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Lal Chand Godara completed an MA from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), scoring 965 out of 1,200. He is now considering pursuing a PhD or a law degree.
Applicants need to check the latest eligibility criteria of the university and programme they want to join. (AI Image)
A former soldier and a native of Sirsa, Haryana, Lal Chand Godara returned to formal education at the age of 76. Five years later, he completed his bachelor’s degree at 81. Now, at 85, he has completed an MA from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), scoring 965 out of 1,200. He is now considering pursuing a PhD or a law degree.
His journey raises a broader question: Is there an upper age limit for pursuing higher education in India? Can someone graduate at 60 or 70, enrol in an MA at 80 or pursue a PhD later in life?
The answer is that India does not have one universal upper age limit for all higher education programmes. However, admission rules can vary by university, course, entrance examination and, in some cases, scholarships or fellowships.
Is There A Maximum Age For Graduation?
Universities and individual programmes can have their own admission rules. For example, the University of Kerala’s FYUGP 2025-26 prospectus does not prescribe an upper age limit for admission to its undergraduate programmes. Other universities and courses may have different requirements.
This means that being 50, 60 or 70 does not automatically make a person ineligible for a degree. However, applicants need to check the latest eligibility criteria of the university and programme they want to join.
Open Universities Offer More Flexibility
Open and distance learning can provide another route for older learners who want to return to education while managing other responsibilities.
Several IGNOU programmes do not prescribe an upper age limit. For instance, its MA in Journalism and Mass Communication programme has no age bar, subject to the required academic qualification. However, eligibility differs across programmes, so applicants need to check the specific course requirements.
An important distinction is between admission eligibility and scholarship eligibility. A person may be eligible to enrol in a postgraduate programme but still be too old to qualify for a particular scholarship or fellowship.
What About PhD?
PhD admissions also do not have one universal upper age limit. The UGC’s PhD regulations focus on academic qualifications and the admission process, while age restrictions can apply separately to fellowships such as the Junior Research Fellowship.
PhD admission also depends on the university and programme. Applicants may have to meet subject-specific requirements, clear an entrance test, attend an interview, submit a research proposal and find an eligible supervisor.
Some institutions explicitly state that there is no upper age limit for PhD admission. However, this cannot be assumed for every university.
What About A Law Degree?
Age eligibility for law programmes also depends on the institution and course. Some three-year LLB programmes do not specify an upper age limit for graduates and postgraduates, while applicants should still check the latest admission rules of the university they wish to join.
For elders, therefore, the question is not simply whether they are “too old” to study. It is whether the particular programme and institution they want to enter permit admission at their age.
Quick Answers
Ask News18India does not have one universal upper age limit for all higher education programmes, though admission rules can vary depending on the university, course, entrance exam, and scholarship criteria. Open universities like IGNOU offer significant flexibility, with several programmes having no age bar.
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September 25, 2026, 16:05 IST
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