Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Certificate in Human Rights (CHR) is a 16-credit distance learning programme offered by the School of Law at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). With a minimum duration of 6 months (extendable up to 2 years), the programme sensitises learners about human rights issues, their evolution, constitutional and international frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 3,000 (plus applicable registration and development fees), making it one of the most accessible human rights education programmes in the country. The programme is open to anyone who has completed 10+2 or its equivalent, and is particularly popular among law enforcement personnel, NGO workers, teachers, administrative officers, social workers, and students who wish to build awareness and expertise in human rights.

The January 2026 admission cycle is currently open. The last date for fresh admission for Certificate programmes is extended to 30th March 2026. Applications can be submitted online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The July 2026 admission cycle is expected to open in May 2026, with a tentative last date in August 2026 (based on the previous year's schedule).

Distance Mode Study Centres

The CHR programme is offered exclusively in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. It has one of the widest study centre networks among IGNOU certificate programmes, available across all major Regional Centres in India, including:

Hyderabad (Aurora Degree College, AV College of Arts, Science & Commerce)
Shimla (Multiple Government Degree Colleges across Himachal Pradesh)
Jammu (University of Jammu, Government Degree Colleges)
Bangalore (Al-Ameen College, BES College, DVS College, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore)
Cochin (Newman College)
Bhopal (IGNOU RC Bhopal, National Law Institute University, Rajiv Gandhi Govt. PG College)
Pune (Abeda Inamdar Senior College, Vasantraodada Patil Institute of Management)
Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Kohima (Multiple colleges in North-East India)
Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, Noida, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Raipur, Dehradun, and many more
Army Study Centres (Kolkata, Chandimandir, Lucknow, Pune, Udhampur, Jaipur) - specifically for defence personnel

Students should visit ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in to check exact study centres available under their preferred Regional Centre.

Key Points

The CHR programme is offered by the School of Law (SOL) at IGNOU and is specifically designed to sensitise professionals who interact with the public daily.
The programme consists of 2 courses: CHR-11 (Human Rights: Evolution, Concepts and Concerns - 8 credits) and CHR-12 (Human Rights in India - 8 credits), totalling 16 credits.
Medium of instruction is both English and Hindi.
The programme has dedicated Army Study Centres, making it uniquely accessible to defence and paramilitary personnel.
No age bar for admission - open to all including senior citizens, working professionals, and fresh graduates.
Assignments are a mandatory component; students must submit them to be eligible for Term-End Examinations.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

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 CHR Fees

The CHR programme is priced very affordably at Rs. 3,000 for the full programme, reflecting IGNOU's commitment to making human rights education accessible to all. A one-time non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is charged at the time of initial application. Examination fees are charged separately at the time of submitting the examination form.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Programme Fee	Rs. 2,600
Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable)	Rs. 300
Development Fee	As applicable
Examination Fee	As per university norms (per course, per exam)
Total Fees (excluding exam fee)	Rs. 2,900

Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable under all circumstances.
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.
SC/ST students may be eligible for fee exemption/reimbursement under IGNOU's Special Scheme (SCSP/TSP). Check the official IGNOU website for the list of eligible programmes.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), or Net Banking.

IGNOU CHR Admission 2026

Admissions to CHR are open twice a year - for the January session (November to February) and the July session (May to August). The January 2026 cycle is currently active with the last date extended to 30th March 2026. The admission process is entirely online through the IGNOU Samarth portal. There is no entrance examination; admission is granted directly based on eligibility.

