Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Diploma in Horticulture (DHORT) is a one-year diploma programme offered by IGNOU's School of Agriculture (SOA) in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The programme is designed for 10+2 pass learners who wish to build a career in horticulture, covering fruit production, vegetable production, flower production, nursery management, plant propagation, and landscaping. It consists of 5 compulsory courses totalling 32 credits and is offered in English medium. The total programme fee is Rs. 4,000. The programme can be completed in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years. A unique feature of this programme is that the practical exercises can be performed at the learner's own location or in nearby nurseries, making it highly flexible. The DHORT is popular among aspiring horticulturists, farmers, gardeners, nursery entrepreneurs, and those seeking employment in the agriculture and landscaping sector.

Admission Status: The January 2026 session admission for IGNOU diploma programmes closed on 31 March 2026 (for non-certificate programmes). The next admission window is the July 2026 session, expected to open in June 2026 with a tentative last date around September/October 2026. Students are advised to monitor the official IGNOU admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in for exact dates. Currently, enrolled students can submit their June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) forms from 10 March 2026 to 10 April 2026 (without late fee) and 11 April to 24 April 2026 (with late fee of Rs. 1,100).

Distance Mode Centres:

The DHORT programme is offered in ODL mode and is available at select IGNOU Study Centres across India. The following study centres currently offer this programme:

Bangalore: University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
Bhopal: IGNOU Regional Centre Bhopal
Bhubaneswar: IGNOU Regional Centre Bhubaneswar; Institute of Agricultural Sciences Campus, Bhubaneswar
Khanna: Nirman Campus of Education Research and Training, Sunam
Dehradun: Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun
Nagpur: IGNOU Regional Centre Nagpur
Noida: IGNOU Regional Centre Noida
Varanasi: KNIPSS Sultanpur; Udai Pratap Autonomous College, Varanasi
Army Study Centres (Lucknow): Army Study Centres 5301, 5302, 5305
Delhi (South): School of Agriculture, IGNOU HQ (Study Centre 7129)

Students should contact their nearest IGNOU Regional Centre or visit the official admission portal to confirm availability and enroll.

Key Points

Practical exercises can be performed at the learner's own location or nearby nurseries, making this one of the most flexible agriculture diploma programmes.
Covers the full horticulture value chain: fruit crops, vegetable crops, floriculture, landscaping, nursery management, and plant propagation.
Offered by IGNOU's School of Agriculture, which has decades of experience in agricultural distance education.
Available at agricultural universities and institutions, ensuring a relevant learning environment.
Builds skills for multiple career paths: supervisor, gardener, entrepreneur, and middle-level technician in horticulture.
Maximum duration of 3 years provides ample flexibility for working professionals and farmers.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU Latest Updates and News

02 Apr, 2026 IGNOU Registration (Jan 2026 Session) closed on Mar 30, 2026. The next admission cycle is expected to begin around May-Jun 2026 for the July session.

IGNOU DHORT Fees

The DHORT programme has a total programme fee of Rs. 4,000 for the full one-year programme. In addition, students pay a one-time registration fee of Rs. 300 and a university development fee of Rs. 200 at the time of admission, bringing the total admission cost to Rs. 4,500. Examination fees are charged separately at the time of TEE form submission. There are no hostel facilities as this is a distance learning programme.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Programme Fee (Tuition)	4,000
Registration Fee	300
University Development Fee	200
Examination Fee (per course, per TEE)	200
Total Fees (excluding exam fee)	4,500

The programme fee of Rs. 4,000 covers the entire one-year programme.
Examination fee of Rs. 200 per course is payable separately at the time of filling the TEE form. For 5 courses, total exam fee would be Rs. 1,000.
No hostel facility is available as this is a distance learning programme.
SC/ST students may be eligible for fee reimbursement through state government scholarship schemes and the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Fees once paid are non-refundable.
Payment is made online via credit card, debit card, UPI, or net banking.

IGNOU DHORT Admission 2026

Admission to the DHORT programme is open twice a year in the January and July sessions. No entrance examination is required; admission is based on fulfillment of eligibility criteria. The January 2026 session admission closed on 31 March 2026. Prospective students should target the upcoming July 2026 session. Given the limited number of study centres, students are advised to check availability at their preferred centre before applying.

