IGNOU BA : Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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The Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a 3-year undergraduate programme offered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Humanities (SOH) and School of Social Sciences (SOSS). IGNOU offers the BA programme in two variants: the BA General (BAG) under the UGC Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), and the BA (BAM) under the FYUP framework aligned with NEP 2020. The programme is a broad-based, interdisciplinary course offering subjects across Humanities, Social Sciences, and Languages, including History, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit, and more. The total programme fee is Rs. 14,400 for 3 years (Rs. 4,800 per year), making it one of the most affordable undergraduate arts programmes in India. No entrance exam is required, and admission is open to any student who has passed 10+2 from a recognised board. The BA programme is IGNOU's flagship and most popular programme, with millions of students enrolled across India, valued for its flexibility, affordability, and wide subject choice.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing. The last date for fresh admission has been extended to 30th March 2026. Students can apply online at the IGNOU Admission Portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in). The July 2026 session admissions are expected to open tentatively in May 2026, with a last date around July-August 2026, based on the previous year's schedule.

Distance Mode Study Centres:

IGNOU's BA programme is offered through a vast network of Regional Centres and Study Centres (LSCs) across India - one of the largest networks of any university in the world. Key Regional Centres offering this programme include:

  • Hyderabad (RC Code: 01)
  • Karnal (RC Code: 10)
  • Shimla (RC Code: 11)
  • Jammu (RC Code: 12)
  • Bangalore (RC Code: 13)
  • Cochin (RC Code: 14)
  • Bhopal (RC Code: 15)
  • Pune (RC Code: 16)
  • Imphal (RC Code: 17)
  • Shillong (RC Code: 18)
  • Aizawl (RC Code: 19)
  • Port Blair (RC Code: 02)
  • Kohima (RC Code: 20)
  • Bhubaneswar (RC Code: 21)
  • Khanna (RC Code: 22)
  • Jaipur (RC Code: 23)
  • Gangtok (RC Code: 24)
  • Chennai (RC Code: 25)
  • Agartala (RC Code: 26)
  • Lucknow (RC Code: 27)
  • Kolkata (RC Code: 28)
  • Delhi 1, Delhi 2, Delhi 3 (RC Codes: 07, 29, 38)
  • Itanagar (RC Code: 03)
  • Srinagar (RC Code: 30)
  • Dehradun (RC Code: 31)
  • Ranchi (RC Code: 32)
  • Vijayawada (RC Code: 33)
  • Raipur (RC Code: 35)
  • Nagpur (RC Code: 36)
  • Jorhat (RC Code: 37)
  • Noida (RC Code: 39)
  • Guwahati (RC Code: 04)
  • Trivandrum (RC Code: 40)
  • Jabalpur (RC Code: 41)
  • Rajkot (RC Code: 42)
  • Madurai (RC Code: 43)
  • Koraput (RC Code: 44)
  • Siliguri (RC Code: 45)
  • Darbhanga (RC Code: 46)
  • Aligarh (RC Code: 47)
  • Varanasi (RC Code: 48)
  • Mumbai (RC Code: 49)
  • Patna (RC Code: 05)
  • Chandigarh (RC Code: 06)
  • Vatakara (RC Code: 83)
  • Visakhapatnam (RC Code: 84)
  • Bijapur (RC Code: 85)
  • Deoghar (RC Code: 87)
  • Jodhpur (RC Code: 88)
  • Ahmedabad (RC Code: 09)
  • Angul (RC Code: 89)

Students can locate their nearest study centre using the IGNOU Study Centre Locator on the official website.

