Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a Central Open Learning University established in 1985 under the IGNOU Act 1985. The institute is run by the central government of India. IGNOU is the largest university in the world, in terms of active enrollment of over 4 million students. It is also the country's first distance learning University offering a range of UGC approved online degree courses at UG, PG, and Diploma levels. IGNOU offers quality higher educational opportunities to all sections of Indian society.
IGNOU has created courses in a plethora of fields: Information Technology, Tribal Studies, travel and tourism, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Disaster Management, and Library and Information Science Certification.
Let us take a look at some of the most popular online IGNOU courses that provide certification.
Online Undergraduate Courses with Certificates
Course | Duration | Eligibility |
Online Bachelor of Tourism | 3 -6 years | 10+2 or its equivalent or BDP from IGNOU |
Online Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) | 1-4 years | Bachelor’s with 50% marks ( 45% for students of SC/ST/OBC/PH category) or Bachelor’s with a Diploma ( one year) in Library Science or Bachelor’s with 2 years of working experience in a Library & Information Centre |
Online Postgraduate courses with certificates
Course | Duration | Eligibility Criteria |
Online MA Gandhi and Peace Studies | 2-5 years | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised University. |
Online MA Hindi | 2 Years | Bachelor's Degree or a higher degree from a recognised University. |
Online MA Translation Studies | 2 - 5 years | Graduate in any discipline with adequate knowledge of Hindi and English. |
Online diploma courses with certificates
Course | Duration | Cost | Eligibility Criteria |
Online Diploma in Tourism Studies | 1 -4 years | Rs. 4,200 | BPP from IGNOU or 10+2 or its equivalent |
Online PG Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies | 1-3 years | Rs. 3,700 | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University / Institute. |
Online PG Diploma in Sustainability Science | 1 Year | 6.20 K | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University / Institute. |
Online Certification Courses
Course | Duration | Eligibility Criteria |
Online Post Graduate Certificate in Gandhi and Peace Studies | 6 months - 2 years | Bachelor's or a higher degree in any discipline from a recognised University |
Online Certificate in Disaster Management (CDM) | 6 months - 2 years | 10+2 or its equivalent to BPP from IGNOU |
Online Certificate in Environmental Studies (CES) | 6 months - 2 years | 10+2 or its equivalent or BPP from IGNOU |
Note: The above data is collected and compiled by the Careers360 team.
Online Courses with Certificates available at IGNOU - Undergraduate Courses
IGNOU offers a number of undergraduate online courses to candidates who have passed class 12. Some of these are Bachelors in Tourism and Library Sciences. The undergraduate online course at IGNOU is a three-year course which is divided into six semesters.
List of Undergraduate Online Courses at IGNOU - Eligibility Criteria
Online UG courses with certificates along with the required eligibility criteria is as follows:
For the online Bachelor of Tourism, the eligibility requirement is 10+2 qualification/equivalent or BDP from IGNOU
For the online Bachelor of Library and Information Science, the eligibility requirement is 50% marks (45% for students of SC/ST/OBC/PH category)
or
UG with a Diploma (one year) in Library Science
or
UG with 2 years of work experience in a Library and Information center
Bachelor of Tourism
Online Bachelor of Tourism is one of the best IGNOU online degree courses. This is a 3-year degree program in tourism designed for those who are interested in pursuing a career in travel and tourism. Through this UGC approved online degree course, learners will become familiar with different aspects of Tourism as well as learn how to create awareness about tourism, and impart basic training in organizing tourism services.
Duration: 3 Years
Online Bachelor of Tourism course curriculum
Foundation Course in Tourism
Tourism Development: Products, Operations and Case Studies
Foundation Course in Humanities & Social Sciences
Foundation Course in English 1 & 2
Modern Indian languages
Indian Culture: Perspective for Tourism
Ecology, Environment and Tourism
Foundation Course in Science and Technology
Project on Indian Culture: Perspective for Tourism
Management in Tourism
Tourism in Marketing
Project on Tourism marketing
Application Oriented courses
Elective courses
Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences (BLIS)
The online Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences (BLIS) course is designed for students who wish to have a career in library science. The world is connected through networks and such a world requires instant access to information. The Library and Information Sciences professionals update and reorient themselves to serve their users in this changing scenario.
Duration 1-4 years
Online Courses with Certificates available at IGNOU - Diploma/PG Diploma Courses
Along with the undergraduate degree programs, candidates who are interested in pursuing diploma or post graduate diploma courses can also apply at IGNOU. These diploma or PG diploma courses can last from 1 to 4 years, depending on the pace of the student.
The students opting for online diploma/PG diploma courses with certificates have to meet certain eligibility criteria. They are as follows:
Online Diploma in Tourism Studies provides learners with the facility to specialise in the chosen operational areas in tourism studies and helps them acquire associated skills. This is a 36-credit online diploma program.
