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All about IGNOU (UG): Courses, Admission, and Exams

IGNOU (UG)

IGNOU is called “The People’s University”! It is a National Open University which was established by the Act No. 50 of the Parliament in 1985. IGNOU Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates are entirely recognized by all the member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). All IGNOU Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates are at par with those of other Indian Universities/Deemed Universities/Institutions.

IGNOU – Introduction

It is now well recognized that open learning is the most viable option to make education accessible to all students in India. However, institutions operating in this mode must aim to offer quality education if it is to compete and collaborate with the traditional system.

Due to its intrinsic character, the ODL system (Open and Distance Learning mode) lends itself quite naturally to quality assurance and control. IGNOU has been undertaking a proactive role by sharing professional capabilities & resources, to maintain standards of ODL in the country.

IGNOU offers about 228 diploma, certificate, degree & doctoral programs, with an 810-member strong faculty and 574 academic staff at the headquarters and regional centres. IGNOU also has about 33,212 academic counselors from professional organizations, conventional institutions of higher learning, and the industry.

Programs offered:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Master’s Degree
  • M. Phil Programs
  • Doctoral Degree
  • Certificate
  • PG & Advance Diploma
  • PG & Advance Certificate
  • Non-Credit Programs
(Figure) IGNOU: A Leader of the ODL System in India – 6 Aspects
(Figure) IGNOU: A Leader of the ODL System in India – 6 Aspects

IGNOU courses

IGNOU courses: List of 27 Bachelor’s Degree programs

Duration: Minimum 3 Years, Maximum 6 Years; both January and July cycle of admission

1.    Bachelor of Commerce (BCOMG)

2.    Bachelor of Arts (BAG)

  • Anthropology
  • Economics
  • History
  • Political science
  • Psychology
  • Public administration
  • Sociology
  • Mathematics
  • Hindi
  • Urdu
  • English
  • Sanskrit
  • Education

3.    Bachelor of Science (BSCG)

  • Botany
  • Chemistry
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Mathematics
  • Physics,
  • Zoology

4.    Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)

5.    Bachelor of Library & Information Sciences (BLIS)

6.    Bachelor of Arts (Tourism Studies) (BTS)

7.    Bachelor of Social Work (BSWG) – Revised syllabus

8.    Bachelor of Business Administration (BBARL)

9.    Bachelor of Arts (Vocational) (Tourism Management) (BAVTM)

IGNOU courses: List of 9 Bachelor’s (Honors) Degree Programs

Duration: Minimum 3 Years, Maximum 6 Years; both January and July cycle of admission

BA (Honors):

1) Economics

2) History

3) Political science

4) Psychology

5) Public administration

6) Sociology

7) English

8) Hindi

B Sc (Honors)

1) Anthropology

IGNOU courses: List of 23 Diploma Programs

  1. Diploma in Aquaculture
  2. Diploma in Panchayat Level Administration & Development
  3. Diploma in Event Management
  4. Diploma in Dairy Technology
  5. Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education
  6. Diploma in Women’s Empowerment and Development
  7. Diploma in Creative Writing in English
  8. Diploma in Fish Products Technology
  9. Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education
  10. Diploma in Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables
  11. Diploma in Critical Care Nursing
  12. Diploma in HIV and Family Education
  13. Diploma in Meat Technology
  14. Diploma in Nursing Administration
  15. Diploma in Paralegal Practice
  16. Diploma in Elementary Education
  17. Diploma in Production of Value Added Products from Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds
  18. Diploma in Teaching German as a Foreign Language
  19. Diploma in Tourism Studies
  20. Diploma in Urdu
  21. Diploma in BPO Finance & Accounting
  22. Diploma in Modern Office Practice
  23. Diploma in Watershed Management

