Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Diploma in HIV and Family Education (DAFE) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a one-year diploma programme offered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Social Work. The programme aims to provide basic and accurate information about HIV/AIDS, sex and sexuality, family life education, alcohol and drugs, and communication and counselling. The curriculum is designed to impart an integrated understanding of the issues involved in HIV/AIDS and behaviour modification. The total programme fee is Rs. 2,000 (plus applicable registration and development fees), making it one of the most affordable health education diplomas in India. The programme carries 24 credits and is available in both English and Hindi medium. It is particularly popular among school teachers, NGO functionaries, para-medical workers, parents of adolescents, and anyone interested in acquiring knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention and family life education.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing. The last date for fresh admission has been extended to 30 March 2026. Students are advised to apply at the earliest on the official IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in). The July 2026 session is expected to open for admissions around May-June 2026, based on the previous year's schedule.

The DAFE programme is offered exclusively in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Students can access the programme through a wide network of IGNOU Regional Centres and Study Centres across India, including:

Hyderabad
Karnal
Shimla
Jammu
Bangalore
Cochin
Bhopal
Pune
Imphal
Shillong
Aizwal
Port Blair
Bhubaneshwar
Khanna
Jaipur
Gangtok
Chennai
Agartala
Lucknow
Kolkata
Itanagar
Srinagar
Dehradun
Ranchi
Raipur
Nagpur
Jorhat
Delhi 3 (Naraina)
Noida
Guwahati
Trivandrum
Jabalpur
Rajkot
Madurai
Koraput
Darbhanga
Varanasi
Mumbai
Patna
Army Centres (Chandimandir, Udhampur)
Chandigarh
Panaji
IGNOU Assam Rifles Study Centres
Bhagalpur
Vatakara
Visakhapatnam
Bijapur
Saharsa
Deoghar
Jodhpur
Ahmedabad
Angul

Key Points

The DAFE programme is offered under the School of Social Work, reflecting its focus on community health, social awareness, and behaviour change communication.
It is available in both English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to a wider range of learners across India.
The programme includes an elective structure: students choose one elective on HIV/AIDS (BFEE 101) and one on Family Education (BFEE 102), allowing some customization of learning.
The programme is particularly relevant for those working in health education, NGOs, schools, and community development.
No entrance examination is required; admission is direct based on 10+2 eligibility.
The programme is also available through IGNOU Assam Rifles Study Centres, making it accessible to defence personnel.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU Latest Updates and News

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 DAFE Fees

The DAFE programme at IGNOU is one of the most affordable health education diplomas available in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 2,000, payable at the time of admission. In addition, students are required to pay a one-time registration fee of Rs. 200 and a development fee of Rs. 200 in the first year. An examination fee is charged separately per course at the time of submitting the Term-End Examination (TEE) form.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Programme Fee (Full Programme)	2,000
Registration Fee (First Year Only)	200
Development Fee (First Year Only)	200
Examination Fee	As applicable per course per TEE
Total Fees (excluding exam fee)	2,400

The registration fee of Rs. 200 is a one-time charge applicable only in the first year.
The development fee of Rs. 200 is also applicable only in the first year.
Examination fee is charged separately at the time of filling the TEE form (approximately Rs. 200 per course).
No hostel facility is applicable as this is a distance learning programme.
There is no EMI option; the programme fee is paid in full at the time of admission.
Fee once paid is generally non-refundable as per IGNOU norms, except in cases of cancellation before enrolment confirmation.

IGNOU DAFE Admission 2026

Admissions to the DAFE programme at IGNOU are conducted twice a year -- for the January session and the July session. The January 2026 session admission is currently ongoing with the last date extended to 30 March 2026. Admission is direct with no entrance examination required. Students must apply online through the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.

