IGNOU Admission 2026 has officially started for the January academic session, opening doors for students across India who wish to pursue higher education through flexible learning. The admission process is conducted by Indira Gandhi National Open University, a central government university known for its Open and Distance Learning system. Applications are being accepted online, and the final date to submit the form for the January 2026 session is 31 January 2026,also, IGNOU Admission 2026 covers a wide range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, Certificate, and Doctoral programmes.
Programmes Available Under IGNOU Admission 2026
IGNOU Admission 2026 offers programmes across multiple academic levels. The course options are designed to suit students from different educational backgrounds.
Programme Categories and Examples
| PROGRAMME LEVEL | COURSES OFFERED |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA, BLIS, BSW |
| Postgraduate | MA, MSc, MCom, MBA, MCA, MSW |
| Diploma | DNHE, DECE, DNA, PGDCA |
| Certificate | CPY, COF, CCH, CJL |
| Doctoral | PhD (Selected disciplines) |
Who Can Apply for IGNOU Admission 2026
Eligibility conditions under IGNOU Admission 2026 vary depending on the programme level.
- UG courses require candidates to pass 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board with 45% to 50% marks.
- PG programmes require a relevant Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 45% marks.
- Diploma and Certificate courses usually require 10+2 or graduation depending on course type.
- B.Ed, PhD, and Post-Basic BSc Nursing require qualifying in the IGNOU entrance examination.
- A valid DEB-ID is mandatory for all Open and Distance Learning admissions.
Popular Courses and Fee Structure
IGNOU Admission 2026 continues to be known for affordable education without compromising academic quality.
| COURSE NAME | DURATION | APPROXIMATE FEE |
|---|---|---|
| BA | 3 Years | INR 4,500 |
| BCom | 3 Years | INR 4,500 |
| BCA | 3 Years | INR 20,000 |
| MBA | 2 Years | INR 31,000 |
| MCA | 2 Years | INR 55,000 |
| MA | 2 Years | INR 18,000 |
| MSc | 2 Years | INR 25,000 |
How the Online Application Process Works
The entire IGNOU Admission 2026 process is conducted online through the Samarth admission portal.
Step 1: Visit the official IGNOU Samarth admission website and create a new registration account using a valid email ID and mobile number.
Step 2: Log in using the generated username and password.
Step 3: Select the desired programme from the available list.
Step 4: Fill in personal, academic, and contact details carefully.
Step 5: Upload scanned copies of required documents in the prescribed format.
Step 6: Pay the application fee using debit card, credit card, or net banking.
Step 7: Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Application Fee Details
Under IGNOU Admission 2026, the application fee varies depending on the programme also it should be noted that the registration fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
| COURSE TYPE | APPLICATION FEE |
|---|---|
| UG / PG / Certificate / Diploma | INR 300 |
| MBA / MCA / Nursing / Medical Programmes | INR 500 |
Important Dates for January Session
| EVENT | DATE |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | Ongoing |
| Last Date to Apply | 31st January 2026 |
| Re-Registration Last Date | 15th January 2026 |
Re-Registration for Existing Students
Students already enrolled with IGNOU must complete re-registration to continue their next academic year or semester. The re-registration fee is INR 300 while late submissions may attract an additional fee of INR 500 or INR 1000 depending on the delay duration.
Entrance Exams Conducted by IGNOU
IGNOU Admission 2026 includes entrance examinations only for selected courses.
- B.Ed
- M.Ed
- PhD
- Post-Basic BSc Nursing
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is IGNOU Admission 2026 open for both fresh and existing students?
Yes, fresh applicants can apply for new admissions, and existing students must complete re-registration for the January 2026 session.
Q2. Does IGNOU Admission 2026 require an entrance exam for all courses?
No, most programmes are merit-based. Entrance exams are required only for selected professional and research courses.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for IGNOU Admission 2026?
The final date to submit the application form for the January session is 31 January 2026.
Important/ Key Links for IGNOU Admission 2026
| DESCRIPTION | LINK |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | https://www.ignou.ac.in |
| Apply Online | https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in |
| Official Website | https://www.ignou.ac.in |