Admission Fee for BA in IGNOU and Samarth Registration
Part of IGNOU Programmes: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
IGNOU has not published total BA tuition fees or 1st year admission fee for BA in IGNOU as of 26 October 2026. Students pay a non-refundable registration fee during initial admission alongside prescribed programme fees on the Samarth portal.
Indira Gandhi National Open University, also known as IGNOU, offers Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes and standard Bachelor of Arts degrees for 2026 academic sessions. Recognized as the top open university by NIRF with NAAC A++ accreditation, IGNOU delivers distance learning across diverse humanities and social science disciplines through its national network of Regional Centres. This page outlines available BA courses, eligibility criteria, credit structures, assignment submission schedules, fee rules, and online application steps.
IGNOU BA courses list: available undergraduate degree options
IGNOU offers multiple Bachelor of Arts degree streams including discipline-specific options, vocational programmes, and Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes under National Education Policy guidelines. Students can enrol in languages, humanities, social sciences, or specialized vocational fields through open and distance learning.
IGNOU Bachelor of Arts (BA) Programmes on Offer
| Programme Code | Full Programme Name | Subject Stream |
|---|---|---|
| BAFHI | Bachelor of Arts (History) | History |
| BAFEC | Bachelor of Arts (Economics) | Economics |
| BAFPS | Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) | Political Science |
| BAFPA | Bachelor of Arts (Public Administration) | Public Administration |
| BAFSO | Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) | Sociology |
| BAFPY | Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) | Philosophy |
| BAFSK | Bachelor of Arts (Sanskrit) | Sanskrit |
| BAFUD | Bachelor of Arts (Urdu) | Urdu |
| BAFEG | Bachelor of Arts (English Major) | English Literature |
| BAFJDM | Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Digital Media) | Journalism & Digital Media |
| BAMSME | Bachelor of Arts (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) | MSME Management |
| BAFFSM | Bachelor of Arts (Facility and Services Management) | Facility Services |
| BAFVTM | Bachelor of Arts (Vocational Studies) Tourism Management | Tourism Management |
| BAFEDU | Bachelor of Arts (Education) | Education |
| BAFHSC | Bachelor of Arts (Home Science) | Home Science |
| BTMAPS | Bachelor of Arts (Applied Skills) Tourism Management for Agni | Tourism & Applied Skills |
Admission fee for BA in IGNOU: components and evaluation charges
IGNOU charges a non-refundable registration fee during initial admission alongside prescribed programme fees for undergraduate degrees. Additional evaluation charges apply when students submit practical examination forms or project reports for Term-End Examinations.
IGNOU has not published total BA tuition fee amounts or 1st year admission fee figures on its public portal as of 26 October 2026. Students pay a course change fee of Rs. 350 for 2 to 4 credit courses and Rs. 700 for 6 to 8 credit courses by Demand Draft within 30 days of receiving study materials.
- Non-refundable Registration Fee: Charged at the time of initial first-year admission.
- Scheme of Fee Support: Available for eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe category students.
- Elective Course Change Fee: Rs. 350/- for 2 or 4 credit courses; Rs. 700/- for 6 or 8 credit courses.
- Project Evaluation & Practical Exam Fees: Payable online while submitting the Term-End Examination form.
IGNOU BA admission eligibility: minimum academic requirements and rules
IGNOU BA admission requires candidates to pass 10+2 higher secondary examinations or an equivalent qualification recognized by official educational boards. The university enforces no upper age limit for candidate registration across its undergraduate distance learning programmes.
- Minimum Qualification: Successful completion of 10+2 higher secondary education or equivalent qualification.
- Prior Bachelor Degree Rules: Degrees obtained prior to 4 June 1986 are recognized at par with standard 3-year degrees for further studies.
- Age Limit: No upper age restriction for enrolling in IGNOU Bachelor of Arts degree programmes.
- PwD Duration Relaxation: Candidates with 40 percent or greater disability receive up to 2 extra years beyond the standard minimum course duration.
- Category Reservation: Seats are reserved for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), EWS, War Widows, Kashmiri Migrants, and PwD candidates as per Government of India rules.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU BA admission 2026 last date: session schedules and deadlines
IGNOU conducts admissions in two annual academic cycles, covering the July and January enrollment windows for undergraduate applicants. Candidates must monitor official admission portals to complete online registration before published session cutoff dates.
IGNOU has not published the specific BA admission last date for upcoming 2026 cycles on its website as of 26 October 2026. Candidates are evaluated for admission eligibility immediately after completing online form submission and uploading credentials.
