IGNOU PG Diploma Sustainability Science: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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The Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science (PGDSS) is a one-year programme offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under its School of Inter-Disciplinary and Trans-Disciplinary Studies (SOITS). The programme focuses on the genesis and principles of sustainable development, covering its tools, implementation strategies, and assessment frameworks in a holistic manner. With growing global emphasis on climate action, environmental governance, and sustainable livelihoods, PGDSS equips learners with the knowledge and skills to work in government agencies, NGOs, international organisations, and the private sector on sustainable development projects. The total programme fee is Rs. 8,000, and the programme is open to any graduate from a recognised university, making it one of the most accessible and affordable postgraduate qualifications in the sustainability domain in India.

Admissions for the January 2026 cycle are currently ongoing. The last date for submission of the application form is 30th March 2026. Students can apply online through the IGNOU Samarth admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

Key Points

  • PGDSS is an inter-disciplinary programme that integrates ecology, economics, governance, and social systems to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability science.
  • The programme includes a mandatory Project Work component (MSDP-011/MSDP-18), which involves field-based research on a sustainability-related topic.
  • PGDSS holders are equipped to work in government agencies, NGOs, international organisations, and the private sector on sustainable development, environment, and livelihood projects.
  • The programme is offered only in English medium.
  • It is available at all IGNOU Regional Centres across India, making it one of the most widely accessible PG Diploma programmes offered by IGNOU.
  • The programme is relevant to India's commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Agreement, and National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

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 PGDSS Fees

PGDSS is among the most affordable postgraduate-level sustainability qualifications in India, with a total programme fee of Rs. 8,000. 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 charged separately when students submit their Term-End Examination forms. The programme has 7 theory courses and 1 project, with examination fees applicable for theory papers.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount (Rs.)
Programme (Tuition) Fee8,000
Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable)300
Development Fee (one-time)200
Examination Fee - Theory (7 papers x Rs. 200)1,400
Total Fees9,900
  • The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable under all circumstances.
  • If a student cancels admission after confirmation, 15% of the programme fee will be deducted, subject to a maximum deduction of Rs. 2,000.
  • No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
  • Examination fees are paid separately at the time of submitting the examination form and are not included in the programme fee.
  • Hostel facility is not applicable for this distance learning programme.
  • Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), or Net Banking through the IGNOU Samarth portal.

IGNOU PGDSS Admission 2026

Admissions to PGDSS are open twice a year in January and July cycles. The January 2026 cycle is currently active, with the last date for application extended to 30th March 2026. There is no entrance exam; admission is based on eligibility and is on a first-come, first-served basis. The June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) is scheduled from 1st June to 15th July 2026. Students must submit their exam forms between 10th March and 10th April 2026 (without late fee) or between 11th April and 24th April 2026 (with a late fee of Rs. 1,100).

IGNOU PGDSS Admission and Exam Dates

EventDate
January 2026 Admission Opens16th December 2025
Last Date for Application (January 2026 Cycle)30th March 2026
Exam Form Submission - June 2026 TEE (without late fee)10th March - 10th April 2026
Exam Form Submission - June 2026 TEE (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)11th April - 24th April 2026
June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) Begins1st June 2026
June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) Ends15th July 2026
July 2026 Admission Cycle (Tentative)July 2026

Distance Mode Study Centres

Since PGDSS is offered exclusively in ODL (Distance) mode, students attend personal contact sessions and submit assignments at designated IGNOU Study Centres. The programme is available at all IGNOU Regional Centres across India. The following is the list of Regional Centres where PGDSS is offered:

Regional Centres and Study Centre Codes

Regional CentreStudy Centre Code
Hyderabad0100
Karnal1000
Shimla1100
Jammu1200
Bangalore1300
Bhopal1500
Pune1600
Imphal1700
Shillong1800
Aizwal1900
Port Blair0200
Kohima2000
Bhubaneswar2100
Khanna2200
Jaipur2300
Gangtok2400
Chennai2500
Agartala2600
Lucknow2700
Kolkata2800
Itanagar0300
Srinagar3000
Dehradun3100
Ranchi3200
Vijayawada3300
Raipur3500
Nagpur3600
Jorhat3700
Delhi 3 (Naraina)38039
Guwahati0400
Trivandrum4000
Jabalpur4100
Rajkot4200
Koraput4400
Siliguri4500
Darbhanga4600
Aligarh4700
Varanasi4800
Mumbai4900
Patna0500
Raghunathganj5000
Chandigarh0600
Delhi 1 (South Delhi)0700
Panaji0800
Bhagalpur8200
Vatakara8300
Visakhapatnam8400
Bijapur8500
Saharsa8600
Deoghar8700
Jodhpur8800
Ahmedabad0900

