Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Post Graduate Diploma in Development Communication (PGDDC) at IGNOU is a one-year postgraduate diploma programme offered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode by the School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS). The programme carries 40 credits and spans a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years. It is designed to equip learners with academic knowledge and professional skills in development communication, bridging the gap between planning agencies and communities in the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The total programme fee is Rs. 10,000, making it highly affordable. The programme is offered in English medium and is available in both ODL and Online modes. It is particularly popular among NGO professionals, government personnel, media educators, and development practitioners seeking formal qualifications in development communication.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently open (last date: 31 March 2026). The July 2026 session is expected to open tentatively in May 2026, based on the previous year's schedule. PGDDC is a relatively new programme launched by IGNOU in 2025, and admissions are conducted twice a year under the January and July sessions.

Since PGDDC is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode, it is accessible through IGNOU's vast network of Regional Centres and Study Centres across India. Key regional centres offering this programme include:

New Delhi (Headquarters)
Mumbai
Chennai
Kolkata
Hyderabad
Bengaluru
Ahmedabad
Bhopal
Patna
Lucknow
Jaipur
Chandigarh
Guwahati
Bhubaneswar
Thiruvananthapuram

And many more across all states and union territories. Students are assigned to the nearest Study Centre based on their region for counselling sessions.

Key Points

PGDDC is a newly launched programme by IGNOU's School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS), designed to address the growing demand for development communication professionals.
The programme is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and prepares students for careers in international bodies like the UN, WHO, UNICEF, and UNESCO.
It includes a practical internship or development-based research project component (MDCP-006), providing hands-on experience.
Students can choose one elective course from MDC-006 (Media and Communication Theories) or other available electives.
No entrance exam is required; admission is based on eligibility criteria only.
The programme is available in both ODL and Online modes, offering maximum flexibility.
After completing PGDDC, students can pursue the MA in Development Journalism (MADJ) at IGNOU.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU PGDDC Fees

PGDDC at IGNOU is one of the most affordable postgraduate diploma programmes in development communication in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 10,000, payable at the time of admission, along with a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300. Students opting for digital study material instead of printed material receive a 15% concession on the programme fee, bringing it down to approximately Rs. 8,500. SC/ST students may be eligible for fee exemption as per IGNOU's policy for the applicable session.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Programme Fee	10,000
Registration Fee	300
Total Fees	10,300

Registration fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable under all circumstances.
Students opting for digital/soft copy study material get a 15% discount on the programme fee (Rs. 10,000 x 85% = Rs. 8,500).
Examination fee: Rs. 200 per theory course per TEE (payable separately at the time of exam form submission).
SC/ST students may avail fee exemption on the programme fee (not on registration fee or exam fee) as per IGNOU's policy for the respective session. Employed SC/ST students or those availing other scholarships are not eligible.
Fee once paid is non-refundable except in cases of double payment, rejection of admission by the university, or withdrawal of the programme by the university.
Refund policy: Full refund (minus registration fee) if cancelled before admission confirmation; Rs. 500 deduction within 15 days of confirmation; Rs. 1,000 deduction within 16-90 days; no refund beyond 90 days.
No hostel facility is applicable as this is a distance learning programme.

IGNOU PGDDC Admission 2026

IGNOU PGDDC admissions are conducted twice a year under the January and July sessions. The admission process is entirely online through the IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in). The January 2026 session is currently open with the last date being 31 March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open tentatively in May 2026. No entrance examination is required for admission to this programme.

Important Dates

Event	Date
January 2026 Session Admission Opens	December 2025
Last Date for January 2026 Admission	31 March 2026
Assignment Submission Deadline (June TEE)	30 April 2026
Exam Form Submission (June TEE, without late fee)	By 10 April 2026
Term-End Examination (June 2026)	June 2026
July 2026 Session Admission Opens (Tentative)	May 2026
Last Date for July 2026 Admission (Tentative)	September 2026
Term-End Examination (December 2026)	December 2026

No specific entrance exam is required for PGDDC. The programme does not mandate any national-level exam for admission.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a UGC-recognised university or institution.
No age bar for admission.
Basic proficiency in English language and computer skills.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Create a DEB ID (mandatory before starting the application) on the ABC/DigiLocker portal.
Register as a new user and fill in the online application form.
Upload scanned copies of required documents: educational certificates, photograph (below 100 KB), signature (below 100 KB), identity/address proof (below 200 KB), and category certificate (if applicable).
Pay the programme fee (Rs. 10,000) and registration fee (Rs. 300) online via credit card, debit card, or net banking.
Submit the form and save the payment confirmation.
Admission confirmation is sent via SMS and email to the registered mobile number and email ID.
Students are allotted a Study Centre based on their region for counselling sessions.

