IGNOU MCA Admission 2026 offers students a flexible and nationally recognised pathway to build advanced computing skills through the university’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode, designed for learners who want a professional postgraduate qualification while studying from home. The programme runs for a minimum duration of 2 years and can be extended as per university rules, and applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level, which is the mandatory eligibility for entry. Students need to pay an application fee of ₹300 during online registration, while the programme fee is approximately ₹16,500 per year, making it an affordable master’s degree in computer applications. The course allows special focus areas such as Software Development, Data Management, Networking, Cloud Computing, and IT Applications, which are part of the structured MCA curriculum. For the January session, learners must note the important deadline of 31 January 2026, by which the admission form should be submitted, and all updates, notifications, and re-registration links are available exclusively on the university’s official website: www.ignou.ac.in.
IGNOU MCA Admission 2026: Highlights
| Highlights | Details |
| Program name | Master of Computer Applications |
| Courses level | Postgraduate level |
| Duration | Two years and four semesters |
| medium | English |
| Admission criteria | Merit based |
| mode | ODL |
| Course fee | INR 13,000/- per semester |
| Approved by | AIU/UGC-DEB |
| Eligibility | Graduated with mathematics as the main subject |
About IGNOU
IGNOU is a national open university started in 1985. It is India’s top open university, accredited with an A++ accreditation by NAAC. All the programs are recognized by all members of the All India Association of Indian Universities. IGNOU is located in Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, India. Its main aim is to promote distance education in the country by offering cost-effective programs. IGNOU offers various programs at Postgraduate, undergraduate, PG diploma, diploma, PG/advanced certificate level, including awareness program. All the programs are offered in online and open and distance learning mode. All the programs are offered under NEP 2020 guidelines, including a modular approach to programs.
About IGNOU MCA Program
Indira Gandhi National Open University offers a master of Computer Applications for the course duration of 2 years. It is divided into four semesters. MCA program at IGNOU is available in open distance learning. It is an undergraduate degree program offered by IGNOU under the School of Computer and Information Science. This course aims to provide students application application-oriented courses required for computer software development. Students will be required to obtain a total of 80 credits to acquire an MCA degree from IGNOU. Which include 15 theory courses, 1 project and 6 practical courses. The MCA program will be delivered in English medium.
Eligibility Criteria For IGNOU MCA Admission
To get admission to Indira Gandhi National Open University for the MCA program, students need to have following eligibility requirements. First applicants must have graduated with a BCA/ Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering or an Equivalent Degree. Otherwise, pass with BA/B.COM/B.SC in mathematics at 10+2 or at the graduation level to be eligible for admission. Under this category students will be required to study two additional courses-MCS-201 and MCS-208 and pay an additional amount of INR 2000/-.
The minimum mark required is 50% for open category and 45% for reserved category. It is important for students to be fluent in English as it is the main language of instruction. There is no age limit to get admission. Students who did not study Mathematics at the 10+2 level or at Graduation level are not eligible for the ODL/ Online MCA-NEW programme.
IGNOU MCA Admission Fees Structure
Indira Gandhi National Open University offers an affordable MCA program. Where students have to pay INR 13,000 per semester. Students’ examination fee of INR 200 is applicable for all subjects. Look at the IGNOU MCA fee table given below.
| Particulars | Fee |
| Course fee per semester | INR 13,000/- |
| Total course fee | INR 52,000/- |
| Development fee | INR 200/- |
| Examination fee | INR 200/- |
| Additional Fee (for category 2) | INR 2000/- |
IGNOU MCA Admission Process 2026
Students will have to apply online to get admission to the MCA program at IGNOU.
- Step 1: Go to (www.ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).
- Step 2: Register and login with username and password.
- Step 3: Fill the admission forms with educational and personal details.
- Step 4: Upload scan signature, photograph, and mentioned documents.
- Step 5: Read all instructions carefully and click on the declaration box.
- Step 6: After confirming all details proceed for online payment of the fee.
- Step 7: Payment confirmation message will be mailed or sms.
- Step 8: Preview the form and click on the submit button.
- Step 9: Print out the duly filled online application form.
Documents Required For IGNOU MCA Admission
All the following documents have to be scanned and uploaded for admission.
- Identity proof such as Aadhaar card, pancard or voter ID.
- Class 10th marksheet and certificate.
- Class 12th marksheet and passing certificate.
- Scan copy of signature and photograph.
- Category certificate (if applicable).
- Experience certificate (if applicable).
- Bachelor degree certificate.
IGNOU Re-registration Process
IGNOU Re-registration is registering for next semester or year. It is applicable for Indian and international students already admitted in IGNOU. interested students have to submit the Re-Registration forms Online on the IGNOU web portal. If re-registration for any program is not applicable online students need to submit the form at their respective regional centers only, before the given last date.
Let us look at the steps involved in the IGNOU re-registration process:
- Step 1: Go to www.onlinerr.ignou.ac.in/ and click on the re-registration button.
- Step 2: Read all the instructions carefully and click on Proceed for re-registration button.
- Step 3: Enter your username and password to login.
- Step 4: Select your course and proceed for payment with caution.
- Step 5: Payment can be done through UPI or BHIM APP and avoid the use of third parties.
Note: Students must know that the fee once paid for re-registration to any program will not be refunded.
IGNOU MCA Study Material
IGNOU offers study material in both printed and soft copy form. Students opting for soft copy of study material at the time of admission will be given 15% discount in the program fee. Students opting for soft copy will not be given printed study material. IGNOU also has the provision of study material in digital form for various programs. Digital study material is available through egyankosh which is a digital repository of the university. University will send Printed study material to all students. However, if study material is not delivered for some reason, university will not be held accountable. Also, all the assignments will be uploaded on IGNOu website.
IGNOU Fee Refund Policy
University will follow the following refund policy as per the approval of competent authority.
- Registration fee is not refundable at any cost.
- Fees once paid will be refunded before the confirmation of admission.
- University will deduct 15% of program fee subject to a ceiling of INR 2000/- in case the request for cancellation is made after the confirmation of the admission.
- Students who opted for a soft copy of the study material will receive a fee refund after deduction of registration fee only.
- Students who have availed fee exemption and have paid both registration and development fee will only be refunded with the development fee.
- No fee refund will be granted after 60 days of closing of admission of the concerned program.




