Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

IGNOU B.Sc. (Hons.) Anthropology - Distance Learning Programme

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Anthropology (BSCANH) as a 3-year undergraduate programme under the Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode through its School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The programme is a broad-based, 148-credit course spanning 6 semesters, covering Biological Anthropology, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Archaeological Anthropology, Human Evolution, Tribal Studies, Forensic Anthropology, Research Methods, and more. With a total fee of Rs. 18,900 (Rs. 6,300 per year), it is one of the most affordable Honours programmes in Anthropology in India. The programme is offered in both English and Hindi mediums, requires no entrance examination, and is evaluated through Term-End Examinations (TEE) conducted twice a year (June and December). It is popular among students interested in human sciences, tribal studies, forensic sciences, and social research, as well as working professionals seeking a flexible Honours degree. A unique feature of this programme is the mandatory Dissertation project in Semester 6, which provides hands-on research experience.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently ongoing. The last date for fresh admission is 30 March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open from May 2026, with a tentative last date of July/August 2026 based on previous year patterns.

Since this is a distance learning programme offered by IGNOU (an open university), it is delivered through designated Study Centres across India. The BSCANH programme is available at a wide network of regional centres and study centres across all states and union territories of India, including conventional colleges, Government ITIs, and Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSSs). Key regional centres include Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Port Blair, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi (multiple centres), Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Jorhat, Noida, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Koraput, Darbhanga, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, Chandigarh, Panaji, Vatakara, Visakhapatnam, Bijapur, Deoghar, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, and Angul.

No laboratory practical sessions are required for this programme. The Dissertation (BANE-154) in Semester 6 involves independent fieldwork/research conducted by the student.

Key Points

The BSCANH programme follows the UGC Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and is fully recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Unique among science honours programmes, BSCANH is offered under the School of Social Sciences and covers both biological and social dimensions of human existence.
The programme includes a mandatory Dissertation (BANE-154, 6 credits) in Semester 6, providing real research experience.
Skill Enhancement Courses include Tourism Anthropology (BANS-183) and Public Health and Epidemiology (BANS-184), adding applied value.
No laboratory practical sessions are required; the programme is entirely theory, assignment, and dissertation based.
The maximum duration to complete the programme is 6 years, offering significant flexibility for working learners.
Eligibility is open to all streams - any 10+2 pass candidate can apply, not just science students.
Study material is available in both English and Hindi; students can opt for soft copy (e-SLM) or hard copy.
The programme is not available for international students.

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IGNOU Latest Updates and News

06 May, 2026 IGNOU has opened re-registration for the Jul 2026 session for all ODL and Online programs. Register now! The last date to apply @ignou.ac.in is Jun 30, 2026.

IGNOU BSCANH Fees

The BSCANH programme at IGNOU is highly affordable compared to regular college Honours programmes. The total programme fee is Rs. 18,900 payable at Rs. 6,300 per year. In addition, a one-time Registration Fee of Rs. 300 and a Development Fee of Rs. 200 are charged at the time of fresh admission. SC/ST students are eligible for fee exemption on the programme fee. Examination fees are charged separately at the time of filling the exam form each semester.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee (Year 1)	Rs. 6,300
Tuition Fee (Year 2)	Rs. 6,300
Tuition Fee (Year 3)	Rs. 6,300
Registration Fee (one-time, at admission)	Rs. 300
Development Fee (one-time, at admission)	Rs. 200
Total Fees (excluding exam fees)	Rs. 19,400

Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable.
Development Fee of Rs. 200 is refundable only in specific cases (e.g., if a student availing fee exemption cancels admission).
SC/ST students are exempt from paying the programme fee; they pay only the Registration Fee (Rs. 300) and Development Fee (Rs. 200).
Examination fees are not included above and are paid separately each semester when submitting the exam form.
In case of cancellation after confirmation of admission, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted.
No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), or Net Banking.

IGNOU BSCANH Admission 2026

IGNOU conducts admissions for the BSCANH programme twice a year - in January and July sessions. The January 2026 session is currently open with the last date extended to 30 March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open from May 2026. Admission is entirely online through the IGNOU Samarth portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in), with no entrance examination required.

IGNOU BSCANH Admission Dates

Event	January 2026 Session	July 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Opens	16 December 2025	May 2026
Last Date for Fresh Admission	30 March 2026	July/August 2026
Re-registration Opens	1 December 2025	May 2026
Last Date for Re-registration	31 March 2026 (with late fee of Rs. 200)	July 2026
Distribution of Study Material	January - March 2026	July - September 2026
Assignment Submission	March - September 2026	October 2026 - March 2027
Term-End Examination (TEE)	June 2026	December 2026
Result Declaration	August 2026	February 2027

Term-End Examination (TEE) Dates

Examination	Exam Period	Exam Form Submission
IGNOU TEE June 2026	1 June 2026 - 15 July 2026	March 2026 (form released 10 March 2026)
IGNOU TEE December 2026	December 2026 (tentative)	October 2026 (tentative)

