Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Bachelor of Arts (Music) programme at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), offered under the code BPAFHM (Bachelor of Performing Arts - Hindustani Music), is a 3-year undergraduate degree delivered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Offered by the School of Performing and Visual Arts (SOPVA), the programme is aligned with NEP 2020 under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) framework. It provides a comprehensive academic foundation in Hindustani Classical Music, covering theory, history, raga study, tala, and practical performance. The programme fee is Rs. 9,200 per year (total Rs. 27,600 for 3 years), and the medium of instruction is Hindi and English. IGNOU conducts Term-End Examinations (TEE) twice a year (June and December), and the programme is ideal for music enthusiasts, working professionals, and those who cannot attend regular college.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently ongoing. The last date to submit the application form is 30th March 2026. Students can apply online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

Since this course is offered in Distance Mode only, it is available at select IGNOU Study Centres. Key centres where BPAFHM is offered include:

Delhi (South): School of Performing and Visual Arts (SOPVA), IGNOU HQ
Deoghar: Dr. Jagannath Mishra College

Note: Practical sessions are conducted at designated study centres. Students must select a study centre that offers BPAFHM at the time of application.

Key Points

The BPAFHM programme is part of the FYUP framework under NEP 2020, offering a 3-year Major or 4-year Honours degree option.
The programme covers both theoretical and practical aspects of Hindustani Classical Music, including Raga, Tala, history of Indian music, and performance.
Medium of instruction is Hindi and English, making it accessible to a wider student base.
No age limit for admission; music enthusiasts of all ages can enroll.
Practical sessions are mandatory and conducted at designated study centres equipped with musical instruments and expert faculty.
IGNOU is the only open university in India accredited with the highest A++ Grade by NAAC.
Degrees awarded by IGNOU are recognized by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Maximum duration to complete the programme is 6 years (3-year Major) or 8 years (4-year Honours).

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

IGNOU BA (Music) Fees

The BPAFHM programme at IGNOU has an annual fee of Rs. 9,200, making the total programme fee Rs. 27,600 for the 3-year duration. In addition, a one-time non-refundable Registration Fee of Rs. 300 and a Development Fee (as applicable) are charged. Examination fees may be charged separately at the time of filling the exam form. There are no hostel facilities associated with this distance learning programme.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee (per year)	Rs. 9,200
Tuition Fee (3 years)	Rs. 27,600
Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable)	Rs. 300
Development Fee (as applicable)	As applicable
Total Fees (approx.)	Rs. 27,900 + Development Fee

The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable under all circumstances.
Fee paid will be refunded prior to confirmation of admission.
After confirmation of admission, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted if cancellation is requested.
No refund is admissible after 60 days of the closing date of admissions.
Fee can be paid via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.
Examination fees are charged separately at the time of exam form submission.
Re-registration fee is payable for the 2nd and 3rd year separately.

IGNOU BA (Music) Admission 2026

Admissions to the BPAFHM programme at IGNOU are conducted twice a year - January session (November to February/March) and July session (May to August). The January 2026 session is currently open, with the last date for application submission being 30th March 2026. The programme does not require any entrance examination; admission is based on the eligibility criterion of 10+2 or equivalent. Students must apply online through the official IGNOU admission portal and select a study centre that offers BPAFHM.

IGNOU BPAFHM Admission Dates

Event	Date
Admission Portal Opens (January 2026 Session)	November 2025
Last Date for Application Submission	30th March 2026
Re-registration Last Date (2nd/3rd Year)	15th March 2026 (with late fee of Rs. 200)
Term-End Examination (TEE) June 2026	1st June 2026 to 15th July 2026
Exam Form Submission Last Date (June TEE)	April 2026 (tentative)
Result Declaration (June TEE)	August 2026 (tentative)
Admission Opens (July 2026 Session)	May 2026 (tentative)
Last Date for Application (July 2026 Session)	August 2026 (tentative)

IGNOU Term-End Examination Dates

Exam	Session	Dates
IGNOU Term-End Examination (TEE)	June 2026	1st June 2026 - 15th July 2026
IGNOU Term-End Examination (TEE)	December 2026	December 2026 (tentative)

Note: BPAFHM is a distance learning programme with no mandatory entrance exam. TEE is the university's own internal examination conducted twice a year.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or its equivalent from a recognized board.
There is no minimum percentage requirement for admission.
There is no upper age limit for admission to BPAFHM.
Basic aptitude or prior training in Hindustani Music is beneficial for the practical components, though not mandatory.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Click on "New Registration" and create a login with a valid email ID and mobile number.
Select the BPAFHM programme and choose a study centre that offers this programme.
Fill in the application form and upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, Class 12 marksheet/certificate, and category certificate (if applicable).
Pay the programme fee and registration fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
Submit the application and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
Study materials will be dispatched to the registered address (or available as soft copy if opted).
Students must attend practical sessions at the designated study centre and appear for Term-End Examinations.

