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Manavta
02 January, 2026
Indira Gandhi National Open University has announced the IGNOU admission last date 2026 for the January cycle. As per IGNOU registration last date, candidates can apply for admission till January 31, 2026. Interested aspirants have to apply at the official website before the last date to apply for IGNOU 2026. For July cycle, IGNOU admission dates are yet to be announced. However, the registration process is expected to be begin in July, while the last date is likely to lie in August. This blog talks in detail about IGNOU admission and its last date in 2026, along with a few other details. Without any further ado, let’s get right into it.
IGNOU Delhi, or Indira Gandhi National Open University, is India’s largest university offering courses through online and distance modes of education. With over 3,000,000 students enrolled across 350+ programmes, IGNOU follows a semester-wise system for all its programmes and it conducts admissions twice a year for its programmes, in January and June/July each year.
IGNOU follows a semester system for its programmes, based on NEP Guidelines 2020, which makes it possible for learners to take admission into IGNOU programmes in any admission cycle. However, Please note that there are a few courses that you can only apply for admission in the July session.
IGNOU admissions open for the first time in a year in the months of January. Admissions only used to take place in the July session, however follow the NEP guidelines, 2020, IGNOU also offers admission biannually in January as well along with the admission cycle.
Currently, IGNOU registration and admissions are open for the January session, that is, from December 2025 to January 2026, for various courses offered through ODL (Open and Distance Learning) mode, as well as for online programmes, with the deadline of January 31, 2026. You can simply apply online by logging into the official website and applying for your desired programme, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
After the first admission cycle conducted in January, the second admission cycle opens up in the month of July, for which the students can easily apply online. Registration opens up in the month of July, which may extend till August or later, depending on the guideline status by the university for an academic year. It is mandatory for students to generate their ABC ID at SAMARTH portal so that they can easily create their student ID and enroll in a course at IGNOU. The classes commence soon, either in August or September, depending upon the course, the final admission date, and the schedule released by IGNOU.
Are you wondering if you can apply after IGNOU admissions last date? Well, the answer is unfortunately, no. IGNOU each year releases the admission dates for its courses prior to the registration opening for January and the session. Many times, IGNOU also extends the last date for IGNOU admission by a week or two so that the late applicants can submit their application for admission into the courses. However, once the registration date closes, students can no longer submit their applications for admissions of course courses.
The authorities rejects the applications submitted after the IGNOU registration last date, automatically cancelling their admission to the courses. Therefore, it is advice for all students to check the official dates for admission cycles listed by IGNOU and keep themselves updated with any changes. You may also look for any extension date offered by IGNOU for admission towards some specific courses. Since IGNOU offers admission into the courses twice a year, you can apply for admission in the next cycle if you have missed out on the current one.
IGNOU offers admission to various programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, along with several PG diploma, diploma, and certificate programmes. Along with this, IGNOU also offers a few value-added programmes to help learners of any age continue with their learning and equip themselves with modern-day skills and knowledge in their relevant field, despite any physical, social, or economic barrier. As already discussed, IGNOU conducts admissions twice a year.
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There are a few courses offered at IGNOU for which admissions are open only in the month of July. This means that students can take admission into these courses only once a year. Therefore, it is advised that students carefully check the admission details of the courses so that they do not miss out on the admissions. These courses are not available for admission in the January admission cycle, and students shall have to wait for the next July session.
As already discussed, IGNOU registration and admissions take place twice a year at IGNOU Delhi. For the January 2026 session, admissions have been open since December 15, 2025. The IGNOU admission last date to apply for the programme is January 31, 2026, for fresh admissions into UG, PG, diploma, and certificate courses offered through ODL and online mode. Similarly, the IGNOU admission last date can be in August/September or extended up to October, depending on the notification as released by the university for the June session.
Before applying for the course, check the eligibility details carefully; failing to do so, you cannot be admitted to the course. There is no age barrier to apply for a course and check for its enrollment status, IGNOU. However, academic requirements are mandatory. You can pay the course fee online through debit card, credit card, or online banking services.
If you are interested in flexibility, accessibility, and being part of a highly inclusive and advanced learning system, which allows you to study at your own space (unclear word choice), you can take admission into your desired course at Indira Gandhi National Open University. IGNOU registrations are currently open for the January 2026 cycle, and if admissions are open for the course you wish to pursue, you can apply online by following the steps below:
*Please note that IGNOU has different websites for courses offered via ODL and online mode, as given below:
Also, the ABC-ID, also known as the Academic Bank of Credit, is a unique student identification number and is mandatory for students taking admission into courses offered through ODL or online mode, so that all relevant academic information can be stored easily. In case a student fails to generate their ABC-ID, either their admission may be cancelled, or they may face issues while submitting examination forms.
At IGNOU, there is no age barrier for applicants applying to programmes at different academic levels. However, candidates must meet the academic requirements to be eligible for admission. Depending upon previous qualifications, applicants can apply for different courses at Indira Gandhi National Open University.
*Please note that this is a general eligibility criterion, and candidates must refer to the specific eligibility requirements of the course they wish to pursue. For example, for admission into MSc Botany, the candidate must have pursued a BSc degree at the undergraduate level, with Botany as one of the subjects. Similarly, for certain diploma programmes, eligibility may be a Class 10th or Class 12th pass, depending on the knowledge and skill level required for the course.
While filling out the application form for admission into an IGNOU course, candidates must upload scanned copies of relevant documents. IGNOU has listed the following documents as mandatory for IGNOU online registeration; failing which, admission to the course shall be cancelled. Please note that documents may vary depending on the academic level.
Each year, the admission drive opens twice a year at IGNOU, in January and June/July. In January 2026, the fresh admission drive to the courses shall begin, with the deadline closing on January 31, 2026. Admissions in June/July usually close either in September or October, depending upon what IGNOU decides. There is no age barrier for candidates to take admission into the IGNOU courses.
However, it is important to meet the minimum educational criteria. It is mandatory for each applicant to register themselves on the Samarth portal and create their unique ABC-ID. If interested in pursuing a self-based course from India’s number one open university, with a highly inclusive and flexible learning environment, IGNOU is the best choice. Choose the course you want to pursue and take admission in the IGNOU January 2026 cycle.
At IGNOU, Indira Gandhi National Open University, the admission drive takes place twice a year, in January and June/July, for various UG, PG, PG diploma/certificate and diploma or certificate courses.
Since Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is an open university, there is no age barrier for taking admission into the courses offered by the university. However, for certain courses, candidates need to meet a specific minimum age requirement to be eligible for admission. There is only a minimum age criterion for particular courses.
Since IGNOU is an open university, it offers courses through ODL, that is, Open and Distance Learning mode, as well as online mode of education. Depending upon which mode suits you best, you can take admission and pursue your desired course as per your convenience. All the courses offered provide flexibility and the convenience of studying at your own pace, along with receiving study materials in print or digital form and access to e-learning resources.
Yes, IGNOU courses are valid and at par with any regular programme offered by any other educational institute in India. IGNOU is UGC-recognised, making all of its courses valid and credible for pursuing higher education or professional opportunities.
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