IGNOU Admission 2026: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has once again extended the application deadline for its January 2026 admission cycle. As per the latest official update on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal, the new last date for submission of applications is now March 15, 2026. However, IGNOU has clearly stated that this extension does not apply to Certificate and Semester-based programmes — candidates applying for those courses must check the portal separately for their specific deadlines. This is the second extension of the January 2026 session deadline, which was originally set for January 31, 2026, then moved to February 28, 2026, and has now been pushed further to March 15, 2026.
Candidates who have not yet submitted their application can now apply through the official ODL admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. IGNOU has also reminded all applicants to keep their APAAR ID ready before starting the application process. The university offers more than 333 programmes across UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate and Doctoral levels through its 57 regional centres across India.
What Has Changed? Key Update at a Glance
| Update | Details |
|---|---|
| New Last Date | March 15, 2026 ✅ |
| Previous Deadline | February 28, 2026 (Expired) |
| Extension Applies To | All ODL programmes except Certificate & Semester-based courses |
| Portal | ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in |
IGNOU January 2026 Admission: Complete Deadline Timeline
| Timeline | Last Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Opens | December 16, 2025 | — |
| Original Deadline | January 31, 2026 | ❌ Expired |
| 1st Extension | February 28, 2026 | ❌ Expired |
| 2nd Extension (Latest) | March 15, 2026 | ✅ Active Now |
Who Can Still Apply? Important Clarification
This is an important detail that candidates must understand clearly:
| Category | New Deadline |
|---|---|
| BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA, BLIS, BSW (UG — ODL) | March 15, 2026 ✅ |
| MA, MCom, MSc, MBA, MCA, MSW, MLISc (PG — ODL) | March 15, 2026 ✅ |
| Diploma Programmes (DNA, DNHE, DECE, DAFE etc.) | March 15, 2026 ✅ |
| Online Courses (Online BCA, MCA, MBA, BCom etc.) | Check ignouiop.samarth.edu.in for specific date |
| Certificate Programmes (CGDA, CCH, CPY, COF etc.) | ⚠️ EXCLUDED — Check portal for deadline |
| Semester-based Programmes | ⚠️ EXCLUDED — Check portal for deadline |
| BEd Entrance Registration | February 27, 2026 (Closed) |
Candidates applying for Certificate courses or Semester-based programmes are strongly advised to log in to the official portal and check the applicable last date for their specific programme before assuming the March 15 deadline applies to them.
IGNOU FLIP Portal: Medical & Special Education Courses
Candidates seeking admission to the following specialised programmes must apply through a separate portal at ignouflip.samarth.edu.in — not the regular Samarth admission portal:
| Code | Programme Name |
|---|---|
| PGDGM | PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine |
| PGDMCH | PG Diploma in Maternal and Child Health |
| PGCMDM | PG Certificate in Medical Management of CBRNE Disasters |
| CESEIHI | Certificate — Early Childhood Special Education (Hearing Impairment) |
| CESEIVI | Certificate — Early Childhood Special Education (Visual Impairment) |
| CESEIID | Certificate — Early Childhood Special Education (Intellectual Disability) |
NCAHP Notice: The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Profession (NCAHP) recognises qualifications covered by the NCAHP Act, 2021 only through regular mode. Candidates should review the Act before applying for healthcare programmes in distance mode.
IGNOU Admission 2026: Eligibility Criteria
| Programme | Minimum Eligibility |
|---|---|
| UG (BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA) | 10+2 from recognised board with 45–50% marks |
| PG (MA, MCom, MBA, MCA, MSc) | Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks |
| BEd | Bachelor’s + Master’s with 50% marks; entrance exam |
| PhD | Master’s degree; entrance test + interview |
| Diploma / Certificate | 10+2 or graduation — varies by programme |
SC/ST/OBC candidates receive 5% relaxation in minimum marks requirement.
IGNOU 2026: Fee Structure Overview
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application / Registration Fee | ₹300 (non-refundable) | ₹500+ for professional courses |
| UG Course Fee (BA, BCom, BSc per year) | ₹4,800 – ₹14,500 |
| PG Course Fee (MA, MCom, MSc per year) | ₹7,300 – ₹31,000 |
| MBA Course Fee (total) | Up to ₹62,000 |
| Payment Methods | Credit Card (Visa/Master), Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), Net Banking |
IGNOU 2026: Fee Refund & Cancellation Rules
- Registration Fee is non-refundable under any circumstance.
- Full refund available before confirmation of admission.
- After confirmation: 15% of programme fee (max ₹2,000) deducted from refund.
- If student chose soft copy study material: refund after deducting Registration Fee only.
- No refund after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
- Cancellation available through applicant’s login only — do not email or use iGRAM.
- Cancellation is permanent and irreversible.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
- Visit the official portal — ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in (ODL) or ignouiop.samarth.edu.in (Online) or ignouflip.samarth.edu.in (Medical/Special Education).
- Click “Available Programme” tab → select your course → read eligibility, fee, duration.
- Click “New Registration” → enter your email and mobile (verified via OTP).
- Create username (8–16 characters) and password (8–16 characters, alphanumeric).
- Submit → username sent via email & SMS instantly.
- Log in → fill academic, personal and contact details.
- Upload scanned documents:
| Document | Size Limit |
|---|---|
| Photograph | < 100 KB |
| Signature | < 100 KB |
| Educational Qualification Certificate | < 200 KB |
| Experience Certificate (if applicable) | < 200 KB |
| Category Certificate — SC/ST/OBC (if applicable) | < 200 KB |
- Pay the fee online (Credit Card / Debit Card / Net Banking).
- Preview the form → Submit.
- Save / Print the confirmation page for your records.
⚠️ Tip: If using a cybercafe, double-check all details and uploaded documents before submitting. Scan all documents from originals only.
Government Scholarships for IGNOU Students
As per the official portal, eligible students can apply for Government of India Scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in after their admission is confirmed. Students from SC, ST, OBC, Minority and EWS backgrounds should check available schemes and apply accordingly.
IGNOU: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) |
| Established | 1985 (Act of Parliament) |
| Type | Central University — Open & Distance Learning |
| NAAC Grade | A++ |
| Location | Maidan Garhi, New Delhi |
| Regional Centres | 57 across India |
| Total Programmes | 333+ |
| Students Enrolled | Over 30 lakh (largest open university in India) |
| Sessions | January & July (twice a year) |
| Contact | csrc@ignou.ac.in | 011-29571301, 011-29571528 |
Final Note
IGNOU’s decision to extend the deadline to March 15, 2026 is a major relief for lakhs of candidates who had not yet completed their applications. However, candidates must note that Certificate and Semester-based programmes are excluded from this extension. All other ODL programme applicants now have until mid-March to apply. Do not wait until the last day — complete your application at the earliest to avoid portal congestion. Keep your APAAR ID, scanned documents and payment details ready before starting.
For admitted students, Government of India Scholarships are available through scholarships.gov.in.
For more education news and admission updates, stay connected with IMTS News.
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