Important Dates

Event	January 2026 Session	July 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Opens	November 2025	May 2026
Last Date for Fresh Admission	30th March 2026 (extended)	August 2026
Study Material Distribution	January - March 2026	July - September 2026
Contact Programmes / Counselling	February - November 2026	August 2026 - May 2027
Assignment Submission	March - September 2026	October 2026 - March 2027
Term-End Examination	June 2026	December 2026
Result Declaration	August 2026	February 2027

TEE Dates

Exam	Session	Tentative Dates
IGNOU Term-End Examination (TEE)	June 2026	1st June 2026 to 15th July 2026
IGNOU Term-End Examination (TEE)	December 2026	December 2026 (dates to be announced)

Note: CHR is a direct admission programme. No entrance exam is required.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Intermediate) or its equivalent from a recognised board.
Candidates who have completed the Bachelor's Preparatory Programme (BPP) from IGNOU are also eligible.
There is no minimum or maximum age limit for admission.

Admission Process

Visit ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and click New Registration.
Create username and password; log in and fill personal and academic details.
Select Certificate as programme type and choose CHR.
Upload scanned 10+2 marksheet, photograph, and signature.
Pay programme fee online.
Submit form and download application summary.
Study material dispatched after admission confirmation.

IGNOU CHR Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers fee support and scholarship opportunities for students from economically weaker and reserved categories. SC/ST students may avail fee exemption under IGNOU's Special Scheme (SCSP/TSP), while other students can apply for Government of India scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal. The CHR programme's already low fee makes it highly accessible, and scholarships can make it virtually free for eligible students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Scheme	Eligibility	Benefit	How to Apply
IGNOU Fee Exemption for SC/ST (SCSP/TSP Scheme)	SC/ST students; family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh; no other scholarship availed	Full or partial fee exemption/reimbursement (programme-specific; check official list)	Apply via IGNOU Samarth portal with caste and income certificate at time of admission
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students meeting income criteria	Varies by scheme and state	Apply at scholarships.gov.in after admission confirmation
State Government Scholarships	Varies by state	Varies	Apply through respective state scholarship portals

SC/ST students should check the official IGNOU website for the updated list of programmes eligible for fee exemption under the SCSP/TSP scheme, as the list may vary by session.
Students are advised to apply for scholarships promptly after admission confirmation.
IGNOU does not offer merit-based scholarships for the CHR programme.

IGNOU CHR FAQs

Ques. I am a police officer. Is the IGNOU CHR programme relevant for me?

Ans. Absolutely. The CHR programme is specifically designed for law enforcement personnel including police, army, and paramilitary forces. It covers human rights obligations under Indian law and international instruments, helping officers understand the legal boundaries of their duties and the rights of citizens they interact with. IGNOU even has dedicated Army Study Centres for defence personnel.

Ques. I completed my 10th standard but not 12th. Can I apply for IGNOU CHR?

Ans. No, the minimum eligibility is 10+2 or its equivalent. However, if you have completed IGNOU's Bachelor's Preparatory Programme (BPP), you are eligible. BPP itself has no minimum qualification requirement, so you can complete BPP first and then apply for CHR.

Ques. Does the CHR certificate help in getting a job in human rights organisations or NGOs?

Ans. Yes. The CHR certificate from IGNOU demonstrates foundational knowledge of human rights law and is recognised by UGC. Many NGOs, civil society organisations, and government bodies working in human rights, child welfare, women's rights, and social justice value this qualification. It is also useful for those pursuing careers in journalism, social work, or public administration.

Ques. I enrolled in the January 2026 session. When will my Term-End Exam be held?

Ans. For the January 2026 session, the TEE is tentatively scheduled from 1st June 2026 to 15th July 2026. You must submit your assignments before the deadline and fill the examination form (with exam fee) within the stipulated time to be eligible to appear.

Ques. Is the CHR programme available in Hindi medium?

Ans. Yes. The CHR programme is offered in both English and Hindi, making it accessible to a wide range of learners across India, including those who are more comfortable studying in Hindi.

Ques. Can I pursue the CHR programme alongside a full-time job or another degree?

Ans. Yes. Since CHR is a distance learning programme with a flexible schedule, you can study at your own pace. The minimum duration is 6 months and the maximum is 2 years, giving you ample time to balance it with work or other studies. There are no fixed class timings - you study from self-learning material sent to your address.