IGNOU courses: List of all 65 Certificate programs

  1. Certificate in Bee Keeping
  2. Certificate in Business Skills
  3. Certificate in Community Radio
  4. Certificate of Competency in Power Distribution (Technicians)
  5. Certificate in Consumer Protection
  6. Certificate in Disaster Management
  7. Certificate in Energy Technology and Management
  8. Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language
  9. Certificate Programme in Functional English (Basic level)
  10. Certificate in Environmental Studies
  11. Certificate Programme In Value Education
  12. Certificate in Food & Beverage Service Operation
  13. Certificate in Food and Nutrition
  14. Certificate in German Language
  15. Certificate in Persian Language
  16. Certificate in Front Office Operation
  17. Certificate Programme in Peace Studies and Conflict Management
  18. Certificate in Guidance
  19. Certificate in Health Care Waste Management
  20. Certificate Programme in YOGA
  21. Certificate in Geriatric Care Assistance
  22. Certificate in Home Health Assistance
  23. Certificate in Phlebotomy Assistance
  24. Certificate in General Duty Assistance
  25. Certificate in First Aid
  26. Certificate in HIV and Family Education
  27. Certificate in Home Based Health Care
  28. Certificate in House Keeping Operation
  29. Certificate in Information Technology
  30. Certificate Programme in Laboratory Techniques
  31. Certificate in International Humanitarian Law
  32. Certificate in Anti Human Trafficking
  33. Certificate in Co-operation, Co-operative Law
  34. Certificate in Human Rights
  35. Certificate Programme in Library and Information Science
  36. Certificate Programme on Life and Thought of B.R. Ambedkar
  37. Certificate in NGO Management
  38. Certificate in Maternal and Child Health Nursing
  39. Certificate in Newborn & Infant Nursing
  40. Certificate in Community Health
  41. Certificate in Nutrition and Childcare
  42. Certificate in Organic Farming
  43. Certificate in Performing Arts – Bharatnatyam
  44. Certificate in Performing Arts – Hindustani Music
  45. Certificate in Performing Arts – Karnatak Music
  46. Certificate In Performing Arts -Theatre Arts
  47. Certificate in Visual Arts – Painting
  48. Certificate in Visual Arts – Applied Arts
  49. Certificate in Poultry Farming
  50. Certificate Programme in Rural Development
  51. Certificate in French Language
  52. Certificate in Arabic Language
  53. Certificate in Russian Language
  54. Certificate in Spanish Language & Culture
  55. Certificate in Korean Language & Culture
  56. Certificate in Japanese Language
  57. Certificate in Sericulture
  58. Certificate in Social Work and Criminal Justice System
  59. Certificate in Tribal Studies
  60. Certificate Programme in Teaching of Primary School Mathematics
  61. Certificate in Tourism Studies
  62. Certificate in Urdu Language
  63. Certificate in Communication and IT Skills
  64. Certificate in Fashion Design
  65. Certificate in Water Harvesting and Management

IGNOU courses: List of 4 non-credit awareness & appreciation courses

  • Awareness Programme on Dairy Farming
  • Awareness Programme on Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables
  • Certificate in Motor Cycle Service and Repair
  • Appreciation Course on Environment

IGNOU online admission

IGNOU conducts admissions in 2 cycles: January & July

  • IGNOU admission is mainly based on your aggregate marks obtained in the respective qualifying degrees/exams
  • Entrance exams are conducted for specific courses such as MBA, B.Ed, MPhil, M Ed and PhD
  • A relaxation of 5% in aggregate marks is allowed for SC/ST/PD candidates
Salient Points to Remember
You can submit your Admission Forms online (except for International Students) through Online Admission System at http://onlineadmission.ignou.ac.in
Currently, this facility is available for the programs mentioned in the Common Prospectus only (link in ‘useful links’ section below) except the merit-based and entrance test based programs.
You, as a prospective student, are required to create your user ID and password for logging into the system and upload your documents along with the Admission Form. 
There is no need to send printed copies of your Admission Form to the Regional  Centre.  You can pay your respective program fees online using payment Gateway through net banking, debit/credit card or UPI.
Once your admission form is submitted online, you can track the progress of your admission. A message will be sent to the mobile number and email ID that you have submitted once your admission is confirmed.
In case of any discrepancy in your Admission Form, you will be asked to correct the discrepancy within a stipulated time. If you fail to do this, your admission form shall be rejected.
You can download the 2021 Prospectus free from IGNOU website http://www.ignou.ac.in. You can also find the link in the ‘useful links’ section. An amount of Rs. 200/- is charged as a registration fee along with your respective program fee.
IGNOU ONLINE ADMISSION

