IGNOU MA Admission 2026: Application Form, Last Date and Fees
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- 13 Oct 2026IGNOU MA July 2026 registration deadline extended to October 13
The application registration deadline for IGNOU MA programs for the July 2026 admission session has been extended to October 13, 2026.
IGNOU MA admission 2026 for the July session is conducted online through ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, with the extended application deadline set to October 13, 2026. The total 2-year course fee is ₹12,000 for Online MA and ₹13,000 for ODL MA, requiring a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories).
Students looking to pursue a Master of Arts through distance or online learning can explore complete details regarding eligibility criteria, fee structures, registration deadlines, required document specifications, and top college options across India below.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Years (4 Semesters) |
| Academic Eligibility | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved category) |
| Last Date to Apply (July 2026 Session) | October 13, 2026 |
| Online MA Total Fee | ₹12,000 (19 Specializations) |
| ODL MA Total Fee | ₹13,000 |
| Official Application Portal | ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in |
| Mandatory Identification | Valid APAAR ID |
MA Eligibility
To seek admission to IGNOU MA programs, candidates must fulfill specific academic qualifications established by the university. The basic eligibility requires a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institution.
- General Category Marks: Candidates must score a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their undergraduate degree.
- Work Experience: Prior work experience is not mandatory for admission.
- Identification Requirement: Candidates applying for IGNOU Online MA admission 2026 must provide a valid APAAR ID during registration.
IGNOU MA Fee Structure and Refund Policy
The fee structure for IGNOU MA courses remains standard and affordable across specializations. The total 2-year fee for Online MA programs across 19 specializations is ₹12,000, while the MA Open Distance Learning (ODL) variant costs ₹13,000. Professional online Master’s offerings like Online M.Com cost ₹18,000 across 7 specializations, and Online MSW costs ₹18,500.
IGNOU enforces strict cancellation and fee refund regulations. The basic registration fee paid during form submission is non-refundable. If an applicant requests cancellation before admission confirmation, the full programme fee is refunded. If cancellation occurs after admission confirmation, 15% of the programme fee is deducted up to a maximum cap of ₹2,000. No refund is granted after 60 days from the official admission closing date.
| University Name | Online MA Specializations Offered | Total Course Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| IGNOU | English, Economics, History, Pol Science, etc. (19 Online / ODL) | ₹ 12,000 – ₹ 13,000 |
| Galgotias University Online | Economics, English, Political Science | ₹ 40,200 |
| Parul Online | Journalism & Mass Comm, English | ₹ 60,000 |
| Sikkim Manipal University Online | English, Political Science, Sociology | ₹ 75,000 |
| LPU Online | Economics, English, Political Science, History, Sociology | ₹ 80,000 |
| Amity Online | Journalism & Mass Comm, Public Policy | ₹ 1,90,000 |
Documents Required
Applicants must upload clear scanned copies of all required documents on the Samarth admission portal. Files must strictly adhere to the university’s prescribed formats and file size limits to avoid application rejection during scrutiny.
| Document Type | Accepted Format | Maximum Size Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Passport-size Photograph | JPG | 100 KB |
| Specimen Signature | JPG | 100 KB |
| Educational Qualification Certificates | JPG / PDF | 200 KB |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC) | JPG / PDF | 200 KB |
| Experience Certificate (if applicable) | JPG / PDF | 200 KB |
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Top MA Colleges
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Government | ₹49,200 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Hindu College New Delhi | Delhi | University | ₹55,510 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Miranda House | Delhi | Government | ₹32,060 | 2 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Government | ₹89,500 | 3 (Overall, 2024) |
| Hans Raj College | Delhi | Government | ₹52,865 | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Kirori Mal College | Sonipat | Private | ₹33,366 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
At least 3056 colleges offer MA programs in India, including 439 government and 1246 private institutions. Across 68 reporting colleges, the median average placement package is 2.83 LPA.
For government colleges, the median total fee is ₹19,320, while private colleges have a median fee of ₹34,000. Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra lead in total MA colleges.
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 97 | ₹10,000 – ₹9.50 lakh | Jamia Millia Islamia University |
| Chennai | 72 | ₹9,822 – ₹5.50 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Guru Nanak College Chennai |
| Pune | 68 | ₹10,000 – ₹9.32 lakh | Fergusson College, MIT World Peace University |
| Jaipur | 65 | ₹9,410 – ₹23.40 lakh | Manipal University Jaipur, University of Rajasthan |
| Bangalore | 64 | ₹11,000 – ₹9.00 lakh | Alliance University, Christ University |
| Mumbai | 60 | ₹6,755 – ₹10.00 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai |
| Kolkata | 54 | ₹7,800 – ₹6.18 lakh | Jadavpur University, The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences |
| Lucknow | 47 | ₹10,600 – ₹1.80 lakh | University of Lucknow, Integral University |
Several distance and online MA options exist across India. These include SASTRA University in Thanjavur (₹19,000) and University of Mumbai Institute of Distance & Open Learning (₹17,755).
Other distance options include Directorate of Distance Education at University of Jammu (₹21,380), English and Foreign Languages University Hyderabad (₹12,065), and Venkateshwara Open University in Naharlagun (₹25,000).
How to Apply for MA Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/OBC reserved categories). Work experience is not required.
- Provide APAAR ID: Provide a valid APAAR ID, which is mandatory for candidates applying for IGNOU Online MA admission 2026.
- Register on IGNOU Samarth Portal: Visit ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in (or ignouiop.samarth.edu.in for Online MA), click ‘NEW REGISTRATION’, choose a Username (8 to 16 characters) and alphanumeric Password (8 to 16 characters), and receive your credentials via SMS and email.
- Fill Online Application Form: Log in to the system using your Username and Password, and fill out the online admission form.
- Upload Required Documents: Upload scanned copies of your passport-size photograph (<100KB JPG), specimen signature (<100KB JPG), educational certificates (<200KB JPG/PDF), and category certificates (<200KB JPG/PDF).
- Pay Programme Fee Online: Pay the programme fee (₹12,000 for Online MA or ₹13,000 for ODL MA) and registration fee using Visa/Master Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI before October 13, 2026.
- Receive Scrutiny and Confirmation: IGNOU staff scrutinizes applications region-wise. Upon successful verification, confirmation is sent to your registered email address along with study centre allotment and induction details.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| application | IGNOU ODL Online Admission Portal (Samarth) | ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in |
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | MA colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Applicants must complete their online registration and fee payment on the Samarth portal before the extended deadline of October 13, 2026. The IGNOU registration fee paid during application submission is strictly non-refundable.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for IGNOU PG admission in 2026?
The extended last date to submit online application forms for IGNOU MA and PG admissions for the July 2026 session is October 13, 2026.
What is the total cost of MA from IGNOU?
The total fee for Online MA (19 specializations) at IGNOU is ₹12,000, while the fee for MA in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode is ₹13,000 for the 2-year duration.
Is there any entrance exam for IGNOU MA admission?
No entrance exam is conducted for general IGNOU MA admissions. Admission is direct based on fulfilling the academic eligibility of a recognized Bachelor’s degree.
What are the eligibility requirements for a Master’s degree at IGNOU?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved category SC/ST/OBC candidates).
Are IGNOU MA degrees recognized by UGC?
Yes, IGNOU degrees are recognized by UGC, AIU, and AICTE, and are legally at par with degrees awarded by all conventional recognized universities in India.
Can I get my fee refunded if I cancel my IGNOU MA admission?
Yes. Before admission confirmation, the full fee is refunded except the non-refundable registration fee. After confirmation, 15% is deducted (ceiling ₹2,000). No refund is allowed after 60 days.
