IGNOU opens registration for PGDRPC entrance test 2026; eligibility, exam pattern

IGNOU PGDRPC entrance test 2026: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has announced the online registrations for the entrance test for admission to its postgraduate diploma in rehabilitation psychology (PGDRPC) for the July 2026 session. Interested candidates can apply through the samarth higher education admission portal at ignoupgdrpc.samarth.edu.in. The last date of online registration is March 5, 2026.

The entrance test fee is ₹1,000, and the total programme fee is ₹22,000. IGNOU has announced a total intake of 200 seats for the July 2026 cycle, with up to 25 seats available at each regional or work centre. Reservations will be provided as per Government of India norms.

The PGDRPC is offered by the discipline of psychology under IGNOU’s school of social sciences and follows the guidelines laid down by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). The programme is aimed at preparing trained professionals who can work in the field of rehabilitation psychology and support persons with disabilities across different stages of life.

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IGNOU entrance test pattern, final merit list

Admission will be granted on the basis of the entrance test score. The test will include 50 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 200 marks. Each correct answer will fetch four marks, while one mark will be deducted for every wrong response. The exam will be conducted in offline mode and will have a duration of 90 minutes.

The final region-wise merit list will be prepared after verifying; minimum eligibility criteria, entrance test scores, category: unreserved category; scheduled castes; scheduled tribes; other backward classes-non-creamy layer; persons with disabilities; economically weaker sections, and other categories (as applicable), and choice of regional centre opted by the applicants.

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Eligibility and application process

As per RCI regulations, candidates must have either a bachelor’s degree with general psychology as a subject in all three years or a master’s degree in Psychology or counselling psychology from a UGC-recognised university. General-category candidates must have secured at least 55% aggregate marks, while scheduled castes; scheduled tribes; other backward classes-non-creamy layer candidates require a minimum of 50%.

Applicants can complete the registration process online by creating a profile on the portal, filling in the required details, uploading relevant documents, and selecting up to three preferred regional centres. Candidates are advised to regularly visit IGNOU’s official website for updates related to the entrance examination and merit list. No hard copies will be accepted.