Students should check the IGNOU Samarth portal for the specific study centre(s) active under each Regional Centre at the time of applying.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Any Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or Institute
  • No minimum percentage requirement
  • No age bar for admission
  • Suitable for both in-service professionals and fresh graduates

Admission Process

  • Visit the IGNOU Samarth portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and register as a new user
  • Select PGDSS from the list of available programmes and verify your eligibility
  • Fill in the online application form with personal, academic, and study centre details
  • Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, educational qualification certificates, and category certificate (if applicable)
  • Pay the programme fee, registration fee, and development fee online
  • Submit the application form and save/print the confirmation for future reference
  • Await confirmation of admission from IGNOU; study material will be dispatched to the registered address
  • Attend personal contact sessions at the allotted study centre as per the schedule announced by the Regional Centre

IGNOU PGDSS Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers fee support and scholarship opportunities to eligible students, making the PGDSS programme accessible to a wider audience. SC/ST students can avail a full programme fee waiver subject to income criteria. Students can also apply for central government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal after confirmation of admission.

Scholarship Eligibility and Benefits

Scholarship / Fee SupportEligibilityBenefit
SC/ST Fee Waiver (IGNOU)SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annumFull programme fee waiver (tuition fee exemption)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) ScholarshipsAs per individual scheme criteria (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/PwD/EWS)Varies by scheme; covers tuition fee and/or maintenance allowance
State Government ScholarshipsAs per respective state government normsVaries by state and category
  • SC/ST students must submit a valid caste certificate and income certificate at the time of admission to avail the fee waiver.
  • Students who received fee exemption at the time of fresh admission are also eligible for fee exemption at the time of re-registration.
  • Applications for NSP scholarships can be submitted at scholarships.gov.in after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
  • The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable and is not covered under the fee waiver.

IGNOU PGDSS FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between IGNOU PGDSS and PGDESD (PG Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development)?

Ans. Both programmes deal with sustainability and environment, but they differ in focus. PGDSS (Sustainability Science) is an inter-disciplinary programme under SOITS that integrates ecology, economics, governance, and social systems with a strong emphasis on sustainability science frameworks and SDGs. PGDESD (Environment and Sustainable Development) is offered under the School of Sciences and focuses more on environmental science and sustainable development from a natural science perspective. PGDSS is broader and more policy/governance oriented, while PGDESD is more science-oriented.

Ques. Is the Project Work component mandatory in PGDSS?

Ans. Yes, the Project Work (MSDP-011) is a mandatory component of the PGDSS programme. Students are required to undertake a field-based research project on a sustainability-related topic and submit a project report. The project is evaluated by the university and contributes to the final result.

Ques. Can I pursue PGDSS if my undergraduate background is not in science or environment?

Ans. Yes. PGDSS is open to any graduate from a recognised university, regardless of the discipline of their undergraduate degree. The programme is inter-disciplinary by design and welcomes students from arts, commerce, social sciences, engineering, and science backgrounds. The self-instructional study materials are designed to be accessible to learners from diverse academic backgrounds.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing PGDSS?

Ans. PGDSS graduates can pursue careers in government agencies dealing with environment and development (such as Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, state pollution control boards, urban development authorities), NGOs and civil society organisations working on sustainability and livelihoods, international organisations such as UNDP, UNEP, and World Bank, corporate sustainability and CSR departments, research institutions, and consulting firms specialising in environmental impact assessment and sustainability reporting.

Ques. Is PGDSS available in Hindi medium?

Ans. No. As per the official IGNOU Samarth portal, PGDSS is offered only in English medium. Students who prefer Hindi medium may consider other IGNOU programmes that are available in Hindi.

Ques. How is the PGDSS programme evaluated?

Ans. The programme follows IGNOU's standard evaluation system. Each theory course has two components: assignments (30% weightage) and Term-End Examination (70% weightage). Students must secure at least 40% marks in both assignments and the TEE to pass each course. The Project Work is evaluated separately by the university. The TEE is conducted twice a year in June and December.

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