Indira Gandhi National Open University, which is popularly known as IGNOU was established in 1985 and is accredited by NAAC A++. The largest Open University in the world, IGNOU is run by the Central Government and is recognized by UGC. IGNOU offers 200+ courses in ODL and Online methods. It has 21 Schools of Studies and a network of 67 regional centers, around 2,667 learner support centers, and 29 overseas partner institutions.
IGNOU offers both distance and part-time courses. Some of the popular courses in IGNOU are BA, BBA, BCom, BEd, MBA, MSc, MCom, PhD, etc. Admission to the programs is based on merit. However, there is an entrance examination for BEd, MPhil, Post-Basic BSc Nursing, and PhD programs. IGNOU admission takes place twice a year. Online registration for the same starts from November-December for January session and May-June for the July session. You can also avail scholarships from IGNOU if you are from reserved categories that include SC and STs. You will get a 50% fee concession subject to the production of a domicile certificate.
Is IGNOU Degree Valid? As a Central University, IGNOU degree holders are eligible for admission to various Universities/ Deemed Universities/ Institutions. Moreover, they can also appear for UPSC exams and any national level entrance test for higher studies.
IGNOU Highlights
Given below are IGNOU highlights.
| Establishment Year | 1985 |
| University Type | Public Open University |
| Also Known As | IGNOU |
| No. of Schools | 20+ |
| No. of Regional Centres | 67 |
| No. of Learner Support Centres | 2667 |
| Overseas Partner Institutions | 29 |
| No. of Programs Offered | 300+ |
| Mode of Study | Open and Distance Learning (ODL) & Online Learning (OL) |
| Total Students | 4 million+ |
| Total Faculty | 810 |
| Type of scholarships offered | Category-based, Need-based |
| Official Website | ignou.ac.in |
IGNOU Courses and Fees
IGNOU offers a wide range of UG, PG, and PhD programs. Apart from these, you can also opt for Certificate and Diploma courses offered in different fields of study. The courses range from 6 months to 1 year. You can check IGNOU Courses and Fees, along with eligibility and selection of various programs.
| UG Programs | ||
BA Duration: 3 Years 1st Year Fees: INR 4.5k-10.6k Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent Selection: Merit Based | BBA Duration: 3 years 1st Year Fees: INR 10k-20k Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent Selection: Merit Based | BEd Duration: 2-4 Years 1st Year Fees: INR 55k Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent Selection: Entrance test Conducted by IGNOU |
BCom Duration: 3 Years 1st Year Fees: INR 4.5k-8.1k Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent qualification Selection: Merit Based | BSc Duration: 3 Years 1st Year Fees: INR 6K-43.5K Eligibility: 10+2 with science subjects or its equivalent qualification Selection: Merit Based | |
Check the MSc, MA, MBA, MCom, MCA PG programs offered at IGNOU. The fees range from INR 7K to INR 27K depending on the course.
| PG Programs | |
MSc Duration: 2 Years 1st Year Fees: INR 7k-27.6k Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university Selection: Merit Based | MA Duration: 2 years 1st Year Fees: INR 7.7K-12.8K Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized University/Institute Selection: Merit Based |
MBA Duration: 2 Years 1st Year Fees: INR 8.9k-15.5k Eligibility: Passed bachelor's degree, 50% (45% in case of candidates belonging to reserved category). Selection: Merit Based | MCom Duration: 2 Years 1st Year Fees: INR 9.3k Eligibility: Graduate or equivalent from a recognized university is eligible for admission. Selection: Merit Based |
MCA Duration: 2 Years 1st Year Fees: INR 25K Eligibility: Graduation with Mathematics. Selection: Merit Based | |
IGNOU also offers a Doctorate program, and the final selection will be based on personal interview round. Interview shall have three components comprising Research Methodology (40%), subject domain (40%) and Communication skills (20%).
| PhD |
Duration: 3 Years Eligibility: 1-year/2-semester master's degree program after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree program or a 2-year/4-semester master’s degree program after a 3-year bachelor’s degree program or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% (For SC/ST/OBC Relaxation of 5%) Selection: UGC-NET |
IGNOU Admission
IGNOU admission takes place twice a year, i.e. in the month of January and July. IGNOU offers both Online and ODL programs. Admission to the UG and PG courses is based on merit. However, IGNOU Delhi conducts entrance exam for BEd, MPhil, Post-Basic BSc Nursing, and PhD programs. Application process is in both online and offline mode. You need to pay INR 300 to register for IGNOU admission.
How to Apply for IGNOU Admission?
You can check the steps given to apply for IGNOU admission.
- Visit IGNOU official website: https://www.ignou.ac.in/.
- Click on your desired mode of program i.e. ODL, Online Program, foreign IOP. You can also apply for the PhD program and re-registration.
- After logging in, carefully fill out the application form.
- Upload all the necessary documents.
- Submit the form.
