IGNOU (ODL)

Since I had done my bachelors in Sociology (H), I found it fit to pursue public administration and due to my other prior engagements I opted for the ODL programme hence IGNOU. The course can be very lengthy and tiring and above all you have to figure it all out on you own and so it can get a bit confusing too sometimes. The exams and assignment submissions happen only once a year.

In IGNOU, the course takes place yearly, not semester-wise. So, you register once every year for your two-year course. The fees for my course for the 1st year were 7000 + 1000 study material charges, which are optional. Again, for the next year, it would be similar.

As I said, it is equal to zero of a college life experience in this ODL format of study. Only choose this if you have some imp activity already going, and this is just a side business. You can order the study material and visit IGNOU centres for more research work. No social life and no campus experience.

Since I already had prior engagements elsewhere, I knew I wouldn't be able to give my degree my full attention, so I opted for ODL, and it gives me time to do my stuff and get a degree as well. The admission process is very easy; it happens twice a year in January and July, and you just choose your course and nearby study centre where you would submit assignments and tests and just pay.

In the ODL education format, you don't see your teachers, and there are no classes. You just submit your assignments to the nearby study centre you have chosen, and you get a receipt of the submission made, and after checking, the results are uploaded online on the SAMARTH portal. Exams happen just once in a year and then your 1st year is over. You register again for the 2nd year if you wish to continue the degree. Marking is not really good, they don't give marks.

It was an online payment gateway as soon as you shortlist your course and study centre and everything and pay the fees your admission is guaranteed. There is no extra tests or discussions or any sort of testing for that matter.

Since there is no college so there is also no student life or night life or college life. You can make friends online and even meet up in real life if they live nearby to you. Otherwise you can meet your course mates during assignment submissions or during the term end examinations.