Duration: 1 - 4 years
Online Diploma in Tourism Studies course curriculum
Foundation Course in Tourism (Core course)
Tourism Development: Products, Operations and Case Studies (Core course)
Management in Tourism (Core course)
Indian Culture: Perspective for Tourism (Elective)
Project on Indian Culture: Perspective for Tourism (Project)
Ecology, Environment and Tourism (Elective)
Project on Ecology, Environment and Tourism (Project)
Tourism Marketing (Elective)
Project on Tourism Marketing (Project)
PG Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies
This online postgraduate diploma course will teach you the Gandhian approach to peace from the interdisciplinary perspective and understand Gandhi’s views and perceptions on economic, social, political, environmental, development, related issues, etc. The perks of the PG Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies is that the diploma holder can join third Semester MA in Gandhi and Peace Studies under a modular approach after paying the prescribed fees.
Duration: 1 -3 years
PG Diploma in Sustainability Science
This online PG diploma program imbues in students the values of Sustainability Science. They will learn the genesis and principles of sustainable development, its tools, implementation and assessment strategies in a holistic way.
Duration: 1-4 years
Online Courses with Certificates available at IGNOU - Post Graduate Courses
IGNOU also offers advanced courses such as online Postgraduate courses in Gandhi and Peace Studies, Hindi, and Translation Studies. Below, we have listed these online courses with certificates along with their course content, eligibility criteria, duration and fees.
List of online Postgraduate courses at IGNOU - Eligibility Criteria
Candidates opting for online postgraduate courses with certificates have to meet certain eligibility criteria. They are as follows:
MA Gandhi and Peace Studies
The online MA Gandhi and Peace Studies program promotes both theoretical and applied research in Gandhian Studies, Conflict Management, Peace and Social Regeneration. The online degree course is for those interested in understanding the Gandhian model of development and conflict resolution in the real world. You will learn about Gandhi’s ideals on different aspects such as social, gender, political, economic, environmental and sustainable development issues. You will also learn how to critique and evaluate Gandhian models, its place in the contemporary world and contributions made by its followers.
Duration: 2-5 years
Online MA Gandhi and Peace Studies course curriculum
Gandhi: The Man and His Times (Core Course)
Philosophy of Gandhi (Core Course)
Gandhi’s Social Thought (Core Course)
Gandhi’s Political Thought (Core Course)
Gandhi’s Economic Thought (Elective Course)
Non-Violent Movements after Gandhi (Elective Course)
Gandhi in the 21st Century (Elective Course)
Gandhi, Ecology and Sustainable Development (Elective Course)
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution (Core Course)
Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution
Conflict Management, Transformation and Peace Building (Elective Course)
Human Security (Elective Course)
Women and Peace (Elective Course)
Civil Society, Political Regimes and Conflict (Elective Course)
Introduction to Research Methods (Elective Course)
Human Rights: Indian Perspective (Elective Course)
Project Work (Gandhi and Peace Studies)
MA Hindi
The online MA Hindi program teaches learners a wide range of Hindi literature. This online degree course consists of subjects worth 64 credits. This ugc approved online degree is suited for those interested in taking a career in the academic field (teaching, research) and who wish to gain certification in Hindi.
Duration: 2-4 years
MA Translation Studies
The online MA Translation Studies program teaches you the theories and practices of translation. This online masters degree delves into fundamental concepts such as integrating teaching, translation practices in contemporary time, research in translation, etc. After completing this online degree course, you will gain opportunities to work as translators, academicians, and others.
Duration: 2 -5 Years
Online Courses with Certificates available at IGNOU - Certificates/PG Certificates
Other than online UG, PG, diploma and PG diploma courses, IGNOU also offers online certificates as well as postgraduate certificates. Below we have listed these courses along with their duration, eligibility criteria, fees, and course content.
List of online certificate/Postgraduate certificate courses at IGNOU - Eligibility Criteria
Individuals opting for online certificate/Postgraduate certificate courses have to meet certain eligibility criteria. They are as follows:
Post Graduate Certificate in Gandhi and Peace Studies (PGCGPS)
This online PG certificate is a 16-credit programme designed for young graduates and teachers, political leaders, NGO functionaries as well as anyone who wishes to have a better understanding of Gandhi and his principles in the contemporary context. Once you complete IGNOU PGCGPS, you will learn how to apply peaceful solutions in different scenarios.
Duration: 6 Months - 2 Years
Fee: Rs. 2,000
Online Postgraduate Certificate in Gandhi and Peace Studies course curriculum
Gandhi: The Man and His Times
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution
Non-violence Movements after Gandhi
Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution
Certificate in Disaster Management (CDM)
If you wish to be prepared in times of disaster, then this is the perfect disaster management course for you. Online Certificate in Disaster Management makes you a certified professional who knows the techniques for effective community participation. besides highlighting ways to collect relevant information pertaining to disasters and also its effective dissemination.
