IGNOU PGDCA Admission 2026: Last Date, Eligibility & Syllabus

IGNOU PGDCA Admission 2026 will be initiated soon for the upcoming January session from 15th December 2025*. Registration will be applicable for all applicants who are interested in building careers in IT services and computer science. IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications is a 1-year PG diploma course, offered in ODL mode. To be eligible for the PGDCA program at IGNOU, students must have a bachelor’s degree with mathematics at the 10+2 or graduation level. Students will learn about data management, programming, networking, and software design. IGNOU PGDCA is a 32-credit course which includes 6 theory and 4 practicals. Students have to pay the IGNOU PGDCA course fee of INR 10800/- per semester, along with a registration fee of INR 300/-. The main medium of instruction is English. Students must submit the IGNOU PGDCA admission form by 31st January 2026* @ignou.samarth.edu.in. 

IGNOU PGDCA: Latest Updates

• 01 Dec 2025: IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) Admission Process will begin soon for the January 2026 academic session. Students can fill the registration form on the IGNOU official portal till 31st January 2026*. Source 

IGNOU PGDCA Admission Update

• About: It’s a one-year diploma focusing on computer applications and software development.
• Program Duration: Minimum 1 year, maximum 3 years for flexibility.
• Eligibility: Any bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST).
• Application Process: Apply online through the IGNOU website. Fill out the form and pay the application fee.
• Average Fee: The course of PGDCA Admission course fee is approximately Rs 10,000 per semester (total Rs 21,600 for the course) plus a Rs 3000 registration fee. 
• Age: There is no age limit required for the PGDCA admission at IGNOU.
• Curriculum Overview: IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application covers C++, Python Lab, Programming, Algorithms Lab, Computer Organisation, Operating System, and others.
• Learning Flexibility: Study at your own pace with distance learning materials.
• IGNOU PGDCA Admission Fees Per Semester: ₹10,800 per semester (total ₹21,600 for the course).
• Career opportunities: After completing this course, students can pursue careers in web development, programming, or database administration.
• Average Salary: The average salary after completing the PGDCA course is Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 7.0 lakh per annum.
  

IGNOU PG DCA Admission 2026 Highlights: 

IGNOU PGDCA Course Details 

Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a postgraduate  diploma program, designed to provide practical knowledge and skills in computer applications and software development. This  programme is delivered through IGNOU’s open and distance learning mode, which makes it accessible to students across India. The duration of this course is 1 year which can be completed by the students in the duration of 3 years. This course primarily delivered in English and it combined theoretical concepts with practical hands-on training. IGNOU’s PGDCA curriculum covers important topics of computer science such as programming languages, Python, & Java, data structures & algorithms, computer organization, operating systems, database management, and practical lab exercises. After completion of this course graduates will pursue their career in software development, web development, database management, IT support, or lab-based computing roles. 

Why Choose IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications?

• Industry-Relevant Skills: Learn programming, database management, and more.
• Flexible Learning: Study at your own pace with distance education.
• Affordable Education: Quality education at a reasonable cost.
• Recognized Degree: IGNOU degrees are accepted worldwide.
• Career Opportunities: Open doors to various IT jobs.

IGNOU PGDCA Admission Eligibility Criteria: 

Students who wish to enroll in Indira Gandhi National Open University for the PGDCA course in the January session 2026-27 academic cycle will be required to have a degree as per the eligibility criteria for this program.

• Required Degree: Any bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
• Minimum Marks: 50% in bachelor’s degree (45% for SC/ST candidates).
• Age Limit: No age restrictions.
• Additional Requirement: Basic computer knowledge is helpful but not mandatory.
• Category 1 Applicants: Those with mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level.
• Category 2 Applicants: Those without a mathematics background need to complete a bridge course (BCS-012).

 If a student has not considered the Mathematics subject as one of the UG or Class 12 courses, then the student can also apply after completing a graduation-level mathematical bridge course.

Entrance Exam

• There is no entrance exam for PGDCA at IGNOU.
• Admission is based on your bachelor’s degree marks.
• Apply directly through the IGNOU website.

IGNOU PGDCA Course Duration 

Indira Gandhi National University provides 200+ postgraduate courses, but PGDCA is a unique course for those students who are building their careers in computer teaching and other fields. The program duration is 1 year, but extended up to 3 years. PGDCA is known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Applications.

Selection Criteria for IGNOU PGDCA Admission

• Merit-Based Selection: Candidates are selected based on their bachelor’s degree marks.
• First-Come-First-Served: Seats are filled as applications are received and approved.
• No Entrance Test: Unlike some other IGNOU courses, PGDCA doesn’t require an entrance exam.

IGNOU PGDCA Fee Structure

IGNOU also allows candidates to pay fees offline at the nearest IGNOU regional centers. These centers help students with offline IGNOU admission and provide services. Students can pay fees offline at IGNOU regional centers during the offline admission process.

Application Process for IGNOU PGDCA Admission:

To apply online, students must have a laptop or desktop computer with a stable internet connection. The forms must be submitted in the correct order for a successful application:-

Step 1: Visit the IGNOU Website: Go to www.ignou.ac.in.

