Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has started their January 2026 registration link and is still accepting applications. Interested students must apply before 15th March 2026, as it is going to be the end date of application submission. The university offers hundreds of courses at undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), diploma, certificate and PhD level in distance and online mode. If you are going to take admission in a UG program, then you must complete your 10+2 from a certified board in a relevant subject. For the PG courses, candidates generally need to hold a valid Bachelor’s degree. Eligible students can take admission directly without appearing for any entrance test, but for some specific program the university also conducts its own entrance test. For B.Ed and BSCN it conducts OPENNET. Interested candidates can apply through IGNOU’s official website by paying INR 300 as an online registration fee.
IGNOU Admission 2026: Latest Update
IGNOU Re-registration process is currently ongoing for the January 2026 academic year. Students can submit regristion form till 28th February 2026. Source
IGNOU Admission has started for all the various ODL and online programs for the January 2026 academic session. Students can apply for admission on the university’s official website before the end date of 15th March 2026. Source
IGNOU Admission 2026: Highlights
| Parameters | University Details |
| University Full Name | Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) |
| University Establishment Year | 1985 |
| University Type | Government University |
| Programme in Offered | Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), Diploma, PG Diploma, Certificate & PhD |
| Selection Criteria | Merit- Based, Entrance- Based for specific programs |
| Mode of Education | Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode |
| Admission Status | Currently Ongoing |
| Registration Fee | INR 300 |
| Admission Final Date | 15th March 2026 |
| Official Website | https://www.ignou.ac.in/ |
About IGNOU
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established in 1985, it is a government university located in New Delhi. The university got approval from University Grants Commission (UGC) and Distance Education Bureau (DEB). It is also accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with A++ grade. Currently, IGNOU offers 200+ programs at undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate and PhD level in open & distance learning mode and online mode. It has 21 schools of studies with 67 regional centres along with 2,000 learner support centres. It provides education in different areas like science, humanities, commerce, management, law, education IT etc. IGNOU’s all programs are recognized by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).
IGNOU Admission Offered by Courses
Indira Gandhi National Open University provides 200+ programs. These programs include Bachelor’s Degree programs, Master’s Degree programs, Certificate, Diploma and PhD programs. Students can pursue these programs in both distance and online mode from anywhere at any time.
| Undergraduate (UG) Programmes | Certificate Programmes |
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) with various specializations | Certificate in Environmental Studies |
| Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) with specializations | Certificate in Library and Information Science (CLIS) |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) | Certificate in Information Technology |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) | Certificate in Food and Nutrition |
| Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) | Certificate in Anti Human Trafficking |
| Postgraduate (PG) Programmes | Diploma Programmes |
| Master of Science (M.Sc) specializations | Diploma in Event Management |
| Master of Arts (M.A) with specialization | Diploma in Dairy Technology |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Diploma in Fashion Design and Retail |
| Master of Commerce (M.Com) | Diploma in Value Education |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education |
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | Diploma in Urdu Language |
IGNOU Admission for UG Courses
Registration window of undergraduate (UG) programs is currently open at IGNOU for the January 2026 session. The university offers numerous undergraduate programs in distance mode such as BA, B.Com, BSW, BBA, BCA, B.Sc,B.Ed and many more. To be eligible for the Bachelor’s degree program at IGNOU, students are generally required to pass their senior secondary education (10+2) in a related stream from a recognized board. It is also required to secure a minimum of 45% marks at 12th grade. However the selection process is done on the basis of the merit score but for the B.Ed program the university conducts an entrance test. The average fee range of UG programs at IGNOU costs around INR 3,000 to INR 12,000 per year which depends on the specialization.
IGNOU BA Admission
Indira Gandhi National Open University provides a number of specializations under a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Since the registration link is open, please apply before the deadline. It provides BA courses like B.A in Hindi, English, Sanskrit, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Urdu and many more. Students can pursue these programs without giving any entrance test. Students who have passed their 10+2 in any discipline from a valid board with just 45% marks can easily apply for these programs. The minimum duration of BA programs is 3 years which can be extended up to 6 years. The per annum fee of BA programs is INR 4,500.
IGNOU Admission PG Courses
Admission for postgraduate (PG) programs has started at IGNOU for the 2026 January session. Applicants who have graduated from a recognized university can apply for a Master’s degree program. However applicants also need to secure at least 45% marks in a relevant discipline at graduation level. IGNOU offers PG courses in different areas including science, management, commerce and humanities. To pursue these PG courses candidates do not need to pass any entrance test, they can take direct admission. The duration of PG courses is 2 years which is divided into 4 semesters.
PG Courses Offered by IGNOU
| Programme Name | Eligibility Criteria | Programme Duration |
| M.A | Graduation with 45% marks in any field | 2 Years |
| MBA | Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks | 2 Years |
| M.Sc | Bachelor’s Degree with Science discipline | 2 Years |
| M.Com | Graduation in any discipline | 2 Years |
| MCA | Complete BCA or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science | 2 Years |
IGNOU Admission: Eligibility Criteria
To take admission at IGNOU, students are required to meet the basic requirements.
- For UG Programs: To be qualified for IGNOU’ UG courses, students need to pass their higher secondary education (10+2) or any equivalent qualifications from a certified board. However IGNOU does not set any marks requirements but it is advised to obtain at least 45% to 50% aggregate marks at 12th grade. Entrance exams are also not required but for the B.Ed program you will need to appear for their B.Ed Entrance Test.