Duration: 6 Months - 2 Years
Online Certificate in Disaster Management course curriculum
Foundation Course in Disaster Management
Disaster management: Methods and Techniques
Certificate in Environmental Studies (CES)
This is one of the best online environmental studies courses for anyone interested in acquiring knowledge of the environment as well as its associated problems. The online certificate in Environmental Studies is for a wide range of learners such as landscape architects, administrators, hydrologists, ecologists, foresters, planners, engineers, industrialists, and agriculturists, among others will benefit from this programme.
Duration: 6 Months - 2 Years
Online Certificate in Environmental Studies course curriculum
Environment - An Introduction
Environment and Conservation Ethics
Environmental Issues and Tourism Development
Environment, Community and Tourism
Tourism as a Tool for Conservation
Policy and Infrastructure
Pressures and Threshold
Environmental Impacts - 1& 2
Human Activities and Environment-I & 2
Management of Environment-I & 2
Popular Online Courses with Certificates at IGNOU - Admission Process
IGNOU offers a variety of online courses with certificates in different fields. Some of them are in Gandhi and Peace studies, Disaster Management and Environmental Studies. Below we have listed the procedure for applying to these online programs.
The step-by-step process for applying for online courses with certificate in IGNOU:
Visit https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Register an account by filling in certain details
You will receive a ‘Username’ and ‘Password’ to your registered mobile phone and email
Sign into your account using the aforementioned details
Fill in the application form
Upload the necessary documents and files:
Recent passport size Photograph (maximum size 100KB in JPG format).
Signature (maximum size 100KB in JPG format).
Scanned copies of the relevant documents (maximum size 200KB each document in JPG/PDF format).
Read the instruction and declaration carefully and then click on the ‘Declaration’ box.
Preview the inputted data and ensure they are correct.
Make a payment of Fee through Credit/Debit card/Net Banking.
Payment confirmation message will be sent to the registered mobile and email.
Press the Next button to see the form preview.
After the final submission of the online application form, you can download the application form and keep a printout for your record.
IGNOU Online Degree Courses Examination Details
The evaluation system in IGNOU is robust and quite unique. The Institute aims to promote the self-assessment of students. The evaluation takes place in a multi-layered manner. They are self-assessments through assignments, seminars, project work and final examinations. The candidates must complete all their assignments before taking the end-term examination in order to complete their course. The candidate is also required to submit their marked assignments to the respective coordinator of their study centre.
The link to the online Examination form, in general, is provided on the home page of the IGNOU website. For ease of access, the link is as follows: https://exam.ignou.ac.in/
For all the IGNOU online courses with certificates, two languages are offered, namely Hindi and English as the medium of instruction.
The online degree courses can take 3 years whereas the smaller certification courses can be completed within a few months. Also since this is either online/distance learning, the student can extend the course duration. So online degree courses can be completed within 6 years and online master's programs can be completed within 4-5 years if required.
No. Only application fees are included in the annual fees for IGNOU online courses. The exams will have to be paid for separately.
Yes. One example is the online certification course in Arabic Language which is approved by the UGC.
To take an online BLIS course, you must have a one-year diploma in the respective field. Or you should have a bachelor’s degree with minimum 2 years of work experience in the same field. Or another option is to have a bachelor's degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% (general) and 45% for ST/SC/PH/OB category students.
This IGNOU online course familiarizes the students with the Tribal society and its nature. If you are someone who wishes to work in the social welfare field, then this online IGNOU is definitely for you.
You must have a degree to apply for the online PGCAP programme.
Yes, all the UG, PG, diplomas and certification courses of IGNOU are approved by the UGC.
Application Date:20 January,2025 - 24 April,2025
Dear Student,
It's understandable that you're a bit confused about which assignments to submit for your second year. Let me clarify this for you in simple terms.
Since you were admitted in the January 2022 batch and have completed your first-year exams, for your second-year exams in June 2025 , you need to submit the assignments that are specifically valid for the January 2023 session .
Here's why you might be seeing many assignment sessions on the portal: IGNOU offers admissions in two cycles every year - January and July. Therefore, assignments are created for each of these sessions. As a student of the January 2022 batch progressing to the second year, the relevant assignment session for your upcoming June 2025 exams will be the one corresponding to the academic year you are currently in, which started in January 2023 for your second-year courses.
How to identify the correct assignments:
In simple words: Think of it like this - you're now in your second year, which for the January intake students, started in January 2023. So, you need to do the homework (assignments) that was given for the students who started their second year with you in January 2023.
