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

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

This post is about post graduate courses offered by IGNOU, For UG courses click here

IGNOU courses

IGNOU courses: List of 39 Masters’ Degree Programs

Duration: Minimum 2 years and Maximum 4 years

Master of arts

1. Master of Arts (Economics)
2. Master of Arts(Education)
3. Master of Arts in Adult Education
4. Master of Arts (English)
5. Master of Arts in Extension & Development Studies
6. Master of Arts in Development Studies
7. Master of Arts in Gandhi and Peace Studies
8. Master of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies
9. Master of Arts (Hindi)
10. Master of Arts (History)
11. Master of Arts (Sanskrit)
12. Master of Arts (Hindi) Online
13. Master of Arts (Philosophy)
14. Master of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication
15. Master of Arts (Political Science)
16. Master of Arts (Public Administration)
17. Master of Arts (Rural Development)
18. Master of Arts (Sociology)
19. MA in Distance Education
20. MA in Gender and Development Studies
21. MA in Psychology
22. MA in Distance Education
23. MA in Translation Studies

Master of science

1. Master of Science (Food and Nutrition)
2. Master of Science (Hospitality Administration)
3. MSc (Mathematics with Applications in Computer Science)
4. Master of Science (Counseling and Family Therapy)

Master of commerce

1. Master of Commerce in Business Policy and Corporate Governance
2. Master of Commerce in Finance & Taxation
3. Master of Commerce in Management Accounting & Financial Strategies

Other master degree programs

1. Master of Business Administration (Banking & Finance)
2. Master of Business Administration
3. Master of Computer Applications
4. Master of Education
5. Master of Library and Information Science
6. Masters in Anthropology
7. Master of Social Work
8. Master of Social Work (Counseling)
9. Master of Tourism & Travel Management

IGNOU courses: List of 11 M. Phil programs

1. MPHIL in Chemistry
2. Master of Philosophy in Commerce
3. M.Phil in Economics
4. M.Phil. in Geography
5. Master of Philosophy in Journalism and Mass Communication
6. Master of Philosophy in Theatre Arts
7. Master of Philosophy in Political Science
8. Master of Philosophy in Sociology
9. Master of Philosophy in Social Work
10. M.Phil in Distance Education
11. Master of Philosophy in Translation Studies

IGNOU courses: List of 42 Doctoral programs

1. Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture Extension
2. Ph.D in Dairy Science and Technology
3. Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology
4. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry
5. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
6. Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce
7. Doctor of Philosophy Computer Science
8. Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
9. Doctor of Philosophy in English
10. Doctor of Philosophy in Extension & Development Studies
11. Doctor of Philosophy in Food & Nutrition
12. PhD in Gender and Development Studies
13. PhD in Women’s Studies
14. Doctor of Philosophy in Geography
15. Doctor of Philosophy in Hindi
16. Doctor of Philosophy in History
17. Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science
18. Doctor of Philosophy in Inter-disciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies
19. Doctor of Philosophy in Journalism & Mass Communication
20. Doctor of Philosophy in Library & Information Science
21. Doctor of Philosophy in Management
22. Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics
23. Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
24. Doctor of Philosophy in Performing and Visual Arts with specialization in Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and Music
25. Doctor of Philosophy in Law
26. Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences
27. Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
28. Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science
29. Doctor of Philosophy in Education
30. Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
31. Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration
32. Doctor of Philosophy in Rural Development
33. Ph D in Arabic
34. Ph.D in French
35. Doctor of Philosophy in Geology
36. Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work
37. Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology
38. Ph.D in Distance Education
39. Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics
40. Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism and Hospitality
41. Ph.D. in Translation Studies
42. Doctor of Philosophy in Vocational Education