Step 2: Find the Admissions Section: Look for “Fresh Admission” or “New Registration”.

Step 3: Choose PGDCA: Select the course from the list of programs.

Step 4: Fill out the Application Form: Enter your personal and educational details carefully.

Step 5: Upload Documents: Scan and upload your degree certificate and mark sheets.

Step 6: Pay the Fee: Make an online payment of INR 9,000 for the first semester.

Step 7: Submit the Form: Review all details and submit your application.

Step 8: Save Confirmation: Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.

Documents Required

• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Last year’s mark sheet
• 10th and 12th certificates
• ID proof (Aadhar card or PAN card)
• Passport-size photograph
• Category certificate (for SC/ST students)

Offline admission process

1. Get the prospectus and application form from the IGNOU regional center or download from the website.
2. Fill out the application form and attach the required documents.
3. Submit the form and documents at the regional center.
4. Pay the application fee through online payment methods.

Examination Pattern

The PGDCA program at IGNOU follows a comprehensive evaluation system. Each semester has both theory and practical exams. Theory exams are held at the end of each semester and are worth 70% of the total marks. Practical exams and assignments make up the remaining 30%.

Evaluation System

• Theory Exams: 70% weightage, conducted at the end of each semester.
• Practical Exams: 15% weightage, assess your hands-on skills.
• Assignments: 15% weightage, to be submitted during the semester.
• Minimum Pass Marks: 40% in theory and practical separately.
• Overall Grade: Based on performance in all components.
• Re-appear Option: Available for students who don’t clear on the first attempt.

How to Apply for a Fee Refund
1. Open your registered email
2. Prepare a mail ID for IGNOU PGDCA Admission cancellation
3. Mentation enrollment number. You write the course code and name
4. Sent this to canceladms@ignou.ac.in
5. IGNOU will initiate the fee fund.

IGNOU PGDCA New Study Materials

IGNOU provides free study material. Students can view and download it by visiting the website. IGNOU PGDCA study material is very helpful for students to prepare for IGNOU TEE, which is conducted twice a year, in June and December. 

IGNOU PGDCA Admission Syllabus

IGNOU PGDCA Study Material

IGNOU has made it easy for students to study at their own pace at any time through easily downloadable IGNOU PGDCA study materials. Those students who have enrolled in the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications and want to download study material can download it from the official website of IGNOU.

IGNOU PGDCA Assignments

After the IGNOU PGDCA admission 2026, the university released the assignments. These assignments help students in theory and practice. These assignments can be downloaded from the official website of IGNOU. Assignments are important for the evaluation of students. 30% of the marks of the assignments are added to the final report card of PGDCA. If students have any queries, then they can contact the IGNOU portal.

IGNOU PGDCA Admission is done according to the semester system, with two sessions per year. Term-end examinations are usually held at the end of the academic semester in June and December. Each course is assessed through assignments (30% weightage) and term-end examinations (70% weightage).

IGNOU PGDCA Scholarship

Indira Gandhi National Open University has launched a scholarship program for candidates who are citizens of India and are already enrolled in any program of the university. To apply for the IGNOU scholarship, candidates need to visit the official website- IGNOU Scholarships.

PGDCA Career Opportunities for Fresh Admission

After completing the PGDCA course, the average starting salary for a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) graduate is between ₹2-4 lakh per annum. With 4-5 years of experience, the salary can rise to ₹10 lakh and up per annum. It depends on your skills and knowledge

• Software Developer: Create computer programs and applications using languages like Python and Java.
• Web Developer: Design and build websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Database administrators: Manage and organize data for companies using database systems.
• IT support specialists: Help solve computer problems in offices or technical support centers.
• Systems analysts: Study an organization’s computer systems and suggest improvements.

IGNOU Grades

IGNOU calculates the final grade by combining assignment scores and term-end examination (TEE) marks with a weighted average. The letter grade system ranges from A (80% and above) to E (less than 40%), and grades also appear in the grade point average.

Placement Information

The students who are fully skilled earn an average salary of around Rs 5 lakh per month. Their placement in this company can be like ZIB, Paytm, Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Amazon, and Wipro.

• Software Developer: Average salary ₹4-6 lakhs per year
• Web Developer: Can earn ₹3-5 lakhs annually
• Database Administrator: Salaries range from ₹5-8 lakhs per year
• IT Support Specialist: Starting salary around ₹2-4 lakhs per year
• Systems Analyst: Can expect ₹6-9 lakhs annually

FAQs

Q1: Is IGNOU PGDCA recognized by companies?

Ans: Yes, IGNOU degrees are recognized nationwide. Many companies accept PGDCA for IT positions.

Q2: Can I do PGDCA while working?

Ans: Absolutely. The flexible schedule allows you to balance work and study effectively.

Q: Where can I submit IGNOU assignments? 

Ans: You can submit IGNOU assignments online at the official website and offline at the nearest study centre.

Q 3: Are there any offline classes for PGDCA?

Ans: Most learning is through distance mode, but some practical sessions may be held at study centers.

Q: Is PGDCA available in IGNOU?

Ans: Yes, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) through distance education mode and online mode.