IGNOU Online MA Admission 2026 offers a postgraduate degree through a fully Online Learning mode, IGNOU’s Online MA program is a flexible and convenient option for learners who wish to pursue a master’s degree without attending physical classes. Students can choose from subjects like History, Sociology, English, Political Science, Public Administration, and more. The course is delivered through online lectures, self-learning materials, and digital assignments. The minimum eligibility is a bachelor’s degree in any stream with at least 45% marks from a recognized university. The duration is 2 years, extendable up to 4 years. The total course fee ranges from ₹12,000–₹15,000, depending on the specialization. SC/ST/OBC applicants receive 1%–5% seat relaxation and a 20%–35% tuition discount, randomly applied. The admission period runs from December 27 to December 31, 2025, and all applications must be made online via the official IGNOU Samarth portal with a ₹300 application fee. All assignments must be submitted digitally through the IGNOU portal before the term-end exams.
IGNOU Online MA Admission 2026: Highlights
| Particulars | Course Details |
| Course Name | Master of Arts (MA) |
| Course Duration | 2Years |
| Mode of Study | Online |
| Offered By | Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) |
| Type of Course | Postgraduate |
| Specializations | Sanskrit, Sustainability Science, Rural Development, English, Hindi |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree in any field |
What is IGNOU Online MA?
IGNOU Online MA is a postgraduate program offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in online mode. The university provides an opportunity for students to gain an MA degree without attending regular classes. This program is ideal for working professionals, homemakers, or anyone who wants to continue higher studies with flexibility. IGNOU offers online MA courses in various subjects such as English, Hindi, Political Science, Sociology, History, and more.
The duration of this programme is 2 years, but learners can complete it within a maximum of 4 years. An MA program is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
IGNOU Online MA Courses
Indira Gandhi National Open University offers a 2 years Master of Arts course in several specializations. These specializations include Sanskrit, English, Sustainability Science, Hindi, Rural Development, Journalism and Mass Communication, Distance Education, Translation Studies, Gandhi and Peace Studies and many more.
Eligibility Criteria For IGNOU Online MA Admission
To be eligible for IGNOU’s MA courses candidates need to meet the following eligibility Criteria.
Qualification Requirements: Applicants who want to take admission in IGNOU’s MA courses must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field from a recognized university by UGC.
Marks Requirements: IGNOU has no minimum or maximum marking limit, it is recommended to obtain at least 45% to 50% aggregate marks at graduation level.
Entrance Examination: However the university does not require/conduct any national level or state level entrance examination. The selection of candidates is truly based on obtaining marks in the last qualifying examination.
Age Limit: There is no age restriction for pursuing online MA courses from IGNOU.
IGNOU Online MA Admission Fees Structure
IGNOU offers an Online Master of Arts (MA) programme with an affordable fee structure. An average fee of the MA courses at IGNOU generally ranges from INR 14,000 to INR 25,000, depending on the specialization. Most of the MA programmes generally started between INR 7,000 to INR 9,000 per year, which can be payable semester-wise or annually. In addition to the programme fee, candidates need to pay some extra charges like registration fees, development fee and exam fee.
| Courses Fee | INR 14,000 to INR 25,500 |
| Development Fee | INR 200 |
| Registration Fee | INR 300 |
| Exam Fee | INR 200 |
IGNOU Online MA Admission Process 2026
To apply for IGNOU’s online MA courses, firstly, you need to register yourself at their official website before the due date. IGNOU Online MA admission process will start soon for the January 2026 academic session. IGNOU selects applicants based on their merit score. It does not require any entrance exam to pursue the online MA programmes.
Here are the steps of the application process.
- Step 1: Visit Website: Visit to the official IGNOU online website (www.ignouiop.samarth.edu.in/index.php/registration/user/register)
- Step 2: Registration: Create your account at the portal by entering your basic information including name, mobile number, email address etc. also candidates need to create an user ID and have to set a password.
- Step 3: Sign In: Log in with your credentials as the newly created user ID and password,
- Step 4: Select your preferred MA specialization from the mentioned list.
- Step 5: Application Form: Complete the online form by providing the educational and personal details.
- Step 6: Upload Documents: Submit the scanned copies of all documents including signature, photographs, certificates and mark sheets.
- Step 7: Review: Before submitting the form once check all the details and submit it for the payment process.
- Step 8: Pay Fee: Submit the registration fee of INR 300 using the online payment methods like UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card or Credit Card.
- Step 9: Confirmation: After a few days you will receive the confirmation mail form the university.
Documents Required For IGNOU Online MA Admission
During the registration process, students need to upload some documents. Make sure all your documents are in JPG/JPEG format under 100 KB.
- Scanned Copy of 10th Mark Sheet & Certificate
- Scanned Copy of 12th Mark Sheet & Certificate
- Scanned Copy of Migration Certificate
- Scanned Photographs
- Scanned Copy of Transfer Certificate
- Work Experience Certificate (if any)
- Scanned Signature
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
IGNOU Online MA Assignments
Assignments are very important for all students to submit before the TEE (Term End Examination) to all students. You can download the assignment for each course from the university’s official portal. Before writing the assignments, check and carefully read all the instructions/guidelines required by the university. All your assignments must be handwritten.
