Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Post Graduate Diploma in Library Automation and Networking (PGDLAN) is a one-year programme offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through the Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The programme is designed to develop professional competencies of library and information science professionals in an automated and networked environment, covering computer fundamentals, library automation, information systems, networking, internet resources, content development, and programming. The total programme fee is Rs. 18,000 plus applicable registration and development fees, with no entrance exam required for admission. The programme is highly popular among working library professionals seeking to upgrade their technical skills without leaving their jobs.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently open. The last date for submission of the application form for ODL programmes (except certificate and semester-based programmes) is 30th March 2026. Candidates can apply online through the IGNOU admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

Since PGDLAN is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode, the following are the study centres where it is offered:

Bhopal: IGNOU Regional Centre Bhopal (LSC Code 1500)
Port Blair: JNR Mahavidyalaya (201)
Bhubaneswar: KIIT, Patia (2101)
Khanna: Nirman Campus of Education Research and Training, Sunam (LSC 2299)
Jaipur: International School of Informatics and Management (ISIM), Jaipur (23153)
Chennai: DDGD Vaishnava College (2501)
Lucknow: Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow (2788)
Kolkata: IGNOU Regional Centre Kolkata (LSC Code 2800)
Srinagar: Deptt. of Library and Information Science (1231P); IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar (3000); NIELIT (Formerly DOEACC) Rangreth (1253)
Dehradun: D.A.V. PG College Dehradun (2705); D.S.B Campus Kumaon University, Nainital (2762)
Nagpur: IGNOU Regional Centre Nagpur (LSC Code 3600)
Delhi (Naraina): Delhi Library Association (0775P)
Noida: Shaheed Raj Guru College of Applied Sciences for Women (0771P)
Trivandrum: Mar Ivanios Institute of Advance Studies (1441)
Aligarh: Shri Varshney PG College, Aligarh (47015)
Patna: IGNOU Regional Centre Patna (LSC Code 0500)
Army Chandimandir: Western Command HRDC (5201)
Army Pune: SC HRDC IC/O BEG and Centre, Pune (5404)
Army Udhampur: HRDC HQ Northern Command (5501)
Chandigarh: Department of CSE UIET South Campus, Punjab University (0601)
Bijapur: J.S.S. College Vidyagiri Dharwad (1303)
Ahmedabad: L.D. Arts College (901); M.S. University (902)
Angul: IGNOU Regional Centre Angul (8900)

Key Points

PGDLAN is a UGC-recognised postgraduate diploma offered exclusively through the ODL mode, making it ideal for working library professionals.
The programme includes intensive practical training components (MLIL 1 to MLIL 7) alongside theory courses, ensuring hands-on skill development.
Students are required to complete a project (MLIP 8) as part of the curriculum, allowing specialisation in a chosen area of library automation and networking.
The maximum duration to complete the programme is 3 years from the date of registration, providing flexibility to learners.
The programme is conducted in English medium only; however, assignments and term-end examinations can be written in Hindi as well.
IGNOU degrees and diplomas are recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
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 PGDLAN Fees

The PGDLAN programme at IGNOU is one of the more premium PG Diploma offerings in terms of fee, reflecting its technical and practical-intensive curriculum. The total programme fee is Rs. 18,000, to which a one-time non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a university development fee of Rs. 200 are added, bringing the total payable amount to Rs. 18,500. Examination fees are charged separately per subject at the time of the Term-End Examination.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Programme Fee (Full Course)	18,000
Registration Fee (One-time, Non-refundable)	300
University Development Fee (One-time)	200
Total Fees (Excluding Exam Fee)	18,500
Exam Fee (Theory, per subject)	200
Exam Fee (Practical, per subject)	300

The registration fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable under all circumstances.
The university development fee of Rs. 200 is collected one-time at the time of admission.
Examination fees are not included in the programme fee and are to be paid separately before each Term-End Examination.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking through the IGNOU admission portal.
Refund Policy: Full refund is available before confirmation of admission. After confirmation, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted. No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
There is no hostel facility associated with this ODL programme.