IGNOU admission for first time applicants: Instruction to Fill Application Form Online

**In a particular admission cycle, facility for fee exemption available to SC/ST students can be claimed for one program only. If you (SC/ST) submit more than one application claiming fee exemption, all your applications are liable to be rejected.

  • If you are a first time applicant you are advised to:
    • Click the available program tab on the homepage of the Online Admission System
    • Select the desired program
    • Carefully read the details of program including eligibility criteria, fee details, duration, etc.
  • You are also advised to download the Common Prospectus and read carefully (Section 06) as mentioned in it. You must also read sections 1, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 equally well.
    • Click on the button NEW REGISTRATION that appears in the applicant login area and fill the required registration details.
    • Be careful while choosing your User Name which must be between 8 & 16 characters
    • Be careful while choosing your password which must be alphanumeric and between 8 & 16 characters long.
    • After you’re done with your mandatory information click the “SUBMIT”
    • Your username will be immediately sent to you via an e-mail as well as an SMS.
  • You must not forget your Username and Password, which are to be used for subsequent logins.
  • You will be logged out and asked to log in again using your credentials (UID and Pwd)

After you have logged in successfully, you must ensure that you have the following in possession before proceeding to fill in your application form online (for your chosen course of study):-

  • Scanned copy of relevant Educational Qualification (less than 200 KB)
    • Scanned Photograph (less than 100 KB)
    • Scanned copy of Age Proof (less than 200 KB)
    • Scanned Signature (less than 100 KB)
    • Scanned Copy of Experience Certificate (if any) (less than 200 KB)
    • Scanned Copy of BPL Certificate, if Below Poverty Line(less than 200 KB)
    • Scanned Copy of Category Certificate, if SC/ST/OBC (less than 200 KB)
  • Fee can be paid by following methods:
    • Debit Card (Master/Visa/Rupay)
    • Credit Card (Master/Visa)
    • Net Banking

It is suggested that you create scanned copies from your original documents only. Once the documents are uploaded, click the next button you will get the Form preview option.

Save/Print your submitted form for possible future use.

IGNOU admission for existing users: Instruction to Fill Application Form Online

If you are already registered on the IGNOU portal i.e. you have an existing functional username and password, click the “LOGIN” button.

Before proceeding for filling the form (for your chosen course of study) online you must have the following in possession:-

  • Scanned copy of relevant Educational Qualification (less than 200 KB)
    • Scanned Photograph (less than 100 KB)
    • Scanned copy of Age Proof (less than 200 KB)
    • Scanned Signature (less than 100 KB)
    • Scanned Copy of Experience Certificate (if any) (less than 200 KB)
    • Scanned Copy of BPL Certificate, if Below Poverty Line(less than 200 KB)
    • Scanned Copy of Category Certificate, if SC/ST/OBC (less than 200 KB)
  • Fee can be paid by following methods:
  • Debit Card (Master/Visa/Rupay)
  • Credit Card (Master/Visa)
  • Net Banking

It is suggested that you create scanned copies from your original documents only. Once the documents are uploaded, click the next button you will get the Form preview option.

Save/Print your submitted form for possible future use.

IGNOU exams – Entrance tests

1.      IGNOU BBA (SM) Entrance Exam

BBA (SM) Entrance Exam is conducted by IGNOU for admission into its Bachelor of Business Administration (Services Management). This is a Distance Learning program.

  • Bachelor of Business Administration (Services Management) course is delivered in association with Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL).
  • Entrance Exam Fees is Rs. 150/-

2.      IGNOU OPENNET for B.Sc. Nursing (Post Basic)

OPENNET entrance examination is conducted to offer admission into post basic B.Sc. Nursing course which is a 3-year degree program for in-service nurses.

