The School of Vocational Education and Training has developed courses that encourage vertical mobility of Vocational Education and Training (VET). It aims at providing education and training for skill development to meet the vocational and skill requirements for the country’s youth. Presently it is running a wide range of 18 academic programmes ranging from Certificate, Diplomas, UG, PG Diploma, PG Degree and Ph.D Programmes.

The School has 06 Faculty members (02 Professors, 02 Associate Professors and 02 Assistant Professors) and 03 permanent staff members.

The School aims at providing Education and Training for skill development to meet the present days vocational requirements of the youth and support in making them self-sufficient to support their livelihoods. It also aims at providing Innovative and competency-based approach in the area of Entrepreneurship

SOVET was established in 2007 and is among the 11 new Schools of Study at IGNOU.Demand driven and valueadded courses/programmes are being offered through the school. The school is offering Programmes that encourage vertical mobility of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Research is another priority area for identifying societal and industrial needs. Its journey reflects IGNOU's mission to make quality education accessible to all, regardless of geographical, financial or social barriers.

  • Recognizing the increasing demand for Vocational skills, SOVET introduced its first Bachelor Degree programmein Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (BAMSME) and two Master degree programmes in Master of Science in Information Security, (MSCIS)and Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship (MAER). These were designed specifically for ODL, offering flexibility and modularity.
  • Programmes like Bachelor’s in MSMEcater to the present needs of budding entrepreneurs and aids in developing knowledge and skills to establish a new business venture;Master of Science Information Security (MSCIS) aims to provide protection and security to personal data and to build data-oriented infrastructure in theworkplace; whileMaster of Arts Entrepreneurship (MAER) aims to impart knowledge, skill and competencies to start one’s own business venture.
  • SOVET collaborated with national initiatives like the SWAYAM platform to deliver Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) inPattern Making and Sewing (BFDI-072), further expanding its reach.
  • SOVET has educated many learners through its ODL and online programs, empowering individuals from underserved and remote areas.
  • It has significantly contributed to building a skilled workforce for India's industry and beyond.
  • Programmes have inbuilt learning management systems (LMS) in all SLMs to mimic a traditional classroom experience.
  • The curriculum integrated printed study materials, audio-visual resources, and in-person counseling sessions, catering to the unique requirements of distance learners.
  • The school started incorporating television broadcasts (via Gyan Darshan), and radio programs (via Gyan Vani) to reach learners in remote areas.
  • SOVET remains a leader in integrating modern technologies into the ODL framework, ensuring its relevance in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

  • Through its history, SOVET has exemplified IGNOU’s vision of combining education, technology, and accessibility to democratize learning and equip learners with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.

Welcome to the School of Vocational Education & Training (SOVET) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. The School aims at providing education and training through skill based programs to meet the vocational and skill requirements of the country’s youth with an objective of making them self-reliant. The school is committed to empowering every learner with practical skills that translate beyond the theoretical knowledge. We offer around 17 programmes designed to ignite curiosity and build confidence in our learners. Our Bachelor degree programme BAMSME and Masters Prog MAER is specially designed for building Entrepreneurial skills amongst learners while enhancing their Innovative thinking. Our soft-skills programs focus on communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. For aspiring entrepreneurs, we provide courses on financial literacy, documentation, Licensing and marketing fundamentals, with opportunities to pitch ideas and explore digital networking. In this age of digital transformation, the role of computer and information sciences has become pivotal in driving societal progress. Our programmes Masters in Information Security and PG Diploma in Information Security are meticulously designed to provide a strong foundation in core concepts while equipping students with the practical skills required to thrive in the dynamic world of IT and computing.

Our programs are designed to be accessible, affordable and flexible as they are suitable for distance learners. They provide more number of years for completion than regular courses. We emphasize inclusive learning, with bilingual instructors, adaptive technology and supportive tutoring through web counselling, Gyan Vani (Radio sessions), Gyan Darshan (Television sessions) and recorded You-tube lectures which ensures that every participant is able to engage and progress. We also emphasize building industry connections and fostering practical exposure through projects, Internships and collaborations.

