IGNOU Online Admission 2026: Courses, Fees, Eligibility and Last Date
IGNOU Online lets you earn a recognised degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University without leaving your job or moving cities. Want a degree for a government job, a promotion, a move into IT, or the one you never finished? We’ll show you the IGNOU online or distance programme that fits, what it costs, and how to apply on the official IGNOU portal.
Share your details and a counsellor will call you about IGNOU online courses, fees and eligibility.
About IGNOU Online: India's Largest Open University
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a central university set up by an Act of Parliament in 1985 and headquartered in New Delhi. It was built for people who can’t attend a regular campus because of work, family, distance or age, and it holds an A++ grade from NAAC.
You can study at IGNOU in two ways. In Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode you get printed and digital self-learning material (eGyanKosh), attend counselling sessions at a study centre near you, submit assignments and sit term-end exams. In IGNOU Online mode, run by the university’s Centre for Online Education, the study material, counselling and assignments are delivered through a digital platform, so you can study from anywhere in India.
Both modes lead to an IGNOU degree. The university has 21 Schools of Study and a nationwide network of regional centres, and its online and distance programmes are entitled by UGC-DEB.
New Updates
- IGNOU July 2026 ODL & Online admissions: last date extended to 30 September
- IGNOU launches M.Sc. in Climate Change, a first among open universities in India
- Programme fee for July 2026 & January 2027 admissions
- B.Ed admissions open for the July 2026 session
- Applications invited for MBA programmes, July 2026 admission
- 2026 assignments: find course code, download and check validity
- DEB ID is mandatory for learners enrolling in ODL / Online programmes
- Guidelines for submitting the online examination form
IGNOU Online and Distance Courses 2026
Compare IGNOU online and distance programmes at bachelor’s and master’s level. Check the duration and eligibility below, then confirm the current fee on the official IGNOU portal before you apply.
| Program Code | Program Name | Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBA | Bachelor of Business Administration (Multiple Specializations) | 3 Years (6 Semesters) | 10+2 from a recognized board/council |
| BCOM | Bachelor of Commerce (Multiple Specializations) | 3 Years (6 Semesters) | 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board |
| BCA | Bachelor of Computer Applications (Multiple Specializations) | 3 Years (6 Semesters) | 10+2 from a recognized board (Mathematics/Computer Science preferred) |
| BA | Bachelor of Computer Applications (Multiple Specializations) | Bachelor of Computer Applications (Multiple Specializations) | 10+2 from a recognized board (Mathematics/Computer Science preferred) |
| BMS | Bachelor of Computer Applications (Multiple Specializations) | Bachelor of Computer Applications (Multiple Specializations) | 10+2 from a recognized board (Mathematics/Computer Science preferred) |
| BSC | Bachelor of Computer Applications (Multiple Specializations) | Bachelor of Computer Applications (Multiple Specializations) | 10+2 from a recognized board (Mathematics/Computer Science preferred) |
| Program Code | Program Name | Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | Master of Business Administration (Multiple Specializations) | 2 Years (4 Semesters) | Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university (Min. 50% aggregate) |
| MCOM | Master of Commerce | 2 Years (4 Semesters) | Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university (Min. 50% aggregate) |
| MCA | Master of Computer Applications | 2 Years (4 Semesters) | Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university (Min. 50% aggregate) |
| MA | Master of Arts (Economics, English, Journalism, etc.) | 2 Years (4 Semesters) | Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university (Min. 50% aggregate) |
| MSW | Master of Computer Applications (Multiple Specializations) | 2 Years (4 Semesters) | Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university (Min. 50% aggregate) |
Who Can Apply for IGNOU Online Courses?
IGNOU keeps entry requirements simple, so working adults, homemakers and recent school leavers can all apply.
- 10+2 pass from a recognised board for bachelor's programmes
- A bachelor's degree from a recognised university for master's programmes and the MBA
- Minimum marks depend on the programme, so check the programme guide
- No upper age limit for most IGNOU online and ODL programmes
- Working professionals and freshers can both apply
Why Choose IGNOU Online?
- The same IGNOU degree – Online and distance learners get a degree from a central university, accepted for government jobs, competitive exams and higher studies.
- Study around your job – Learn from e-content and counselling sessions at times that suit you, without attending a campus every day.
- Low fees – IGNOU programme fees are far lower than most private online universities, and you pay year-wise or semester-wise.
- UGC-DEB entitled, NAAC A++ – IGNOU online and distance programmes are entitled by UGC-DEB, and the university is NAAC A++ accredited.
How to Apply for IGNOU Online Admission 2026
IGNOU admits students twice a year, in the January and July sessions. ODL applications go through the IGNOU Samarth admission portal, and IGNOU online programme applications go through the IGNOU online portal. The steps are the same for both.
Choose your programme and mode
Check the eligibility and decide between IGNOU online and ODL mode.
Create your APAAR/ABC ID and DEB ID
The admission form can’t be submitted without these two IDs.
Register on the right portal
Use the Samarth admission portal for ODL, or the IGNOU online portal for online programmes.
Fill in the form and upload documents
Keep scans of your photo, signature, mark sheets and category certificate (if any) ready.
Pay the fee online
Your enrolment number is issued once IGNOU verifies your documents.
IGNOU Online: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is this the official IGNOU website?
No. This is an independent guidance website. All IGNOU online and ODL applications are completed on IGNOU’s official Samarth portals.
Q2. What is the difference between IGNOU Online and ODL mode?
IGNOU online programmes run fully on a digital platform, including study material, counselling and assignments. ODL (Open and Distance Learning) gives you printed study material, counselling sessions at a study centre and term-end exams at an exam centre.
Q3. Is an IGNOU online degree valid?
Yes. IGNOU is a central university and its online programmes are entitled by UGC-DEB, so an IGNOU online degree is accepted for government jobs, private jobs and higher studies.
Q4. How much do IGNOU online courses cost?
Fees depend on the programme, the school and the mode of study. Use our fee details as a starting estimate and confirm the final amount on the official IGNOU portal before you pay.
Q5. What is the last date for IGNOU online admission?
IGNOU announces a separate last date for the January and July sessions, and it is often extended. Check the New Updates section above or the official portal for the current deadline.
Start Your IGNOU Online Degree Today
Book a free counselling call to pick the right IGNOU online or distance programme, check your eligibility and get help with the admission form.