IGNOU Online Courses 2026: Fees, Admissions, Eligibility, and Program List
Discover the flexibility and accessibility of an online course from IGNOU for the 2026 academic year, offering a convenient pathway to higher education. These programs provide a robust learning experience, allowing students to pursue degrees, diplomas, and certificates from anywhere. This article details the fees, eligibility, admission process, and a comprehensive list of available UG, PG, Diploma, and Certificate programs to help you make an informed decision.
IGNOU Online Courses List 2026: UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate Programs
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers over 350 programmes across 21 schools, making it one of the largest open universities in the world. Admissions are held twice a year — January and July sessions, and students can apply online through the official portal at ignou.ac.in. The application fee for any session is ₹300 (non-refundable), and reserved category students are eligible for a 25%–45% fee relaxation on programme fees.
IGNOU Online-Only Programmes 2026
IGNOU offers 47 fully online programmes through its dedicated IOP (IGNOU Online Portal) at iop.ignouonline.ac.in. These are distinct from ODL (Open Distance Learning) programmes and are delivered entirely through live and recorded online sessions.
| Course | Code | Level | Fees |
| Bachelor of Computer Applications (New) | BCA_NEWOL | UG | ₹40,200 |
| Bachelor of Commerce | BCOMOL | UG | ₹7,200 |
| Bachelor of Social Work | BSWOL | UG | ₹16,200 |
| Bachelor of Library & Information Sciences | BLISOL | UG | ₹7,200 |
| Bachelor of Tourism Studies | BTSOL | UG | ₹10,200 |
| Master of Commerce | MCOMOL | PG | ₹15,000 |
| Master of Arts (English) | MEGOL | PG | ₹13,200 |
| Master of Arts (Hindi) | MHDOL | PG | ₹13,200 |
| Master of Arts (Sanskrit) | MSKOL | PG | ₹14,000 |
| Master of Arts in Distance Education | MADEOL | PG | ₹10,800 |
| Master of Arts in Rural Development | MARDOL | PG | ₹13,600 |
| Master of Arts in Gandhi & Peace Studies | MAGPSOL | PG | ₹9,600 |
| Master of Arts in Translation Studies | MATSOL | PG | ₹10,800 |
| Master of Social Work | MSWOL | PG | ₹36,000 |
| Master of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication | MAJMCOL | PG | ₹25,000 |
| Master of Arts in Sustainability Science | MASSOL | PG | — |
| MA Journalism and Digital Media | — | PG | ₹10,000 |
| PGDCA (Computer Applications) | PGDCAOL | PG Diploma | — |
| PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication | PGJMCOL | PG Diploma | ₹12,500 |
| PG Diploma in Digital Media | PGDIDMOL | PG Diploma | — |
| PG Diploma in Development Communication | PGDDCOL | PG Diploma | — |
| PG Diploma in Distance Education | PGDDEOL | PG Diploma | — |
| PG Diploma in Rural Development | PGDRDOL | PG Diploma | ₹2,400 |
| PG Diploma in Sustainability Science | PGDSSOL | PG Diploma | ₹7,000 |
| PG Diploma in Gandhi & Peace Studies | PGDGPSOL | PG Diploma | ₹3,700 |
| PG Certificate in Agriculture Policy | PGCAPOL | PG Certificate | ₹3,600 |
| PG Certificate in Gandhi & Peace Studies | PGCGPSOL | PG Certificate | ₹2,400 |
| Diploma in Creative Writing in English | DCEOL | Diploma | ₹3,600 |
| Diploma in Urdu Language | DULOL | Diploma | ₹1,800 |
| Diploma in Nutrition & Health Education | DNHEOL | Diploma | ₹2,400 |
| Diploma in Tourism Studies | DTSOL | Diploma | ₹4,200 |
| Certificate in French Language | CFLOL | Certificate | ₹6,600 |
| Certificate in Spanish Language & Culture | CSLCOL | Certificate | — |
| Certificate in Urdu Language | CULOL | Certificate | ₹1,200 |
| Certificate in Russian Language | CRULOL | Certificate | ₹2,700 |
| Certificate in Arabic Language | CALOL | Certificate | ₹1,800 |
| Certificate in Information Technology | CITOL | Certificate | ₹4,800 |
| Certificate in Tribal Studies | CTRBSOL | Certificate | ₹1,000 |
| Certificate in Tourism Studies | CTSOL | Certificate | ₹1,800 |
| Certificate Programme in Rural Development | CRDOL | Certificate | ₹1,800 |
| Certificate in Food & Nutrition | CFNOL | Certificate | ₹1,400 |
| Certificate in Library & Information Science | CLISOL | Certificate | ₹2,000 |
| Saral Sanskrit Bodh (सरल संस्कृत बोध) | SSBOL | Certificate | — |
| Certificate Programme in Peace Studies | CPSCMOL | Certificate | — |
| M.A. in Translation Studies (Online) | MATSOL | PG | ₹10,800 |
IGNOU UG Courses 2026
IGNOU offers 47 undergraduate programmes across disciplines, including Arts, Science, Commerce, Computer Applications, Education, and Tourism. UG admissions are direct for most programmes based on 10+2 marks, except B.Ed and B.Sc Nursing, which require entrance tests.
