Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a 3-year undergraduate programme offered exclusively through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Social Work. The programme equips students with professional skills in social work practice, community development, counselling, and social welfare, making graduates eligible to work with NGOs, government agencies, hospitals, and rehabilitation centres. The total programme fee is Rs. 19,500 (Rs. 6,500 per year), making it one of the most affordable social work degrees in India. There is no entrance exam; admission is merit-based. The programme has a seat intake across 67 regional centres and over 2,000 learner support centres pan-India, making it highly accessible.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing. The last date to submit the application form is 30 March 2026. Re-registration for existing students is also open till 30 March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open around June 2026 (tentative, based on previous year pattern).

Since the BSW at IGNOU is offered in Distance Mode only, the programme is delivered through a network of Regional Centres and Study Centres across India. Key centres where BSW is offered include:

Regional Centres offering BSW Study Centres (select list):

Hyderabad: Aurora Degree College, Govt. ITI centres, Jan Shikshan Sansthan centres
Shimla: Government Degree Colleges, Govt. ITI centres
Jammu: Government Degree Colleges
Bangalore: BES College of Arts & Science, St. Aloysius College Mangalore, Vidyavardhaka First Grade College Mysore
Cochin: CMS College, Bishop Vayalil Memorial Holy Cross College
Bhopal: Motilal Vigyan Mahavidyalaya, Jiwaji University Gwalior, The Bhopal School of Social Sciences
Pune: Abeda Inamdar Senior College, BPHE Society's Centre for Studies in Rural Development
Lucknow: Bareilly College, Lucknow Christian PG College
Kolkata: Banwarilal Bhalotia College, Midnapur College
Delhi: Shyam Lal College, Swami Shradhanand College, Vivekanand Mahila College
Chennai: DDGD Vaishnava College, Sacred Heart College, Voorhees College
Jaipur: Govt. College Ajmer, Rajrishi College Alwar
Patna: Gaya College
Mumbai: KJ Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce
Nagpur: Mahatma Phule College of Social Work Buldhana

(For the complete list of study centres, visit: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in)

Key Points

The BSW programme is offered only in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode - students are not required to attend regular classes on campus.
Medium of instruction is both English and Hindi, making it accessible to a wider student base.
The programme can be completed in a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, offering flexibility to working professionals.
Evaluation is based on assignments (30% weightage) and term-end examinations (70% weightage).
Term-end examinations are conducted twice a year - in June and December.
Fieldwork/practicum is a mandatory component of the BSW programme, providing hands-on social work experience.
The degree is recognised by UGC and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
No upper age limit for admission - suitable for working professionals and career changers.

166 Views Last Year

9 Studentsshown interest in the last 30 days

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU BSW Fees

The IGNOU BSW programme is priced at Rs. 6,500 per year, making the total 3-year programme fee Rs. 19,500. This is among the most affordable BSW programmes in India. A one-time non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is payable at the time of admission. Study material is included in the programme fee. Examination fees (Rs. 200 per theory subject per term-end exam) are charged separately and are not included in the programme fee.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (per year)	6,500
Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable)	300
Development Fee (as applicable)	As notified
Study Material	Included in tuition fee
Exam Fee (per theory subject, per TEE)	200
Total Programme Fee (3 years tuition)	19,500
Total Fee (including registration)	19,800

Registration fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable under all circumstances.
Development fee is charged as notified by the university at the time of admission.
Examination fee of Rs. 200 per theory subject is payable separately at the time of filling the exam form each semester.
Fee refund is available if cancellation is requested before confirmation of admission. After confirmation, 15% of 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.
No hostel facility is available for distance mode students.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.

IGNOU BSW Admission 2026

IGNOU BSW admissions are conducted twice a year - for the January session (applications typically open in December and close in March) and the July session (applications typically open in May and close in July). Admission is direct, with no entrance examination. The January 2026 session is currently open with the last date being 30 March 2026.

IGNOU BSW Admission Dates

Event	Date
Application Portal Opens (January 2026 Session)	December 2025
Last Date to Submit Application Form	30 March 2026
Last Date for Re-registration (Existing Students)	30 March 2026
Admission Confirmation	Within 2-4 weeks of application
Study Material Dispatch	After admission confirmation
Term-End Examination (June 2026)	June 2026 (tentative)
Application Portal Opens (July 2026 Session)	May/June 2026 (tentative)
Last Date for July 2026 Session Application	July 2026 (tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Entrance Exam Dates
No entrance examination is required for IGNOU BSW admission. Admission is based on qualifying examination marks (10+2 or equivalent). There is no centralised entrance test for this programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board (CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, or NIOS).
Minimum 50% aggregate marks in qualifying examination (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
BPP (Bachelor's Preparatory Programme) from IGNOU is also accepted as a qualifying degree.
No upper age limit for admission.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Click on "New Registration" and create an account using your email and mobile number.
Select the BSW programme and fill in the online application form with personal and academic details.
Upload scanned copies of required documents (10th and 12th marksheets, category certificate if applicable, ID proof, photograph, and signature).
Pay the registration fee of Rs. 300 online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
Submit the completed application and note down the application number for future reference.
Await document verification and admission confirmation from IGNOU.
After confirmation, study material will be dispatched to the registered address.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 2 Reviews

