IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science official syllabus guide
IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science syllabus 0
The July 2020 brochure sets a 100-question multiple-choice entrance test, half on research methodology and half on the specialisation, with no negative marking. The Oct 2020 NTA paper on this site has 99 questions (50 research methodology, 49 Food and Nutritional Science) at +1 each in 150 minutes. The official PHDFN syllabus lists five subject blocks, summarised below.
Exam pattern and marking
- 100 multiple-choice questions: 50% research methodology, 50% specific subject; one correct answer; no negative marking (July 2020 brochure).
- The 2021 NTA brochure describes a computer-based test of 3 hours with 4 marks per question (400 marks) in Hindi/English; the 2020 brochure does not state marks or duration, and the paper on this site shows 99 marks in 150 minutes.
- Candidates scoring at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/differently-abled) were shortlisted for interview, up to five times the seats; the test carried 70% and the interview 30% weight (July 2020 brochure).
- The July 2025 brochure has no entrance test: UGC-NET with JRF candidates are judged on interview alone, other NET-qualified candidates on 70% NET score and 30% interview; the interview has research methodology 40%, subject 40%, communication 20%.
50 research methodology + 50 Food & Nutritional Science questions syllabus
Research Methods and Biostatistics
4 topics- Formulating a research problem; descriptive, analytic and experimental designs, intervention trials
- Sampling methods, data collection tools, presenting and summarising data
- Measures of disease frequency and association, health indicators, validity of diagnostic tests
- Central tendency, variability, correlation, parametric and non-parametric tests, relative risk, odds ratio
Advanced Nutrition
3 topics- Physiological requirements, dietary reference intakes, energy, protein, fat and fatty acid needs
- Fat- and water-soluble vitamins and minerals
- Nutrition through the life cycle, sports nutrition, nutrition in emergencies, high altitude and space missions
Clinical and Therapeutic Nutrition
4 topics- Diet therapy principles and adaptation of therapeutic diets
- Nutrition in fevers, infections, critical care, burns, trauma, sepsis and surgery
- Food allergy and intolerance, cancer, weight management
- Cardiovascular, metabolic, gastrointestinal, liver, pancreatic, renal and neurological disorders; paediatric and geriatric nutrition
Public Nutrition
4 topics- Public health nutrition concepts; VAD, PEM, anaemia, zinc and vitamin D deficiency
- Economics of malnutrition, food and nutrition security, population dynamics
- Community nutritional assessment, monitoring and surveillance
- National nutrition policy and programmes, programme management, nutrition education and behaviour change communication
Entrepreneurship and Food Service Management
3 topics- Planning and setting up a food service unit, menu planning, purchasing and storage, quantity food production
- Records and controls, service systems, staff planning and personnel management
- Sanitation, safety, HACCP and risk analysis; food adulteration, additives, contaminants, standards and quality control
Source: IGNOU Ph.D. Information Brochure, July 2020 (PHDFN syllabus) ↗. Checked 2026-10-02.
Section weight by year
| Paper | Section A — Research Methodology | Section B — Food & Nutritional Science | Total | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGNOU PhD Entrance 2020 — Food & Nutritional Science | 50 | 49 | 99 | 150 |
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