IGNOU Admission 2026: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is one of the biggest open universities, which started in 1985. The university offers a variety of Online and ODL courses, including UG, PG, Diploma, and certificate programs and in different fields like Arts, Sciences, management, agriculture, computer science, and more. The goal of the university is to provide quality education to students who can’t attend regular colleges.
The Indira Gandhi National Open University offers admission in two academic years, January & July. Recently university has recently closed its admission procedure for their July academic year. The IGNOU University offers 300+ wide range of UG, PG, diploma, and certificate programs, such as BA, BCom, BBA, BSc, MA, MCom, MBA, MSc, PGDM, and more.
Soon, Indira Gandhi National Open University will commence its registration portal for “IGNOU admission January 2026 academic session on 25 December 2025* for all its Online and ODL courses.” The selection process will be based on the marks obtained by candidates in their recent academic qualifications.
Students who have completed the 12th class can apply for UG programs, while those who are applying for the PG program need a bachelor’s degree. While filling out the application form, applicants have to pay an application fee of INR 300 to INR 1000 through Net banking, UPI, or Debit/Credit card. Candidates can apply online and fill out an application form through the official website www.ignou.ac.in.
IGNOU Admission 2026 January Session Latest Update
- Indira Gandhi National Open University will start the admission process in the last week of December for the January 2026 AY.
- IGNOU Admission 2026 January session last date will be 31 January 2026* for all Online & ODL courses.
- IGNOU PhD admission will start in the second week of November, and the last date to fill out the application form will be 15 December 2025*.
- IGNOU BEd registration procedure will commence in the second week of November. Students can complete the registration for the entrance exam by the last date of 14 December 2025*.
- IGNOU Post BSc Nursing registration for the entrance exam will commence on 12 November 2025*, and students can complete the form-filling procedure before the last date of 15 December 2025*.
IGNOU Admission 2026 January Session Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| University Name | Indira Gandhi National Open University |
| Mode of Education | Distance Education |
| Program Offered | UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate |
| Popular Courses | BCom, BEd, BSc, MCom, MA, MBA |
| Application Process | Online |
| Mode of Learning | Distance |
| Type of University | Public Distance Learning University |
| Established | 1985 |
| IGNOU Admission 2026 January Start Date | 25 December 2025* |
| IGNOU Admission 2026 January Last Date | 31 January 2026* |
| Registration Fee | INR 300 to INR 1000 |
| University website | www.ignou.ac.in |
IGNOU Admission 2026 January session
The Indira Gandhi National Open University will start the admission procedure for all UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, Advanced Diploma & Certificate level Online and ODL courses under the January 2026 academic year. The IGNOU Admission 2026 January last date will be 31 January 2026* for all courses.
Students need to visit the official portal of the university for Online course admission visit @ignouiop.samarth.edu.in, and for the ODL courses, visit @ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. Admissions are offered at IGNOU based on the performance in the previous qualifying examination marks for all courses, while BEd and PhD require an entrance exam.
Applicants with 10+2, UG, or PG degrees can apply for the IGNOU Admission 2026 and need to pay an application processing fee of INR 300. The payment will be done completely online through Net Banking, UPI, and more. Interested candidates can apply online and submit the admission form through the official portal of the University, www.ignou.ac.in.
IGNOU Admission 2026 January session Last Date
| Event | Tentative Last Date |
| IGNOU Admission 2026 January session start date | 25 December 2025* |
| IGNOU Admission 2026 January session Last date | 31 January 2026* |
| IGNOU BA Admission 2026 Last Date | 31 January 2026* |
| IGNOU BCom Admission 2026 Last Date | 31 January 2026* |
| IGNOU MA Admission 2026 Last Date | 31 January 2026* |
| IGNOU MCom Admission 2026 Last Date | 31 January 2026* |
| IGNOU MBA Admission 2026 Last Date | 31 January 2026* |
| IGNOU BEd Admission 2026 Last Date | 28 February 2026* |
| IGNOU Re-Registration 2026 Last Date | 31 January 2026* |
Eligibility Criteria for IGNOU Admission 2026
Candidates who are looking for IGNOU admission 2026 for any interested course must match the admission requirements of the particular course set by the university. Enrollment in most of the courses is based on academic merit, while for some selective courses like BEd, MEd, and PhD programs, candidates have to appear in an entrance exam.
- UG Courses: To pursue a UG program, candidates must have completed their 12th class with at least 45% marks from an accredited board like CBSE, ICSE or State Board.
- PG Courses: A Bachelor’s degree in any relevant discipline is needed for a PG program from a UGC-DEB-approved university/institute with a minimum of 50% marks.
- Certificate & Diploma: One who is seeking admission to certificate and diploma courses must have passed the 10+2 exam and hold an undergraduate degree, respectively.
- IGNOU does not specify any age restriction for admission.
IGNOU Admission 2026 Entrance Exam
Students who want to enrol in academic programs like BEd, PhD, and Post BSc Nursing programs have to make sure they participate in an entrance exam conducted by IGNOU itself. Candidates must register themselves for an entrance exam, and the marks scored by them will be needed for selection.