IGNOU BA registration: required documents for online application
Candidates applying for IGNOU BA registration must upload scanned copies of educational and identity documents to the online portal. Verifiable certificates ensure accurate confirmation of admission and eligibility processing by Regional Centres.
- Scanned passport-style photograph and candidate signature.
- Educational qualification certificates including 10th and 10+2 mark sheets.
- Category certificate for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), or EWS candidates claiming fee support or reservation.
- Disability certificate for applicants claiming PwD duration relaxation (minimum 40 percent disability).
- Experience or NOC certificates where applicable for specialized stream admissions.
IGNOU BA registration process: step by step application
IGNOU processes all undergraduate BA admissions through the centralized Samarth online portal for distance learning students. Applicants complete registration by generating login credentials, entering academic details, uploading documents, and making digital fee payments.
- Open the official Samarth admission portal for open and distance learning programmes.
- Select new registration to create a unique username and password using a valid email address and mobile number.
- Log in to the application dashboard and choose your preferred Bachelor of Arts programme code and Regional Centre.
- Fill in candidate personal details, educational qualifications, and correspondence address accurately.
- Upload scanned copies of required certificates, photographs, signatures, and category documents in prescribed file formats.
- Pay the non-refundable registration fee and initial programme fee through available online payment gateways.
- Submit the completed application form and download the payment receipt along with the printed application preview.
IGNOU BA assignment submission: deadlines and evaluation guidelines
IGNOU BA students must complete Tutor Marked Assignments carrying 100 marks for each enrolled course prior to taking Term-End Examinations. Submitting written assignments at the assigned Learner Support Centre is mandatory for exam eligibility and final grade computation.
- Formatting: Use A4 size paper and write responses legibly in your own handwriting.
- First Page Details: Write Enrolment Number, Name, Full Address, Date, Course Title, Course Code, Assignment Code, and Study Centre Name.
- Submission Receipt: Obtain an official submission receipt from your Study Centre and keep a copy of your assignment response sheet.
IGNOU BA Assignment Submission Schedule
| Term-End Examination Cycle | Standard Submission Last Date |
|---|---|
| June Term-End Examination | 31st March (30th April for specific elective courses) |
| December Term-End Examination | 30th September (31st October for specific elective courses) |
IGNOU BA study material and student support: learning delivery systems
IGNOU delivers self-learning print materials and digital content backed by extensive audio-visual broadcasts and academic counseling. Distance learners access educational channels like Gyan Darshan, Gyan Vani, and SWAYAM Prabha alongside eGyanKosh digital repositories.
- Credit System: 1 credit represents 30 hours of total student study effort including reading, audio-video comprehension, and assignment writing.
- Learner Support Centres: Network of 2,000+ support centres coordinated by 69 Regional Centres pan-India.
- Digital Portals: Access electronic course content via eGyanKosh and the IGNOU e-Content mobile application.
- Grievance Resolution: Submit operational queries and issues on the official iGRAM grievance portal or IGNOU Student Portal.
Where to go on the IGNOU site
- register online for IGNOU BA admissionsamarth.edu.in ↗
- check official IGNOU admissions portal noticesignou.ac.in ↗
- submit student grievances on iGRAM portaligram.ignou.ac.in ↗
- log into IGNOU Samarth student portalignou.samarth.edu.in ↗
Key facts
- University Name: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
- Programme Level: Undergraduate (Bachelor of Arts)
- Minimum Duration: 3 Years
- Eligibility: 10+2 or Equivalent Qualification
- NAAC Accreditation: A++ Grade
- Admission Portal: Samarth Admission Portal
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
- IGNOU Common Prospectus Admission Session July 2026 PDF — Common Prospectus with BA rules, reservation, and credit guidelines
- English — Four Year Under Graduate Programme (FYUG)/BAM) July 2024-Jan 2025) PDF — BA English Major DCE-01 assignment paper and instructions
- FEG-01/BEGF-101 PDF — Foundation Course in English FEG-01 assignment paper
Common IGNOU Questions
Is there an upper age limit for taking admission in IGNOU BA programmes?
IGNOU enforces no upper age limit for candidate registration across its undergraduate BA degree programmes. Applicants of any age can enroll provided they have successfully passed 10+2 higher secondary examinations or an equivalent qualification. Registration is completed online through the Samarth admission portal at samarth.edu.in by filling academic details and uploading required documents. If applicants encounter registration errors on the portal, they can lodge a grievance via the iGRAM portal.
Is an IGNOU Bachelor’s degree accepted for higher studies and master’s degree admission?
Yes, an IGNOU Bachelor’s degree of not less than three years duration is fully valid for higher studies and master’s degree admissions across recognized institutions. Degrees obtained from IGNOU prior to or after June 1986 are treated at par with standard three-year undergraduate degrees. Candidates can apply for higher education upon successfully earning required programme credits.
