The Post Graduate Diploma in Distance Education is a unique professional development programme designed and developed by IGNOU with the aim of creating specialized human resources for the open and distance learning system. The programme was first launched by IGNOU in 1987 and has over the years undergone revisions to include the changes in the system. This programme has been well received in the Commonwealth and has been popular across India as well as in countries of Asia and Africa. The PGDDE aims at capacity building of those persons working and/or aspiring to work in the open and distance learning system.

The PGDDE is now approved to be offered through online mode as PGDDEOL.