IGNOU Admission 2026: Today, February 28, 2026, is the last date to apply for the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) January 2026 session for all Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online programmes. IGNOU had earlier extended the admission deadline from January 31 to February 28, 2026, giving candidates additional time to complete their applications. Students who have not yet submitted their forms must do so today through the official IGNOU admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in for ODL courses and ignouiop.samarth.edu.in for Online courses. The university offers admission to more than 333 programmes at UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate and Doctoral levels.
IGNOU Admission 2026 January Session: Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Admission Start Date (January 2026 Session) | December 16, 2025 |
| Original Last Date | January 31, 2026 |
| Extended Last Date (ODL & Online Courses) | February 28, 2026 (Today) |
| Re-Registration Last Date (with ₹200 Late Fee) | February 28, 2026 |
| BEd Entrance Application Last Date | February 27, 2026 (Closed) |
| ODL Admission Portal | ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in |
| Online Courses Portal | ignouiop.samarth.edu.in |
| Official Website | ignou.ac.in |
Candidates are strongly advised to submit their applications well before midnight today to avoid any last-minute technical issues or heavy traffic on the portal.
IGNOU 2026: Courses Offered in January Session
IGNOU offers one of the widest range of programmes in India through ODL and Online modes. The major course categories available for the January 2026 session are:
| Level | Popular Programmes |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (UG) | BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA, BLIS, BSW |
| Postgraduate (PG) | MA, MCom, MSc, MBA, MCA, MSW, MLISc |
| Diploma | DNA, DNHE, DECE, DAFE and others |
| Certificate | CGDA, CCH, CPY, COF, CJL and others |
| Professional / Entrance-Based | BEd, BSc Nursing (Post Basic), PhD |
| Online Courses | Online BCA, Online BCom, Online MCA, Online MBA, Online BLIS, Online MA Hindi, Online CLIS |
IGNOU conducts admissions in two sessions every year — January and July. Students who miss the January session deadline will have to wait for the July 2026 session, which is expected to open around May 2026.
IGNOU Admission 2026: Eligibility Criteria
| Programme Level | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| UG Courses (BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA) | 10+2 from a recognised board with 45% to 50% marks |
| PG Courses (MA, MCom, MBA, MCA, MSc) | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with minimum 50% marks |
| BEd Programme | Bachelor’s + Master’s degree with 50% marks; entrance exam based |
| PhD Programme | Master’s degree with minimum aggregate; entrance test + interview |
| Diploma / Certificate Courses | Varies by programme — 10+2 or graduation as applicable |
IGNOU provides 5% relaxation in minimum marks for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories. Most programmes are merit-based, while BEd and PhD require entrance examinations conducted by the university.
IGNOU Admission 2026: Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration / Application Fee (UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate) | ₹300 (non-refundable) |
| Application Fee (MBA, MCA, MSc, Professional Courses) | ₹500 or more |
| UG Course Fee (BA, BCom, BSc) | ₹4,800 to ₹14,500 per year |
| PG Course Fee (MA, MCom, MSc) | ₹7,300 to ₹31,000 per year |
| MBA Course Fee | Up to ₹62,000 (varies by specialisation) |
| Re-Registration Fee | ₹300 (+ ₹200 late fee if applicable) |
The overall fee at IGNOU ranges from ₹1,000 to ₹70,000 depending on the course and programme level. Fee can be paid online through debit card, credit card or net banking.
How to Apply for IGNOU Admission 2026 January Session?
Candidates applying for the first time can follow these steps:
- Visit the official IGNOU ODL admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in (for ODL courses) or ignouiop.samarth.edu.in (for Online courses).
- Click on “New Registration” and fill in your name, mobile number, email ID and other personal details.
- Create your username and password (8 to 16 characters, alphanumeric).
- Log in with your credentials and select your desired programme.
- Fill in academic, contact and personal details in the application form.
- Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature and academic certificates.
- Pay the application fee online using the available payment gateway.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Important: Candidates must keep their APAAR ID ready before beginning the application process. Also, DEB ID creation is compulsory for students enrolling in ODL or Online programmes. To create a DEB ID, students must first create an ABC ID from DigiLocker.
IGNOU Re-Registration 2026: Deadline Also Today
Students who are already enrolled in IGNOU and wish to continue their studies in the next semester or year must complete re-registration by February 28, 2026. The re-registration fee is ₹300, with a late fee of ₹200 applicable for delayed submissions.
Re-registration can be completed through the official portal at onlinerr.ignou.ac.in. Students must log in with their enrolment number, select the re-registration option, choose their course and complete the payment. Failure to re-register on time will delay the academic session by six months.
IGNOU 39th Convocation 2026
Alongside admissions, IGNOU is also conducting registration for its 39th Convocation, expected to be held on February 28, 2026. Students who completed their studies in the December 2024 and June 2025 term-end examinations are eligible to register. The convocation registration fee is ₹600 for degree and diploma programmes, and ₹200 for certificate courses.
About IGNOU: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Indira Gandhi National Open University |
| Established | 1985 (by Act of Parliament) |
| Type | Central University (Open & Distance Learning) |
| NAAC Grade | A++ |
| Headquarters | Maidan Garhi, New Delhi |
| Regional Centres | 57 centres across India |
| Total Programmes | 333+ (UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, PhD) |
| Students Enrolled | Over 30 lakh (largest open university in India) |
| Admission Sessions | January & July (twice a year) |
For more education news and admission updates, stay connected with IMTS News.
You Can Also Check :
| IGNOU Post Basic BSc Nursing Admission 2026 | GATE 2026 Answer Key Challenge |
| CUET UG 2026 Registration | ICSI CSEET June 2026 Registration |