th April 202631st October 2026
Term-End Examination (TEE)June 2026 (tentative: 1 June - 15 July 2026)December 2026
Result DeclarationAugust 2026February 2027

Term-End Examination (TEE) Dates

EventDate
TEE Exam Form Submission (without late fee)By early April 2026
TEE Exam Form Submission (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)11th April - 24th April 2026
June 2026 TEE Commencement1st June 2026
June 2026 TEE Last Date15th July 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 10+2 pass (any stream); OR
  • 11th pass with 1 year of relevant experience in a healthcare sector; OR
  • 10th pass with 2 years of relevant experience in a healthcare sector
  • No upper age limit; no minimum age bar

Admission Process

  • Visit the IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
  • Register and fill in the online application form for CGHC
  • Upload required documents (photo, signature, educational certificates, experience certificate if applicable, category certificate if applicable)
  • Pay the programme fee online (Rs. 6,500 + Registration Fee + Development Fee)
  • Select preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre (only select hospital-based centres offer CGHC)
  • Submit the application and note the Enrolment Number for future reference
  • Attend the mandatory 8-day hands-on training at the notified study centre
  • Complete the mandatory 2-month practical training at a district-level hospital approved by the LSC coordinator

IGNOU CGHC Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers several scholarship and fee concession options for CGHC students, particularly for students from economically weaker sections and reserved categories. The most significant is the 50% fee concession for SC/ST students. Additionally, students can apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Given the healthcare focus of this programme, students may also explore scholarships from health sector bodies.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship/ConcessionEligibilityAmount/BenefitHow to Apply
SC/ST Fee Concession (IGNOU)SC/ST students with family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh/year50% concession on programme fee (Rs. 3,250 off)Apply at the time of admission through IGNOU portal; submit caste and income certificate
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post Matric ScholarshipSC/ST/OBC studentsCovers tuition fee and maintenance allowance (as per government norms)Apply at scholarships.gov.in after admission confirmation
IGNOU OBC ScholarshipOBC students pursuing certificate programmesPartial fee reimbursement (as per government norms)Apply through NSP or IGNOU Regional Centre
Persons with Disability (PwD) ConcessionStudents with disability certificateFee concession as per IGNOU normsSubmit disability certificate at the time of admission
  • Scholarship applications must be submitted within the stipulated deadline after admission confirmation.
  • Students must not be availing any other scholarship simultaneously.
  • Income and caste certificates must be from a competent authority.

IGNOU CGHC Placement 2026

IGNOU does not conduct formal campus placements for the CGHC certificate programme, as it is a short-term distance learning certificate. However, the programme is specifically designed for employment in the rapidly growing geriatric care sector. With India's elderly population projected to reach 300 million by 2050, the demand for trained geriatric care workers is growing significantly. Graduates can find employment in homes as professional health and care providers, in specialized elderly care institutions, and in hospitals as formal care providers.

Placement Details

Placement ParameterDetails
Average Starting SalaryRs. 1.5 LPA - Rs. 3 LPA
Top Job RolesGeriatric Care Worker, Home Health Aide, Care Provider (Elderly), Hospital Care Assistant
Top Hiring SectorsElderly Care Homes, Hospitals, Home Healthcare Agencies, NGOs, Government Health Programmes
  • Placement data is indicative of industry trends for geriatric care professionals in India and not specific to IGNOU CGHC graduates.

IGNOU CGHC FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between CGCA and CGHC at IGNOU?

Ans. IGNOU originally offered the Certificate in Geriatric Care Assistance (CGCA). This programme has been updated and is now offered as the Certificate in Geriatric Health and Care (CGHC) with an enhanced curriculum endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The CGHC is the current active programme with a more comprehensive structure including hospital-based practical training.

Ques. Is the 2-month hospital practical training mandatory for CGHC?

Ans. Yes. The 2-month practical training at a district-level hospital is a mandatory component of the CGHC programme. Students must complete this training under the supervision of trainers at a hospital approved by the LSC coordinator and Regional Director. Without completing this practical training, students cannot appear for the Term-End Examination.

Ques. Can I choose any hospital for the 2-month practical training?

Ans. No. The hospital must be approved by the LSC coordinator and Regional Director of your IGNOU Regional Centre. Students are advised to contact their Regional Centre after enrolment to get the list of approved hospitals in their area.

Ques. Is CGHC recognised for government healthcare jobs?

Ans. CGHC is a certificate from IGNOU, a Central University. While it may not directly qualify you for all government healthcare posts, it is a recognised qualification that enhances your employability in the growing geriatric care sector. For specific government jobs, check the eligibility criteria of the recruiting body.

Ques. How many seats are available per study centre for CGHC?

Ans. Seat intake is limited to approximately 20-30 students per study centre. Given the limited seats and the growing popularity of the programme, early application is strongly recommended to secure admission at your preferred study centre.

Ques. What kind of work will I be doing after completing CGHC?

Ans. After completing CGHC, you will be trained to assess and address the physical, emotional, and social needs of older adults. You can work as a geriatric care worker in homes, elderly care institutions, or hospitals. The programme also develops entrepreneurial skills, enabling graduates to start their own home healthcare services for the elderly.

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