Note: TEE is the primary examination for IGNOU ODL programmes. No separate entrance exam is required for admission to BSCANH.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board in any stream (Science, Arts, or Commerce).
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified; candidates must have passed the qualifying examination.
There is no upper age limit for admission.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU Samarth Admission Portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Click on New Registration and create a username and password using your email and mobile number (verified via OTP).
Log in and fill in personal, academic, and contact details in the application form.
Upload scanned copies of required documents: 10+2 marksheet, photograph (less than 100 KB), signature (less than 100 KB), and category certificate (if applicable).
Select BSCANH as the programme and choose your preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre.
Pay the admission fee online (Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking).
Submit the application and save the control number for future reference.
Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application process.
After confirmation of admission, eligible students can apply for Government of India scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 1 Reviews

IGNOU, as an open university, does not provide direct job or internship placements for its students, including those in the anthropology program. The course costs 6,000 per year over three years, plus an exam fee of 200 per paper. While scholarships are available for eligible students, specific details are not provided.

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IGNOU BSCANH Scholarships 2026

IGNOU provides multiple scholarship and fee support options for BSCANH students, particularly for students from reserved categories and economically weaker sections. SC/ST students benefit from a direct fee exemption on the programme fee, while other students can access scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal. Given the already low fee structure of this programme, these scholarships make it virtually free for eligible students.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / Scheme	Eligibility	Benefit	How to Apply
IGNOU Fee Exemption for SC/ST Students	SC/ST category students	Full exemption from programme fee; pay only Registration Fee (Rs. 300) + Development Fee (Rs. 200)	Apply at the time of admission; submit caste certificate
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Covers tuition fee and other educational expenses	Apply on National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students	ST students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Covers tuition fee and other educational expenses	Apply on National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC students; family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum	Partial fee reimbursement	Apply on National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
Central Sector Scholarship for Minorities	Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh per annum	Up to Rs. 10,000 per year	Apply on National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
National Fellowship for SC/ST (UGC)	SC/ST students pursuing higher education	Covers tuition and academic expenses	Apply through UGC/NSP portal

SC/ST fee exemption is applied directly at the time of admission on the IGNOU Samarth portal.
NSP scholarships must be applied for after confirmation of admission.
Application deadlines for NSP scholarships are typically between October and December each year for the current academic year.
Students must have a valid bank account linked to Aadhaar for scholarship disbursement.
OTR (One Time Registration) on NSP is mandatory from AY 2024-25 onwards.

IGNOU BSCANH FAQs

Ques. I am from an Arts background (10+2). Can I apply for IGNOU BSCANH?

Ans. Yes, BSCANH is open to students from all streams - Science, Arts, and Commerce. The only requirement is passing 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board. There is no stream restriction, which makes it one of the most accessible Honours programmes at IGNOU.

Ques. What is the Dissertation in BSCANH? Is it mandatory?

Ans. Yes, the Dissertation (BANE-154, 6 credits) in Semester 6 is mandatory. It involves independent research or fieldwork on an anthropological topic of your choice, guided by your study centre. You are required to submit a written dissertation report. This is a unique feature of the BSCANH programme that gives students hands-on research experience, which is highly valued for higher studies and research careers.

Ques. Can I pursue M.Sc. or M.A. Anthropology after completing IGNOU BSCANH?

Ans. Yes, the IGNOU BSCANH degree is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is accepted for postgraduate admissions across India. You can pursue M.Sc. Anthropology, M.A. Anthropology, or related programmes at central universities, state universities, and IGNOU itself. Many universities accept BSCANH for M.Sc. Anthropology admissions.

Ques. What career options are available after IGNOU BSCANH?

Ans. BSCANH graduates can pursue careers in academic research, tribal welfare departments, NGOs working with indigenous communities, forensic science labs, public health organisations, museums, and archaeological survey departments. Government jobs in tribal affairs, social welfare, and public health also value an Anthropology background. For higher-paying research roles, pursuing M.Sc./M.A. and then Ph.D. is recommended.

Ques. Is Forensic Anthropology covered in BSCANH? Can I get a job in forensics after this degree?

Ans. Yes, BANC-113 (Forensic Anthropology) is a core course in Semester 6 of BSCANH. It covers the application of anthropological methods in legal and criminal investigations. However, for a career in forensic science, this degree alone may not be sufficient - you would typically need to pursue M.Sc. Forensic Science or specialised forensic anthropology training after graduation.

Ques. How is BSCANH different from a B.A. in Anthropology?

Ans. BSCANH is a B.Sc. (Honours) programme, which means it has a stronger emphasis on biological and physical anthropology (human evolution, genetics, forensics) alongside social and cultural anthropology. A B.A. in Anthropology typically focuses more on social and cultural aspects. BSCANH also includes a mandatory dissertation and skill enhancement courses, making it more research-oriented than a standard B.A. programme.

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Souvik Nandi

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B.Sc {Hons.}, Anthropology

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2023(Enrolled 2021)

If you wanted to learn and explore new subjects then IGNOU is a best place to study.

Fees and Financial Aid:

I think maybe I'm not aware of it but there is no hike in fees. And in 3 years course, the cost is 6000 a year. And there are 200 fees taken as exam fees. Per paper cost is 200. There is a scholarship that IGNOU provide to their scholars. As I don't apply for it I don't know much about it.

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