It is conducted once a year. There are Program Study Centers, which are existing nursing degree colleges, which deliver this course. All of these colleges are recognized by the Indian Nursing Council.

IGNOU Online education

Online education has already started influencing the education scenario in the country. It is destined to make an impact in a big way in the future. IGNOU has recently launched online programs too. Web-based methods can supplement the learning and teaching processes for need-based, professional, vocational and other academic programs.

IGNOU online community periodically upgrades its resources. These include:

  • Networking (internal) with Regional Study Centers for quick data transmission, and retrieval
  • Ready access to online resources for learners: walk-in admission and on-demand examination
    • online assignment generation
    • centralized computerized admission with instant confirmation
    • computerized and networked databases
  • The IGNOU online library makes optimum use of technology by:
    • Creating databases and digitalizing content from internal and external targets for facilitating fast retrieval and dissemination of information
    • Developing a special collection of material on distance education, education technology, online or web enabled learning, etc.
    • Digitalizing full-text materials with copyright permission
    • Facilitating access to a vast array of resources for empowering distance learners

IGNOU online: Various services for open learners

Distance education utilizes ‘open media’. Academic content provided through broadcast modes are available to a majority of our learners.

IGNOU online offers study materials through services like ‘Gyan Vani’ and ‘Gyan Darshan’ to reach out to students. IGNOU online intends to distribute the presence of GyanDarshan, GyanDhara and GyanVani in range and content.

(Figure) IGNOU Online: 3 Service Modalities for Open Learners
(Figure) IGNOU Online: 3 Service Modalities for Open Learners
GyanDarshan is a web-based television channel that is designed to air educational and developmental topics. Students can check GyanDarshan TV schedule from the IGNOU official portal. The availability of extended TV broadcasting will be upgraded to the Direct-to-Home (DTH) and Digital Terrestrial Television mode.
IGNOU online also reaches out to students through ‘GyanVani’ (105.6 FM) radio broadcasts. Broadcasting is currently held from 8 am to 8 pm every day.
GyanDhara is an internet audio counseling service offered by IGNOU online. GyanDhara broadcast is available at http://www.ignouonline.ac.in/gyandhara
IGNOU online will facilitate online programs/course by exploring the possibilities of incorporating MOOCs and OERs (Open Educational Resources) developed by external institutions. The focus will also be on app based Learner support such as Mobile App for Student Services, IGNOU e content App etc.
The effort is on to make all services online –from registration to convocation.
(Figure) IGNOU Online: 3 Service Modalities for Open Learners

IGNOU exams

IGNOU follows the ‘Credit System’ for most of its programs. Each credit in IGNOU’s framework is equivalent to 30 hours of study and will be comprising all your activities (i.e. reading and comprehending the print material, watching video, listening to audio, teleconference, attending counseling sessions and writing assignment responses). 

Thus,  a  4-credit  course will involve 120 hours  of  your study  and  a 6-credit  course will involve your 180  hours of  study. This will help you to know the academic effort you have to put in, to successfully complete your course.

Completion of  an  academic  program  (Degree  or Diploma)  requires successful completion of  your  assignments,  practical,  projects  and  the  Term-End Examination (TEE) as per each course in a program.

If you are already enrolled in a program of 1 year or longer duration, you can also simultaneously register for any Certificate program of 6 months. However, if there is any clash of dates of counseling or examination between the 2 programs, IGNOU will not be in a position to make adjustments.

Evaluation system

The system of evaluation followed by IGNOU is different from that of conventional universities. It has a multitier evaluation system.

1. Self-assessment exercises within each unit of study material per each course in a program

2. Continuous evaluation, primarily through assignments (tutor-marked), practical assignments and workshops/seminar/ extended contact programs, etc.

