IGNOU Extends Registration Deadline for Online Programmes Till March 15, 2026

Students looking to apply for IGNOU's online programmes can now register till 15th March 2026. The previous registration date was 28th February 2026. Read complete details of the update here.

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has extended the application deadline for its online programmes under the January 2026 academic session. According to the official admission portal, the revised last date for submission of applications is March 15, 2026, for programmes offered in online mode.

This extension applies exclusively to online programmes and does not cover certificate programmes or those based on semester systems. The previous deadline was February 28, 2026. The university announced the update through its admission portal and related notifications on ignou.ac.in.

The registration date from IGNOU online programmes January 2026 have been extended from 28th February 2026 to 15th March 2026. Read complete details of the announcement here.

Key Highlights of the Extension

Particulars	Details
Conducting Authority	Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Session	January 2026
Affected Programmes	Online mode programmes (excluding certificate and semester-based programmes)
Previous Deadline	February 28, 2026
New Deadline	March 15, 2026
Application Portal	ignouiop.samarth.edu.in for online programmes

Prospective candidates are advised to complete their registration process early to avoid any last-minute technical difficulties. The university has emphasised that admissions for the January 2026 cycle cover a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and other programmes delivered through online mode, providing flexible learning options across India.

How to Apply for IGNOU Online Courses January 2026

IGNOU Registration Page for Online Courses

Interested applicants can follow these steps to register:

Visit the official online programmes admission portal at ignouiop.samarth.edu.in.
Complete the new registration process if not already registered.
Fill in the required personal, academic, and contact details.
Upload necessary documents, including photographs and signatures where applicable.
Pay the application fee through the available online payment modes.
Submit the form and retain a copy of the confirmation for future reference.

For programmes offered in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode, a separate portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in is used, though the current extension specifically targets online programmes. This move by IGNOU aims to accommodate more learners seeking higher education through flexible online modes for the January 2026 session.

Update on Entrance-Based Programmes

Separately, the Student Evaluation Division (Exam-II) of IGNOU issued a notification on February 27, 2026, revising the deadline for entrance-based programmes to March 10, 2026, up to 6 pm. This applies to the B.Ed programme, B.Sc Nursing (Post Basic), and Post Graduate Diploma in Rural and Plantation Management (PGDRPC) for the respective sessions.

The entrance examinations for these programmes are scheduled for March 29, 2026. The selection process involves a competitive test, followed by merit-based counselling for available vacancies. Candidates are advised to regularly check the relevant IGNOU admission portals for the latest updates.

Written by Aayush Kukreja

Aayush is a writer and content strategist who turns personal stories into brand narratives. With an experience spanning diverse industries, rely on his writing for simplifying complex subjects & get in-depth insights - always with sharp wit.

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