Indira Gandhi National Open University BA course is a three-year undergraduate programme. IGNOU distance BA is offered in an open and distance learning format, through the IGNOU School of Social Sciences. The programme is available in a variety of specialisations. Some of the most popular IGNOU BA subjects include economics, English, history, public administration, political science, and BAM, among others. BAM full form in IGNOU refers to Bachelor of Arts (Multidisciplinary). It prepares you for various top-notch jobs across different sectors. You can also opt for an honours degree in an IGNOU BA course. Further, IGNOU BA admission fees ranges between INR 15,000 and INR 31,800 depending on IGNOU bachelor of arts subject. Accredited with an NAAC A++ grade, IGNOU distance BA is one of the most sought-after courses in India.
Indira Gandhi National Open University is the world's largest open university in terms of student enrollment. It is also India's oldest university to offer open and distance learning courses. IGNOU distance BA is highly recognised and accepted by employers due to the university’s prestige for quality education. Subjects in Bachelor of Arts in IGNOU are UGC-DEB approved. Here are the accreditations and recognitions of IGNOU that make pursuing a distance BA here worthwhile:
✅ NAAC A++ Grade
✅ UGC
✅ UGC-DEB
✅ AICTE
✅ NCTE
IGNOU is a globally known university for distance and online learning admissions. A degree earned from IGNOU is widely recognised across India as well as abroad. Here are the primary features of the IGNOU BA courses:
🟣 Diverse specialisations available
🟣 Offers BA Honours programmes
🟣 Organises job fairs & placement drives
🟣 Dedicated CPC (Campus Placement Cells)
🟣 UGC-approved degree
🟣 Access to MOOC courses
🟣 24*7 access to IGNOU e-content
🟣 Regional centres in India & overseas
Enrolling in an IGNOU BA programme allows you to avail multiple benefits. The university ensures that subjects in bachelor of arts in IGNOU are widely recognised and accessible to learners residing across various corners of the world. Check out why pursuing IGNOU distance BA could be ideal for you:
✅ Flexibility: The university caters to the educational requirements of learners seeking flexibility in education due to their commitments or locational barriers. IGNOU has 67 regional centres spread across the states of India, eliminating geographical limitations.
✅ Cost-Effectiveness: IGNOU distance BA is one of the most affordable courses in India. It helps you save on daily commute, house rent, and additional living expenses by providing flexible education. Besides, the fee structure is also a good fit for every learner, even for those who have a below-average household income.
✅ Accessibility: First off, the course allows you to learn at your convenience, supporting self-paced learning. Apart from this, IGNOU distance learners, residing in different states, can connect with nearby study or regional centres in case of any requirement, enhancing the reach of the university and its courses.
✅ Multiple Centres: IGNOU has 67 regional centres in India and 25 overseas study centres, spread across nearly 15 countries. This enhances the reach and accessibility of IGNOU courses and support services.
✅ Hands-on Learning: You shall be engaged with highly qualified and experienced IGNOU faculty during the BA course. It ensures practical learning with virtual sessions like public speaking, guest lectures, webinars, etc.
As IGNOU distance BA is among the top-tier programmes, it requires you to fulfil the basic eligibility requirements. Here are the crucial IGNOU BA programme eligibility requirements that you must satisfy:
IGNOU opens its admission portal for the distance BA course twice a year: January cycle and July cycle. To secure BA IGNOU admission, you need to fulfil the eligibility criteria of the course. Then, you may move ahead with the application process. Here are the steps that you need to follow for the IGNOU BA admission process:
Step 1: Visit the official website of IGNOU & register for it.
Step 2: Create a DEB ID by visiting the UGC official website.
Step 3: Log in to the IGNOU official website with the DEB ID & generated credentials.
Step 4: Fill out the application form with essential details.
Step 5: Choose the course name, the regional centre, and the study centre.
Step 6: Upload the scanned copies of the necessary documents.
Step 7: Pay the registration/application fees online.
Step 8: Submit the form & wait for document verification.
Step 9: Upon confirmation by IGNOU, pay the course fees & done!
*Note that the IGNOU distance BA admission process may also be done offline, via nearby regional centres.
Here is a list of documents that you shall need during the BA IGNOU admission process. It is advised to gather these documents beforehand to avoid delays in the form-filling process. Take a look here:
✅ Government ID Proof (Primarily Aadhar Card)
✅ 10th Marksheet/Certificate
✅ 12th Marksheet/Certificate
✅ Passport Size Coloured Photograph
✅ E-signature
✅ Domicile (Not mandatory)
✅ Additional Certifications (If Available)
✅ Passport Photocopy (If Available)
✅ Driving Licence Photocopy (If Available)
To submit the IGNOU BA application form, you need to pay INR 300 - INR 500 as part of the IGNOU distance BA registration fee. The IGNOU application fee is INR 300, and INR 200 may be charged for the university development fee. This fee is non-refundable and is subject to the decision by the university, which may vary depending on the year of BA IGNOU admission.