| Course | Programme Code | Duration | Total Fees |
| Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) | BDP | 3–6 Years | ₹7,200 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) | BDP | 3–6 Years | ₹7,200 |
| Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) | BDP | 3–6 Years | ₹12,600 |
| B.A. Hons. (English/Hindi/History/Economics/Sociology/Psychology/Political Science/Public Administration) | CBCS | 3–6 Years | ₹9,600 |
| B.Sc (Botany/Chemistry/Physics/Maths/Zoology/Geography/Geology) | CBCS | 3–6 Years | ₹13,500 |
| Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) | BCS | 3–6 Years | ₹40,200 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA — Rural & Livelihood) | BRL | 3–6 Years | ₹27,000 |
| Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) | BSW | 3–6 Years | ₹16,200 |
| Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) | BED | 2–5 Years | ₹50,000 |
| Bachelor of Library & Information Science (BLIS) | BLI | 1–4 Years | ₹7,200 |
| Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Studies (BTS) | TS | 3–6 Years | ₹10,200 |
| B.A. (Vocational) — Tourism Management (BAVTM) | BAVTM | 3–5 Years | ₹12,000 |
| B.A. (Vocational) — MSME | — | 3–5 Years | ₹15,300 |
| B.Sc Biochemistry (Hons) | BSCBCH | 3–6 Years | ₹43,500 |
| B.Sc Nursing (Post Basic) | BScN(PB) | 3–5 Years | ₹45,000 |
| Bachelor’s Preparatory Programme (BPP) | BPP | 6 months–2 Years | ₹1,200 |
IGNOU PG Courses 2026
IGNOU offers 90 postgraduate programmes spanning Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Social Work, Education, and more. Admission to most PG courses is direct based on graduation marks; MBA and M.Ed require entrance tests.
| Course | Programme Code | Duration | Total Fees |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | MBA | 2.5–8 Years | ₹31,500 |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | MCS | 3–6 Years | ₹72,000 |
| Master of Commerce (M.Com) | IBO | 2–5 Years | ₹15,000 |
| Master of Arts in English (MEG) | MEG | 2–4 Years | ₹13,200 |
| Master of Arts in Hindi (MHD) | MHD | 2–4 Years | ₹13,200 |
| Master of Arts in Economics (MEC) | MEC | 2–5 Years | ₹12,000 |
| Master of Arts in History (MAH) | MHI | 2–5 Years | ₹9,000 |
| Master of Arts in Political Science (MPS) | MPS | 2–5 Years | ₹9,000 |
| Master of Arts in Sociology (MSO) | MSO | 2–5 Years | ₹9,000 |
| Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA) | MPA | 2–5 Years | ₹9,000 |
| Master of Arts in Psychology (MAPC) | MPC | 2–4 Years | ₹18,600 |
| Master of Arts in Philosophy (MAPY) | MPYE | 2–5 Years | ₹9,000 |
| Master of Arts in Education (MAEDU) | MES | 2–5 Years | ₹18,000 |
| Master of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication (MJM) | MJM | 2–5 Years | ₹25,000 |
| Master of Arts in Rural Development (MARD) | MRD | 2–5 Years | ₹13,600 |
| Master of Arts in Translation Studies (MATS) | MTT | 2–5 Years | ₹10,800 |
| Master of Arts in Distance Education (MADE) | MDE | 2–5 Years | ₹10,800 |
| Master of Arts in Gender & Development Studies (MAGD) | MGS | 2–5 Years | ₹9,600 |
| Master of Arts in Women’s & Gender Studies (MAWGS) | MWG | 2–5 Years | ₹13,000 |
| Master of Arts in Adult Education (MAAE) | MAE | 2–5 Years | ₹14,400 |
| Master of Arts in Gandhi & Peace Studies (MAGPS) | MGP | 2–5 Years | ₹9,600 |
| Master of Arts in Sanskrit (MSK) | MSK | 2–4 Years | ₹14,000 |
| Master of Arts in Urdu (MAUD) | MAUD | 2–4 Years | ₹12,600 |
| Master of Arts in Arabic (MA Arabic) | — | 2–4 Years | ₹10,800 |
| Master of Arts in French (MA French) | — | 2–4 Years | ₹12,500 |
| Master of Arts in Corporate Social Responsibility (MACSR) | — | 2–4 Years | ₹14,000 |
| Master of Arts in Development Studies (MADVS) | MDV | 2–5 Years | ₹11,000 |
| Master of Arts in Hindu Studies | — | 2–4 Years | ₹14,000 |
