Candidates with an aggregate of 60 per cent and above  in all examinations are eligible. They should be aged below 25  as on September 30, 2011 (relaxable by five years for women candidates and SC/ST/PH) and have an aptitude for teaching and full time research leading to PhD degree. Interested candidates may apply to the director of the Research Unit at IGNOU headquarters by October 10, 2011.

“If you are a postgraduate with consistently good performance in any academic discipline, then, IGNOU’s Research and Teaching Assistantship (RTA) programme shall provide an opportunity to do a full-time research as a part of  PhD programme with a minimum of eight hours per week of teaching or assistance under the guidance of a senior teacher,” said Prof VN Rajasekharan Pillai, VC, IGNOU.

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The RTA carries a monthly fellowship of Rs 18,000 (consolidated) plus HRA as per Government rules. The RTA award will initially be for a period of three years with annual review. From third year onwards, depending upon excellence in progress and performance, the monthly fellowship will be enhanced to `20,000. There will also be an annual contingent grant of Rs 20,000.