IGNOU MCA Admission 2026: Eligibility, Fee Structure and Online Steps
Part of IGNOU Programmes: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
IGNOU MCA admission for July 2026 and January 2027 sessions is processed online through the official Samarth portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. Applicants with a recognized 3-year Bachelor’s degree can apply for the 6-semester distance or online programme.
Indira Gandhi National Open University, also known as IGNOU, offers the Master of Computer Applications (MCA) programme through the School of Computer and Information Sciences. The programme spans 6 semesters and requires completion of theory, practicals, assignments, and a mandatory 6th semester project work. Candidates apply online through the official Samarth portals for distance and online learning modes. This page outlines eligibility criteria, duration rules, fee schedules, project guidelines, and online application steps for the 2026 academic sessions.
IGNOU MCA Programme: 6 Semester Duration and Study Structure
The IGNOU Master of Computer Applications (MCA) programme extends over 6 semesters under the School of Computer and Information Sciences. Learners spend their final 6th semester completing the MCSP-060 software development project work.
Every credit in the programme requires 30 hours of total student study effort. A 4-credit course involves 120 hours of comprehensive learning through print material, audio-video tools, and academic counselling.
IGNOU MCA Programme Duration and Course Credit Structure
| Programme Component | Specification | Academic Details |
|---|---|---|
| Programme Name | Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | Offered by SOCIS |
| Minimum Duration | 6 Semesters | Final semester dedicated to project work |
| Credit Standard | 1 Credit = 30 Study Hours | 4-credit course equals 120 hours |
| Evaluation System | TMA, Practical, Project & TEE | Compulsory pass in all components |
IGNOU MCA Eligibility Criteria: Recognized Degree and UGC Rules
Candidates seeking admission to the IGNOU MCA programme must hold a recognized Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3-year duration. Degrees obtained prior to 04 June 1986 are treated at par with 3-year degrees.
Master’s degrees obtained without a 3-year undergraduate degree are invalid for IGNOU admissions, except 5-year integrated degrees. Off-campus private university degrees require specific UGC approval.
- Bachelor’s degree of 3-year duration from a recognized university or institution.
- First degree completed prior to 04 June 1986 recognized without additional bridge courses.
- Two-year Bachelor’s degree completed up to 1998-99 valid only with a completed 1-year UGC bridge course.
- Degrees from off-campus private university centers invalid without explicit UGC approval.
IGNOU MCA Fee Structure: Resubmission and Course Change Fees
IGNOU charges a non-refundable registration fee during initial admission for the July 2026 academic session. IGNOU has not published the total 2026 MCA programme fee on its site as of 26 October 2026.
Failed candidates resubmitting an MCA project report must pay a pro-rata fee of Rs. 2,500 by Demand Draft. Changing a Master’s course costs Rs. 600 for 2/4 credits and Rs. 1,200 for 6/8 credits.
IGNOU Master’s Fee Rules and Special Charges for July 2026 Session
| Fee Component | Amount / Charge | Payment Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | Non-refundable | Paid during initial admission form submission |
| Project Resubmission Fee | Rs. 2,500 | Pro-rata fee via Demand Draft for failed MCA projects |
| Course Change (2/4 Credits) | Rs. 600 | Within 30 days of receiving first study material |
| Course Change (6/8 Credits) | Rs. 1,200 | Within 30 days of receiving first study material |
IGNOU student services
IGNOU MCA Project MCSP-060: Proposal Calendar Rules
MCA students become eligible to submit project proposals after entering the 5th semester of the programme. Project proposal approval is mandatory before starting software development work for MCSP-060.
Project guides must hold a Ph.D. or M.Tech in Computer Science with 1 year experience, or B.E./B.Tech/MCA/M.Sc with 2 years experience. A guide cannot supervise more than 5 IGNOU MCA students concurrently.
