Overview
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is India's national open university, established by an Act of Parliament in 1985 to widen access to higher education through distance and online learning. It runs programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as well as fully online delivery, supported by a network of over 69 regional centres, more than 2,000 learner support centres across India, and 25 overseas study centres in 15 countries.
Who can take it
IGNOU is open to learners across India and abroad, including working adults and international students, subject to the eligibility criteria set for each individual programme (which vary by level and subject).
Structure or exam pattern
| Level | Examples |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Bachelor's degrees, including four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUP) |
| Postgraduate | Master's degrees and postgraduate diplomas |
| Diploma and Certificate | Shorter, skill-focused programmes |
| Doctorate | PhD programmes |
| Online | 45 programmes delivered fully through IGNOU's own Learning Management System |
IGNOU offers 325 programmes in total, spread across 20 schools of study, in fields ranging from computer science and engineering to social work, hospitality and performing arts.
What it covers
Assessment in IGNOU's ODL and online programmes combines continuous evaluation, through assignments submitted during the term, with a term-end examination for each course; credits are awarded on successful completion of a course toward the overall programme.
Recognition
IGNOU is a UGC-recognized university and holds an A++ accreditation grade from NAAC — the university states it was the first open university to receive this grade — and it has been ranked first in the Open University category by India's National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
Dates and fees
For the July 2026 admission cycle, the application deadline for most ODL programmes (excluding certificate and semester-based programmes) is 30 September 2026, as published on IGNOU's admission portal. The programme fee and application/registration fee vary by programme and are shown on the admission portal before payment; the registration fee is stated as non-refundable.
How to register
New applicants register on IGNOU's ODL admission portal, creating an account and uploading required documents — a passport-sized photograph, signature, and proof of educational qualifications — in the specified formats, then completing payment online by card, net banking or UPI. A small number of specialized programmes use a separate portal (IGNOU FLIP).
Preparation tips
Because IGNOU combines assignment-based continuous evaluation with a term-end exam for each course, keeping up with assignment deadlines through the semester is as important as preparing for the term-end exam itself.
Is IGNOU recognized by the UGC?
Yes. IGNOU is a UGC-recognized university, and it holds an A++ accreditation grade from NAAC.
How many programmes does IGNOU offer?
IGNOU states it offers 325 programmes across 20 schools of study, spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate and doctoral levels.
How is an IGNOU course assessed?
Through a combination of assignments submitted during the term (continuous evaluation) and a term-end examination for each course.
What is the deadline to apply for the July 2026 session?
For most ODL programmes (excluding certificate and semester-based ones), the application deadline is 30 September 2026, as published on IGNOU's admission portal.