Established in January 2005, the IGNOU School of Agriculture (SOA) at the Indira Gandhi National Open University and the (SOA) is verified by the prestigious Indian Council for Agriculture Research and affiliated along with the IGNOU university. When this university started the main objective was to give good education to the jobless youth of the rural area in no other but the field of agriculture.
The SOA is located in Maidan Ghari, New Delhi. The university offers various courses but all in the field of agriculture specifically. The mode of education here is obviously the same distance mode. The SOA aims at soon improving and making the expansion of new ways of higher wages, improved work environment, industrialists and better employment chances. The SOA has put its best effort into bringing quality education in the field of agriculture both on an international and domestic level.
The students choose an agricultural course that has an interest in agriculture. An agricultural course’s main goal is to teach students how to efficiently and sustainably produce food. They equip the students for successful jobs in agriculture in this course. Students are given the appropriate training by the university. Certificate in Sericulture (CIS), Certificate in Water Harvesting and Management (CWHM), Certificate in Poultry Farming (CPF), and Certificate in Bee Keeping are a few of the certificate programmes offered by IGNOU School of Agriculture (SOA) (CIB). For the July session, the application deadline is October 2024. Applying is possible for students via the official website.
APPLICATION DETAILS-
The students first, have to log in to the official website of IGNOU SOA and then after registration, fill out the application forms by providing the asked details along with the required documents. There is online payment of fees.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Scanned passport-size photographs
- Age proof
- Educational qualification proof
- Category certificate
- Experience certificate
- Migration certificate
- Transfer certificate.
All the documents provided by the students must be completely authentic with all the details cross-checked by them so as to avoid any kind of rejection from the authorities on the grounds of discrepancy if found. The documents submitted must be the scanned copies which must be self attested by the student.
Salient features of IGNOU School of Agriculture (SOA)
Programme offered
PG and Advanced Diploma
- Post-Graduate Diploma In Plantation Management (PGDPM)
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management (PGDFSQM)
PG and Advance Certificate
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy (PGCAP)
Doctoral Degree (PhD)
- PhD in Dairy Science and Technology (PhDDR)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture Extension (PHDAGE)
Certificate
Certificate in Organic Farming (COF)
- Certificate in Sericulture (CIS)
- Certificate in Water Harvesting and Management (CWHM)
- Certificate in Bee Keeping (CIB)
- Certificate in Poultry Farming (CPF)
Diploma level courses
- Diploma in Meat Technology (DMT)
- Diploma in Dairy Technology (DDT)
- Diploma in Fish Products Technology (DFPT)
- Diploma in Watershed Management (DWM)
- Diploma in Value-added Products from Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds (DPVCPO)
- Diploma in Value-Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables (DVAPFV)
Non-Credit courses
- Awareness Programme on Dairy Farming (APDF)
- Training Programme on Betel Vine for farmers (Two Weeks) (TPBV)
- Certificate in Integrated Pest Management Technology in Potato Cultivation (CIPMT)
- Awareness Programme on Value-Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables (APVPFV)
COURSES PROVIDED
There are two academic levels—UG and PG—of courses offered by the School of Agriculture (IGNOU). Courses at the IGNOU School of Agriculture are available online and via distant learning. Certificate in Sericulture (CIS), Certificate in Water Harvesting and Management (CWHM), Certificate in Poultry Farming (CPF), Post-Graduate Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management (PGDFSQM), Diploma in Meat Technology (DMT), and others are among the courses offered by IGNOU SOA.
IGNOU School of Agriculture (SOA) – Fee structure
SOA has two fee structures one for domestic and one for international let’s have a brief look at both of them one by one alongside the courses as well. Since the fees vary from course to course.
The application forms are made available online on the official website, where the students must carefully and authentically fill them out. For students who are unable to enrol in full-time courses, the institution offers distance learning in addition to full-time courses. Admission to the university is granted based on merit. The pupils must affix any pertinent documents that the university needs for admission. The official website, which is freely accessible online, lists the additional information that is needed.