IGNOU MCA MCSP-060 Project Submission Schedule and Guidelines
| Activity Phase | Submission Window | Evaluation / Result Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Proposal Submission Slot 1 | 01 April to 30 June | Approved within 30 days of receipt |
| Proposal Submission Slot 2 | 01 October to 31 December | Approved within 30 days of receipt |
| Report Submission (Slot 1 Approved) | 01 July to 30 September | Viva conducted in November or January |
| Report Submission (Slot 2 Approved) | 01 January to 31 March | Viva conducted in May or July |
IGNOU MCA Project Viva Schedule: September 2026 Online Event
IGNOU scheduled online project viva-voce examinations for MCA and MCA_NEW students from 05 September 2026 to 15 September 2026. The sessions evaluated project courses MCSP60 and MCSP232 for registered candidates.
Candidates joined designated Google Meet links at 10:45 AM on their batch dates to present their software project work. Evaluators assessed software development lifecycle adherence and practical implementation.
- Batch 10 viva-voce examination held on 05 September 2026 at 10:45 AM online.
- Batch 08 viva-voce examination conducted on 12 September 2026 at 10:45 AM online.
- Batch 09 viva-voce examination conducted on 15 September 2026 at 10:45 AM online.
- Courses evaluated: MCA MCSP60 and MCA_NEW MCSP232 project submissions.
IGNOU MCA Admission Steps: Samarth Portal Application Process
Candidates seeking admission to the MCA programme must register on the official IGNOU Samarth admission portal. Applicants submit scanned documents, select their study centre, and complete payment online.
IGNOU sends admission status updates to the registered mobile number and email ID upon form submission. Candidates must clear any flagged document discrepancies within the prescribed time window.
- Open the official portal at ignou.ac.in ↗ for ODL or ignouiop.samarth.edu.in ↗ for online mode.
- Click on new registration to create a user ID and password using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Log into the portal and fill in all personal, educational, and category details carefully.
- Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, Class 10 certificate, marksheets, and category documents.
- Pay the non-refundable registration and programme fee online using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
- Submit the online application form and save the confirmation receipt for future reference.
IGNOU MCA Next Steps: Application and Project Submission Action
Prospective candidates should complete their online registration on the Samarth portal before the announced session deadline. Enrolled 5th semester students must submit their MCSP-060 project proposal during the active window up to 31 December 2026.
Where to go on the IGNOU site
- register for IGNOU distance MCA admissionignou.ac.in ↗
- apply for IGNOU online MCA programmeignouiop.samarth.edu.in ↗
- view IGNOU online programme portaliop.ignouonline.ac.in ↗
- download IGNOU MCA assignment paperswebservices.ignou.ac.in ↗
- visit IGNOU School of Computer Sciencesignou.ac.in ↗
Key facts
- Programme Name: Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
- Academic School: School of Computer and Information Sciences (SOCIS)
- Programme Duration: 6 Semesters (3 Years)
- Project Resubmission Fee: Rs. 2,500 (Pro-rata)
- Course Change Fee (Master’s): Rs. 600 (2/4 credits) / Rs. 1,200 (6/8 credits)
- Admission Portal (ODL): ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
- Admission Portal (Online): ignouiop.samarth.edu.in
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
- IGNOU MCA New Course MCSP232 Viva Voce Schedule September 2026 PDF — September 2026 MCA project viva voce notification schedule
- IGNOU Common Prospectus Admission Session July 2026 PDF — IGNOU Common Prospectus July 2026 session guidelines
- 6th Semester:-MCSP-060 Project Guidelines PDF — IGNOU MCA MCSP-060 project guidelines and proforma
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the duration of the MCA programme at IGNOU?
The IGNOU Master of Computer Applications (MCA) programme spans a minimum duration of 6 semesters under the School of Computer and Information Sciences. Learners devote their final 6th semester to working on the mandatory MCSP-060 project. Students must complete all theory, practical, assignment, and project components to earn the degree.
What is the fee for resubmitting a failed MCA project in IGNOU?
Failed MCA students resubmitting their MCSP-060 project report must pay a pro-rata fee of Rs. 2,500. The fee must be remitted through a Demand Draft drawn in favour of IGNOU, payable at the city of the student’s Regional Centre. Students must submit this draft along with their revised project proposal and report during official calendar slots.
