IGNOU MA History: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers the Master of Arts in History (programme code: MAHI) through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The 2-year, 80-credit programme takes a thematic approach to history, moving away from the conventional period-based teaching (ancient, medieval, modern) and instead focusing on social, economic, and political developments in Indian history from earliest times to post-independent India. With a total programme fee of Rs. 16,000, no entrance exam, and the flexibility to complete the degree over a maximum of 5 years, the MAHI programme is popular among UPSC aspirants, working professionals, teachers, and researchers. The programme is available in both English and Hindi medium and is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Admission for the January 2026 cycle is currently ongoing. The last date for submission of the application form (for ODL programmes) has been extended to 30th March 2026. Students who have already enrolled for January 2026 can submit their Term-End Examination (TEE) forms for June 2026 TEE between 10th March 2026 and 10th April 2026 (without late fee), and between 11th April 2026 and 24th April 2026 (with a late fee of Rs. 1,100).

Distance Mode Study Centres:

The MAHI programme is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode. IGNOU has an extensive network of study centres across India. Key regional centres offering this programme include:

- Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Port Blair, Kohima, Bhubaneshwar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi (multiple centres), Itanagar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Jorhat, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Patna, Raghunathganj, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Angul, Bhagalpur, Jodhpur, Bijapur, Saharsa, Deoghar, Vatakara, Vishakhapatnam, Panaji, and many more.

Students must select a study centre at the time of admission. A full list of study centres is available on the IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

Key Points

  • No entrance exam required; admission is direct based on eligibility.
  • Available in both English and Hindi medium.
  • Thematic approach to history covering social, economic, and political developments, with interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary elective courses.
  • Flexible duration: minimum 2 years, maximum 5 years to complete the programme.
  • Exams are held twice a year (June and December TEE), giving students the option to appear at their own pace.
  • Assessment is based on 30% weightage for assignments and 70% for Term-End Examinations (TEE).
  • The MAHI syllabus is relevant for UPSC Civil Services aspirants choosing History as an optional subject.
  • The degree is recognised by AIU and is valid for government jobs, NET/SET eligibility, and further academic pursuits.
  • IGNOU has been accredited with A++ grade by NAAC.
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IGNOU Latest Updates and News

26 May, 2026 IGNOU Admission 2026 (Jul Session) is open for all ODL programs. Apply by Jul 15, 2026.

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 Important Events

ODL1

IGNOU MAHI Fees

The MAHI programme at IGNOU is one of the most affordable postgraduate History programmes in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 16,000 for the full 2-year course, payable at Rs. 8,000 per year. This includes the programme fee, registration fee, and development fee. Exam fees are charged separately at the time of TEE form submission and are not included in the programme fee.

Fee Breakdown

Fee ComponentYear 1 (Rs.)Year 2 (Rs.)Total (Rs.)
Programme/Tuition Fee7,5007,50015,000
Registration Fee (one-time)300-300
Development Fee200200400
Study Material (printed, optional)IncludedIncludedIncluded
Examination Fee (per course/paper)As applicableAs applicable~200 per paper
Total Fees (excl. exam fee)8,0007,70015,700
Total Fees (incl. registration)8,3007,70016,000
  • The registration fee of Rs. 300 is a one-time, non-refundable charge.
  • Development fee is Rs. 200 per year.
  • Students opting for soft copy (e-SLM) of study material instead of printed material may be eligible for a partial fee refund if they cancel admission before confirmation.
  • An amount equivalent to 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted if cancellation is requested after confirmation of admission.
  • No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
  • Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
  • There is no hostel facility at IGNOU headquarters; hostel is not mandatory.
  • No EMI option is officially available; fee is paid year-wise at the time of re-registration.

IGNOU MAHI Admission 2026

Admission to the MAHI programme at IGNOU is straightforward and merit-based, with no entrance examination. The January 2026 admission cycle is currently open, with the last date extended to 30th March 2026. Students admitted in the January 2026 cycle will be eligible to appear for the June 2026 Term-End Examination. The next admission cycle (July 2026) is expected to open around June 2026, based on previous year patterns.

IGNOU MAHI Admission and Examination Dates

EventDate
January 2026 Admission Cycle OpensDecember 16, 2025
Last Date for Fresh Admission (January 2026 ODL)March 30, 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission (without late fee)March 10, 2026 - April 10, 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)April 11, 2026 - April 24, 2026
June 2026 TEE Hall Ticket ReleaseMay 2026 (tentative)
June 2026 Term-End ExaminationJune 1, 2026 - July 15, 2026
July 2026 Admission Cycle Opens (tentative)June 2026
Last Date for July 2026 Admission (tentative)September/October 2026
December 2026 TEE (tentative)December 2026

Note: IGNOU does not conduct any entrance examination for the MAHI programme. No external exam dates are applicable.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A Bachelor's degree or higher from a recognised university in any discipline is required.
  • There is no minimum percentage requirement specified for general category students.
  • There is no upper age limit for admission.

Admission Process

  • Visit the IGNOU Online Admission Portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
  • Click on 'New Registration' and complete the registration process using your own email ID and mobile number (OTP verification required).
  • Log in and select the MAHI programme from the list of available programmes.
  • Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and programme details.
  • Select your preferred medium of study (English or Hindi).
  • Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph, signature, educational qualification certificates, and category certificate (if applicable).
  • Pay the programme fee online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
  • Select your preferred study centre from the available list.
  • Submit the form and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
  • Study material will be dispatched to the registered address after confirmation of admission.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 10 Reviews

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in New Delhi offers accessible and affordable education with a strong emphasis on personalized learning. The faculty is highly qualified, featuring many members with PhDs and NET JRF clearances. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 30:1, students receive personalized attention and support, especially during exams and research projects. The curriculum is highly relevant, as 90% of exam questions are based on provided course materials, and classes are conducted both online and offline.

