Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Advanced Certificate in Information Security (ACISE) is a 6-month Open Distance Learning (ODL) programme offered by the School of Vocational Education and Training at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. The programme carries 18 credits and is available in English medium. With a total programme fee of Rs. 5,400 plus applicable registration and development fees, it is one of the most affordable information security programmes in India. The ACISE programme is designed to prepare learners with the skills and techniques needed to protect and secure information in the virtual environment, covering topics such as information security, securing internet access, IT security, and server security. A unique feature of this programme is the exit option: students who successfully complete the first three courses (12 credits) can exit with a Certificate in Information Security (CISE). The programme is popular among IT professionals, students, and individuals seeking to build a career in cybersecurity. Note that the programme is currently available at only 5 study centres across India.

Admissions to the ACISE programme are conducted twice a year - in the January session and the July session. For the January 2026 session, the last date for fresh admission has been extended to 30th March 2026. The July 2026 session admissions are expected to open in May 2026 with a tentative last date in August 2026. The programme is currently open for the January 2026 session.

Since this programme is offered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, students study through self-learning print materials and practical components. The programme is currently available at the following study centres:

Regional Centre	Study Centre
Delhi 2 (Indraprastha Estate, ITO)	IGNOU Regional Centre Delhi 2 (2900)
Noida	IGNOU Regional Centre Noida (3900)
Noida	S.D. Post Graduate College (2741)
Patna	IGNOU Regional Centre Patna (0500)
Chandigarh	IGNOU Regional Centre Chandigarh (0600)

Key Points

The programme has a unique exit option: students who complete the first 3 courses (OSEI-41, OSEI-42, OSEI-43) totalling 12 credits can exit with a Certificate in Information Security (CISE), making it a flexible qualification pathway.
The curriculum covers 4 courses: Information Security (OSEI-41), Securing Internet Access (OSEI-42), Information Technology Security (OSEI-43), and Server Security (OSEI-44), with practical components for most courses.
The programme covers highly relevant topics including desktop security, data security, secure browsing, e-mail security, secure internet transactions, cyber forensics, mobile security, and government IT security regulations.
The programme is available at only 5 study centres currently, so students should verify availability before applying.
The programme has a minimum duration of 6 months and a maximum duration of 2 years.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU ACISE Fees

The ACISE programme is priced at Rs. 5,400 for the full programme. A one-time registration fee and development fee are charged separately as applicable. Examination fees are charged per course as per university norms and are not included in the programme fee. No hostel facility is applicable for this distance learning programme.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Programme Fee (Full Course - ACISE)	5,400
Programme Fee (Exit Option - CISE, 3 courses)	Proportionate (approx. 3,600)
Registration Fee (one-time)	300
Development Fee	As applicable
Examination Fee	As per university norms per course
Total Fees - ACISE (excluding exam fee)	5,700

The Registration Fee is non-refundable.
Fee refund is available prior to confirmation of admission. After confirmation, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted on cancellation.
No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
Examination fees are payable separately at the time of filling the Term-End Examination (TEE) form.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), or Net Banking.

IGNOU ACISE Admission 2026

IGNOU ACISE admissions are conducted twice a year through the Samarth online portal. The January 2026 session is currently open with the last date extended to 30th March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open in May 2026. Evaluation is through continuous assessment (assignments), practical components, and Term-End Examinations (TEE) held in June and December each year.

ACISE Admission and Exam Important Dates

Event	Dates
January 2026 Session - Fresh Admission Opens	December 2025
January 2026 Session - Last Date for Fresh Admission	30th March 2026
January 2026 Session - Re-registration Last Date	31st March 2026 (with late fee of Rs. 200)
June 2026 TEE - Exam Form Submission Opens	March 10, 2026
June 2026 TEE - Exam Dates	1st June 2026 to 15th July 2026
July 2026 Session - Admission Opens (Tentative)	May 2026
July 2026 Session - Last Date for Admission (Tentative)	August 2026
December 2026 TEE (Tentative)	December 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) or its equivalent from a recognized board.
There is no minimum or maximum age limit for admission.
The programme is available in English medium only.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU Admission Portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and click on New Registration.
Fill in personal and academic details, upload scanned documents (photograph, signature, Class 10 certificate, category certificate if applicable).
Select preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre from the available list (only 5 centres offer ACISE).
Pay the programme fee (Rs. 5,400) and registration fee online.
Submit the application and download the confirmation for future reference.
Study materials are dispatched to the registered address after admission confirmation.
Attend practical sessions at the designated study centre as required.
Appear in Term-End Examinations (TEE) held in June and December by submitting the exam form separately.

IGNOU ACISE Scholarships 2026

IGNOU ACISE students are eligible to apply for various Government of India scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). These scholarships are particularly beneficial for students from SC, ST, OBC, and economically weaker sections. Students are advised to apply on the NSP portal after confirmation of their IGNOU admission.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount	Application Portal
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC category, family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Covers tuition fee + maintenance allowance	scholarships.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students	ST category, family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Covers tuition fee + maintenance allowance	scholarships.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC category, family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum	Covers tuition fee	scholarships.gov.in
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships	12th pass with top 20 percentile, family income below Rs. 8 lakh	Rs. 10,000 per annum (UG level)	scholarships.gov.in

Students must apply on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
Scholarship applications are typically open from October to November each year.
Students must ensure their bank account is linked with Aadhaar for direct benefit transfer.
IGNOU itself does not offer course-specific scholarships for the ACISE programme; all scholarships are routed through government portals.

IGNOU ACISE FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between ACISE and CISE at IGNOU?

Ans. ACISE (Advanced Certificate in Information Security) is the full programme with 18 credits covering 4 courses including Server Security. CISE (Certificate in Information Security) is the exit option available after completing the first 3 courses (12 credits). If you complete all 4 courses, you get the ACISE certificate. If you exit after 3 courses, you get the CISE certificate. ACISE is the more comprehensive and valuable qualification.

Ques. Are there practical/lab sessions in the ACISE programme?

Ans. Yes, most courses in ACISE have practical components (indicated by the (P) suffix - OSEI-41P, OSEI-42P, OSEI-44P). Students are required to attend practical sessions at their designated study centre. Since ACISE is available at only 5 centres, ensure your chosen centre has the required lab facilities before enrolling.

Ques. I am a working IT professional. Will ACISE add value to my career?

Ans. Yes, information security is one of the fastest-growing domains in IT. The ACISE programme covers practical skills in desktop security, server security, cyber forensics, and secure internet transactions that are directly applicable in IT roles. While it is a certificate-level programme, it demonstrates foundational cybersecurity knowledge and can complement higher certifications like CEH, CISSP, or CompTIA Security+.

Ques. Is ACISE available online or only at physical study centres?

Ans. ACISE is an ODL (Open Distance Learning) programme, meaning study materials are provided in print/digital format for self-study. However, practical sessions must be attended at the designated study centre. The programme is not fully online - physical attendance for practicals is required.

Ques. Can I pursue ACISE if I have no prior IT background?

Ans. Yes, the eligibility is just 10th Pass with no specific IT background required. The programme starts from the basics of information security and progressively covers more advanced topics. However, basic computer literacy (ability to use a computer and the internet) will be helpful for understanding the practical components.

Ques. What government regulations related to IT security are covered in ACISE?

Ans. The ACISE programme covers government rules in IT security, including the Information Technology Act 2000 and its amendments, IT security policies, and compliance requirements. This is particularly useful for professionals working in government organizations, banks, and regulated industries where IT security compliance is mandatory.