IGNOU 2025: Courses, Admission, Fees, Placements & Rankings

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is an open university located in Delhi. The university was named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1985, with an initial budget of ₹20 million.

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IGNOU Key Highlights

Did You Know: AAC A++ Accredited: IGNOU was the first Open University in India to receive the highest NAAC grade (A++). Moreover, the university is ranked 1st by the NIRF India Rankings 2024 in the Open University category. Although it is an open university, it holds a unique approach to provide equitable access to higher education across the country and overseas.

Key Highlights of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

Parameters

Details

Admission Months

December-January
June-July

Top Programs

Bachelor of Arts (English)
MBA
BCA
MCA

Accepted Exams

- Entrance exam for B.Ed
- Merit-based selection for other programmes

Duration of Course

UG- 2 years
PG- 2 years
Certificate courses- 6 months

NIRF Ranking 2024

1st

Total Students

Over 3 million

IGNOU Courses and Fees

IGNOU provides over 333 programs, with 21 schools of studies, and 57 regional centers to students. The Open University aims to provide higher education across the nation and overseas as well.

Course fee at IGNOU

In the table below, you will get information about courses and tuition fees.

Programs

Eligibility

Fees

Bachelor of Arts (English) - 3 Years

10+2 or its equivalent

Rs 5300/- per year + Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable

MBA - 2 Years

Passed Bachelor Degree of Minimum 3 years duration with at least 50% marks (45% in case of candidates belonging to reserved category).

Rs.16,000/- per semester for 1st, 2nd and 4th semester Rs.18,000/- for 3rd semester (3rd semester has an 8-credit project) Plus Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable

BCA- 3 Years

10+2 or its equivalent

Or

A pass in Diploma in Commercial Practice or equivalent

Rs.8300/- per semester Plus Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable

MCA- 2 Years

Category 1: Passed BCA/Bachelor Degree in Computer Science Engineering or Equivalent Degree.

Or

Category 2: Passed B.Sc./B.Com./B.A. with Mathematics at 10+2 Level or at Graduation Level

Rs.13000/- per semester Plus Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable

IGNOU Placements and Admissions

The Campus Placement Cell (CPC) at IGNOU was established in 2005 at the university’s headquarters, with a clear mandate: to coordinate and facilitate placement activities for IGNOU’s diverse student body across India. The CPC is committed to connecting students and alumni with employment opportunities that align with their academic and personal profiles. In essence, the cell operates on the idea that successful placement is about matching the right candidate with the right organization at the right moment.

Placement Statistics at IGNOU 2025

  • Placement Rate: About 70% to 80% of students who attend placement drives get jobs.
  • Salary Packages: The average salary is between ₹3 LPA and ₹4 LPA, with some students earning up to ₹15 LPA.

Top Recruiters

  • Capgemini
  • Genpact
  • Axis Bank
  • Reliance Jio
  • TATA AIA Life Insurance

To know better about placements at IGNOU, visit the upGrad’s IGNOU Placements’ page.

IGNOU Ranking 2024-2025

IGNOU has secured the 1st position in the 2024 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).Below is the NIRF ranking of IGNOU from the previous three years:

Year

Rank

2024

1

2023

1

2022

1

Additionally, NIRF does not provide course-wise ranking for Open Universities.

IGNOU Scholarships 2025

Details

    Benefit - The scholarship covers the tuition fee and other related expenses

    Eligibility - Applicants must be Indian citizens belonging to reserved categories (such as SC, ST, waiver community, transgender, jail inmates, or physically handicapped), enrolled in a degree program at IGNOU University, pursuing academic studies there, and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹3,00,000.

IGNOU VS NSOU VS BRAOU

Here’s a comparison of the three Open Universities to know better about each.

Parameters

IGNOU

NSOU

BRAOU

NIRF Ranking (Engineering 2024)

1

2

3

Tuition Fees (Approximate Annual)

333+ courses, vary per course

UG- ₹5K–17K

PG- ₹7.6K–1 L

UG- ₹4K–40K PG- ₹5.2K–1.2 L

Popular Courses

333+ UG/PG/diploma/certificates

B.A. (Hons.), B.Sc., B.Ed.; MA, MBA, etc.

B.Sc, B.Ed, MA, M.Sc, MBA, etc.

No. of Courses

333+

56

64

Notable Alumni

Here is the list of notable IGNOU alumni along with their LinkedIn profiles and key achievements.

Alumni

Field of Work

Deepika Padukone

Actor, founder of 82°E

General Deepak Kapoor

Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 2007 – 2010

Biswatosh Sengupta

Highly qualified alumni with PG Diploma in Creative Writing in English, Diploma in Computer in Office Management, and MCA from IGNOU

Lipin Raj

IAS Officer

Ashok Khemka

Notable economist, computer scientist, and IAS Officer in the state of Haryana.

FAQs for IGNOU

1 Is IGNOU a recognized university for government jobs and higher education?

Yes, IGNOU is a UGC-approved central university, and its degrees are valid for government jobs, civil services, and further higher education both in India and abroad. Its recognition also extends to AICTE and various ministries, making it a trusted choice for distance learners.

2Can students pursue IGNOU programs while working full-time?

Absolutely. IGNOU is designed for working professionals, homemakers, and other non-traditional students. The flexible schedules, weekend classes (for select programs), and self-paced learning make it ideal for managing both academics and a full-time job.

3Does IGNOU have international study centers?

Yes, IGNOU has several overseas study centers in countries such as the UAE, Kuwait, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia. These centers provide access to course materials, counseling, and exams, making IGNOU a global open university.

4What kind of learning material does IGNOU provide?

IGNOU sends printed study materials to students via post and also offers e-learning content through its digital platforms like eGyankosh, SWAYAM, and IGNOU e-Content App. This multi-format approach ensures that students can learn anytime, anywhere.

5Are IGNOU degrees accepted for pursuing further studies in regular universities?

Yes. IGNOU degrees are accepted by universities across India for higher studies like M.Phil, Ph.D., or postgraduate programs. Many IGNOU graduates have also successfully enrolled in prestigious institutions for advanced degrees.

6How are exams conducted at IGNOU?

Exams are held twice a year (June and December) in offline mode at designated centers. The university follows a term-end exam model. Students must also submit assignments online or at study centers before appearing for exams.

7Can I switch or change my IGNOU course after admission?

Yes, a course change is allowed under specific conditions. Students can apply for a program change or subject change within the first year, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and pay the prescribed fee for the switch.

8 Does IGNOU offer any skill-based or professional development courses?

Yes, apart from academic degrees, IGNOU offers several short-term skill-based certificate and diploma programs in areas like digital marketing, creative writing, agriculture, tourism, NGO management, and cybersecurity.

9Is there any age limit to apply for IGNOU courses?

No. One of the key strengths of IGNOU is that it has no upper age limit for most of its programs. Lifelong learners, mid-career professionals, and even senior citizens can enroll in its wide range of courses.

10How does IGNOU support students with disabilities?

IGNOU has a dedicated National Centre for Disability Studies (NCDS) and offers accessible materials, audio support, and exam accommodations for students with disabilities. It also provides fee exemptions under its inclusive education policy.

11What kind of peer or community learning environment does IGNOU offer?

While IGNOU is primarily distance-based, it fosters community learning through regional centers, weekend classes, online forums, alumni networks, and events. These touchpoints provide a sense of community and peer interaction among learners from diverse backgrounds.

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Disclaimer

  1. The above statistics depend on various factors and individual results may vary. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

  2. The student assumes full responsibility for all expenses associated with visas, travel, & related costs. upGrad does not .