| Master of Arts in Applied Urdu | — | 2–4 Years | ₹14,000 |
| Master of Arts in Folklore & Culture Studies (MAFCS) | — | 2–4 Years | ₹10,800 |
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | MSW | 2–5 Years | ₹36,000 |
| Master of Social Work — Counselling (MSWC) | MSW | 2–5 Years | ₹36,000 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed) | — | 2–4 Years | ₹40,000 |
| Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) | MLI | 1–4 Years | ₹10,800 |
| Master of Tourism & Travel Management (MTTM) | MTTM | 2–4 Years | ₹12,000–₹15,000 |
| Master of Science — Environmental Science (MSCENV) | MSCENV | 2–5 Years | ₹7,500/year |
| Master of Science — Chemistry | — | 2–4 Years | ₹40,400 |
| Master of Science — Analytical Chemistry | — | 2–4 Years | ₹46,600 |
| Master of Science — Applied Statistics | — | 2–4 Years | ₹30,800 |
| Master of Science — Geoinformatics | — | 2–4 Years | ₹31,400 |
| M.Sc Mathematics with Applications in CS (MSCMACS) | MMT | 2–4 Years | ₹26,400 |
| Master of Science — Dietetics & Food Services Mgmt (MSCDFSM) | MFN | 2–5 Years | ₹32,400 |
| Master of Science — Counselling & Family Therapy (MSCCFT) | MCFT | 2–5 Years | ₹33,600 |
| Master in Anthropology (MAAN) | MAN | 2–4 Years | ₹18,700 |
IGNOU PG Diploma Courses 2026
IGNOU offers 38 PG Diploma programmes, most of 1-year duration, across health, management, law, media, agriculture, and social sciences.
| Course | Code | Duration | Fees |
| PG Diploma in Hospital & Health Management | PGDHHM | 1–3 Years | ₹25,200 |
| PG Diploma in HIV Medicine | PGDHIVM | 1–3 Years | ₹60,000 |
| PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine | PGDGM | 1–3 Years | ₹25,200 |
| PG Diploma in Maternal & Child Health | PGDMCH | 1–3 Years | ₹27,600 |
| PG Diploma in Information Security | PGDIS | 1–3 Years | ₹21,600 |
| PG Diploma in Library Automation & Networking | PGDLAN | 1–4 Years | ₹17,000 |
| PG Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sales Mgmt | PGDPSM | 1–3 Years | ₹8,400 |
| PG Diploma in Food Safety & Quality Mgmt | PGDFSQM | 1–4 Years | ₹14,400 |
| PG Diploma in Counselling & Family Therapy | PGDCFT | 1–4 Years | ₹16,800 |
| PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication | PGJMC | 1–4 Years | ₹12,500 |
| PG Diploma in International Business Operations | PGDIBO | 1–3 Years | ₹8,200 |
| PG Diploma in Pre-Primary Education | PGDPPED | 1–4 Years | ₹9,600 |
| PG Diploma in Criminal Justice | PGDCJ | 1–3 Years | ₹10,800 |
| PG Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights | PGDIPR | 1–3 Years | ₹10,200 |
| PG Diploma in Rural Development | PGDRD | 1–4 Years | ₹2,400 |
| PG Diploma in Environmental & Sustainable Dev. | PGDESD | 1–3 Years | ₹7,000 |
| PG Diploma in Higher Education | PGDHE | 1–4 Years | ₹3,000 |
| PG Diploma in Disaster Management | PGDDM | 1–4 Years | ₹6,300 |
| PG Diploma in Analytical Chemistry | PGDAC | 1–3 Years | ₹9,600 |
| PG Diploma in Applied Statistics | PGDAST | 1–3 Years | ₹7,600 |
| PG Diploma in Translation | PGDT | 1–4 Years | ₹4,000 |
| PG Diploma in Gandhi & Peace Studies | PGDGPS | 1–3 Years | ₹3,700 |
| PG Diploma in Women’s & Gender Studies | PGDWGS | 1–3 Years | ₹7,200 |
| PG Diploma in Sustainability Science | PGDSS | 1–4 Years | ₹7,000 |
| PG Diploma in Mental Health | PGDMH | 1–4 Years | ₹9,000 |
| PG Diploma in Social Work Counselling | PGDCOUN | 1–4 Years | ₹15,000 |
| PG Diploma in Urban Planning & Development | PGDUPDL | 1–3 Years | ₹3,400 |
| PG Diploma in Distance Education | PGDDE | 1–3 Years | — |
| PG Diploma in Audio Programme Production | PGDAPP | 1–4 Years | ₹12,000 |
| PG Diploma in Educational Technology | PGDET | 1–3 Years | ₹6,600 |
| PG Diploma in Educational Mgmt & Administration | PGDEMA | 1–4 Years | ₹6,600 |
