Indira Gandhi National Open University

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a central university established in 1985 by an Act of Parliament.  It started functioning academically in 1987, with two programs and around 4,500 students. As of now, IGNOU supports well over 4 million learners in India and abroad through 21 schools, 56 regional centres, and 29 overseas partner institutions. It is one of the largest open universities in the world, offering education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online mode. The University Grants Commission (UGC) recognises IGNOU, and it is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

IGNOU provides more than 200 programmes at the UG, PG, certificate, diploma, and doctoral levels through open and distance learning (ODL) and online learning (OL) modes. Some of the popular IGNOU courses are BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA, MA, MCA, MBA, and MCom. The Central Government of India runs the university, which has received an A++ accreditation from NAAC and attracts students from over 40 countries.

Indira Gandhi National Open University admissions are conducted twice in a year, i.e., in January and July. The IGNOU registration usually begins in November for the January session and in May or June for the July session.  IGNOU ranks number 1 in the ‘Open Universities’ category as per NIRF rankings 2025. It's highlighting its strong academic standing and national importance.

IGNOU courses are designed to provide affordable and flexible education. The fees vary based on programme levels and durations. Indira Gandhi National Open University has various courses that candidates can take online or through distance learning. IGNOU offers undergraduate courses like BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, and BCA. The university also offers an online or distance-learning BTech programme.

At the postgraduate level, IGNOU University offers courses like MA, MBA, MCom, MTech, MCA, and others. To get into the IGNOU MBA programme, candidates must meet the required eligibility criteria. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from a recognised university with 50% of the total marks to get admission to the PG courses. Check below for IGNOU fees and courses:

Indira Gandhi National Open University's (IGNOU) programmes have a centralised online admissions process. There are two times a year when students can apply for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes, i.e., in January and July. The official IGNOU portals are the only places where candidates can register and pay their fees.

Admission Sessions at IGNOU

• January Session: Applications generally open from November to January

• July Session: Applications usually begin from May to June.

Note: Candidates are advised to apply within the notified deadlines published on the official website.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) provides placement services for its students through the Campus Placement Cell (CPC). Students enrolled in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes, as well as those enrolled in the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, can avail themselves of placement services through IGNOU.

Recognising that students need career opportunities, IGNOU conducts job fairs and placement drives across multiple locations. The location includes Delhi, Patna, Varanasi, Ranchi, and other regional centres to assist them in finding employment. These placement drives have a high turnout of students and provide them with access to various employers from various industries.  It also allows them to have a flexible education schedule to support their employability. Check the below table for IGNOU placements 2024:

IGNOU Scholarship

IGNOU scholarships are offered mostly to students from SC and ST, which are reserved categories. The university also offers fee waivers and reimbursements from time to time, following its rules. Students who meet the requirements can apply for scholarships from both the central and state governments. They can do this by filling out the necessary forms and sending them to the Regional Director of IGNOU through their State Social Welfare Departments.

Students who are SC, ST, OBC, minorities, or individuals with disabilities (PWD) can also get fee waivers, refunds, and scholarships from the UGC, MHRD, and different state governments. IGNOU also lowers the cost of its agriculture diploma and certificate programs (but not its PG certificates, diplomas, or PhD programs).

• If a rural student submits a valid domicile certificate, they can get a 50% discount on their fees.

• Students in cities who are below the poverty line may also be able to get a 50% fee discount if they show proof of income.

According to the NIRF Rankings 2025, IGNOU is the best "Open University" in the new category. This indicates that it has a strong academic structure and is a leader in open and distance education in India. 

UGC and AIU both recognise the IGNOU university. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has also given IGNOU an A++ grade, which means that the school has high academic standards. Once they are officially released, the other IGNOU rankings will be updated. Check the table below for IGNOU ranking and recognition:

This is what all your hard work is for. Indira Gandhi National Open University degree certificate is an official, prestigious document that is not marked as “online” or “distance.” It has the same legal validity and weight as a regular on-campus degree. It's proof that you’ve earned a world-class education.

Note: All certificate/degree images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of UMass Global.