Key Points

  • The BA programme is IGNOU's most popular and largest enrolled programme, with millions of students across India.
  • Students can choose from a wide range of subjects including History, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Public Administration, Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit, and more.
  • The programme offers flexibility to choose subjects based on personal interest and career goals.
  • Offered in both English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to learners across India.
  • No entrance exam is required; admission is based purely on eligibility.
  • There is no age bar, making it suitable for working professionals, homemakers, and adult learners.
  • SC/ST students are eligible for 50% fee concession on programme fee, subject to income criteria.
  • Term-End Examinations (TEE) are conducted twice a year - in June and December.
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IGNOU BA Fees

The BA programme at IGNOU is priced at Rs. 4,800 per year, payable annually for 3 years. A one-time non-refundable Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is charged at the time of fresh admission. Examination fees are charged separately at the time of TEE registration and are not included in the programme fee. The total programme cost (excluding exam fees) comes to Rs. 14,700 over 3 years.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount (Per Year)Total (3 Years)
Programme/Tuition FeeRs. 4,800Rs. 14,400
Registration Fee (one-time)Rs. 300Rs. 300
University Development FeeAs applicableAs applicable
Examination Fee (per course per exam)Rs. 120 per courseVaries
Total Fees (excluding exam fee)Rs. 5,100 (Year 1)Rs. 14,700
  • The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable.
  • Examination fees are paid separately at the time of filling the exam form and are not included in the programme fee.
  • SC/ST students are eligible for 50% fee concession on programme fee, subject to family income not exceeding Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum.
  • Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), or Net Banking.
  • In case of cancellation after confirmation of admission, 15% of programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted. No refund is admissible after 60 days of the closing date of admissions.
  • Students opting for soft copy (e-SLM) of study material pay a reduced fee.

IGNOU BA Admission 2026

IGNOU conducts admissions for the BA programme twice a year - in the January session (admissions open November-February/March) and the July session (admissions open May-August). The admission process is entirely online through the IGNOU Samarth Admission Portal. There is no entrance exam; admission is granted based on eligibility. The January 2026 session is currently open with the last date extended to 30th March 2026.

IGNOU BA Admission Dates

EventJanuary 2026 SessionJuly 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Portal OpensDecember 16, 2025May 2026
Last Date for Fresh AdmissionMarch 30, 2026July/August 2026
Re-registration Start DateDecember 1, 2025May 2026
Last Date for Re-registrationMarch 30, 2026July 2026
Distribution of Study Material (SLM)January - March 2026July - September 2026
Contact Programmes / CounsellingFebruary - November 2026August 2026 onwards
Assignment SubmissionMarch - September 2026October 2026 - March 2027
Term-End Examination (TEE)June 2026December 2026
Declaration of ResultsAugust 2026February 2027

Entrance Exam Dates

Entrance Exam Dates
No entrance exam is required for IGNOU BA admission. Admission is open to all eligible candidates on a merit-neutral basis.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Higher Secondary) or equivalent from a recognised board.
  • No specific subject requirement at 10+2 level; the programme is open to students from any stream.
  • There is no minimum percentage requirement and no age bar.

Admission Process

  • Visit the IGNOU Admission Portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and click on New Registration.
  • Create a username and password, then log in and select the BA (BAM or BAG) programme.
  • Fill in personal and academic details, select your preferred subjects, and upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, 10th and 12th marksheets, and category certificate (if applicable).
  • Pay the programme fee and registration fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
  • Download and save the application form and payment receipt for future reference.
  • Await confirmation of admission via email/SMS; check status on the admission portal.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 52 Reviews

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is known for its experienced and supportive faculty, ensuring effective student-teacher interaction with a student-to-faculty ratio of about 35-40:1. Courses at IGNOU are designed to be flexible, catering to working students, with exams conducted twice a year. The grading system comprises 70% from exams and 30% from assignments, with a passing requirement of 40%. Approximately 30% of students secure jobs during recruitment drives, with last year's salaries starting at INR 20,000.

Internship opportunities are available through partnerships with companies like Swiggy, offering roles with a stipend of INR 15,000, and reputed organizations like Care and UNICEF. Companies such as Tata, TCS, Infosys, and Wipro provide job opportunities and training. IGNOU offers an affordable fee structure, with undergraduate fees ranging from INR 3,000 to INR 6,000 annually and postgraduate fees from INR 10,000 to INR 20,000. Examination fees are generally INR 200 per subject.

Study materials are often free, with digital copies reducing costs by about 15%.

