With the January 2026 admission cycle already underway for both IGNOU and DU SOL, thousands of students are once again asking the same question: IGNOU or DU SOL - Which is better?

Both are government-recognized, UGC-DEB approved, and offer degrees that are 100% valid for government jobs, UPSC, SSC, banking, and private sector placements. But when it comes to fees, flexibility, brand value, course variety, and student experience - the differences are huge.

Below is the most updated and detailed IGNOU vs DU SOL comparison for 2026 based on official brochures, latest NIRF rankings, and student reviews. This also included all tentative key dates for the 2026 session to help you plan ahead.

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IGNOU or DU SOL Quick Overview

Parameters IGNOU DU SOL
Established 1985 (World’s largest open university) 1962 (Distance wing of Delhi University)
NAAC Grade A++ (Highest in open universities) A+
NIRF 2025 Rank (Open University) Rank 1 Rank 4
Total Enrollment 3.5+ million 4+ lakh
Total Courses Offered 300+ (UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate) 53 (Only UG & PG)
Mode of Exams Online + Offline (choice available) Mostly Offline (Delhi & selected centers)
Study Centers 2,600+ across India + 25 overseas Primarily Delhi-NCR
Best Known For Extreme flexibility & low fees Delhi University brand value

IGNOU or DU SOL Key Dates for 2026 Session

IGNOU January 2026 Session

Event Tentative Date
Re-Registration Start December 1, 2025
Re-Registration Last Date January 15, 2026
Fresh Admission Start December 15, 2025
Fresh Admission Last Date January 31, 2026
Term-End Exams (TEE) Start June 1, 2026 (tentative)
Term-End Exams (TEE) End July 15, 2026 (tentative)
Assignment Submission Deadline April 30, 2026 (for June TEE)
Result Declaration August 2026 (tentative)

DU SOL January 2026 Session

Event Tentative Date
UG/PG Admission Start December 5, 2025
UG/PG Admission Last Date January 31, 2026
Merit List Release February 10, 2026
Semester Exams Start May 1, 2026
Semester Exams End June 15, 2026
Re-Registration for Next Sem March 1, 2026
Result Declaration July 2026 (tentative)

Note: These are tentative dates based on official announcements and historical patterns. Always check ignou.ac.in and sol.du.ac.in for updates.

IGNOU or DU SOL Fees Comparison

Course IGNOU Total Fees DU SOL Total Fees
BA / BA (Hons) INR 8,400 - INR 12,600 INR 9,990 - INR 12,990
B.Com / B.Com (Hons) INR 9,000 - INR 12,000 INR 10,590 - INR 13,590
MA (Any Subject) INR 12,000 - INR 18,000 INR 14,000 - INR 22,000
M.Com INR 15,000 - INR 18,600 INR 15,000 - INR 18,000

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IGNOU or DU SOL Course Variety & Specializations

IGNOU (300+ programs)

  • Rare & vocational courses: Disaster Management, Tourism, Cyber Law, Dairy Technology, etc.
  • Professional degrees: MBA, MCA, B.Ed (ODL), PhD
  • Certificate & diploma courses accepted for government jobs

DU SOL (53 programs only)

  • Traditional programs only: BA Program, BA (Hons) English/Political Science, B.Com, M.A, M.Com
  • No science, engineering, or professional courses in distance mode

IGNOU or DU SOL Flexibility & Exam Convenience

Feature IGNOU DU SOL
Exam Mode Online + Offline (both options) Mostly offline
Exam Centers All India + abroad Delhi + few cities
Exam Frequency Twice a year (Jun & Dec) Once a year (May-June)
Re-registration Deadline Very lenient Strict timelines
Assignment Submission Online Online + Hard copy

IGNOU or DU SOL Brand Value & Placement Preference

  • Government Jobs & PSU: Both treated equally
  • Private Sector (North India): DU SOL has clear edge because of “Delhi University” tag
  • MNCs & Abroad: IGNOU degree widely accepted (especially in Gulf & Africa)
  • MBA / Higher Studies: DU SOL slightly preferred by top B-schools in Delhi-NCR

IGNOU or DU SOL Study Material & Faculty Support

Aspect IGNOU DU SOL
Study Material Printed books + eGyanKosh (free PDFs) Printed SLM + DU faculty-recorded videos
Online Classes Through SWAYAM, GyanDhara, Facebook Live Live weekend classes by DU professors
Personal Contact Program Optional weekend counseling Mandatory PCP classes (attendance issues)

IGNOU or DU SOL Student Reviews

  • IGNOU: 4.1/5 on Collegedunia (1,600+ reviews) “Best for working people, no tension of attendance”
  • DU SOL: 3.2/5 on Collegedunia (600+ reviews) “DU tag helps in interviews, but exams are tough”

Who Should Choose What in 2026?

Choose IGNOU if you: Choose DU SOL if you:
Are a working professional Want the Delhi University tag
Live outside Delhi-NCR Live in or near Delhi
Want maximum flexibility & lowest fees Prefer structured syllabus & tougher exams
Need rare/specialized courses Only want BA/B.Com/MA/M.Com
Want online exams Don’t mind traveling for exams