Profile
IGNOU is a CENTRAL UNIVERSITY established by an Act of Parliament in 1985 (Act no 50 of 1985). IGNOU Degree/Diplomas/Certificates are recognized by all the member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and are at par with Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates of all Indian Universities/Deemed Universities/lnstitutions.
The lndira Gandhi National Open University aims to achieve the following objectives:
  1. Democratising higher education by taking it to the doorstep of the learners.
  2. Providing access to higher education for all those who seek it irrespective of age, region or formal qualifications.
  3. Offering need based academic programmes by giving professional and vocational orientation to the courses.
  4. Promoting and developing distance education in India.
  5. Setting and maintaining standards in distance education in the country as an apex body for the purpose.

Advantages of Open & Distance Learning Mode

A learner can enjoy the following benefits through the Open & Distance Learning System:
  1. This system has individualised instruction as there is flexibility in terms of place, pace and duration of study.
  2. Admission rules are flexible. For example, there is no maximum age bar for admission.
  3. Open & Distance Learning system depends heavily on information and communication technologies. Study materials are available in audio and video formats too. Some of the programmes are offered online. So, a learner can avail student support from a variety of sources.
  4. Programmes offered through the Open & Distance Learning System are cost-effective

IGNOU has certain Unique Features like:
  1. International jurisdiction
  2. Flexible admission rules
  3. Individualized study: flexibility in term of place, pace and duration of study
  4. Use of latest information and communication technologies
  5. Cost-effective programmes
  6. Modular programmes
  7. Resource sharing, collaboration and networking with conventional universities, Open Universities and other institutions and organizations
  8. Socially and academically relevant programmes based on need analysis of the students
  9. Joint course offerings with a number of formal institutions of higher learning
  10. Walk in admissions and examinations.

Walk-in-Admission
IGNOU offers 'Round the Year Admission" to its programmes under the Walk-in-Admission scheme. Candidates can obtain admission application forms at the Regional CentrelStudy Centre, SRD, Headquarters and also can download the prospectus and application forms from the University Website www.ignou.ac.in. The form can be submitted only at the concerned Regional Centres either through post or in person. Application forms can be submitted online and Droaramme fee can be paid online through internet payment gateway.

The University follows two academic cycles for most of the programmes: one starts in January and the another in July. Learners can apply for admission throughout the year.
The following schedule is maintained:

For January session
1. Forms received between 1st June to 31st October (without late fee)
2. Forms received between 1st November to 30th November (with late fee of Rs. 200/-)

For July session
1. Forms received between 1st December to 30th April (without late fee)
2. Forms received between 1st May to 31st May (with late fee of Rs 200/-
The notification for admission is issued twice a year in all the major national and regional newspapers separately. Application form is also available in the University website - www.ignou.ac.in.

IGNOU's School of Studies

The University operates through School of Studies. The School of Studies currently in operation are:

  • School of Computer & Information Sciences
  • School of Continuing Education
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering of Technology
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Humanities
  • School of Management Studies
  • School of Sciences
  • School of Social Sciences
  • School of Agriculture
  • School of Law
  • School of Journalism and New Media Studies
  • School of Gender and Development Studies
  • School of Tourism Hospitality Service Sectoral Management
  • School of Interdisciplinary and Trans Disciplinary Studies
  • School of Social Work
  • School of Vocational Education  and Training
  • School of Extension and Development Studies
  • School of Foreign Languages
  • School of Translation Studies and Training.