Documents Required
- Scanned Photograph (less than 100 KB)
- Scanned Signature (less than 100 KB)
- Scanned copy of relevant Educational Qualification (less than 200 KB)
- Scanned Copy of Experience Certificate (if any) (less than 200 KB)
- Scanned Copy of Category Certificate, if SC/ST/OBC (less than 200 KB)
IGNOU Admission Status
Once you have submitted the application form, you can check your admission status from “Know Your Status” option. You will know whether your application is “pending” or “approved”. However, IGNOU will inform you about your candidature within two months via email and text message.
IGNOU Study Material
IGNOU Study Materials are available in both soft and hard copies. If you choose soft copy then you will get 15% off on your program fee. However, hard copies of the study material will be sent to your registered address.
You can get the soft copy of IGNOU study material in the eGyankosh. It is a National Digital Repository where you can get all the IGNOU study materials. You can download the eGyankosh from the playstore.
IGNOU Assignment
Being an IGNOU student, you need to complete assignments and submit them within a stipulated deadline to appear for the exam. IGNOU assignment is an evaluation system that includes self-assessment exercises for each program unit. It consists of 30% of the overall marking scheme. Moreover, you need to get 40% marks in the assignment to qualify for the final exam.
You can submit IGNOU assignments in both online and offline mode. IGNOU has an Assignment Records Submission Management System (ARSMS). You can also visit https://assignment.ignou.ac.in/ to check your assignment submission status and marks.
NOTE: IGNOU assignment submission is compulsory as failure to do so will result in prohibition from final exam.
How to Check IGNOU Result?
IGNOU conducts Term End Examination (TEE) twice a year i.e., in the month of June and another in December. You can check your results after 45 days of IGNOU TEE exam. Follow the given steps to check IGNOU result.
- Visit the official website of IGNOU.
- Go to “Student Services”.
- Click on Result.
- Click on “Term End Exam Results”.
- Enter your enrollment number.
- Submit it.
- IGNOU result will be displayed on the screen.
IGNOU Grade Card
IGNOU Grade card is a provisional marksheet released by IGNOU before the result. If you have completed the assignment and appeared for the IGNOU TEE is entitled for the Grade Card. You can visit the official website to check IGNOU Grade Card by providing your enrollment number. You can get registration number, marks achieved, maximum scores, course name, and course code in the grade card.
How to Check IGNOU Grade Card?
Follow the given steps to check IGNOU Grade Card.
- Visit the official website of IGNOU.
- Go to “Student Services”.
- Click on Result.
- Click on “Grade Card”.
- Select your “Grade Card Status”.
- Enter your enrollment number.
- Submit it.
- IGNOU Grade Card will be displayed on the screen.
IGNOU Rankings 2025
NIRF has ranked IGNOU in the 1st position in 2024 in the Open University category. You can check the other ranking by various agencies in the given table.
| Agencies | Category | Rankings 2025 |
| Outlook 2025 | Overall | 1 out of 10 |
| NIRF 2024 | Open University | 1 out of 3 |
| IIRF 2024 | Overall | 36 out of 50 |
IGNOU Scholarships
IGNOU offers financial aid to the reserved categories and disable people. IGNOU students can also avail The National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP) scholarship scheme for postgraduate studies. You can check the names of the scholarships and the categories for it's been provided in the table below.
| Name of Scholarships | Categories |
| Government of India Scholarships | SC/ST Category, Transgender, Jail Inmates, Weaver Communities |
| Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship Programme | SC Category and ST Category |
| NCPEDP (PG Program) | Disabled People |
IGNOU Scholarships Amount
If you are from a financially disadvantaged background and wish to take admission in IGNOU’s MPhil and PhD programs, then you will receive financial assistance through the IGNOU Scholarship Scheme. You will get a monthly award of INR 5K, while PhD students receive a monthly scholarship of INR 8K.
| Courses | Eligibility | Scholarship Amount |
| M.Phil | You need to be enrolled in the full-time MPhil program. Less than 35 years of age. Good academic background You need to belong from the reserved category (SC/ST) Valid physically handicapped document proof (if applied under the category) You should not have any other scholarship in their name | INR 5000 per month |
| PhD | Student should pursue full-time Ph.D degree form IGNOU Should have a good academic background Should belong from the reserved category Student must be less than 35 years of age Should have a valid physically handicapped document proof (if applied under the category) They should not have any other scholarship in their name | INR 8000 per month |
How to Apply for IGNOU Scholarship?
You can check the steps below to apply for IGNOU scholarships.
- You need to visit your respective Regional Centres to collect IGNOU scholarships as it is not available online.
- Carefully fill out the application form and submit it to the Regional Director with the supporting documents at the various regional centres for certification.
IGNOU Notable Alumni
| Alumni Name | Designation |
| Deepika Padukone | Indian Actress |
| Pankaj Tripathi | Indian Actor |
| Gen Deepak Kapoor | Former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army |
| Sanjeev Kapoor | Indian celebrity chef, entrepreneur and television personality |
| Tessy Thomas | Indian scientist and Director General of Aeronautical Systems and the former Project Director for Agni-IV missile in Defence Research and Development Organisation |