Resources such as books and video lectures are available through the IGNOU website. The course fee is approximately Rs 8,000 per year, reduced to Rs 7,000 for those opting for online study materials. Additional fees include Rs 200 per exam paper and Rs 250 for practicals. Although no specific campus placement support exists, students may access various central and state government scholarships, despite limited information on university-specific scholarships. Admission fees vary based on reservation categories, with general category students paying between Rs 12,000-14,000 and other categories paying Rs 8,000-12,000, with a possible 15% fee waiver for those not requiring books.

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 By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

IGNOU MAHI Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers several scholarship and fee concession options for eligible students enrolled in the MAHI programme. Given the already affordable fee structure, these scholarships provide additional financial relief to deserving students. SC/ST students and economically weaker sections are the primary beneficiaries, and students can also apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / SchemeEligibilityBenefitHow to Apply
IGNOU Fee Concession for SC/ST StudentsSC/ST students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annumUp to 50% fee concession on programme feeApply through Regional Centre; submit caste and income certificate
Fee Exemption for Jail InmatesStudents enrolled from jail/correctional facilitiesFull exemption from programme fee and registration fee (exam fee and re-registration fee applicable after release)Through Regional Centre/Jail authorities
Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Minorities (NSP)Minority community students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum; minimum 50% in previous examRs. 20,000 per year (course fee + maintenance allowance)Apply online at scholarships.gov.in
Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with DisabilitiesStudents with 40%+ disability; family income below Rs. 6 lakh per annumFull tuition fee (up to Rs. 2 lakh/year) + maintenance allowance + book allowance + device allowanceApply online at scholarships.gov.in
Top Class Education Scheme for SC StudentsSC students admitted under general category seats; family income below Rs. 8 lakh per annumFull tuition fee (up to Rs. 2 lakh/year) + living and book allowancesApply via Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment portal
State Government ScholarshipsVaries by state; SC/ST/OBC/EWS studentsVaries by state schemeApply through respective state scholarship portals
  • A student can avail only one scholarship at a time.
  • Scholarship forms must be certified by the Regional Director at the respective IGNOU Regional Centre before submission.
  • Application deadlines vary by scheme; students should check the National Scholarship Portal and their respective state portals for current deadlines.
  • IGNOU also directs eligible students to apply for Government of India scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal after confirmation of admission.

IGNOU MAHI FAQs

Ques. Is IGNOU MA History (MAHI) useful for UPSC preparation?

Ans. Yes, the MAHI programme is a popular choice for UPSC aspirants who wish to take History as their optional subject. The IGNOU MAHI syllabus covers Ancient and Medieval Societies, Modern World, Political Structures in India, History of Indian Economy, Historiography, Indian National Movement, Environmental History, and Urbanization in India, which overlaps significantly with the UPSC History optional syllabus. The flexible ODL format allows students to pursue both simultaneously without compromising on either.

Ques. What is the difference between MAH and MAHI at IGNOU?

Ans. MAH is the older programme code for Master of Arts in History at IGNOU, while MAHI is the revised/updated version with a restructured semester-based curriculum (80 credits across 4 semesters). The MAHI programme takes a thematic approach rather than the conventional period-based approach. Fresh applicants will be enrolled under the MAHI programme code. Students who enrolled earlier under MAH continue under that code.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU MA History while working or preparing for competitive exams?

Ans. Absolutely. The MAHI programme is offered in distance/ODL mode with no mandatory daily attendance. You study using IGNOU's self-learning material, submit assignments, and appear for Term-End Examinations (held twice a year in June and December). This makes it ideal for working professionals, government employees, and competitive exam aspirants who need a flexible postgraduate degree.

Ques. Is the IGNOU MA History degree valid for government jobs and NET/SET eligibility?

Ans. Yes. The IGNOU MAHI degree is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is valid for government jobs requiring a postgraduate degree. It is also accepted for UGC-NET/SET eligibility, enabling graduates to become Assistant Professors or qualify for JRF in History. IGNOU's A++ NAAC accreditation further strengthens the degree's recognition.

Ques. How are marks calculated in IGNOU MA History? What is the passing criteria?

Ans. The final marks are calculated as: 30% from Assignments + 70% from Term-End Examination (TEE). You need to score a minimum of 40% in TEE and 40% overall (combined) to pass each course. Assignments must be submitted before the TEE to be eligible to appear for the exam. Scoring well in assignments (aim for 85+/100) significantly boosts your overall percentage.

Ques. What career options are available after IGNOU MA History?

Ans. Graduates of IGNOU MAHI can pursue a wide range of careers. Popular options include: qualifying UGC-NET/SET to become an Assistant Professor or Lecturer in History; appearing for UPSC Civil Services Examination (with History as optional); applying for state PSC examinations; working in museums, archives, and heritage organisations; pursuing PhD in History; working in journalism, media, or content writing; teaching at school level (after B.Ed.); and applying for government jobs in administrative services where a postgraduate degree is required.

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This is a frequently asked question among students navigating higher education decisions.

Important considerations:

  • Research Thoroughly: Verify information through official websites, NIRF rankings, and authentic reviews.
  • Campus Visits: Attend open houses or virtual tours to understand infrastructure and culture.
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