Is BA General program discontinued in IGNOU and what BA course options are available?
IGNOU offers restructured BA programmes under the Choice Based Credit System and Four-Year Undergraduate Programme framework alongside discipline-specific BA degrees. Students can enroll in BA streams such as History (BAFHI), Economics (BAFEC), Political Science (BAFPS), Sociology (BAFSO), English (BAFEG), Urdu (BAFUD), and Sanskrit (BAFSK). Applications for these options are submitted online via the Samarth portal.
What are the assignment submission last dates for IGNOU BA courses?
IGNOU sets the assignment submission last date as 31 March or 30 April for the June Term-End Examination cycle. For the December Term-End Examination cycle, the submission deadline is 30 September or 31 October depending on the course code. Students must submit handwritten Tutor Marked Assignments carrying 100 marks on A4 paper at their allotted Learner Support Centre to become eligible for exams. If submission fails before the deadline, candidates cannot sit for the term-end exam and should contact iGRAM.
How does IGNOU calculate credits for BA degree courses?
IGNOU calculates academic effort using a Credit System where 1 credit equals 30 hours of total student study time. A standard 4-credit course involves 120 hours of reading, audio-video learning, counseling, and assignment writing. Candidates complete prescribed total credits through assignments, practicals, projects, and Term-End Examinations to earn their BA degree.
Can SC and ST candidates get fee support for IGNOU BA admission?
IGNOU offers a dedicated Scheme of Fee Support for eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students seeking admission to undergraduate BA programmes. Applicants claiming fee exemption must upload valid category certificates during online registration on the Samarth admission portal at samarth.edu.in. Eligible candidates receive fee concessions as per university guidelines notified in the Common Prospectus during the application process. If fee support fails to apply at checkout, candidates must contact their Regional Centre or raise a query on iGRAM.
What happens if I need to change an elective course in IGNOU BA?
Students can request a change of elective or course within 30 days of receiving their first set of study material from the Regional Centre. The fee for changing a 2 or 4 credit course is Rs. 350, while changing a 6 or 8 credit course costs Rs. 700. Payment must be made through a Demand Draft payable to IGNOU at the concerned Regional Centre.
Are IGNOU BA degrees recognized by employers and government bodies?
IGNOU BA degrees are fully recognized for employment, government examinations, and higher education across India. Established by an Act of Parliament in 1985, IGNOU holds NAAC A++ accreditation and is ranked as the top open university by NIRF. Candidates complete online registration via the Samarth portal at samarth.edu.in and satisfy prescribed course credits through assignments and Term-End Examinations to earn their accredited degree. If recognition verification issues arise with prospective employers, students can request official clarification through iGRAM.
How do candidates apply online for IGNOU BA registration on the Samarth portal?
Candidates apply for IGNOU BA admission by visiting the official Samarth portal at samarth.edu.in to complete online registration. Applicants select new registration using a valid email and mobile number, then choose their desired BA programme code such as BAFHI or BAFEC. After entering academic details and uploading scanned photographs, signatures, and 10+2 certificates, candidates pay the non-refundable registration fee online. If payment errors occur during submission, applicants can raise a support ticket on the iGRAM portal.
What duration relaxation is available for PwD candidates in IGNOU BA courses?
Learners with a disability of 40 percent or more receive 2 additional years beyond the standard minimum duration for IGNOU BA programmes. Candidates must upload a valid disability certificate during online registration on the Samarth portal at samarth.edu.in to claim this extension. The standard minimum duration for completing an undergraduate BA degree is 3 years through open and distance learning mode. If duration relaxation is not updated in student records, candidates should submit a grievance on iGRAM.
What evaluation fees apply when taking IGNOU BA practical exams or project work?
IGNOU requires students to pay separate Practical Examination Fees and Project Evaluation Fees when submitting their Term-End Examination form online. Introduced in January 2023, these fees must be submitted alongside the exam form before appearing for practicals or submitting project reports. Students must present the online practical fee payment receipt at their exam centre and enclose the project receipt with their submitted report. If payment processing fails, learners can seek help through the iGRAM portal.
What documents are required for IGNOU BA online registration?
Candidates applying for IGNOU BA online registration must upload scanned copies of several documents to the Samarth portal. These include a passport-style photograph, candidate signature, and educational qualification certificates like 10th and 10+2 mark sheets. Additionally, category certificates for SC, ST, OBC, or EWS, and disability certificates for PwD applicants, are required if claiming benefits. If document upload issues occur, students can lodge a grievance via the iGRAM portal.
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