The Research Unit of IGNOU, established in 2008, is the nodal unit of IGNOU for the conduct of research programmes of the University. It operates under the overall guidance of the Research Council. The Research Degree Programmes today have an enrolment figure of 844 scholars registered in forty four Disciplines under various Schools of Studies. IGNOU has awarded Ph.Ds to seven hundred ninety four (794) scholars and M.Phil to one hundred twenty three (123) scholars.

With initial focus on Distance Education and related areas, the ambit of research work in the University has been expanded to include both theoretical and empirical research in various academic disciplines and interdisciplinary areas. IGNOU conducts MPhil and PhD programme in regular mode in compliance of UGC Regulations as amended from time to time. IGNOU’s Research Ordinance and Regulations are approved by the President of India in his capacity as the visitor of the University. A principal objective of IGNOU’s Research Programme has been to maintain a strong focus on the flow of theoretical ideas and to connect it with the empirical works of subject oriented researches in Sciences, Social sciences, Humanities, Management, Agiriculture and other disciplines offered by the University as areas of probe and investigation from time to time.

The Research Unit has formulated comprehensive Guidelines for M.Phil and Ph.D. programmes covering different aspects pertaining to Admission, Course work, Research supervision and Evaluation, Anti Plagiarism measures, Award of Degree, Uploading of thesis in INFLIBNET and Fellowships/ scholarships. The Research students are governed by IGNOU Research Ordinance/Regulations/Guidelines of the University. In order to acclimatize and orient the students with the Research Regulations/ Guidelines the Research Unit conducts Induction Programme for newly admitted Research students every year. IGNOU has currently more than two hundred (200) students registered in M Phil/ Ph D Programmes of the university who are receiving Fellowships from different funding agencies like UGC, ICSSR( Doctoral and Post Doctoral) and ICHR.

IGNOU has its own Research Fellowship scheme under which financial assistance is provided to researchers working on fulltime basis at IGNOU. The Fellowships are named as under:

1. Dr B R Ambedkar Fellowship Scheme for male scholars
2. Savitri Bai Phule Fellowship Scheme for Female scholars

A selected Ph D scholar is awarded fellowship @8000/- per month along with a contingency grant of Rs.8000/- per annum and a selected M Phil scholar is awarded@ 5000/- pm with a contingency of Rs 8000/- per annum. The research Students are selected by a selection Committee, duly constituted by the competent authority for the award of IGNOU-Fellowship through criteria prescribed by the university from time to time.

It is envisaged that the Research Programs of the University go beyond the award of research degrees to lend support to research on issues of importance to society. This could take the form of encouraging research through arranging financial support to fund major / minor projects to be undertaken by the faculty.