Who is eligible to an IGNOU MCA project?
An IGNOU MCA project guide must hold a Ph.D. or M.Tech in Computer Science with at least 1 year of experience. Alternatively, a person with a B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, MCA, or M.Sc in Computer Science with minimum 2 years of software development experience qualifies. A guide cannot supervise more than 5 IGNOU MCA students at any given point.
What is the fee for changing a Master’s degree course in IGNOU?
IGNOU charges Rs. 600 for changing a 2/4 credit course and Rs. 1,200 for changing a 6/8 credit course in Master’s degree programmes. Students must submit their change request along with a Demand Draft payable to IGNOU at their Regional Centre within 30 days of receiving their first study material dispatch.
How can candidates apply online for IGNOU MCA admission for 2026?
Candidates apply online for IGNOU MCA admission by registering on ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in for ODL mode or ignouiop.samarth.edu.in for online mode. Applicants must create a user ID, enter educational details, upload self-attested scanned marksheets, and pay a non-refundable registration fee via net banking, card, or UPI. Confirmation details are dispatched to the registered email and mobile number. Incomplete applications or forms containing incorrect details are summarily rejected by IGNOU without prior intimation to the applicant.
What are the proposal submission dates for the IGNOU MCA MCSP-060 project?
IGNOU accepts MCA MCSP-060 project proposals twice a year from 01 April to 30 June and from 01 October to 31 December. Students become eligible to submit proposals upon entering their 5th semester of the MCA programme. Completed proposals with guide bio-data must be mailed to the concerned Regional Director superscripted as “MCA Project Proposal (MCSP-060)”. Evaluators communicate approval status within 30 days, after which approved candidates submit final reports during designated calendar windows.
What are the degree eligibility criteria for IGNOU MCA admission?
Candidates seeking IGNOU MCA admission must possess a recognized Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years duration from a university. First-degree qualifications completed prior to 04 June 1986 are recognized as equivalent to a 3-year degree without additional bridge courses. Master’s degrees awarded without a 3-year undergraduate degree are invalid, except 5-year integrated degrees. Off-campus private university degrees require explicit UGC approval to qualify for admission.
When are final report submissions and viva-voce held for IGNOU MCA projects?
IGNOU schedules final MCSP-060 project report submissions from 01 July to 30 September for proposals approved in the April-June slot. Students submitting during this window attend their project viva-voce examination online in November or January. Proposals approved during October-December require report submission from 01 January to 31 March, with viva conducted in May or July. Candidates join designated online video sessions at 10:45 AM on assigned batch dates.
What extended duration is allowed for IGNOU students with disabilities?
IGNOU provides an additional 2 years beyond the standard maximum programme duration for learners with disabilities. This relaxation applies to candidates possessing a disability of 40% or more across all degree and diploma programmes. Applicants must submit a valid self-attested PwD certificate while filling out the online admission form on the Samarth portal. Submitting forged category certificates results in immediate admission cancellation and legal action under Government rules.
What documents must candidates upload while filling out the IGNOU MCA online admission form?
Candidates must upload self-attested scanned copies of their photograph, signature, photo ID proof, Class 10 certificate, qualifying marksheets, and category or PwBD certificates if applicable. Applicants submit these digital documents on ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in for ODL mode or ignouiop.samarth.edu.in for online mode during the July 2026 cycle. Incomplete applications or forms containing unclear documents and incorrect options are summarily rejected by IGNOU without prior intimation. If an application gets rejected, candidates must submit a fresh form during the next open session.
Where should IGNOU MCA students submit their MCSP-060 project proposal?
IGNOU MCA students must submit their completed MCSP-060 project proposal directly to the Regional Director of their concerned Regional Centre. The submission envelope must be clearly superscripted with “MCA Project Proposal (MCSP-060)” and include the proforma alongside the signed guide bio-data. Proposals must never be sent to the School of Computer and Information Sciences (SOCIS) at IGNOU headquarters in New Delhi under any circumstances. Evaluators convey the approval status within 30 days of receipt before final report preparation can begin.
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