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IGNOU BA Scholarships 2026

IGNOU BA students are eligible for a range of scholarships from both the university and the Government of India. SC/ST students can avail a 50% fee concession on programme fees directly from IGNOU, subject to income criteria. Additionally, students can apply for Central and State Government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission.

Scholarship Details

ScholarshipEligibilityBenefitHow to Apply
IGNOU SC/ST Fee ConcessionSC/ST students with family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh/year50% concession on programme feeApply at the time of admission through IGNOU portal; upload caste and income certificate
NSP - Post Matric Scholarship (SC)SC students; family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh/yearFull/partial fee reimbursement + maintenance allowanceApply at scholarships.gov.in after admission confirmation
NSP - Post Matric Scholarship (ST)ST students; family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh/yearFull/partial fee reimbursement + maintenance allowanceApply at scholarships.gov.in after admission confirmation
NSP - OBC Post Matric ScholarshipOBC students; family income up to Rs. 1 lakh/yearPartial fee reimbursementApply at scholarships.gov.in after admission confirmation
NSP - Minority Post Matric ScholarshipMinority community students; family income up to Rs. 2 lakh/yearPartial fee reimbursementApply at scholarships.gov.in after admission confirmation
State Government ScholarshipsVaries by state; based on category and incomeVariesApply through respective State Scholarship Portal
  • IGNOU's SC/ST fee concession is applicable only if the student is not availing any other scholarship from Central/State Government.
  • An affidavit to this effect must be submitted at the time of applying for the IGNOU fee concession.
  • DEB-ID is mandatory for availing IGNOU fee concession.
  • Students are advised to apply for NSP scholarships immediately after confirmation of admission, as deadlines are typically in October-November each year.

IGNOU BA FAQs

Ques. What subjects can I choose in IGNOU BA? Can I mix subjects from different disciplines?

Ans. Yes. IGNOU BA offers a wide range of subjects including History, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Public Administration, Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit, Philosophy, and more. Under the CBCS framework, you can choose a combination of subjects from different disciplines. However, the availability of specific subject combinations may depend on your study centre. It is advisable to check the subject availability at your nearest study centre before applying.

Ques. I am a working professional with a 10+2 qualification from 15 years ago. Can I still apply for IGNOU BA?

Ans. Yes. IGNOU has no age bar for the BA programme. As long as you have passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board, you are eligible regardless of the gap year. The flexible ODL mode allows you to study at your own pace while managing your professional commitments.

Ques. Is the IGNOU BA degree valid for government jobs and competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and banking?

Ans. Yes. IGNOU is a Central University established by an Act of Parliament, and its degrees are recognised by the UGC and Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The BA degree from IGNOU is valid for all government jobs, competitive exams, and higher education admissions where a graduation degree is required.

Ques. What is the difference between BAG (CBCS) and BAM (FYUP) at IGNOU? Which one should I choose?

Ans. BAG (CBCS) is the older BA General programme under the Choice Based Credit System, while BAM is the newer BA programme under the FYUP framework aligned with NEP 2020. BAM offers multiple exit options (Certificate after 1 year, Diploma after 2 years, Degree after 3 years). For new students enrolling now, BAM is the recommended and currently active programme. BAG may be available for re-registration by existing students only.

Ques. How many subjects do I need to study per year in IGNOU BA?

Ans. In the IGNOU BA programme, students typically study 4-6 courses per year (or per semester in the CBCS version). The exact number depends on the programme variant and the subjects chosen. Each course carries 6 credits, and the total programme requires 132-148 credits for completion. Students are advised to refer to the programme guide for their specific subject combination.

Ques. Can I change my subjects after admission in IGNOU BA?

Ans. Subject change is generally not permitted after admission. However, students can request a change of subject within a limited window (usually within the first few months of admission) by submitting a request to their Regional Centre. This is subject to availability and the university's policies at the time. Students are advised to carefully choose their subjects before applying.

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IGNOU: 1 Answered Question

DU SOL or IGNOU Which is better for BA General correspondence program?