Important Dates

Event	Date
January 2026 Session -- Admission Opens	January 2026
Last Date for January 2026 Fresh Admission (Extended)	30 March 2026
Re-registration Last Date (January 2026)	30 March 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission Opens	March 10, 2026
Last Date to Submit June 2026 TEE Exam Form	April 10, 2026
June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) Begins	June 1, 2026
June 2026 TEE Ends	July 15, 2026
July 2026 Session -- Admission Expected to Open	May-June 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date for July 2026 Fresh Admission	August-September 2026 (Tentative)

Note: IGNOU does not conduct any external entrance exam for the DAFE programme. No exam dates from external bodies are applicable for this course.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Senior Secondary) or equivalent from a recognized board.
There is no minimum percentage requirement for admission to the DAFE programme.
There is no upper age limit; working professionals, teachers, and NGO workers are also eligible to apply.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Register as a new user by providing your name, mobile number, and email address.
Log in and select the DAFE programme from the list of available programmes.
Fill in personal, academic, and contact details in the application form.
Upload scanned copies of required documents: 10+2 marksheet, photograph, signature, and ID proof.
Select your preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre.
Pay the programme fee (Rs. 2,000) and registration fee (Rs. 200) online via credit card, debit card, or net banking.
Submit the form and download the application summary for future reference.
After document verification, IGNOU will send an enrolment confirmation.

IGNOU DAFE Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students pursuing the DAFE programme can avail of several government scholarships available through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). These scholarships are primarily targeted at students from reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC) and minority communities. The university itself does not offer course-specific scholarships for the DAFE programme, but students are encouraged to apply through NSP after confirming their admission.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount (Approx.)	Application Portal
Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC category students	Up to Rs. 3,000 per annum	scholarships.gov.in (NSP)
Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students	ST category students	Up to Rs. 3,000 per annum	scholarships.gov.in (NSP)
Post Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC category students (income below Rs. 1 lakh)	Up to Rs. 1,500 per annum	scholarships.gov.in (NSP)
Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities	Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi students	Up to Rs. 3,000 per annum	scholarships.gov.in (NSP)
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships	Merit-based (top 20 percentile in 12th board)	Rs. 10,000 per annum (UG level)	scholarships.gov.in (NSP)

Students must confirm their IGNOU enrolment before applying for NSP scholarships.
Applications on NSP typically open between August and November each year.
Income certificates and category certificates are mandatory for reserved category scholarships.
Scholarship amounts may vary based on state and category; check the NSP portal for the latest figures.

IGNOU DAFE FAQs

Ques. Who is the DAFE programme primarily designed for?

Ans. The DAFE programme is primarily designed for school teachers, NGO functionaries, para-medical workers, parents of adolescents, and community health workers who want to enhance their knowledge and skills related to HIV/AIDS prevention, family life education, and health communication. It is also useful for anyone interested in acquiring a formal qualification in this area.

Ques. What is the elective structure in the DAFE programme?

Ans. The DAFE programme includes two elective courses: BFEE 101 (Elective on HIV/AIDS) and BFEE 102 (Elective on Family Education). Students must choose one elective from each category. The choice allows learners to focus more on either the HIV/AIDS prevention aspect or the family life education aspect, depending on their professional context.

Ques. Is the DAFE diploma recognized for employment in government health programmes?

Ans. The DAFE diploma from IGNOU is recognized by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). It is particularly relevant for those working in government health programmes, ASHA workers, ANMs, and NGO health educators. However, students should verify with their specific employer or state health department for recognition in their particular context.

Ques. Can I pursue DAFE alongside my current job?

Ans. Yes. The DAFE programme is specifically designed for working professionals. As a distance learning programme, it allows students to study at their own pace without leaving their jobs. The flexible schedule makes it ideal for teachers, health workers, and NGO staff.

Ques. Does the DAFE programme cover topics related to adolescent health and sex education?

Ans. Yes. The programme includes courses on Basics of Family Education (BFE 102) and the elective on Family Education (BFEE 102), which cover topics related to adolescent health, sex and sexuality, reproductive health, and family life education. These are delivered in a sensitive and scientifically accurate manner.

Ques. What is the difference between DAFE and CAFE (Certificate in HIV and Family Education) at IGNOU?

Ans. The CAFE is a shorter certificate-level programme (typically 6 months) with a lower fee (Rs. 1,000), covering the basics of HIV/AIDS and family education. The DAFE is a more comprehensive one-year diploma (24 credits, Rs. 2,000) that covers the same topics in greater depth and includes elective courses. The DAFE provides a more substantial qualification for those seeking professional advancement in health education.