IGNOU or Indira Gandhi Open National University has been delivering higher education through distance and open learning. It came into existence through the Parliament Act 1985 under the Human Resource and Development Ministry. This university, without any doubt, is among the top-rated distance education platforms in the entire nation. Furthermore, with an enormous number of regional centers and experienced faculty, it has productively reached all over the world. With time, its GER, or the Gross Enrolment Ratio has increased tremendously, revealing its popularity and how it is helping for the benefit of the students.
As of 2026, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has an active enrollment of over 3 million students, making it the largest university in the world by enrollment. Specifically, IGNOU reported an active enrollment of 3,093,583 students in 2024. Additionally, IGNOU has a significant international presence, with approximately 92,000 students enrolled across 88 countries. This global reach is facilitated through initiatives like the e-VidyaBharti and e-ArogyaBharti projects, as well as partnerships with overseas study centers. Furthermore, IGNOU has been awarded an A++ grade by the NAAC which was another opportunity added to the list of achievements of IGNOU over the years.
IGNOU Latest Announcements 2026
- IGNOU Re-Registration January 2026 Session Starts 1 Dec 2025; Last Date Extended to 31 Jan 2026
- IGNOU January 2026 Online Admission Started: Apply for Online Programmes (Indian Students)
- Practical Examination Date sheet of December, 2025 TEPE
- EVidya Bharti (EVBB) Hall Ticket/Admit Card – Dec 2025 TEE
- Waitlisted candidates Public Administration July 2025
IGNOU 2026: Highlights
| Short Name | IGNOU |
| Full Name | Indira Gandhi National Open University |
| Type | Public |
| Mode of Education | Open Distance Learning |
| Courses | UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, PhD |
| Official Website | ignou.ac.in |
IGNOU Courses 2026
Even in past from history, IGNOU has been endeavoring for the betterment of the students. For this fact, it has acted towards bringing fresh courses every time as per the necessity and advancement. It is one of the most trusted and unsurpassed distance education platforms where every student will get to select the courses as per their career preference. From getting a degree to a certificate, anything can be possible here with incredible quality. In short, in IGNOU, you can proceed with the Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Diploma, Certificate, PhD courses and other IGNOU Courses. But for this, you will have to meet the eligibility criteria.
IGNOU Admission 2026
There is no end to degrees being offered by IGNOU for all the students across the world. Well, in this set-up, the primary thing that knocks the mind is associated with the admission process and subsequent tasks. So, let us first understand the admission process; with this, you can easily get the work done in a few minutes only.
Starting ahead, we would like to tell you that, admissions in this university are carried out by three processes –
- Direct Admission
- Entrance Examination
- Merit List (Limited)
We also want to clarify that the majority of the courses have a direct method to get successfully admitted while just a few courses have an entrance exam to become eligible for taking admission to IGNOU. The university currently conducting IGNOU BSc Entrance for the Post Basic BSc Nursing program, IGNOU Bed entrance for taking admission to Bed program, and IGNOU PhD entrance to take admission in your interested PhD program.
Also, IGNOU admission form of the university can be submitted both through online and offline mode. You can get the offline form from the regional department of the IGNOU, whereas the online form will be available on the website only. Compared to the offline method, it is always advised to pick the online method for IGNOU Admission. The reason is support for this is the process is rapid and will not create any mess.
How To Apply for IGNOU Admission 2026 (ODL & Online)
Step 1: Choose the correct admission mode
- ODL (Open & Distance Learning): Best for learners who want distance mode with support through Regional Centres and Study Centres.
- Online Programmes: Best for learners who want a fully online learning experience.
Step 2: Keep your APAAR ID ready
IGNOU requires applicants to provide a valid APAAR ID while applying.
Step 3: Prepare your documents (scanned copies)
Keep clear scans ready before you start:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Educational qualification documents (marksheets/certificates)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Experience certificate, if applicable (only for programmes where it is required)
Step 4: Create a new registration
- Click New Registration on the admission portal.
- Enter your basic details and create your login credentials.
- Verify your email/mobile if prompted.