SOA International fee structure
| Courses | Payable amount in US$ (for Non-SAARC) | Payable amount in Rs (for SAARC) |
| Certificate in Sericulture (CIS) | 700 | 9000 |
| Post-Graduate Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management (PGDFSQM) | 2550 | 33000 |
| Diploma in Fish Products Technology (DFPT) | 1870 | 24000 |
| Diploma in Watershed Management (DWM) | 2110 | 27000 |
| Certificate in Organic Farming (COF) | 850 | 11000 |
| Post-Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy (PGCAP) | 570 | 8000 |
| Diploma in Dairy Technology (DDT) | 2550 | 32000 |
| Diploma in Value-added Products from Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds (DPVCPO) | 2340 | 30000 |
| Post-Graduate Diploma In Plantation Management (PGDPM) | 1130 | 15000 |
| Diploma in Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables (DVAPFV) | 2550 | 32000 |
SOA Normal Fee Structure
| Courses | Fee Details |
| Awareness Programme on Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables (APVPFV) | ₹1000/- |
| Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension (PHDAGE) | ₹7,000/- per year extra ₹7,000 for Course work |
| Awareness Programme on Dairy Farming (APDF) | ₹1,100/- |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management (PGDFSQM) | ₹12,000/- |
| Certificate in Beekeeping (CIB) | ₹1,100/- |
| Diploma in Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables (DVAPFV) | ₹12,000/- |
| Certificate in Water Harvesting and Management (CWHM) | ₹2000/- |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Plantation Management (PGDPM) | ₹5,500/- |
| Certificate in Poultry Farming (CPF) | ₹3,000/- |
| Ph.D. in Dairy Science and Technology (PHDDR) | ₹7,000/- per annum extra ₹7,000 for course work and plus ₹15,000/- per annum for 3 years as laboratory fee |
| Certificate in Sericulture (CIS) | ₹3,500/- |
| Post Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy (PGCAP) | ₹3,000/- |
| Diploma in Fish Products Technology (DFPT) | ₹9,000/- |
| Diploma in Dairy Technology (DDT) | ₹12,000/- |
| Diploma in Meat Technology (DMT) | ₹12,000/- |
| Certificate in Organic Farming (COF) | ₹4,000/- |
| Diploma in Watershed Management (DWM) | ₹10,000/- |
| Diploma in Production of Value Added Products from Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds (DPVCPO) | ₹11,000/- |
FAQs
- Where are Term End Examinations (TEEs) held?
The IGNOU-notified exam centre situated throughout the country always organises the Term End Examinations.
- What is the duration of the courses offered at IGNOU SOA?
Of the two types of programs at SOA, the first one is All Certificates and PG Certificates with a minimum duration of 6 months and the maximum duration of 2 years. The second one is All Diplomas and PG Diplomas with a minimum duration of 1 year and a maximum of 4 years.
- When are the Term End Examinations (TEE) conducted?
The TEE exams are conducted twice every year that is one in the month of June and the other in the month of December.
- When are the SOA academic courses being provided?
Twice a year one is their January session and the other July session they provide all certificate and PG Certificate courses of SOA. Also once every year that is during their July session only they provide all diploma and PG diploma courses of the School of Agriculture (SOA).
- Where I should submit my assignments?
At the Programme Study Centre provided to you, your assignments can be submitted there.
- Do the admissions are open throughout the year?
Yes the admission in the university is open throughout the year although according to the time of your admission only you will be given the respective value. Also to keep one thing in mind that you can visit the university only during office hours.
- Is it must to be present at the counselling sessions?
Yes it is compulsory for all the students to have to be present during the PSCs for all School of Agriculture courses with practical component. Also it is important for students to have at least 75% attendance else they won’t be allowed to sit for examination.
- How to get admission for IGNOU School of Agriculture Programme?
One can get admission in this through the application form or using the brochure for all the courses which are provided by the School of Agriculture, Ph.D. admission is an exception.
- Where counselling process is conducted?
All the counselling sessions be it theoretical or practical are done at the Study Centre/Programme Study Centre (PSCs) provided throughout the entire country. One more thing to keep in mind is that the study centre differs from courses to courses.
- How can I get the School of Agriculture application Forms?
You can get your hands on the information booklet along with application form the IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi -110068”. Apart from this you can also get them from all the Regional Centres and Study Centres.
- If I have not done the programme in prescribed maximum duration, what should I do?
It happens a lot of times that students fails to complete their study programme during the given maximum period of time, in these cases students are allowed to take readmission for extra time. The fees for such students will be made on pro-rata basis. The detailed information about the fee structure of this will be provided at the Regional Centres for all the programmes along with the readmission form.
- What is the last admission date for SOA courses?
| Session | With late fee of ₹300/- | Without late fee |
| July session | 15th June | 31st May |
| January session | 15th December | 30th November |
- Whether I can get simultaneous admission in two study courses of IGNOU?
Yes students can do that if they have registered for any one year courses side by side they can also enrol for the 6 months certificate course. The most important thing to keep in mind while doing this is that however if the dates of examination and counselling dates happen to be the same rather if they collapse the university will not have to do anything to that and won’t stand responsible for that too.
- Where should I need to submit the filled application form along with the prescribed fee?
The filled up application form along with the needed amount of fee is to be submitted to the concerned Regional Centre.
- Can I apply through online mode?
A big yes to this question. Of course you can apply through online mode. To do that below we’ve provided the link through which you can apply:
- What is the procedure to submit the SOA programme fee?
There are mainly three ways through which they can pay the fees for SOA. They can pay it by credit card or Demand Draft or Cash challan. If you’re making the payment through Demand Draft, the DD which is Demand Draft should be drawn in favour of IGNOU payable at again the city of its Regional Centre. And if You happen to pay through Cash Challan/ Bank Draft, then make sure that at the back of DD/Challan Copy you have to provide some information like name, Auto generated Control Number issued by IGNOU and course applied. That is all you have to do to make the fees payment.
I hope this helped you getting a detailed idea and information’s about the SOA.