Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

IGNOU's M.Sc. in Information Security (programme code: MSCIS), offered through the School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET), is a 2-year postgraduate programme delivered via Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The programme spans a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years, structured across 4 semesters with a total of 64 credits. It covers core areas including network security, cyber security, digital forensics, cloud security, IoT security, data science, and web application testing. The total programme fee is Rs. 43,200 (Rs. 22,000 per year plus registration and development fees), making it an affordable option for working IT professionals seeking to specialise in cybersecurity. There is no entrance exam; admission is based on eligibility. The programme is popular among IT graduates, software professionals, and government employees looking to build expertise in information and cyber security.

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.

Key Points

Students can exit after Year 1 (Semesters 1 and 2, 32 credits) with a PG Diploma in Information Security (PGDIS).
The programme includes hands-on practical components in Semester 3 (Cyber Attacks, Cloud Security, Data Recovery) and Semester 4 (Web Application Audits, E-commerce Security, IoT).
Two project components are included: Project-I (Semester 2, 4 credits) and Project-II (Semester 4, 2 credits).
The programme covers emerging areas such as IoT Security, Data Science and Big Data, Cyber Security using Python, and Latest Trends in Information and Cyber Security.
Available in English medium only.
The programme is offered through SOVET (School of Vocational Education and Training), making it particularly relevant for industry-oriented professionals.

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; IGNOU Regional Centre Hyderabad; Kavitha Memorial Degree College; Lal Bahadur College
Karnal: Chotu Ram College of Education; Gurunanak Khalsa College; IGNOU Regional Centre Karnal
Shimla: Government Degree Colleges (multiple); IGNOU Regional Centre Shimla; Regional Computer Centre DOEACC
Jammu: IGNOU Regional Centre Jammu; University of Jammu
Bangalore: Al-Ameen Arts Science and Commerce College; Bangalore Institute of Technology; Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology; IGNOU Regional Centre Bangalore; St. Aloysius College Mangalore
Cochin: International Institute of Information Technology; Sacred Heart College
Bhopal: Christian Eminent Academy of Management; IGNOU Regional Centre Bhopal; M.I.T.S.
Pune: IGNOU Regional Centre Pune; KTHM College; North Maharashtra University; Vishwakarma Institute of Technology
Imphal: D.M. College of Science; IGNOU Regional Centre Imphal
Shillong: IGNOU Regional Centre Shillong; North Eastern Hill University
Chennai: DDGD Vaishnava College; Don Bosco College Vellore; Guru Nanak College; IGNOU Regional Centre Chennai; Sacred Heart College
Lucknow: HBTI Kanpur; IGNOU Regional Centre Lucknow; Institute of Engineering and Technology Lucknow
Kolkata: Fakir Chand College; IGNOU Regional Centre Kolkata; St. Xavier's College
Delhi: IGNOU Regional Centre Delhi 1; IGNOU Regional Centre Delhi 3 Naraina; Rajdhani College Raja Garden
Noida: Hindu College; IGNOU Regional Centre Noida; Maharaja Agarsen College; Meerut College
Trivandrum: IGNOU Regional Centre Trivandrum; Mar Ivanios Institute of Advanced Studies
Varanasi: IGNOU Regional Centre Varanasi; Microtek College of Management and Technology; MNNIT Allahabad
Mumbai: IGNOU Regional Centre Mumbai; Mahatma Education Society; Chandrabhan Sharma College
Chandigarh: Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College; IGNOU Regional Centre Chandigarh
Ahmedabad: IGNOU Regional Centre Ahmedabad; L.D. Arts College; M.S. University; MTB Arts College
Jaipur: D.A.V. College Sriganganagar; IGNOU Regional Centre Jaipur; International School of Informatics and Management
Jodhpur: BJS Rampuria Jain College; IGNOU Regional Centre Jodhpur
Ranchi: Guru Nanak College Dhanbad; IGNOU Regional Centre Ranchi
Madurai: Bishop Heber College; Dr. G.R.D. College of Science; Thiyagarajar College
Nagpur: IGNOU Regional Centre Nagpur; G H Raisoni Institute of Engineering and Technology; Rajiv Gandhi Engineering College Chandrapur
Army Centres: Western Command HRDC (Chandimandir); HQ 2 Corps HRDC; HQ 3 Corps Kolkata; HQ 14/15/16 Corps (Udhampur); and other Army/Navy study centres across India

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU Latest Updates and News

03 Apr, 2026 IGNOU Admission 2026 (Jan Session) is open for all ODL programs (except for Certificate & Semester-based Programmes). Apply by Apr 10, 2026 (extended).