Aditri ChoudhuryB.C.A English & Information, Indira Gandhi National Open University

IGNOU is better than DU SOL, for a BA General correspondence program. An IGNOU degree is better recognized in the country. You can get the online course materials easily from the official website. IGNOU has good lab facilities as well. 

It conducts classes and examinations on time. You can get help from the faculties online regarding any course-related doubts. 

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akanksha
5.0
Reviewed on Mar 2, 2026(Enrolled 2022)

Fees and Financial Aid:

so i had paid 15000 per annum fees and i was from general catorgy so i don't have received and scholership from university i have done my course in 2024 and paid 45000 fees for three year duration of course
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Satyam Kumar Mehta
Satyam Kumar Mehta
5.0Helpful
Reviewed on Dec 25, 2025(Enrolled 2025)

Fees and Financial Aid:

I am in first semester and there are 6 sem in 3 year i pay 5000 per sem for this course The fee structure for sc and st is less than general category person My batchmates paid same as i pay Did not get any scholarship
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Shivam Sharma
3.5Helpful
Reviewed on Dec 2, 2025(Enrolled 2025)

Fees and Financial Aid:

Fee structure of my course is 5400 but I belong to SC student so I have discount 50 percent and I gave 3100 rs . The tution fees is 300 . And I don't know about my batchmates because I have taken a addmission in open Schooling so because I don't know my batchmates. I don't know about IGNOU SCHOLARSHIP
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Onkar Kumar
Onkar Kumar
4.8Helpful
Reviewed on Nov 30, 2025(Enrolled 2022)

Fees and Financial Aid:

Year wise fee - 6000 Scholarship is best ,more than 100 all over India Good environment with good study.. IGNOU is best in terms of education Fee structure is also very good with great structure and people love it
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Harsh Patahak
3.4
Reviewed on Oct 21, 2025(Enrolled 2022)

Fees and Financial Aid:

My yearly fees for BA was Rs 4000 for 3 years so I have paid Rs 12000. Registration fees was 2000, Admission fees was 4000. Tution fees was Rs 1000 monthly. and I don't have any idea about other courses.
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Khushboo
3.8
Reviewed on Apr 19, 2025(Enrolled 2021)

Fees and Financial Aid:

I paid total of amount yearly 5300rs/- I don't take tuitions,no caution fees,no lab fees only admission and exam fees. Other batchmates of my they had same feeling structure of my course but don't know other course batches.
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Mohd Zaid Sharik
Mohd Zaid Sharik
4.8Helpful
Reviewed on Feb 25, 2025(Enrolled 2020)

Fees and Financial Aid:

Fee structure for my bachelors programme on IGNOU was 3000/- per year tuition as well as 3000/- per year examination fee. Totally the fee cost to me approx. 6000/- per year and 18000/- for whole course.
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Baidar Ahmad Padder
Baidar Ahmad Padder
4.8Helpful
Reviewed on Feb 23, 2025(Enrolled 2019)

Fees and Financial Aid:

2000 was our annuall fee and i don't have any category and being as unemploy i am not able to bare my college fees and bus fare and also momey for study materials and for internet i am not able to pay my phone bills
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Parth Adhikari
Parth Adhikari
2.8
Reviewed on Feb 15, 2025(Enrolled 2022)

Student Snaps:

Fees and Financial Aid:

When i took admission in 1st year the fees was 4800, every year this is same because every year re-admission takes place. the additional exam fees is 300 per subject, 500 for practical based subject and we can get 10% off in yearly fee if we dont apply for the physical study material. the fees of IGNOU is very affordable and anyone can do any course in this university.
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Raavi Singh
3.8Helpful
Reviewed on Nov 2, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fee structure at IGNOU varies by course and is generally affordable compared to other institutes for undergraduate programs the fees range from around 6000 to 5000 for the entire program purpose graduation programs the cause typically range between 10000 to 20000 through specialised courses like an MBA maybe the higher faces of an around 37800 for the complete program certificate and diploma programs are usually price between 3000 to 10000 IGNOU fees have seen a flight increasing recently changes in administrative and operation maybe revised so it's best to check
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