IGNOU M.Sc Applied Statistics: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

IGNOU's M.Sc. in Applied Statistics (programme code: MSCAST), offered through the School of Sciences (SOS), is a 2-year postgraduate programme delivered via Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Structured across 4 semesters with a total of 76 credits (including electives/project), the programme covers core areas such as probability, statistical inference, regression analysis, multivariate analysis, survey sampling, design of experiments, machine learning, and data analysis using R and Python. The total programme fee is Rs. 30,800 (Rs. 15,400 per year plus registration and development fees), making it one of the most affordable M.Sc. programmes in statistics in India. There is no entrance exam; admission is based on eligibility. The programme is designed for working professionals in data science, software, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and research sectors, as well as fresh graduates seeking to build expertise in applied statistics and data analytics.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently open. The last date to apply is 31 March 2026. Applications are submitted online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

Distance Learning Study Centres

Since this programme is offered exclusively in ODL (Distance/Open) mode, students are allotted a Programme Study Centre (PSC) near their place of residence. Key study centres across India include:

  • Hyderabad: Aurora Degree College
  • Bangalore: Nrupathunga University
  • Bhopal: IGNOU Regional Centre Bhopal; Motilal Vigyan Mahavidyalaya
  • Pune: Dept. of Mathematics (1675P)
  • Bhubaneshwar: IGNOU Regional Centre Bhubaneshwar
  • Jaipur: Govt. College Ajmer; International School of Informatics and Management (ISIM)
  • Chennai: DDGD Vaishnava College
  • Srinagar: IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar
  • Dehradun: D.A.V. PG College Dehradun
  • Ranchi: IGNOU Regional Centre Ranchi; Marwari College Ranchi
  • Vijayawada: S.V. Arts College Tirupati
  • Nagpur: Hislop College Nagpur
  • Noida: Hindu College; IGNOU Regional Centre Noida; M.M.P.G. College Modinagar; Meerut College
  • Trivandrum: D.B. Pampa College Pathanamthitta; Mar Ivanios College; Mar Ivanios Institute of Advanced Studies
  • Jabalpur: RDVV University Jabalpur
  • Madurai: Bishop Heber College
  • Varanasi: DDU University Gorakhpur; St. Andrews College Gorakhpur; Udai Pratap Autonomous College Varanasi
  • Patna: IGNOU Regional Centre Patna
  • Chandigarh: IGNOU Regional Centre Chandigarh
  • Visakhapatnam: IGNOU Regional Centre Visakhapatnam
  • Ahmedabad: L.D. Arts College
  • Angul: IGNOU Regional Centre Angul; Ispat Auto College Rourkela
  • Army Centres: SC HRDC BEG and Centre Pune; HRDC HQ Northern Command Udhampur

Key Points

  • The programme is designed in line with NEP 2020 with a semester-based approach.
  • Hands-on lab training is provided in all four semesters using open-source software R (MSTL-011 to MSTL-015) and Python (MSTL-014).
  • In Semester 4, students can choose between two elective theory courses (Operations Research and Stochastic Processes, 4 credits each) OR a Project/Dissertation (8 credits).
  • The programme covers emerging areas including Machine Learning, Data Analysis with Python, Categorical and Survival Analysis, and Bayesian Inference.
  • Available in English medium only.
  • Particularly suited for working professionals in data science, analytics, pharma, agriculture, and research who wish to upgrade their statistical skills.
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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 MSCAST Fees

The M.Sc. Applied Statistics programme at IGNOU is offered at Rs. 15,400 per year, totalling Rs. 30,800 for the complete 2-year programme. A one-time registration fee of Rs. 300 is payable at the time of first-year admission, along with applicable development fees. An examination fee of Rs. 200 per course is charged separately at the time of submitting the Term-End Examination (TEE) form. There are no hostel facilities associated with this ODL programme.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount (Rs.)
Programme Fee - Year 115,400
Programme Fee - Year 215,400
Registration Fee (one-time, at admission)300
Examination Fee (per course, per TEE)200
Total Programme Fee (excluding exam fee)31,100
  • The registration fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable.
  • Programme fee is paid year-wise: Year 1 at the time of admission, Year 2 during re-registration (February to March of the following year).
  • Late re-registration in Year 2 attracts an additional fee of Rs. 200 (permissible up to 20th April).
  • Fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances, except if admission is not offered by IGNOU.
  • No EMI or instalment facility is available; fees must be paid in full at the time of admission/re-registration.
  • Examination fee of Rs. 200 per course is payable separately at the time of submitting the TEE form.

IGNOU MSCAST Admission 2026

Admissions to IGNOU's M.Sc. Applied Statistics programme are conducted twice a year in January and July sessions. The January 2026 session is currently open. There is no entrance exam; admission is based purely on eligibility. The application process is entirely online through the IGNOU Samarth portal. Students are advised to apply well before the deadline to ensure timely allotment of a Programme Study Centre.