Through the use of cutting-edge technology, digital learning platforms, and student- centric pedagogy, we ensure that learners from diverse backgrounds, including those in remote and underserved regions, have equal opportunities to excel. All participants receive personal Self Learning Material (SLM) or Soft copy of SLMs as desired by them. In line with IGNOU's mission, we emphasize flexibility, affordability, and inclusivity in our academic offerings. Whether you are a working professional seeking to upgrade your skills, a student exploring career opportunities in IT, or an enthusiast keen to delve into emerging technologies, SOVET provides tailored pathways to meet our goals. This holistic approach empowers our learners to become future-ready professionals who can contribute meaningfully to India's economic development. Degree certificates are awarded upon successful completion of the programmes. By investing in skill development, we strengthen our community’s potential, expand career pathways, and foster lifelong learning. We invite you to explore our programs and enroll as per your requirement. Your growth starts here… 

Best wishes for your academic and professional journey!
Warm regards,
Dr. Rachna Agarwal
Director - School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET)
IGNOU, New Delhi

Swami Vivekananda Bhawan,
Block- 15 E,
Indira Gandhi National Open University
New Delhi-110068
Email: directorsovet@ignou.ac.in, sovet@ignou.ac.in
Intercom: 1641-43

The following are the School Board Internal and external members of the SOVET:
Under Clause 2(e) of Statue 10(A) from February, 2025 onwards

  1. Prof. S.K. Garg, Professor and Former PVC, Delhi Technical University(East Campus), Vivek Vihar, New Delhi-110095,
    Phone no.: 9861405713,
    Email: skgarg@dce.ac.in
  2. Prof. Vineeta Sirohi, Professor & Head, Department of Educational Administration, Specializations : Skill development and Vocational Education, NIEPA, 17-B, Aurbindo Marg, New Delhi-110016
    Email: vineetasirohi@niepa.ac.in
  3. Dr. Basavaprabhu Jirli, Professor & Director, Centre for Multidisciplinary Development Research (CMDR), Dr. B R Ambedkar Naga, Dharwad (An ICSSR Institute), Karnataka – 580004
    Email: director@cmdr.ac.in,
    Phone no. 0836-2460453, Mobile no. 9450542832
  4. Prof. Purva Khurana, Department of Fashion Design & Textiles, NIFT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi,
    Email: purva.khurana@nift.ac.in
  5. Prof. Satya Ranjan Acharya, Director Deptt. of Entrepreneurship Development, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) Ahemedabad, Gujarat, M-7600050606,


Under Clause 2(d) of Statue 10(A)from May, 2025 onwards
  1. Prof. Nehal A. Farooquee, Professor, SOEDS
  2. Prof. Archana Shukla, Professor, SOSS
  3. Prof. Neerja Chadha, Professor, SOCE
  4. Prof. Nayantara Padhi, Professor, SOMS


Under Clause 2(c) of Statue 10(A)
  1. Dr. Rachna Agarwal, Associate Professor, SOVET
  2. Dr. Geetika S. Johry, Associate Professor, SOVET
  3. Ms. Urshla Kant, Assistant Professor, SOVET
  4. Ms. Asha Yadav, Assistant Professor, SOVET

# Photo Faculty / Staff Details
1
Designation: Associate Professor
Specialization: Vocational Education
Academic Level: 13A
Joining: 21-04-2009
011-29571642, Rachna_agarwal@ignou.ac.in
2
Designation: Professor
Specialization: Vocational Education
Academic Level: 14
Joining: 15-12-1997
011-29571644 , akgaba@ignou.ac.in
3
Designation: Professor
Specialization: Vocational Education
Academic Level: 14
Joining: 29-06-2009
011-29571645, rspsingh@ignou.ac.in
4
Designation: Associate Professor
Specialization: Vocational Education
Academic Level: 13A
Joining: 01-05-2009
011-29571646 , geetikajohry@ignou.ac.in
5
Designation: Assistant Professor
Specialization: Vocational Education
Academic Level: 11
Joining: 01-05-2009
011-29571648 , urshlakant@ignou.ac.in
6
Designation: Assistant Professor
Specialization: Vocational Education
Academic Level: 10
Joining: 28-07-2009
011-29571649 , ashayadav@ignou.ac.in
7
Designation: Assistant Registrar
011-29571643,