The Certificate in Japanese Language (CJL) at IGNOU is a 6-month Open Distance Learning (ODL) programme offered by the School of Foreign Languages, designed to introduce beginners to the basics of the Japanese language. The programme covers Japanese grammar, phonetics, and communication skills, enabling learners to read, write, listen, and speak Japanese accurately. With a total programme fee of Rs. 5,500 and bilingual (Japanese/English) self-learning material integrated with audio-visual components, CJL is one of the most accessible Japanese language certificates in India. The programme requires a 10+2 qualification and a minimum age of 18 years, making it suitable for students, working professionals, and anyone interested in Japanese language for career, travel, or cultural purposes. Japan's growing economic ties with India have made Japanese language skills increasingly valuable in sectors like IT, manufacturing, tourism, and diplomacy.
Admission for the January 2026 session for Certificate programmes at IGNOU closed on 28 February 2026. The next admission cycle (July 2026 session) is expected to open in June 2026, with a tentative last date around July/August 2026. Students who missed the January 2026 cycle should monitor the official IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in) for the July 2026 session announcement.
Distance Mode Study Centres:
The CJL programme is offered through IGNOU Regional Centres across India. The programme is available at IGNOU Regional Centres in all major cities including:
- Hyderabad (IGNOU RC Hyderabad, Nizam College)
- Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizwal, Port Blair, Kohima
- Bhubaneswar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata
- Itanagar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur
- Nagpur (IGNOU RC Nagpur, Hislop College Nagpur)
- Jorhat, Delhi (IGNOU RC Delhi 1 and Delhi 3), Noida, Guwahati, Trivandrum
- Jabalpur, Rajkot, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna
- Chandigarh, Panaji, Bhagalpur, Vatakara, Visakhapatnam, Bijapur, Saharsa, Deoghar, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, and more
A complete list is available on the IGNOU admission portal under the CJL programme page.
Key Points
- The programme uses bilingual (Japanese/English) self-learning material integrated with audio-visual components for effective language acquisition.
- Covers Japanese grammar, phonetics, reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
- Students can complete the programme in as little as 6 months or take up to 2 years.
- Delivered entirely through ODL mode - no regular campus attendance required.
- Study materials accessible digitally through eGyanKosh (egyankosh.ac.in).
- Recognised by UGC and all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
- Not offered to international students.
- Exam fees are charged separately at the time of TEE form submission.
Comments