IGNOU M.Sc. Information Security Fees

The M.Sc. Information Security programme at IGNOU is offered at Rs. 22,000 per year, totalling Rs. 44,000 for the 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 Component	Amount (Rs.)
Programme Fee - Year 1	22,000
Programme Fee - Year 2	22,000
Registration Fee (one-time, at admission)	300
Examination Fee (per course, per TEE)	200
Total Programme Fee (excluding exam fee)	44,300

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 M.Sc. Information Security Admission 2026

Admissions to IGNOU's M.Sc. Information Security 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

Event	Date
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 Deadline	20 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 2026	June 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

Bachelor's degree in any discipline or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institute.
No minimum percentage requirement is specified; however, candidates must hold a valid UG degree from a UGC-recognized institution.
There is no upper age limit for admission.

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. 22,000) 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 M.Sc. Information Security 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

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit	How to Apply
SC/ST Scholarship (Govt. of India)	SC/ST students enrolled in IGNOU programmes	Fee reimbursement / financial support as per GoI norms	Apply via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or through IGNOU Regional Centre
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC	OBC students with family income below prescribed limit	As per GoI/state government norms	Apply via National Scholarship Portal
Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)	Physically handicapped students enrolled in IGNOU	Government of India scholarship; amount varies	Collect 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 year	Apply by 31 May 2026 through Delhi government welfare department
Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme	Wards of ex-servicemen / defence personnel	As per scheme norms	Apply 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 M.Sc. Information Security FAQs

Ques. I am a B.A. or B.Com graduate with no IT background. Can I apply for IGNOU M.Sc. Information Security?

Ans. Yes. The eligibility for MSCIS is a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. There is no restriction on the stream of the undergraduate degree. However, students without an IT background may find the technical content challenging and are advised to build basic familiarity with computers and networking before starting the programme.

Ques. Is the M.Sc. Information Security from IGNOU recognized for government jobs and industry positions?

Ans. Yes. The MSCIS degree from IGNOU is recognized by UGC and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is treated as equivalent to a corresponding degree from any recognized university in India. It is valid for government jobs, teaching positions, and further research admissions. Many IT and cybersecurity firms also accept IGNOU degrees for relevant roles.

Ques. Does the programme have any practical/lab component? How is it conducted in distance mode?

Ans. Yes. The programme includes two practical courses: MSEL-032 in Semester 3 (covering Cyber Attacks, Cloud Security, and Data Recovery) and MSEL-037 in Semester 4 (covering Web Application Audits, E-commerce Security, and IoT). These practicals are conducted at the allotted Programme Study Centre (PSC). Attendance for practical sessions is compulsory.

Ques. What is the PG Diploma in Information Security (PGDIS) exit option?

Ans. Students who complete the first two semesters (32 credits) of the M.Sc. Information Security programme can exit with a PG Diploma in Information Security (PGDIS). This is useful for students who wish to obtain a qualification quickly. However, once the PGDIS exit is exercised, students cannot continue to complete the full M.Sc. degree.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing M.Sc. Information Security from IGNOU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue roles such as Information Security Analyst, Cybersecurity Consultant, Network Security Engineer, Digital Forensics Analyst, Cloud Security Specialist, IT Auditor, and Ethical Hacker in sectors including IT, banking, government, defence, and telecom. The programme also prepares students for industry certifications such as CISSP, CEH, and CompTIA Security+.

Ques. Can I pursue this programme while working full-time in an IT job?

Ans. Yes, this is one of the primary advantages of the ODL mode. The programme is designed for working professionals. Counselling sessions are typically held on weekends at the PSC. The only mandatory in-person components are the practical sessions and term-end examinations. Students can manage their study schedule flexibly around their work commitments.