- For PG Programs: To pursue the PG programs, candidates must hold a 3 years of Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an authorized university/college. Along with the UG degree also secure 45% total marks. However there are no specific eligibility requirements to pursue the PG course so applicants can seek admission very easily.
IGNOU Admission: Fee Structure
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers education in a very lower fee range compared to the other universities. An approx fee range of UG courses starts between INR 4,5000 to INR 16,000 per year, depending on the specialization. PG courses fee range costs INR 6,000 to INR 20,000 per annum which also depends on the specialization. B.Ed course fee at IGNOU is INR 60,000 for the entire duration which can be paid in installments. Additionally, students need to pay a registration fee of INR 300, development fee of INR 200 and an examination fee of INR 200.
How to Apply for IGNOU Admission?
Since the admission window of IGNOU has already started, all eligible candidates are able to register for their chosen program through the admission portal. Before applying at the portal make sure that you have created your ABC ID and DEB ID. These IDs are very important. Below mentioned the step by step procedure of the application process. Follow these steps.
Step.1 Visit Website: Go to the official IGNOU admission portal (https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/index.php/registration/user/register)
Step.2 Registration: Create an account by entering your user name, mobile number, email address and create a password as well.
Step.3 Log In: Use your user name and password to sign in
Step.4 Search Program: Now select your preferred program from the list.
Step.5 Application Form: Fill the other required details such as personal information contact information and academic details etc.
Step.6 Documentation: Submit the scanned copies of required documents including signature and photos.
Step.7 Recheck: Before submitting the form for payments, check it carefully.
Step.8 Pay Fee: Make a payment of INR 300 as online registration fee using online payment methods.
Step.9 Confirmation: After verification of all your documents, the university will send you a confirmation.
Documents Required for IGNOU Admission
At the time of filling the online application form, candidates need to upload some documents in scanned format. These documents must be under 100 KB to 200 KB. Prepare the documents mentioned below mentioned documents before filling the form.
- Scanned copy of relevant Educational Qualification
- Scanned Copy of Experience Certificate (if any)
- Scanned Copy of Category Certificate (for SC/ST/OBC)
- Scanned Photograph (less than 100 KB)
- Scanned Signature (less than 100 KB)
- ID Proof (Aadhar Card, Pan Card or Driving Licence)
IGNOU Admission Status 2026: How to Check
After completing the online registration process of IGNOU, the university takes some time to verify your documents and after the verification you will get a notification regarding your admission. To check that admission status you need to follow the steps below.
Step.1 Visit to the respective portal of IGNOU (https://www.ignou.ac.in/)
Step.2 Locate the “Student Service” on home page and click on “ Know Your Status”
Step.3 Now click on “Check your Registration Status”
Step.4 Enter your enrollment number, programme code and enter the provided verification code (CAPTCHA)
Step.5 Click on the “Submit” tab, now you are able to see your admission status.
What is DEB- ID?
A DEB- ID stands for Distance Education Bureau Identification Number. It is mandatory for all candidates who wish to take admission for ODL or Online programs at IGNOU.This is a unique number and students have to create it once. This ID is mainly used to take admission in distance or online courses. To generate a DEB ID you first need to create an ABC ID (Academic Bank of Credits Identification number) through the DigiLocker app.
IGNOU Re-Registration Key Information
Re- registration at Indira Gandhi National Open University is a very important part to continue your study. The re- registration process is mainly for those candidates who are already enrolled in IGNOU’s program and want to continue the program in the next semester/year. The re- registration process is done through the university’s official website.
IGNOU once again extended the date of re- registration which is 15th March 2026. So all enrolled students must complete their re- registration process before the last date. The re- registration fee costs around INR 200 which is compulsory to pay. If you do it after the deadline you need to pay INR 200 extra as a late fee.
IGNOU Entrance Exam
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) conducts its own entrance tests for B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) and BSCN(PB) (Post Basic Bachelors of Sciences in Nursing). For the B.Ed program candidates need to clear the IGNOU’s B.Ed Entrance Test. For the BSCN program it conducts an Open Nursing Entrance Test (OPENNET). Appearing for the entrance exam and securing a good score in that exam is mandatory.
Also check:
| IGNOU BA Admission | IGNOU BCA Admission |
| IGNOU BCom Admission | IGNOU BSc Admission |
FAQs
Q: What is the IGNOU 2nd year admission last date?
Ans: The university has issued a notice that the date of re-registration has been extended, so now those students who want to continue for the next semester/year can apply till 15th March 2026.
Q: Which course is best in IGNOU University?
Ans: No single course can be considered the best in IGNOU; it depends on the candidate’s choice. But still, there are some popular courses like Bachelor of Arts, BCom, BSc, MBA, and BEd.
Q: What is the IGNOU Admission 2026 last date?
Ans: The IGNOU admission 2026 last date is 15th March 2026. To apply, students need to visit the IGNOU Admission Portal.
Q: In how many courses is IGNOU Admission open?
Ans: IGNOU admissions are open for all the courses for online/ODL programmes. IGNOU B.ed admission are also open, and applications are live on the official website.