Make sure to download the correct assignment for each of your second-year courses, complete them as per the instructions provided by IGNOU (usually handwritten on A4 size paper with a cover page), and submit them at your designated study center before the last date of submission. Keep a photocopy of the submitted assignments and obtain an acknowledgment receipt from the study center.
I hope this clarifies your doubt. If you have your specific program name and second-year course codes, I might be able to provide more specific guidance. Good luck with your exams!
Yes, you can pursue an MBA from a regular university and an M.Com from IGNOU simultaneously, as long as one is a regular course and the other is through distance learning. According to the UGC guidelines, students can pursue two degrees at the same time, provided one is in regular mode and the other in open or distance mode.
Is it worth it?
It depends on your career goals:
I f your goal is corporate jobs or entrepreneurship : An MBA alone is generally more valuable. It provides managerial skills, industry exposure, and better job opportunities. Adding an M.Com may not significantly enhance your profile unless you aim for academic or research roles.
If you’re interested in teaching or research : Having both an MBA and M.Com can be beneficial, especially if you later plan to pursue a PhD or teaching career. M.Com strengthens your academic foundation.
Don't worry, let's break it down. Since you've passed both the theory exam (with a D grade) and the assignment (with a C grade) in MMPC 004, you shouldn't need to reappear for the exam.However, the "not completed" status might indicate that there's an issue with your grade or evaluation.
Here are some steps you can take:
- Verify your grades: Double-check your grades for both the theory exam and assignment to ensure they're accurate.
- Contact IGNOU support: Reach out to IGNOU's support team or your study center to inquire about the "not completed" status. They can help you resolve the issue.
- Check the evaluation criteria: Familiarize yourself with IGNOU's evaluation criteria for MMPC 004 to ensure you've met all the requirements.
Remember to stay calm and patient while resolving this issue. Good luck!
Hello nayasha, I'm happy to clarify things for you.
CUET Exam and IGNOU Admission:
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a centralized exam for admission to various undergraduate programs in central universities. However, IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) is a distance learning university, and its admission process is different.
IGNOU Admission Process:
IGNOU offers admission to its programs through two modes:
1. Merit-based admission: For most undergraduate programs, admission is based on merit, which is calculated based on the candidate's qualifying examination (12th standard) marks.
2. Entrance-based admission: For some programs, like MBA, MCA, and B.Ed., admission is based on an entrance exam conducted by IGNOU.
you don't need to give the CUET exam for admission to IGNOU's undergraduate programs. IGNOU has its own admission process, which is separate from the CUET exam.
Pursuing CA While Studying:
Since you're planning to prepare for CA (Chartered Accountancy) while studying, IGNOU's distance learning mode can be a great option for you. You can study from home and manage your time according to your CA preparation schedule.
Next Steps:
1. Visit the IGNOU website: Explore IGNOU's website to learn more about their undergraduate programs, admission process, and eligibility criteria.
2. Choose your program: Select the undergraduate program that aligns with your interests and career goals.
3. Apply for admission: Follow the admission process and apply for the program you've chosen.
I hope this clears up any confusion and I wish you all the best for your future endeavors!
Pursuing a PhD in Psychology from IGNOU can be a great opportunity. Here's what you need to know:
To be eligible for the PhD program in Psychology at IGNOU, you'll need to meet the following criteria:
- Master's degree: You should have a Master's degree in Psychology or a related field from a recognized university.
- Minimum marks: You should have secured a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates) in your Master's degree.
Admission Process:
The admission process for the PhD program in Psychology at IGNOU typically involves the following steps:
1. Application form: You'll need to submit an application form, which can usually be downloaded from the IGNOU website.
2. Entrance exam: IGNOU conducts an entrance exam for PhD admissions. The exam will test your knowledge in Psychology and research methodology.
3. Interview: If you qualify in the entrance exam, you'll be called for an interview with the faculty members.
Program Details:
Here are some key details about the PhD program in Psychology at IGNOU:
- Duration: The PhD program is typically completed within 2-5 years.
- Coursework: You'll need to complete coursework in research methodology, statistics, and other relevant areas.
- Research: You'll need to conduct original research under the guidance of a supervisor.
- Thesis: You'll need to submit a thesis based on your research.
Important Dates:
Keep an eye on the IGNOU website for important dates related to PhD admissions, including:
- Application form submission: Usually in January-February or July-August.
- Entrance exam: Usually in February-March or August-September.
Tips:
Here are some tips to help you succeed in the PhD program:
- Stay updated: Regularly check the IGNOU website for updates on the PhD program.
- *Prepare well*: Prepare thoroughly for the entrance exam and interview.
- Choose a good supervisor: Select a supervisor who has expertise in your area of research interest.
I hope this information helps! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.