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at IGNOU offers a simple and affordable fee structure. The total program fee is INR 18,300, payable in three annual installments of INR 6,100 each. Payments can be made online. For students from SAARC countries, the annual fee is INR 10,000, while Non-SAARC students are charged $650 per year.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

IGNOU BSW Scholarships 2026

IGNOU BSW students from reserved and economically weaker sections can avail multiple scholarship and fee waiver schemes. The most significant is the IGNOU Fee Waiver Scheme for SC/ST students (Notification No. 76), which provides 100% tuition fee exemption to eligible undergraduate students. Additionally, students can apply for central government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) after confirmation of admission.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / Scheme	Eligibility	Benefit	How to Apply
IGNOU Fee Waiver Scheme for SC/ST (Notification No. 76)	SC/ST students in UG programmes; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	100% tuition fee waiver (registration and exam fees not covered)	Submit income certificate and caste certificate to IGNOU at the time of admission
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Central Govt.)	SC students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance	Apply on National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Central Govt.)	ST students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance	Apply on National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students (Central Govt.)	OBC students; family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum	Tuition fee reimbursement	Apply on National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
Central Sector Scholarship for Minorities (Maulana Azad)	Minority community students (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi); income below Rs. 2 lakh per annum	Up to Rs. 20,000 per year + monthly allowance	Apply on National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
State Government Scholarships	Varies by state; SC/ST/OBC/EWS students	Varies by state	Apply through respective state scholarship portals

The IGNOU Fee Waiver Scheme covers only tuition fees; examination fees and registration fees are not covered.
NSP scholarships can be applied for only after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
Students must not avail double benefits (two full fee waivers simultaneously).
Renewal of fee waiver requires fresh submission of income certificate each year.
For queries related to scholarships, contact IGNOU School of Social Work: bswinfo@ignou.ac.in or call 011-29571697.

IGNOU BSW FAQs

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU BSW while working a full-time job?

Ans. Yes, this is one of the most common reasons students choose IGNOU BSW. Since it is a distance learning programme, there are no mandatory daily classes. You only need to attend counselling sessions at your study centre (which are typically held on weekends) and submit assignments. Many working professionals in NGOs, hospitals, and government departments pursue this degree to formalise their social work experience.

Ques. Is the IGNOU BSW degree valid for government jobs and MSW admissions?

Ans. Yes. The IGNOU BSW degree is recognised by UGC and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). It is accepted for government job applications that require a BSW qualification. It also qualifies you for admission to MSW (Master of Social Work) programmes at IGNOU and other universities across India.

Ques. What is the difference between IGNOU BSW (ODL) and IGNOU BSWOL (Online)?

Ans. IGNOU offers two variants - the traditional BSW through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, where students receive printed study material and attend counselling at study centres, and the BSWOL (Online BSW), which is fully online with digital study material. The ODL BSW is available in both English and Hindi, while BSWOL is in English only. Fees for both are similar. Students should choose based on their comfort with online learning.

Ques. How does the fieldwork/practicum component work in distance mode?

Ans. The BSW programme includes three practicum components (BSWL-01, BSWL-02, BSWL-03) spread across the three years. Students are required to complete supervised fieldwork at an approved social work agency or NGO in their locality. The study centre coordinator helps in identifying suitable field placement agencies. This is a mandatory component and must be completed to be eligible for the degree.

Ques. What happens if I miss the June term-end exam? Can I appear in December?

Ans. Yes. IGNOU conducts term-end examinations twice a year - in June and December. If you miss the June exam, you can appear in the December exam for the same course. However, you must have submitted your assignments before the exam. There is no penalty for appearing in a later exam cycle, but it may extend your overall programme duration.

Ques. I completed my 10+2 many years ago. Am I still eligible for IGNOU BSW admission?

Ans. Yes. IGNOU has no upper age limit for BSW admission. Whether you completed your 10+2 last year or 20 years ago, you are eligible as long as you meet the minimum marks requirement (50% for General, 45% for SC/ST/OBC). IGNOU's distance learning model is specifically designed to support lifelong learners and those who could not pursue higher education immediately after school.

Important Updates

Course Finder

Search from 20K+ Courses and 35+ Streams

Why To Join IGNOU - Reviews & Rating

3.5

(2 Verified Reviews)

Write a College Review

& Win Monthly Prizes Up to ₹1 Lakh/-*

5(38%)

4(25%)

3(9%)

2(24%)

1(4%)

Academic

4.2

Faculty

4.2

Infrastructure

4.1

Accommodation

4.0

Social Life

4.0

Placement

4.2

Reset All Filter

Jatin

4.0

BSW

Reviewed on Dec 25, 2023(Enrolled 2019)

Overall my journey was amazing...

Fees and Financial Aid:

?Online BSW Fees in IGNOU ?The student needs to submit the fee within 3 years. The total program fee is INR 18,300. ?A candidate needs to offer INR 6,100 for the first year and the second and third years. ? IGNOU accepts online payments.For SAARC Students, it is INR 10,000 Per year, and for Non-SAARC Students, it is $650 per year.

Report

Tehreem Zaidi

3.3

BSW

Reviewed on Aug 30, 2022(Enrolled 2019)

Experience on IGNOU

Fees and Financial Aid:

Fees structure is very easy you have to pay whole year fees together and it is very less also anyone can afford it and can complete their graduation sometimes they also provide job also in some courses.

Report

Do you think the data is wrong ? Report Here