IGNOU PGDDC Scholarships 2026

IGNOU PGDDC students can avail of several scholarship and fee support schemes. The university encourages students from economically weaker sections and reserved categories to apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal. SC/ST students may also benefit from IGNOU's own fee exemption scheme for eligible sessions.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / Scheme	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Central Govt.)	SC category students	Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance; apply at scholarships.gov.in
Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Central Govt.)	ST category students	Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance; apply at scholarships.gov.in
IGNOU Fee Exemption for SC/ST Students	SC/ST students (unemployed, not availing other scholarships, parental income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year)	Full programme fee exemption (Rs. 10,000)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	Various categories (OBC, Minority, EWS, Differently Abled, etc.)	Varies by scheme; apply at scholarships.gov.in
Vidya Lakshmi Portal (Education Loan)	All students	Education loan facilitation through 40+ banks

SC/ST fee exemption is available for one programme only and is reviewed each admission cycle. Employed SC/ST students or those availing other scholarships are not eligible.
Students must submit an income certificate issued by an authorised government agency at the time of admission to avail fee exemption.
Registration fee (Rs. 300), examination fee, and other charges are not covered under the fee exemption scheme.
Application deadlines for NSP scholarships are typically between October and December each year; students should check scholarships.gov.in for the latest dates.
Education loans can be explored through the Vidya Lakshmi Portal (vidyalakshmi.co.in).

IGNOU PGDDC FAQs

Ques. What is Development Communication and why should I pursue PGDDC from IGNOU?

Ans. Development Communication is the use of communication strategies and media to promote social development, public awareness, and policy implementation. PGDDC from IGNOU is ideal for those who want to work in NGOs, international development agencies, government bodies, or media organisations focused on social change. The programme is affordable (Rs. 10,000), flexible (ODL mode), and aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, making it highly relevant in today's development landscape.

Ques. Is PGDDC a new programme? When was it launched?

Ans. Yes, PGDDC is a relatively new programme launched by IGNOU in 2025. It was introduced along with the MA in Development Journalism (MADJ) to address the growing demand for trained development communication professionals. The programme was first offered for the July 2025 session.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing PGDDC?

Ans. Graduates of PGDDC can pursue careers in international bodies like the UN, WHO, UNICEF, and UNESCO; government departments and public policy think tanks; news media and community media platforms; NGOs, CSR teams, and donor-funded projects; and research and educational institutions. The programme opens doors to roles such as Development Communication Officer, Media Coordinator, NGO Programme Manager, Policy Analyst, and Community Outreach Specialist.

Ques. Can I pursue PGDDC while working full-time?

Ans. Yes, PGDDC is specifically designed for working professionals. Since it is a distance learning programme, there are no mandatory daily classes. You need to study self-learning material at your own pace, complete assignments, and appear for Term-End Examinations in June or December. The internship/project component can also be completed alongside your current job.

Ques. What is the difference between PGDDC and PGJMC at IGNOU?

Ans. PGDDC (Post Graduate Diploma in Development Communication) focuses specifically on development communication, SDGs, policy frameworks, and social change communication, targeting professionals in NGOs, government, and international agencies. PGJMC (Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication) is broader, covering journalism, reporting, editing, broadcast, and digital media, targeting aspiring journalists and media professionals. PGDDC has a fee of Rs. 10,000 while PGJMC costs Rs. 12,500.

Ques. Is there an internship component in PGDDC? How does it work?

Ans. Yes, PGDDC includes an internship or development-based research project (MDCP-006, 4 credits) as part of the programme structure. Students can complete this internship with an NGO, government body, media organisation, or development agency. The project allows students to apply their learning in a real-world development communication context. Details about the internship process and evaluation are provided in the programme guide available on IGNOU's official website.