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IGNOU Ph.D. entrance — Food and Nutritional Science

The Indira Gandhi National Open University admits Ph.D. scholars in Food and Nutritional Science through an entrance test with a Research Methodology section and a subject section, conducted by the National Testing Agency.

Previous paper
1
Full mocks
6
Sectionals
12

IGNOU admits candidates to its Ph.D. in Food and Nutritional Science (programme code PHDFN, School of Continuing Education) for a very small number of seats each session. In the 2020 cycle admission was an NTA-conducted objective entrance test (half research methodology, half subject) followed by an interview or synopsis presentation; the July 2025 brochure drops the separate entrance test and admits through UGC-NET performance plus an interview.

Conducted by
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Research Unit; the entrance test was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the 2020 cycle
IGNOU Ph.D. Food and Nutrition (PHDFN) programme page (opens on the official site) IGNOU Ph.D. Information Brochure, July 2020 (NTA entrance cycle) (opens on the official site) IGNOU Ph.D. Entrance Test Information Brochure, 2021 (opens on the official site) IGNOU Ph.D. Information Brochure, July 2025 (opens on the official site)

Who can apply

For the July 2020 cycle a master's degree in the relevant discipline with at least 55% (50% for reserved categories) plus UGC-NET was required for PHDFN; the July 2025 brochure keeps the 55% rule with a 5% relaxation and the Home Science NET requirement.

  • July 2020 brochure, PHDFN: a master's degree (M.Sc.) in Food and Nutrition / Dietetics / Public Health Nutrition or an equivalent grade from a recognised institution, with UGC-NET qualified.
  • July 2020 general rule: master's degree from a UGC-recognised university in the relevant discipline with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/differently-abled and for those who took the master's before 19 September 1991), excluding grace marks.
  • July 2025 brochure, Nutritional Science (PHDFN): M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition / Dietetics / Public Health Nutrition from a recognised institution with UGC-NET in Home Science; at least 55% in the master's (5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/differently-abled/EWS). Three seats were listed (UR 1, SC 1, ST 1) against five in July 2020 (General 4, OBC 1).
  • No upper age limit is stated in the 2020 or 2025 brochures. The application fee in July 2020 was Rs 1000 (General/OBC) and Rs 800 (SC/ST/EWS), and Rs 1000 in July 2025; fees, seats and rules are reset in each admission brochure.
  • Programme length is 3 years minimum and 6 years maximum, with six months of coursework at the IGNOU campus in New Delhi and at least 80% attendance (July 2025 brochure).

A summary. Confirm the details in the current notice.

Source: IGNOU Ph.D. Information Brochure, July 2020 ↗. Source: IGNOU Ph.D. Information Brochure, July 2025 ↗. Checked 2026-10-02.

Based on past papers, not an official scheme. Confirm in the current notice.

Every section is compulsory, with no choice between them, and the paper is timed at 150 minutes.

Sections, questions and marks
Section Questions Marks Status
Section A — Research Methodology 50 50 Compulsory
Section B — Food & Nutritional Science 49 49 Compulsory
Paper total — 99

Two sections, both compulsory: Research Methodology (50 questions) and Food & Nutritional Science (49 questions). The official 2020 brochure says 100 questions; the Oct 2020 NTA paper on this site has 99, +1 each, no negative marking, 150 minutes.

Marking scheme

+1 for a correct answer. There is no negative marking. An unanswered question scores zero. Our mocks for this exam are scored the same way.

Source: IGNOU Ph.D. entrance 2020 question paper (NTA) ↗

PaperQuestions MarksMinutes Sections
IGNOU PhD Entrance 2020 — Food & Nutritional Science 99 99 150 2 Open →
IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science Mock Test 1 100 100 150 2 Open →
IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science Mock Test 2 100 100 150 2 Open →
IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science Mock Test 3 100 100 150 2 Open →
IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science Mock Test 4 100 100 150 2 Open →
IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science Mock Test 5 100 100 150 2 Open →
IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science Mock Test 6 100 100 150 2 Open →

Free PDFs and recommended books for IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science. How we choose

Free PDFs

8 free PDFs

Nutrition

FAO

Human Nutrition in the Developing World (Latham)

A classic free textbook on macro- and micronutrients and deficiency diseases.

Free PDF · fao.org

NCERT

Class 12 Human Ecology & Family Sciences — Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics

A simple introduction to clinical nutrition and dietetics.

Free PDF · ncert.nic.in

Food safety & law

FSSAI

Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (full text)

The core food law behind every CFSO, TO and Food Analyst law paper.

Free PDF · fssai.gov.in

FSSAI

Manual for Food Safety Officers — A Ready Reckoner

FSSAI's own handbook of a Food Safety Officer's hygiene and enforcement duties.

Free PDF · fssai.gov.in

FSSAI

Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods — Spices and Condiments

Official methods for spice quality and adulterant detection.

Free PDF · fssai.gov.in

FSSAI

Compendium — Food Additives Regulations (December 2022)

Consolidated legal limits for additives by food category.

Free PDF · fssai.gov.in

Core food science

4 resources

Core food technology

Textbook of Food Science and Technology (ICAR)

Indian food-science baseline for processing, preservation, chemistry.

Reading suggestion

Core food science

Food Science by B. Srilakshmi

Useful for food chemistry, nutrition, preservation.

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Microbiology

Food Microbiology by M. R. Adams and M. O. Moss

Strong reference for spoilage, pathogens, fermentation.

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Food engineering

Food Process Engineering and Technology by Zeki Berk

Good engineering reference for heat transfer, dehydration, freezing.

Reading suggestion

Full topic list and section weightage IGNOU PhD Food & Nutritional Science syllabus and exam pattern

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Tests for this exam

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