IGNOU DECE Admission 2026 | Last Date, Eligibility, Fees & Syllabus

IGNOU DECE Admission 2026: IGNOU School of Continuing Education (SOCE) has offered the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) by conducting the course in English, Hindi, Oria and Tamil in ODL mode for 1 year which can be extendable up to 3 years. IGNOU Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education offers aligned curriculum such as Organizing Child Care Services, Child Health and Nutrition, Services and Programmes for Children and Project Work: Working with Young Children in a Child Care Setting. The admission for this course is ongoing and the interested applicants are requested to fill and submit the application form before the last date of submission which is 31st July 2026, INR 300 is the application fees. The eligibility criteria is 10+2 or its equivalent. IGNOU DECE programme offers affordable fee options to the candidates who are keen to learn about this, the yearly fee is INR 4000. 

Latest Update 2026: IGNOU DECE Admission

• Admission for July 2026 has commenced at the IGNOU official admission portal. The certificate in DECE program admission last date is 31 July 2026. Check more information visit the official website. Source

IGNOU DECE Admission 2026 Highlights

IGNOU DECE Admission 2026 

The IGNOU DECE admission 2026 is out for the July session and candidates can apply on the official Samarth portal. The total Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education course fee is INR 4000 with a registration fee of Rs. 300 that can be paid using a debit card, credit card, UPI or other preferred net banking method. Eligible candidates are those who have passed out 10+2 from any recognized board and can pursue this IGNOU diploma course. IGNOU DECE offers subjects such as Organizing Child Care Services, Child Health and Nutrition, Services and more. The programme is suitable for both people looking to enter the sector as well as those already working in childcare or education.

IGNOU DECE Admission Last Date 2026

IGNOU Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education admission already starts on 25 May 2026 and the deadline for the July session is 31 July 2026. Interested individuals can apply from the official Samarth website of IGNOU with the correct details or information applied a couple of days before the deadline can be a better choice.

Why Choose Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education Course 

DECE from IGNOU is a practical and affordable option for those who wish to pursue their careers as Anganwadi workers, preschool teachers or childcare centre managers and is also beneficial for working teachers who wish to update their skills or would like to establish their own preschool or child care centre. 12th or its equivalent is the only eligibility criteria to take admission in this diploma course, which makes the process very easy. INR 4000 is the total fee for this Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education programme, it's a very affordable opinion for students. Additionally candidates need to pay INR 300 as the registration fee. Flexible delivery of ODL is suitable for students as well as working individuals. This diploma programme offers flexibility in languages such as English, Hindi, Oria and Tamil. 

IGNOU DECE Admission Benefits 

The benefits of IGNOU DECE Admission are as follows:

1. Affordable fees: The total cost of the course is INR 4000 with a registration fee of ₹300. 
2. No Entrance exam: Only 10+2 Pass or equivalent from any board is required for admission.
3. Flexible Duration: Minimum 1 year, extendable up to 3 years with good for flexible working individuals.
4. Multilingual Medium: English, Hindi, Oria and Tamil for accessibility.
5. Career Ready Skills: Ready to enter into Anganwadi, creche, and pre-school jobs.

Eligibility Criteria For IGNOU DECE Admission 

10+2 in any discipline from any recognized board or equivalent. No age limit is there and there is no entrance exam, the selection is made only on the basis of the qualifying educational criterion.

IGNOU Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education Fees Structure 2026

IGNOU DECE Admission Process 2026

Following steps are the IGNOU DECE Admission process:

Step 1: Go to the official IGNOU admission page

Step 2: Register with your name, mobile and email ID to get your log in details

Step 3: Log in and click on the programme Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) from the list of programmes available.

Step 4: Fill Application Form with personal, academic and category information

Step 5: Upload scanned copies of documents required 

Step 6: Make the application fee of Rs 300 with the programme fee using net banking, Debit/Credit card or UPI.

Step 7: Fill out the form and download the confirmation slip for future reference.

IGNOU DECE vs Regular DECE

IGNOU DECE Admission Required Documents

Students interested to pursue IGNOU Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education programme need to submit with the listed document:

• Passport-size photo 
• Character Certificate 
• 10th Mark-sheet 
• 12th Mark-sheet 
• Photocopy of ID proof
• Scanned Signature 
• Birth certificate 
• Migration Certificate 
• Valid government issued identification
• Caste certificate, if applicable

IGNOU Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education Course Syllabus

IGNOU Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education Career Opportunities

The graduates can apply for the job as Anganwadi Workers, Preschool Teachers or Nursery Educators in various government and private child care centres. The diploma also prepares students for jobs as Creche Managers and Childcare Centre Supervisors, who manage and supervise the daily operation of a childcare centre and child safety. Employment prospects include employment with NGOs concerned with child welfare or early education or setting up their own preschool or daycare business.