| PG Diploma in Development Communication | PGDDC | 1–3 Years | — |
| PG Diploma in Book Publishing | PGDBP | 1–4 Years | ₹9,000 |
| PG Diploma in Folklore & Culture Studies | PGDFCS | 1–4 Years | ₹2,700 |
| PG Diploma in Plantation Management | PGDPM | 1–4 Years | ₹6,600 |
| PG Diploma in Digital Media | PGDIDM | 1–3 Years | — |
| PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility | PGDCSR | 1–4 Years | ₹7,200 |
| PG Diploma in School Leadership & Management | PGDSLM | 1–2 Years | ₹6,000 |
IGNOU Eligibility Criteria 2026
| Programme Level | Eligibility |
| Certificate | Class 8th / 10th / 10+2 / Graduation (varies by course) |
| Diploma | 10+2 or graduation, depending on the specific course |
| UG (BA/BCom/BSc) | 10+2 from a recognised board |
| UG (BCA/BBA/BSW) | 10+2 from a recognised board |
| B.Ed / B.Sc Nursing | 10+2 + entrance test (IGNOU B.Ed Entrance) |
| PG Diploma | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
| PG / Master’s | Bachelor’s degree (MBA and M.Ed require an entrance test) |
| MCA | Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics |
IGNOU Online Admission Process 2026: Step-by-Step Application Guide
The IGNOU online admission process is conducted exclusively through its official website, ensuring a streamlined application experience. This guide provides a step-by-step overview, from initial registration to final submission, highlighting key requirements and important considerations for prospective students seeking an online course from IGNOU.
- Application Mode: Exclusively online via the official IGNOU admission portal.
- Registration Fee: INR 300 (non-refundable).
- Mandatory IDs: Valid APAAR ID and DEB ID (for online/distance courses).
- Confirmation Time: Admissions confirmed within 15–30 days.
- Important Note: Double-check all details; no changes after fee payment.
- Step 1: Visit the official portal and choose the correct program type.
The remaining steps detail the sequential process for completing your application, from creating a login to final submission and payment. Careful attention to each stage is vital, especially when selecting an online course from IGNOU.
| Step | Action |
| Step 1 | Click “New Registration,” create a login with email/mobile (OTP verification). |
| Step 2 | Enter basic details carefully as per your documents. |
| Step 3 | Fill personal/contact details; ensure APAAR ID is ready. |
| Step 4 | Select your course and nearest study centre wisely (cannot be changed). |
| Step 5 | Enter educational qualifications and choose subjects/electives carefully. |
| Step 6 | Upload documents in proper format/size; keep DEB ID ready. |
| Step 7 | Pay the fee online, review all details, submit, and download the confirmation. |
Popular IGNOU Online Programs 2026: M.Com, MBA, BCA, MA Highlights
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) holds the #1 position in the NIRF Ranking 2025 for the Open University Category, offering a wide array of online postgraduate and undergraduate programs. These diverse online course from IGNOU cater to various academic and professional needs, with admissions for the July 2026 session commencing soon.
| PG Courses | Fees (per year) |
| Online MBA | INR 14000 |
| Online MCom | INR 9000 |
| Online MA Sanskrit | INR 7000 |
| Online MA Sustainability Science | INR 7000 |
| Online MA in Rural Development | INR 5900 |
| Online MA English | INR 6000 |
| Online MA Journalism and Mass Communication | INR 12500 |
| Online MA Hindi | INR 6000 |
| Online MA Translation Studies | INR 4800 |
| Online MA Gandhi and Peace Studies | INR 4500 |
The table above details the annual fees for several popular online postgraduate courses from IGNOU, including MBA and various MA specializations, providing a clear overview of the investment required for these programs.