Step 5: Fill the online application form
- Log in and select your programme.
- Fill personal details, academic details, and communication details.
- For ODL programmes, select your Regional Centre and preferred Study Centre (where applicable).
- Upload the required documents in the specified format and size.
Step 6: Pay the programme fee and submit
- Pay the fee using the available online payment options.
- Submit the application form.
- Save/download the submitted form and payment confirmation for your records.
Step 7: Track application status and resolve discrepancies
- Log in to check your application status.
- If IGNOU raises a discrepancy, correct it within the allowed time window as shown in your dashboard.
Step 8: After admission is confirmed
Keep your enrolment details and login credentials safe for future services like re-registration, exam form, and results.
Download your Identity Card from your portal login (once available).
IGNOU Fees Structure 2026
IGNOU fees are programme-specific and can differ widely based on the level (Certificate/UG/PG/Professional), duration (semester/year-wise), and whether the programme includes practicals/projects. The exact fee is shown in the official prospectus/programme details. For a programme-wise breakdown, students should check our detailed guide on IGNOU Fee Structure.
- Programme fee (varies by programme): For example, M.Com is listed at ₹10,000 per year (total ₹20,000), while MBA is listed semester-wise (₹16,000 for Sem I, II & IV and ₹18,000 for Sem III), making professional programmes significantly higher than many general PG programmes.
- One-time charges at admission (in addition to programme fee): Registration fee ₹300 (non-refundable) and University Development fee ₹400.
- Exam & assessment-related fees (as applicable): Term-End Exam (TEE) fee ₹200 per theory course. Project evaluation and practical exam fees may apply: ₹300 (up to 4 credits) and ₹500 (above 4 credits).
- Digital study material option: If a learner opts for soft copy (digital SLM) instead of printed material, IGNOU provides a 15% concession in the programme fee (where applicable).
- Refund snapshot (high-level): Registration fee is non-refundable. After admission confirmation, cancellation typically attracts a deduction of 15% of programme fee (capped at ₹2,000). No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
IGNOU Fee Exemption / Fee Support Scheme 2026 (SC/ST)
IGNOU provides programme fee exemption (fee support) to eligible SC/ST learners as per its policy. This policy is reviewed every admission cycle, and the exemption (if admissible) is allowed for one programme only.
- Income certificate required: Applicants must submit an income certificate issued by an authorized government agency at the time of admission.
- What the exemption covers: The exemption is confined to the programme fee (as shown in the prospectus).
- What is NOT exempted: Learners still pay items such as Registration fee, Development fee, TEE fee, convocation fee, and any late fee (if applicable).
- Scholarships: IGNOU learners may also apply for Government of India scholarships via the National Scholarship Portal. Eligibility (including any income limit) depends on the specific scholarship scheme and state/central guidelines.
IGNOU Study Material
Talking about the finest IGNOU study material that a student can garnish his course with comes from IGNOU. The books and all the content are supreme and are enough to score the best marks. Not only this but these are also considered as supportive materials for many civil and governmental examinations. Thus, any course for which you are thinking to enroll, the university will provide the books and materials.
IGNOU Regional Centre List
IGNOU operates more than 55 Regional centers across the country to offer rightful education to all its students. All the major cities country-wise have one specific Regional Center that takes care of the needs of the students through different study centers. Apart from these Regional Centers, IGNOU also has more than 10 specific Regional Centers for the army. You can check out the IGNOU Regional Centre List through the official portal of the university. Each Regional Centre also has a specific website that you must follow for various purposes such as assignments, exams, and other details.
IGNOU Study Centre List
IGNOU Study Centre play a major role for the students. The university offers offline classes to the students, who want to attend these classes. Also, the authorities at the study centres help the students with various things such as IGNOU assignment, offline doubt-clearing sessions, and even filling up the exam form. The authorities at the study centres are always active in providing the students with the necessary support that they require at the university.
IGNOU offers several study centres under each Regional Centre to offer facilities to students throughout the state. There are 10000+ IGNOU study centres as of now in different parts of India catering to quality education for students.