The IGNOU University conducts an entrance test for BEd, PhD, & Post BSc Nursing programs, and the application form will be released on 14 November 2025* for the session 2026. The last date to apply for IGNOU BEd admission 2026 will be 31 January 2026*, and the entrance exam will be conducted on 28 February 2026*.
IGNOU Re-Registration 2026 January session
IGNOU re-registration 2026 January session is important for students who want to continue their studies in the next year. IGNOU Re-Registration will start on 10 December 2025*, and the last date to submit an IGNOU re-registration form is 31 January 2026* for the January session 2026. Students need to visit the official portal of the university @onlinerr.ignou.ac.in.
Students must log in using their enrollment number, password, and Captcha. Re-registration will be done through the official IGNOU portal with a re-registration fee of INR 300. After the re-registration process, students can continue their academic Journey.
Indira Gandhi National Open University Courses and Fees
IGNOU offers many undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate, and PhD programs to help students achieve their educational qualifications for the January session 2026. Some of the most preferred courses at IGNOU are BEd, BCom, MEd, MBA, MSc, BSW, and more.
| Program Name | Fees |
|---|---|
| B.Ed | INR 55,000 |
| Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management | INR 5,000 |
| BBA | INR 10000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce | INR 4500 |
| BCA | INR 48,000 |
| B.Sc (Hons) Biochemistry | INR 43,500 |
| Bachelor of Social Work | INR 6,300 |
| Bachelor of Science (General) | INR 5,900 |
| Master of Arts in Development Studies | INR 12,600 |
| Master of Arts in Urban Studies | INR 14,800 |
| M.Sc (Food Safety & Quality Management) | INR 26,000 |
| M.Sc (Biochemistry) | INR 36,200 |
| Master of Social Work | INR 36,000 |
| Master of Arts in Corporate Social Responsibility | INR 15,000 |
| Master of Arts in Population and Family Health Studies | INR 12,000 |
| Diploma in Paralegal Practice | INR 8400 |
| Diploma in Tourism Studies | INR 4500 |
| Diploma in Critical Care Nursing | INR 6000 |
| Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education | INR 3000 |
| Diploma in Value Education | INR 4000 |
| Diploma in Nursing Administration | INR 10,800 |
| PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine | INR 26,000 |
| PG Diploma in Animal Welfare | INR 5,400 |
| PG Diploma in Maternal and Child Health | INR 30,000 |
| PG Diploma in HIV Medicine | INR 60,000 |
| PG Diploma in Higher Education | INR 3,000 |
IGNOU UG Admission 2026
There are multiple UG courses that are offered at IGNOU in Online and ODL modes, such as BA, BCom, BBA, BSc, BCA, BSW, BLIS, etc, for the January session 2026. IGNOU UG Admissions for the January session will start on 25 December 2025, with the last date to apply being 31 January 2026*. All those applicants who have passed their 12th class from a valid board will be eligible to enrol in their desired IGNOU undergraduate program.
IGNOU UG Admission form is available online at the university’s official website www.ignou.ac.in. An average fee to get a UG degree from IGNOU ranges between INR 7,900 to INR 40,200 per year (depending on the course’s mode).
IGNOU BA Course
Indira Gandhi National Open University offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) through its ODL mode for those students who want to gain knowledge about critical thinking, analytical skills, and a broad understanding of the humanities and social sciences.
IGNOU BA course offers in various specializations such as English, Hindi, History, Political Science, Sociology, and more. The selection process is completely based on merit for BA programs and can be completed in 3 to 6 years. The IGNOU BA program fee ranges from INR 4800 to INR 15000 per annum.
IGNOU BBA Course
Bachelor of Business Administration at IGNOU is 3 year program that focus to gain knowledge about build a foundation in business and management. The University offers BBA program into 3 Specializations which are General, Service Management, and Retail Management.
The selection criteria to this courses is completely base don merit. Students must have bachelor degree from a recognized board to get enroll in IGNOU BBA. The program fee is around INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per annum.
The curriculum covers core areas such as marketing, finance, human resources, and operations management, equipping learners with entrepreneurial skills. Career prospects after completing the IGNOU BBA for Graduates are roles in sales, marketing, banking, retail, and administrative services.
IGNOU PG Admission 2026
Indira Gandhi National Open University will commence PG admissions for the January 2026 session on 05 December 2025 for the January 2026 session, and the IGNOU PG admission 2026 last date to apply will be 31 January 2026. To pursue a postgraduate program at IGNOU, applicants will need to have a UG degree in a related field from a recognized university or college by the UGC. They will be granted admission to this university based on their grades for a bachelor’s degree.
IGNOU PG programs usually take 2 years to complete the course, which can be extended to a maximum of 4 years. The total master’s degree course fee at IGNOU ranges between INR 12,600 to 80,000. Interested candidates can apply through the official web portal of IGNOU before the deadline.