IGNOU IOP Portal 2026: Online Admission & Examination Key Dates
The IGNOU IOP Portal for online course admissions is ignouiop.samarth.edu.in. While registration for the January 2026 session is now over, prospective students can look forward to key dates for the upcoming July 2026 session, including important deadlines for fresh admissions and re-registration for an online course from IGNOU.
| Event | Date |
| Online application form release date | 10 May 2026* |
| Last date for IGNOU online courses admission 2026 | 31 July 2026* |
| IGNOU Re-registration Last Date | 31 July 2026 (starts 5 May 2026*) |
| IGNOU exam form submission last date | 26 April 2026 |
| IGNOU assignment submission last date | 30 April 2026 |
This table outlines the critical dates for the IGNOU July 2026 session, including deadlines for online course applications, re-registration, and examination submissions.
- IGNOU IOP Portal URL: ignouiop.samarth.edu.in
- January 2026 Admissions: Commenced for Indian students.
- January 2026 Last Date for Fresh Admissions: 31st January 2026.
- January 2026 Registration Status: Over.
- July 2026 Session Re-registration Portal: onlinerr.ignou.ac.in
IGNOU Online vs Distance Learning 2026: Key Differences & Benefits
Both IGNOU Distance and Online Courses are approved by UGC-DEB, offering recognized and valid degrees. This section details the key differences between an IGNOU distance course and an online course from IGNOU for 2026, outlining their distinct learning methods, study materials, and suitability for various students.
| Point | IGNOU Distance Course | IGNOU Online Course |
| How You Learn | Self-study with printed books and some offline help | Learn through online video classes |
| Study Material | Printed books and PDFs | E-books, video lessons, and online notes |
| Classes | Few offline classes (optional); held at study centers, typically once a week | Live or recorded classes on the internet; conducted entirely online |
| Assignments | Submitted at study centres or offline | Submitted online through LMS |
| Exams | Held offline at exam centres using pen and paper | Held online or at selected centres, sometimes with camera monitoring or a mix of online and offline |
| Flexibility | Very flexible, study anytime with books; requires adherence to a set schedule for classes/visits | Flexible, but needs internet and devices; provides flexibility in terms of when and where you study |
| Best For | Students in villages or with low internet; those who like studying from printed books; working professionals; those preparing for government jobs; prefer offline exams | Students with good internet and computer knowledge; those good at using laptop/smartphone; prefer video classes; want quick online help; enjoy modern online classroom; don’t want to travel to exam centres |
| Number of Courses | Many courses (200+); Wide range of programs available | Fewer courses (but new ones are added every year); Limited programs available |
| Regional/Study Centre | Required to choose the Regional Centre (RC) and the Study Centre (SC) | No requirement for choosing the Regional Centre (RC) |
| Fees (Example) | Affordable; BA: ₹6,000 to ₹9,000; MA: ₹7,200 to ₹10,800; MBA: Around ₹66,000 | May cost 5% to 15% more than distance learning for the same courses |
The table illustrates that while both modes offer flexibility, IGNOU Distance Learning caters to those preferring traditional study materials and offline interactions, whereas IGNOU Online Courses are designed for digitally adept students seeking entirely online engagement and modern learning tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to apply online for IGNOU courses?
Apply online through the Admission Portal for Online Programmes. For example, the January 2026 Session is accessible via this portal.
What is the step-by-step process for IGNOU online admission 2026?
The IGNOU online admission 2026 process is entirely online, from registration to final submission. Students must check eligibility, apply online, and submit required details for UG/PG courses.
What documents/IDs are required for IGNOU online registration?
For IGNOU online registration, applicants need 10th and 12th class marksheets (especially for Undergraduate courses) and a Graduation degree (for post-graduation courses).
What is online course from ignou?
IGNOU offers online courses such as the M.Com, Master of Arts in Distance Education (MADE) by STRIDE, and Master of Social Work Online (MSWOL). These include free courses with videos, assignments, and certificates.
What are the eligibility requirements for online course from ignou?
Eligibility for IGNOU online courses varies by program. Undergraduate programs require 10+2, while postgraduate programs need a bachelor’s degree.
How do I apply for online course from ignou?
Apply for IGNOU online courses at ignou.ac.in by registering, creating a DEB-ID, filling the application form with your details, and uploading required documents.