IGNOU BA (Music) Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students enrolled in the BPAFHM programme can avail several scholarships offered by the Government of India and state governments. These scholarships are primarily targeted at SC/ST, OBC, Minority, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students. Students are advised to apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission. IGNOU also provides fee exemptions and waivers for certain categories of students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC students with family income below Rs. 2.5 LPA	Full tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students	ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 LPA	Full tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC students with family income below Rs. 1 LPA	Partial tuition fee reimbursement
Central Sector Scholarship (NSP)	Students with family income below Rs. 4.5 LPA, top 20 percentile in Class 12	Rs. 10,000 per year (UG)
Minority Scholarship (NSP)	Minority community students	Varies; tuition fee + maintenance
IGNOU Fee Exemption for SC/ST	SC/ST students (specific programmes)	Partial/full fee exemption as per IGNOU notification
State Government Scholarships	Varies by state	Varies by state

Students must apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after admission confirmation.
Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria may change annually; always verify from official sources.
IGNOU periodically issues notifications for SC/ST fee support; check the official IGNOU website and regional centre announcements.
Application deadlines for most NSP scholarships are typically between October and December each year.

IGNOU BA (Music) Placement 2026

IGNOU does not have a formal campus placement programme for the BPAFHM course, as it is a distance learning programme. However, graduates of BA (Music/Performing Arts - Hindustani Music) from IGNOU have diverse career opportunities in the arts, culture, and education sectors. The degree is recognized by all AIU member institutions and government bodies, enabling graduates to pursue government jobs, higher education, and private sector roles.

Graduates can explore careers as professional performing artists, music teachers, music directors, cultural consultants, musicologists, and content creators in the music space. Many graduates also pursue higher education such as M.A. in Music or Musicology, or appear for competitive exams where a graduation degree in performing arts is required.

Career Profiles and Salaries

Career Profile	Approximate Starting Salary (per annum)
Music Teacher / Lecturer	Rs. 2.5 - 4.5 LPA
Performing Artist	Rs. 2 - 5 LPA (varies widely)
Music Director / Composer	Rs. 3 - 6 LPA
Cultural Consultant / NGO	Rs. 2.5 - 4 LPA
Music Therapist	Rs. 2.5 - 4 LPA
Content Creator (Music)	Rs. 2 - 5 LPA

Salary figures are indicative and vary based on employer, location, and experience.

IGNOU BA (Music) FAQs

Ques. Is the IGNOU BA (Music) / BPAFHM degree recognized for teaching jobs in schools and colleges?

Ans. Yes, the BPAFHM degree from IGNOU is recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is accepted for teaching positions in schools and colleges. However, for college-level teaching, candidates typically need to clear NET/SET in Music in addition to holding a postgraduate degree.

Ques. Do I need prior training in Hindustani Music to apply for BPAFHM?

Ans. No formal prior training is mandatory for admission. The eligibility criterion is simply 10+2 or equivalent. However, a basic aptitude or interest in Hindustani Classical Music is highly recommended, as the programme includes practical performance components that require some musical foundation.

Ques. Are practical classes mandatory? How often do I need to visit the study centre?

Ans. Yes, practical sessions are a core component of the BPAFHM programme. Students are required to attend practical sessions at their designated study centre. The frequency and schedule are communicated by the respective study centre. Currently, BPAFHM is offered at very few study centres (primarily SOPVA, Delhi and Dr. Jagannath Mishra College, Deoghar), so students should confirm availability before applying.

Ques. Can I pursue BPAFHM as a 4-year Honours degree instead of a 3-year Major?

Ans. Yes, under the FYUP framework, students can opt for a 3-year Major (exit after 3 years) or continue for a 4-year Honours degree. The maximum duration is 6 years for the Major and 8 years for the Honours degree, giving students ample flexibility.

Ques. What is the difference between BPAFHM and the Certificate in Performing Arts - Hindustani Music (CPAHM) at IGNOU?

Ans. BPAFHM is a full 3-year undergraduate degree programme, while CPAHM is a 6-month certificate course. BPAFHM provides a comprehensive academic and practical foundation in Hindustani Music, whereas CPAHM is a shorter introductory programme. For a formal degree qualification, BPAFHM is the appropriate choice.

Ques. After completing BPAFHM from IGNOU, can I pursue M.A. Music from a regular university?

Ans. Yes, the BPAFHM degree from IGNOU is recognized by universities across India. Graduates can apply for M.A. in Music or Musicology at regular universities, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria of the respective institution. Many state universities and central universities accept IGNOU graduates for PG admissions.