The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will begin the registration process for the January 2026 admission cycle from 25 December 2025*. Applications will be open for all Online (OL) and Open & Distance Learning (ODL) programmes offered by the university. Students can apply online through the official admission portals available at ignou.ac.in.

IGNOU conducts admissions twice a year—January and July cycles—and offers more than 300+ UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, and Professional programmes across diverse fields including Arts, Commerce, Management, Sciences, Tourism, Social Work, Education, and more.

Admissions (except for B.Ed & PhD) are based on marks obtained in previous qualifying examinations.

IGNOU Admission 2026 January Session – Key Highlights

• University: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
• Mode of Education: ODL & Online
• Courses Offered: UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate
• Application Mode: Online
• Start Date: 25 December 2025*
• Last Date: 31 January 2026*
• Registration Fee ₹300 – ₹1000 (course-specific)
• Official Website: www.ignou.ac.in

Type of Institution Central Open University (Established 1985)

IGNOU 2026 Admission Portals

• IGNOU Online Programmes: ignouiop.samarth.edu.in
• IGNOU ODL Programmes: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
• Student Login After Admission: ignou.samarth.edu.in
• IGNOU Grade Card: gradecard.ignou.ac.in/gradecard

Important Dates – IGNOU January 2026 Cycle

• Last Date for UG/PG Courses: 31 January 2026*
• B.Ed Admission Last Date: 28 February 2026*
• Re-registration Last Date: 31 January 2026*

Eligibility Criteria for IGNOU Admission 2026

Undergraduate (UG) Programmes

• Must have passed Class 12 (minimum 45% recommended)
• From CBSE/ICSE/State boards or equivalent

Postgraduate (PG) Programmes

• Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline
• Minimum 50% marks for most programmes
• UG degree must be from a UGC-DEB recognized institution

Diploma Programmes

• 10+2 qualification required
• Some diploma programmes require a UG degree

Certificate Programmes

• 10+2 or equivalent
• Some certificates have no strict eligibility rules

No upper age limit for admission in any course.

Popular IGNOU Courses & Fees (2026 January Session)

Programme: Approx. Fee

1. B.Ed: ₹55,000
2. BCom: ₹4,500
3. BBA: ₹10,000
4. Bachelor of Social Work: ₹6,300
5. Bachelor of Tourism & Travel Management: ₹5,000
6. B.Sc (General): ₹5,900
7. BCA: ₹48,000
8. M.A. Development Studies: ₹12,600
9. M.A. Urban Studies ₹14,800
10. M.Sc Food Safety & Quality Management: ₹26,000
11. M.Sc Biochemistry: ₹36,200
12. Master of Social Work: ₹36,000
13. Diploma in Paralegal Practice: ₹8,400
14. Diploma in Nursing Administration: ₹10,800
15. PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine: ₹26,000
16. PG Diploma in HIV Medicine: ₹60,000

(Fees may vary as per course updates for 2026 session)

Admission Process – Step by Step

• Visit ignou.ac.in
• Select the correct portal (Online or ODL)
• Click “New Registration”
• Create login using mobile number & email
• Fill out the admission form
• Upload required documents:
• Photograph
• Signature
• Age proof
• Educational certificates
• ID Proof
• Pay registration fee (₹300 to ₹1000)
• Submit the form and download confirmation
• Application fee payment options include Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, and UPI.