IGNOU MA Course
The University offers a 2-year Master of Arts in various specializations such as English, History, Political Science, Sociology, and more for the January session 2026-27. IGNOU MA course is designed for those who want in-depth theoretical knowledge, interdisciplinary, and practical skills.
Applicants must have a bachelor degree in relevant fields from a reputed board via its official web portal. The IGNOU MA program fee is around INR 6000 to INR 7700 per year, which will be paid through different methods like UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card and more.
IGNOU MBA Course
The IGNOU MBA is a 2-year flexible program designed for working professionals and graduates, which is offered in various specializations like HR, Finance, Marketing, and Operations. The total program fees are INR 66,000 for online and distance learning modes. To apply, Students need a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks.
The curriculum includes theory, case studies, and practical skills to build strong business knowledge. The course carries 100 credits in total. Admission is open twice a year, and no entrance exam is required. After completing the MBA course, Career options include roles in management, consulting, banking, and entrepreneurship.
IGNOU Diploma and Certificate Admission 2026
IGNOU has a long list of diploma and certificate courses offered in both ODL and Online modes. These courses are offered in varying fields and specialisations such as DECE, CES, CIT, PGDM and more for the 2026 session. IGNOU diploma and certificate programs are less in terms of course fees, which range between INR 2,400 to 12,000 with the course duration of 6 months to 2 years, than other conventional courses. There are different levels of short-term diploma and certificate programs offered at IGNOU.
These courses have different educational requirements, as admission is granted directly based on the applicant’s merit. IGNOU Admission process will commence on 05 December 2025 for the January session 2026, with the last date to apply 31 January 2026, and eligible students can directly apply online through the official web portal www.ignou.ac.in
IGNOU PhD Admission 2026
The University offers PhD programs in various specializations such as sciences, arts & social sciences, engineering fields and many more for the session 2026. Students who are seeking IGNOU PhD Admission can apply through the official University website www.ignou.ac.in. IGNOU PhD admission 2026 will start in the month of November 2026, and the last date to submit an application form will be 31 January 2026*. IGNOU also conducts an entrance exam for the PhD program and will announce the date for the Entrance examination for the 2026 session.
IGNOU BEd Admission 2026
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program for the session 2026. Students who are interested in IGNOU BEd admission can apply through the official portal www.ignou-bed.samarth.edu.in. IGNOU admission for the BEd program is based on the entrance exam, and Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks from a recognized university.
The application form will be released on 14 November 2025*, and the last date to fill out the application form is 15 December 2025*. IGNOU BEd Entrance test will be scheduled to be conducted on 10 January 2026* for the academic year 2026, and the expected date to release the result will be 15 March 2026*.
How to Apply Online for IGNOU Admission 2026
Candidates can go to the IGNOU website to fill out their registration form online before the due date. To proceed, students should follow the simple steps given below:
Step 1: Students should begin by visiting the official IGNOU website through any preferred search engine.
Step 2: Carefully review all admission-related information and guidelines available in the academic prospectus.
Step 3: Click on the “Register Now” button to start the process.
Step 4: By entering your name, ID proof, email ID, and phone number, candidates shall create a new applicant ID.
Step 5: Log in by entering your student ID and password.
Step 6: Fill in all details carefully to avoid any mistakes.
Step 7: Upload all scanned copies of the necessary documents as specified in the prospectus.
Step 8: Pay a registration fee using the available method on the website.
Step 9: Now, click on the “Submit Now” button to complete your application submission.
Step 10: Save a copy of the completed registration form for future reference.
IGNOU Official Portals
| Event | Official Websites |
| IGNOU Online Portal | www.ignouiop.samarth.edu.in |
| IGNOU ODL Portal | www.ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in |
| IGNOU Student Portal (After Admission) | www.ignou.samarth.edu.in |
| IGNOU Grade Card |
www.gradecard.ignou.ac.in/gradecard |
How to Apply Offline for IGNOU Admission 2026
IGNOU Admission offline procedure for the January 2026 session is as follows:
Step 1: Candidates need to visit their nearest IGNOU Regional Centre.
Step 2: Fill out the IGNOU admission application.
Step 3: Self-attest the required documents.
Step 4: Submit the IGNOU admission application form with a passport-size photo.
Step 5: After submitting an application form, it is mandatory to pay the admission and tuition fees.
Documents Required
When filling out an online application, candidates need to upload several important documents, which include:
- A scanned photograph
- A scanned signature
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Scanned copy of the 10th-grade certificate
- Scanned copy of the 12th-grade certificate
- Scanned copies of bachelor’s and postgraduate mark sheets
- Birth certificate
- Identity proof
- Migration certificate
- Domicile certificate
IGNOU Admission Status 2026
At the web portal https://isms.ignou.ac.in/changeadmdata/AdmissionStatusNew.ASP, they will have to enter their IGNOU Enrollment Number along with the Course code to check their admission status. IGNOU Admission Status can be checked for all the courses offered by the university in both Online and ODL modes, such as BA, MA, BCom, Diploma in Creative Writing in English, Certificate in Russian Language, and others.