IGNOU DHORT Admission and Examination Dates

Event	Date
January 2026 Session Admission Start	17 December 2025
January 2026 Session Last Date	31 March 2026
Assignment Submission Last Date (June 2026 TEE)	31 March 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission (without late fee)	10 March 2026 - 10 April 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)	11 April 2026 - 24 April 2026
June 2026 Term-End Examination Commencement	1 June 2026
June 2026 TEE Last Date	15 July 2026
July 2026 Session Admission (Tentative Start)	June 2026
July 2026 Session Last Date (Tentative)	September/October 2026

Relevant Exam Dates

No national-level entrance exam is required for DHORT admission. The only examinations are IGNOU's own Term-End Examinations (TEE) conducted twice a year (June and December). These are internal university examinations.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Senior Secondary) or its equivalent from a recognized board.
There is no upper or lower age limit for enrollment.
No prior work experience is required.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Click on New Registration and create an account with your name, email, and mobile number.
Log in and select Diploma in Horticulture (DHORT) from the programme list.
Fill in personal and academic details, and select your preferred study centre.
Upload required documents: 10+2 marksheet, passport-size photograph, signature, and identity proof (Aadhaar card).
Pay the programme fee (Rs. 4,000) + registration fee (Rs. 300) + development fee (Rs. 200) online.
Submit the form and download the confirmation slip.
Study material will be dispatched to your registered address after admission confirmation.

IGNOU DHORT Scholarships 2026

IGNOU does not offer a dedicated scholarship for the DHORT programme, but students can avail of various government-sponsored scholarship schemes. SC/ST, OBC, minority community students, and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) are eligible for fee reimbursement or scholarship support through central and state government schemes. The programme fee of Rs. 4,000 is affordable, and eligible students can potentially get full or partial reimbursement through the National Scholarship Portal.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount/Benefit	How to Apply
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC category students	Full/partial fee reimbursement	scholarships.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students	ST category students	Full/partial fee reimbursement	scholarships.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) students	Partial fee reimbursement	scholarships.gov.in
Central Sector Scholarship for Minorities	Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi students	Up to Rs. 10,000 per year	scholarships.gov.in
PwD Scholarship	Persons with Disabilities	Fee concession/reimbursement	scholarships.gov.in
PM-KISAN Beneficiary Scholarship	Farmer families registered under PM-KISAN	State-specific benefits	State Agriculture Department

Students must apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) within the stipulated deadlines, usually between July and October each year.
Scholarship benefits are subject to state government policies and availability of funds.
Students are advised to contact their nearest IGNOU Regional Centre for guidance on scholarship applications.

IGNOU DHORT FAQs

Ques. I am a farmer with a small nursery. Will the DHORT diploma help me improve my business?

Ans. Yes. The DHORT programme specifically covers nursery management and plant propagation (BAPI-007), which is directly applicable to running a nursery business. It also covers production technology for fruit and vegetable crops, which can help you diversify your nursery offerings and improve productivity.

Ques. Do I need to visit a study centre for practicals in the DHORT programme?

Ans. No. A unique feature of the DHORT programme is that practical exercises can be performed at your own location or in nearby nurseries. You do not need to travel to a study centre specifically for practicals, making it highly convenient for farmers and rural learners.

Ques. What are the 5 courses in the DHORT programme?

Ans. The programme consists of: (1) BAP-002: Basic Horticulture (2 credits), (2) BAPI-004: Production Technology of Fruit Crops (8 credits), (3) BAPI-005: Production Technology of Vegetable Crops (8 credits), (4) BAPI-006: Floriculture and Landscaping (8 credits), and (5) BAPI-007: Plant Propagation and Nursery Management (6 credits). Total: 32 credits.

Ques. Can I get a government job after completing the DHORT diploma?

Ans. The DHORT diploma from IGNOU is a UGC-recognized qualification. It can make you eligible for entry-level positions in state horticulture departments, agricultural extension services, and government nurseries where a diploma in horticulture is specified as a qualification. However, specific job eligibility depends on the recruitment notification requirements.

Ques. Is the DHORT programme available in Hindi medium?

Ans. No, the DHORT programme is currently offered only in English medium. Students who are not comfortable with English should consider this before enrolling.

Ques. I completed the DHORT diploma. Can I pursue a degree in agriculture or horticulture next?

Ans. The DHORT diploma does not directly qualify you for admission to a B.Sc. Agriculture or B.Sc. Horticulture degree programme, as those typically require 10+2 with science subjects. However, IGNOU offers a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc. Ag.) programme for which you can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The DHORT diploma demonstrates your commitment to the field and provides a strong practical foundation.