There are many subjects in Bachelor of Arts in IGNOU. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers you a variety of specialisations to opt for in its BA programme. You can pursue the IGNOU Bachelor of Arts syllabus available across numerous subjects. Here are the available IGNOU BA subjects / specialisations:
Indira Gandhi National Open University distance BA fees structure is inclusive of application fees, university development fees, and tuition fees for the course. We have already discussed the application fee of INR 300 and the development charges of INR 200. Here you shall discover the IGNOU BA admission fees. Let us explore:
IGNOU distance BA courses fees range between INR 15,000 - INR 31,800. It varies by the distance BA specialisations of your choice. The fees shall be deposited annually for the BA course. Here we have listed the total fees of IGNOU BA courses based on specialisations. Please note that the exam fees may be changed separately, based on per subject, which is decided by the university and notified around the exam cycles. You may check out the tuition fees for available subjects in Bachelor of Arts in IGNOU:
IGNOU is a central university, funded by the government of India. Therefore, learners enrolled in IGNOU courses have access to diverse scholarship programmes offered at the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Depending on your eligibility, you can apply for any of your desired scholarship schemes via NSP. Here are several popular IGNOU BA scholarship schemes that you may consider:
✅ Post Matric Scholarship For Students With Disabilities
✅ Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships For College And University Students
✅ National Fellowship And Scholarship For Higher Education Of ST Students - Scholarship (Formally Top Class Education For Schedule Tribe Students)
✅ Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme For Central Armed Police Forces And Assam Rifles
IGNOU believes in making quality education accessible for every learner with locational or financial constraints. It charges very low fees that can be paid even in one time. Therefore, it facilitates EMI options for some courses. You can confirm it during the time of your admission process.
IGNOU Bachelor of Arts syllabus is available in nearly 22 specialisations, including the general BA course. The syllabus and subjects in Bachelor of Arts in IGNOU shall significantly vary, depending on your chosen specialisation. However, each BA course at IGNOU includes discipline-specific majors, minor electives, value-added subjects, skills enhancement courses, and some vocational subjects. As IGNOU BA Hons English is one of the most popular courses among learners, we have listed the detailed syllabus for the same to provide you with a quick overview. Let us explore the IGNOU Bachelor of Arts syllabus:
Indira Gandhi National Open University is known for providing state-of-the-art academic support services for its faraway learners. It ensures both virtual and in-person interaction to foster hassle-free distance and online learning. Here are the top academic support services that you may avail throughout the IGNOU distance BA course:
✅ Connect with academic course counsellors at the IGNOU learner support centres.
✅ Meet with your peers and expand your network by visiting nearby learner support & study centres.
✅ Access to IGNOU e-content as well as physical libraries available at study centres.
✅ You may listen to audio or watch video lectures for self-paced and anytime learning.
✅ Self-learning printed material is provided via courier services.
IGNOU facilitates a dedicated evaluation system as part of the course assessments. Unlike many conventional institutions, IGNOU follows a multitier assessment or evaluation process. Here are the essentials of IGNOU BA assessments that you must know about:
✅ Self-assessment exercises are provided for each unit per subject.
✅ Continuous evaluation is primarily organised based on assignments.
✅ Practical assignments, workshops, seminars, and extended contact programmes are also considered for continuous evaluation.
✅ Final result is prepared based on term-end examinations & project work/practical.
IGNOU conducts term-end examinations twice a year for the distance BA course, at the end of every semester. The hall tickets are released on the official website of IGNOU, 7-10 days earlier than the commencement of exams. Check out the vital IGNOU BA exam details:
📝 Mode of Examination: IGNOU distance BA exams shall be conducted offline at the designated exam centres.
📝 Proctoring: Candidates appearing for the exam would be monitored by invigilators at the exam centre.
📝 Flexibility: The university decides the exam schedule, which is fixed and may not be changed.
📝 Location: Learners shall take the exam at their assigned exam centre. It is generally within your chosen regional centres’ division.
📝 Basic Requirements: (1) Carry the hall ticket to the exam centre.
(2) You must have a valid ID proof, such as Aadhar.
(3) Carry the basic stationery such as pen, pencil, & eraser.
Perhaps, IGNOU is one of the few open universities that facilitates dedicated placement support programmes. It provides you with an opportunity to meet with employers and test your potential. Here are the essentials of IGNOU BA placements and support services:
✅ IGNOU Campus Placement Cell organises placement drives throughout the year.
✅ Helps you connect with top and legitimate employers across different sectors.
✅ Allows you to expand networking with your peers and industry mentors in person.
✅ Encourages workshops for hands-on training to secure promising jobs.
The average salary of the IGNOU distance BA is not officially revealed by the university. However, upon securing decent placements, candidates may receive an average package of INR 2.7 LPA - INR 4 LPA after completing the BA course at IGNOU.
IGNOU has tie-ups with various government and non-government employers. The number of recruiters often varies for different placement drives organised by the IGNOU. Here are the top recruiters at IGNOU, based on past placement trends:
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