IGNOU Overseas Study Centre List
As IGNOU offers education to international students also, the university tries to offer them the same facilities as available for the domestic students. One of the ways is by setting up centres in different countries where IGNOU is operational. As of now, there are about 25 overseas study centres available in different countries globally such as UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Singapore, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Guyana, Mauritius, and Ivory Coast.
IGNOU Helpline Number 2026
IGNOU students can always contact their respective study centers for any query or difficulty. However, IGNOU also allows the students to contact the Regional Center or even the headquarters for any administration-related or any other query. You can contact these IGNOU Helpline Number for varied queries and issues:
| 011-29572513 | 011-29572514 |
Apart from these common numbers, there are also contact numbers for individual services such as admission, assignments, study materials, exams, regional services, and others. Also, check individual IGNOU Regional Centre websites to get contact details of the Regional Centre or Study Centres in that particular region.
Office hours (official): 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday to Friday).
In the final statement, it is easy to articulate that studying in IGNOU will not turn out as a wrong decision for anyone. The validity of the degree, diploma, certificate, etc. is equal to that of an accredited college, university, or institute of India. Perhaps, if your eyes are on distance education, then it would be right if you are not wasting time on thinking. The best thing is, this university has adopted digitalization to supreme, which spells you will get all the benefits of it. Grooving more, the IGNOU fee structure is highly affordable with installment and scholarship solutions. The website of IGNOU consolidates each and every piece of information on this prospectus. From submitting the application forms, downloading books, latest updates, nothing will be missed. Stay attached to the IGNOUHelp for all the current news.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is IGNOU recognized by UGC?
Answer: Yes. It is recognized by UGC and follows its guidelines.
Q2. Is IGNOU a Government University?
Answer: Yes. It is a public university run by the central government.
Q3. What is the Ranking of IGNOU in India?
Answer: According to the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) 2024, IGNOU has been ranked 1st in the Open University category. This ranking reflects IGNOU’s commitment to providing quality education through distance learning and its significant contribution to the higher education sector.
Q4. Can IGNOU students apply for scholarships?
Answer: Yes, IGNOU students, particularly those from SC/ST categories, are eligible to apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Additionally, state governments may offer financial support to specific groups based on their eligibility. This provision is clearly outlined in the IGNOU guidelines.
Q5. What is the minimum passing mark in IGNOU?
Answer: To pass a course in IGNOU, students must score at least 40% in the Term End Exam (TEE) and 50% in aggregate, combining both assignment and TEE marks.
Q6. What is the maximum duration to complete an IGNOU program?
Answer: The maximum duration to complete various programs at IGNOU has been set as follows:
- Undergraduate programs (e.g., BA, BCom, BSc): Maximum of 6 years.
- Postgraduate programs (e.g., MA, MSc, MBA): Maximum of 4 years (reduced from 5 years).
- Diploma and PG Diploma programs: Maximum of 3 years.
- Certificate programs: Maximum of 2 years.
These limits were revised in 2020 and are part of IGNOU’s academic policy to ensure timely completion of programs.
Q7. Is IGNOU degree valid for government jobs?
Answer: Yes, degrees from IGNOU are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and are valid for government jobs in India, just like degrees from any other recognized university. However, eligibility for specific roles may depend on additional criteria like experience, entrance exams, and other qualifications.
Q8. Can I change my course or study center at IGNOU after admission?
Answer: Yes, IGNOU allows students to change their elective courses or study centers within a specific time frame. However, students need to submit the required application and pay a nominal fee for such changes.
Q9. Are there any regular classes in IGNOU?
Answer: IGNOU theory classes are not compulsory, but practicals are mandatory to attend.
Q10. Are IGNOU Exams Tough?
Answer: It depends on your preparation—if you prepare well, then nothing is tough.
Q11. Is IGNOU Degree Valid?
Answer: Yes. It is valid in India as well as across the world for the purpose of jobs or further study.
Q12. Is IGNOU offering job placement at the campus?
Answer: Yes, IGNOU has a placement cell at the Main Campus, New Delhi.