IGNOU PGDLAN Admission 2026

IGNOU PGDLAN admissions are conducted twice a year - in January and July sessions. The January 2026 session is currently open, with the last date for application extended to 30th March 2026. Admission is merit-based (no entrance exam), and the entire process is conducted online through the IGNOU admission portal. Students are advised to select their preferred study centre at the time of application.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Admission Portal Opens (January 2026 Session)	16th December 2025
Last Date for Fresh Admission (ODL Programmes)	30th March 2026
Last Date for Re-Registration (January 2026 Session)	28th February 2026 (extended)
Tentative Batch Commencement	January 2026
Term-End Examination (June 2026)	June 2026 (tentative)

Relevant Exam Dates

No external entrance exam is required for PGDLAN admission. IGNOU conducts its own Term-End Examinations (TEE) twice a year (June and December). These are internal university examinations and not external entrance tests.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Science (B.Lib.I.Sc. or equivalent) from a recognised university.
There is no age bar for admission to PGDLAN.
The programme is open to Indian nationals as well as NRI/foreign students.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Click on New Registration and create a login account using your email and mobile number (OTP verification required).
Select the PGDLAN programme and fill in the online application form.
Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, educational qualification certificates, and category certificate (if applicable).
Select your preferred study centre from the available list.
Pay the programme fee and registration fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
Submit the form and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application process.

IGNOU PGDLAN Scholarships 2026

IGNOU PGDLAN students can avail of several government-sponsored scholarships, particularly for SC/ST, OBC, and economically weaker section (EWS) students. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is the primary platform through which eligible students can apply for scholarships after confirmation of admission. IGNOU also provides fee exemption for certain reserved category students as per government norms.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit	Application Platform
National Fellowship for SC Students (UGC)	SC category students	Fee reimbursement / stipend	National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
National Fellowship for ST Students (UGC)	ST category students	Fee reimbursement / stipend	National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC	SC/ST/OBC students with family income below threshold	Partial to full fee reimbursement	State Government / NSP
PG Scholarship for SC/ST Students (MHRD)	SC/ST students in professional PG programmes	Up to Rs. 7,800 per year	National Scholarship Portal
IGNOU Fee Exemption (SC/ST)	SC/ST students under specific central government schemes	Fee waiver as per scheme norms	IGNOU Admission Portal

Students must apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
The registration fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable and is not covered under any scholarship or fee exemption scheme.
Scholarship eligibility and amounts are subject to change as per government notifications each academic year.
Students are advised to check the latest scholarship notifications on the NSP and IGNOU official website.

IGNOU PGDLAN Placement 2026

IGNOU does not conduct formal campus placements for the PGDLAN programme, as it is a distance learning diploma primarily pursued by working professionals. The programme enhances the technical skills of library professionals, making them eligible for roles such as Library Automation Specialist, Digital Library Manager, Information Systems Officer, and Network Administrator in libraries. Graduates find opportunities in government libraries, university libraries, public sector undertakings, research institutions, and corporate information centres.

Placement Details

Placement Aspect	Details
Mode of Placement	Self-placement / Job market
Common Job Roles	Library Automation Specialist, Digital Library Manager, Information Systems Officer
Key Sectors	Government Libraries, University Libraries, Research Institutions, PSUs
Average Salary Range	Rs. 3.5 LPA - Rs. 7 LPA (varies by employer and experience)
Placement Support	No formal campus placement; career guidance available through study centres

IGNOU PGDLAN FAQs

Ques. I am a working librarian with a B.Lib degree. Can I pursue PGDLAN from IGNOU while continuing my job?

Ans. Yes, PGDLAN is specifically designed for working library professionals. Since it is offered in ODL (distance) mode, you can study at your own pace without attending regular classes. You only need to visit your assigned study centre for practical sessions and submit assignments periodically.

Ques. Is there any entrance exam for IGNOU PGDLAN admission?

Ans. No, there is no entrance exam for PGDLAN. Admission is purely merit-based on your qualifying degree (B.Lib.I.Sc.). You simply need to apply online through the IGNOU admission portal and pay the programme fee.

Ques. What is the maximum time I can take to complete the PGDLAN programme?

Ans. The minimum duration is 1 year, but IGNOU allows a maximum of 3 years to complete the PGDLAN programme from the date of registration. This gives you flexibility if you are unable to clear all subjects in the first attempt.

Ques. Are the practical sessions mandatory for PGDLAN? How are they conducted?

Ans. Yes, the practical components (MLIL 1 to MLIL 7) are mandatory and are conducted at the designated study centres. You will need to attend practical sessions at your allotted study centre. It is important to choose a study centre that is geographically convenient for you at the time of admission.

Ques. Is the IGNOU PGDLAN degree/diploma valid for government jobs and promotions in library services?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU is a central university established by an Act of Parliament, and its degrees and diplomas are recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and are valid for government jobs, promotions, and higher education purposes. Many government library employees pursue PGDLAN specifically for career advancement.

Ques. Can I apply for the July 2026 session if I miss the January 2026 deadline?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU conducts admissions twice a year - in January and July. If you miss the January 2026 deadline (30th March 2026), you can apply for the July 2026 session, which typically opens in May 2026. The programme fee and eligibility criteria remain the same for both sessions.