3. Term-End (TE) Examinations (TEE)

4. Practical (TE / Project) examination

Your evaluation will depend upon various instructional activities undertaken by you:

  • You have to write your assignment responses compulsorily before taking TEE from time to time to complete your academic program. 
  • You have to submit your Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) responses to the Coordinator of your Study Centre to which you’re attached.

Term-end examination is conducted at various examination centers spread all over the country and abroad in June and December every year.

Efforts will be made to allot an exam centre of your choice. However, exam centers have limited capacities. Hence it is advisable that you fill your exam form without waiting for the last date.

In case the capacity of the exam centre of your choice is exhausted, you are requested to opt for an alternate exam centre from the list of centers available.

IGNOU exams: TEE & payment of exam fee

IGNOU conducts Term-end Examination (TEE) twice a year, once in June and again in December. You are permitted to appear in TEE, subject to the following:-

1. Your registration for the courses is not time barred but valid

2. You have submitted the required number of assignments in the courses by due date wherever applicable

3. You have completed the minimum time to pursue these courses as per the provision of the program

4. You have paid the examination fees for all the courses that you are appearing for in the TEE

In the case of non-compliance of any of the above conditions, your result is liable to be withheld.

You are required to fill in the TEE form each time you appear i.e. for every exam (June/ December) you have to apply afresh.  The Examination Forms are accepted online only.

Hall ticket for TEE

No hall ticket is dispatched to TEE examinees.

Hall Tickets are all uploaded on the IGNOU Website a week or 10 days before the TEEs begin. Therefore, you are advised to visit the website for updates.

You are also advised to take a print out of your Hall Ticket from the website after entering your enrolment number and name of your program of study. You must report at the examination centre along with your IGNOU Identity Card.

Without a valid IGNOU Student ID Card, you will not be permitted to appear in the examination.

In case, you have misplaced your Student ID Card, you must mandatorily apply for a duplicate Identity Card to the Regional Centre concerned well before TEE so as to get it in time.  You will not be allowed to enter the Examination Centre premises without a valid ID card.

IGNOU exams: Re-registration

“Re-registration”  indicates  registration  in  the  next  semester/year  of  a  program,  wherever applicable.  

You are advised to submit your Re-Registration (RR) forms ‘Online’ on the web portal as per schedule notified from time to time, irrespective of the fact that you have    appeared in any examination or not or whether you have passed or not in the    course(s) registered for the current academic session.

If RR forms for any of the programs cannot be submitted online, you should submit them ONLY at the respective Regional Centre and nowhere else.

If you submit your ‘Offline’ RR Form at any other Regional Centre other than the allocated Regional Centre, and consequently miss your scheduled date and a semester/ year, you will have no claim on IGNOU for regularization.

If you are an international student pursuing a program from India, you are also advised to submit your RR forms online. Offline forms, if any, can be submitted to the International Division of the University.

IGNOU exams: Eligibility for TEE

If you have exhausted the maximum duration of a program, you should not apply for appearing at the TEE of any course without getting re-registered for the same. Otherwise, your result would be withheld.

If you are seeking admission to a CBCS based Bachelor Degree Program, you will be allowed to appear for the TEEs of all your courses of 1st & 2nd semesters together in June TEE in the following year only. 

Subsequently, as per the existing practices you will be allowed to appear in both December and June TEE to complete your courses. You can appear for the TEE only for those courses for which you have opted and have submitted the assignments within the stipulated period.

Conclusions

Finally good to see you here! We’ve crammed in a lot of information so far about IGNOU courses, IGNOU admission, IGNOU online education and IGNOU exams including the various entrance tests. It might all be quite confusing to you still unless you are clear about your existing strengths & weaknesses. Which field is best for you? You must find out with the help of an expert career counselor. A little help now may save a lot of heart burn later.

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6 thoughts on “All about IGNOU (UG): Courses, Admission, and Exams”

  1. Online studies in good but what about the studying material and teaching curriculum from Ignou and how does that help students in gaining knowledge.

  2. Thanks for sharing the information about the Online EducationBusiness Analytics in India. It really helps me to understand and also I will share with my friend’s thank you once again

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