Important Dates

EventDate
Admission Portal Opens (January 2026 Session)17 December 2025
Last Date for Fresh Admission (January 2026)31 March 2026
Re-registration / 2nd Year Admission - Last Date (without late fee)28 February 2026
Re-registration / 2nd Year Admission - Last Date (with late fee of Rs. 200)31 March 2026
Re-registration Extended Deadline20 April 2026
Assignment Submission Deadline (for June 2026 TEE)31 March 2026
Exam Form Submission - Last Date (without late fee, June 2026 TEE)10 April 2026
Term-End Examination (TEE) - June 2026June 2026
Expected Batch Commencement (January 2026 Session)January 2026

Note: No entrance exam is required for this programme. Admission is based on eligibility criteria only.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • B.A./B.Sc. (Major/Honours) degree in Statistics or Mathematics from any recognized University/Institution; OR
  • B.A./B.Sc. degree from any recognized University with Statistics or Mathematics as one of three subjects with equal weightage; OR
  • Graduation from any recognized University with a one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Statistics/Applied Statistics/Data Science/Data Analytics.

Admission Process

  • Visit the official IGNOU admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
  • Click on New Registration and create login credentials using your name, mobile number, and email ID.
  • Log in and fill out the admission form with personal, programme, and educational details.
  • Upload required documents: qualifying degree certificate, passport-size photograph, and signature.
  • Pay the registration fee (Rs. 300) and Year 1 programme fee (Rs. 15,400) online via debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking.
  • After confirmation of admission, register on the Student Portal at ignou.samarth.edu.in.
  • Study materials will be dispatched within 6-8 weeks of the last date of admission.

IGNOU MSCAST Scholarships 2026

IGNOU facilitates scholarship support for students from reserved and economically weaker sections through Government of India schemes and state government welfare departments. Students are advised to apply through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or through their respective IGNOU Regional Centre.

Scholarship Details

ScholarshipEligibilityAmount / BenefitHow to Apply
SC/ST Scholarship (Govt. of India)SC/ST students enrolled in IGNOU programmesFee reimbursement / financial support as per GoI normsApply via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or through IGNOU Regional Centre
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBCOBC students with family income below prescribed limitAs per GoI/state government normsApply via National Scholarship Portal
Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)Physically handicapped students enrolled in IGNOUGovernment of India scholarship; amount variesCollect form from Directorate of Social Welfare; submit through IGNOU Regional Director
Merit Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC (Delhi)SC/ST/OBC students (Delhi-based)Up to Rs. 24,000 per yearApply by 31 May 2026 through Delhi government welfare department
Prime Minister's Scholarship SchemeWards of ex-servicemen / defence personnelAs per scheme normsApply via Kendriya Sainik Board / NSP portal
  • SC/ST/PwD students must pay fees at the time of admission; reimbursement is processed subsequently.
  • Scholarship applications must be submitted within the deadlines specified by the respective state/central government schemes.
  • Students are advised to check the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for updated scheme details and deadlines.

IGNOU MSCAST FAQs

Ques. I have a B.Sc. in Mathematics but not in Statistics. Am I eligible for IGNOU M.Sc. Applied Statistics?

Ans. Yes. The eligibility criteria explicitly include B.A./B.Sc. (Major/Honours) in Mathematics from any recognized university. So a Mathematics graduate is fully eligible to apply for the MSCAST programme without any additional qualification.

Ques. What software skills will I gain from this programme?

Ans. The programme provides hands-on training in R software across all four semesters through dedicated lab courses (MSTL-011 to MSTL-015). In Semester 4, there is also a course on Data Analysis with Python (MST-024) along with a Python lab (MSTL-014). Graduates will be proficient in statistical computing using both R and Python, which are the most in-demand tools in data science and analytics.

Ques. Is there a project/dissertation option in this programme?

Ans. Yes. In Semester 4, students can choose between two elective theory courses (Operations Research and Stochastic Processes, 4 credits each) OR a Project/Dissertation worth 8 credits. Students interested in research or data science roles are advised to opt for the dissertation, while those preferring theoretical depth may choose the elective courses.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing M.Sc. Applied Statistics from IGNOU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Data Analysts, Data Scientists, Statisticians, Biostatisticians, Quality Control Analysts, Research Associates, and Actuaries in sectors such as IT, pharma, banking, insurance, government, agriculture, and academia. The programme's focus on machine learning and Python also opens doors to data science roles in the tech industry.

Ques. Can a working data analyst or data scientist benefit from this programme?

Ans. Absolutely. The programme is specifically designed for working professionals in data science, software, pharmaceutical, and research sectors. The ODL mode allows students to study at their own pace. The curriculum covers advanced topics like Bayesian Inference, Machine Learning, Multivariate Analysis, and Survival Analysis that directly enhance professional skills in analytics roles.

Ques. Is the M.Sc. Applied Statistics degree from IGNOU valid for NET/SET examinations and teaching positions?

Ans. Yes. The MSCAST degree from IGNOU is recognized by UGC and AIU and is equivalent to a corresponding degree from any recognized university. Graduates are eligible to appear for UGC-NET in Statistics and can apply for teaching positions in colleges and universities, subject to meeting the NET/SET qualification requirements.

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