IGNOU courses: List of 45 PG & advance diploma programs

1. Post-Graduate Diploma in Audio Programme Production
2. Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications
3. Post-Graduate Diploma in Folklore and Culture Studies
4. Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science
5. Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health
6. Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Operation
7. Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication
8. Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work Counseling
9. Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Planning and Development
10. Post-Graduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry
11. Post-Graduate Diploma in Book Publishing
12. Post Graduate Diploma in Criminal Justice
13. Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management
14. Post-Graduate Diploma in Adult Education
15. Post-Graduate Diploma in Education Technology
16. Post-Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development
17. Post-Graduate Diploma in Extension and Development Studies
18. Post Graduate Diploma in Development Studies
19. Post-Graduate Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management
20. Post Graduate Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies
21. Post Graduate Diploma in Women’s & Gender Studies
22. Post-Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine
23. Post-Graduate Diploma in HIV Medicine
24. Post-Graduate Diploma in Hospital and Health Management
25. Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education
26. Post-Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights
27. Post-Graduate Diploma in Library Automation and Networking
28. Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Management
29. Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management
30. Post-Graduate Diploma in Operations Management
31. Post Graduate Diploma in International Business Operations
32. Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Markets Practice
33. Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
34. Post-Graduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Health
35. Post-Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sales Management
36. Post-Graduate Diploma in Plantation Management
37. Post Graduate Diploma in Pre-Primary Education
38. Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Administration
39. PG Diploma in Mental Health
40. Post-Graduate Diploma in Rural Development
41. Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy
42. Post-Graduate Diploma in School Leadership and Management
43. Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Statistics
44. PG Diploma in Translation
45. Post Graduate Diploma in Information Security

IGNOU courses: List of 13 PG and Advance Certificate Programs

1. Post-Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy
2. Post-Graduate Certificate in Bangla-Hindi Translation
3. Post Graduate Certificate in Cyber Law
4. Post-Graduate Certificate in Adult Education
5. Post-Graduate Certificate in Extension and Development Studies
6. Post Graduate Certificate in Climate Change
7. Post Graduate Certificate in Gandhi and Peace Studies
8. Post-Graduate Certificate in Malayalam-Hindi Translation
9. Post-Graduate Certificate in Patent Practice
10. Post Graduate Certificate in Information and Assistive Technologies for the Instructors of Visually Impaired
11. Advanced Certificate in Power Distribution Management
12. Post Graduate Certificate in Geoinformatics
13. Advanced Certificate in Information Security

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

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 OPENMAT MBA Entrance Exam

This is a national level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency. It is conducted twice a year i.e. in July and January. OPENMAT scores are valid for one year only. OPENMAT offers admission into Management programs:

• MBA (Master in Business Administration)
• DIM (Diploma in Management)
• PGDIM (PG Diploma in Management)
• PGDFM (PG Diploma in Financial Management)
• PGDFMP (Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Markets Practice)
• PGDHRM (PG Diploma in Human Resource Management)
• PGDMM (PG Diploma in Marketing Management)
• PGDOM (PG Diploma in Operations Management)

2.      IGNOU B.Ed Entrance Test

This entrance exam for the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Program is conducted once a year.

3.      IGNOU M.Ed Entrance Test

IGNOU M.Ed. entrance test is conducted to offer admission to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programme.

This Program is designed and developed jointly by DEC, IGNOU and NCTE and is an innovative program utilizing self-instructional materials and information technology along with interactive personal contact programs.

IGNOU Admission for PhD

**if you have an M.Phil. Degree (course work & dissertation both) or have cleared NET (UGC/ CSIR/ ICAR) or any other equivalent examination, you will be exempt from appearing in the PhD Entrance Test.

The selection for PhD courses at IGNOU is done on the basis of a written test and an interview. If your application is found suitable for admission, you will be called for the entrance test.

Shortlisted candidates after the test will be called for the interview round. Offer letter for admission will be sent to you if you get selected through the interview.

Entrance Test

• The list of shortlisted candidates chosen for the Entrance Test will be displayed on the IGNOU website.
• Your admit card for the entrance test will be released on the official website one week before the exam date.
• You must bring your admit card to the exam center, else you will not be allowed to sit for the test.
• You also have to bring an original identity proof such as Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving License, Passport and electoral ID card with a photograph, to the examination center.
• You must score a minimum of 50% marks in the entrance test to qualify.
• The Entrance Test will be held in 13 cities across India.

Interview/ Presentation

• If you qualify in the written test, you will be called for the interview round/ Presentation round.
• You will receive your admission offer letter if you are selected after the interview.

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.

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 1^st & 2^nd 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.

Useful Links

• IGNOU – Common Prospectus , PDF
• IGNOU official website
• IGNOU – All Programs Offered
• GyanDhara broadcast link
• TEE Guidelines (revised for COVID)
• Submission of online TEE Form

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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Sreenanda

With a Master’s in Biophysics-Biostatistics, Sreenanda acquired professional experience in computational proteomics of human molecules. She is currently working with the Research and Data Team at iDreamCareer.