IGNOU Distance BA Admission 2026: Courses, Fees and Assignments
Part of IGNOU Programmes: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
Indira Gandhi National Open University, also known as IGNOU, offers distance Bachelor of Arts programmes under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme structure. Distance BA candidates enrolled for the December 2026 term-end examinations or applying for fresh admission can access course details, fee schedules, eligibility requirements, and assignment submission deadlines through official portals.
IGNOU BA Admission 2026: Programme Options under FYUP
Indira Gandhi National Open University provides distance Bachelor of Arts degrees restructured under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme framework. Candidates seeking BA admission in IGNOU can choose from general and specialised discipline tracks.
IGNOU Distance BA Programmes under FYUP Architecture
| Programme Name | Programme Code | Duration | Discipline Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | BAM | 4 Years | Multi-disciplinary BA |
| Bachelor of Arts (Sanskrit) | BAFSK | 4 Years | Sanskrit Major |
| Bachelor of Arts (Urdu) | BAFUD | 4 Years | Urdu Major |
| Bachelor of Arts (History) | BAFHI | 4 Years | History Major |
| Bachelor of Arts (Economics) | BAFEC | 4 Years | Economics Major |
| Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) | BAFPY | 4 Years | Philosophy Major |
| Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) | BAFPS | 4 Years | Political Science Major |
| Bachelor of Arts (Public Administration) | BAFPA | 4 Years | Public Administration Major |
| Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) | BAFSO | 4 Years | Sociology Major |
| Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Digital Media) | BAFJDM | 4 Years | Journalism & Digital Media |
| Bachelor of Arts (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) | BAMSME | 4 Years | MSME Management |
| Bachelor of Performing Arts–Hindustani Music | BPAFHM | 4 Years | Hindustani Music Major |
IGNOU BA Admission Fees 2026: Course Charges and Change Fees
Indira Gandhi National Open University levies a non-refundable registration fee alongside first-year programme fees during admission. Additional charges apply if a candidate requests a change of elective courses or practical evaluations.
IGNOU Fee Schedule for BA Candidates
| Fee Component | Amount / Charge | Applicability Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | Non-refundable rate | Mandatory at first admission along with programme fee |
| Course Change (2 or 4 Credits) | Rs. 350 | Payable within 30 days of receiving first material dispatch |
| Course Change (6 or 8 Credits) | Rs. 700 | Payable within 30 days of receiving first material dispatch |
| Project Evaluation Fee | Prescribed slab rate | Submitted with TEE exam form for project components |
IGNOU BA Eligibility Criteria 2026: Academic Rules and Duration
Candidates applying for distance BA admission in IGNOU must meet established academic criteria for undergraduate enrolment. Official rules standardise degree duration and recognize qualifying educational qualifications.
- A Bachelor’s degree qualification at IGNOU refers to a programme of not less than three years duration.
- First-degree courses completed prior to June 4, 1986, are valid for admission purposes without requiring a bridge course.
- Degrees earned by candidates enrolled up to June 1986 and completed later remain valid for admission.
- Learners with 40 percent or higher disability receive up to 2 additional years beyond the maximum prescribed duration.
- Reservation of seats for SC, ST, OBC non-creamy layer, EWS, War Widows, Kashmiri Migrants, and PwD candidates follows Government of India rules for merit-based admissions.
IGNOU student services
Admission in ba in ignou: Samarth portal
Candidates applying for admission in BA in IGNOU must complete online registration on the official Samarth admission portal. Candidates must enter personal, academic, and regional center details correctly.
- Open the official Samarth admission portal for IGNOU online registration.
- Click on new registration and generate login credentials using a valid email address and mobile number.
- Log into your account and fill in personal details, address, and category information.
- Select the Bachelor of Arts programme code such as Bachelor of Arts (BAM) or specialisation codes.
- Choose your preferred Regional Centre and Learner Support Centre.
- Upload scanned copies of required certificates, photographs, and signatures.
- Pay the non-refundable registration fee and programme fee using online payment modes.
- Submit the completed application form and print the confirmation receipt for future reference.
IGNOU BA Assignment Last Dates 2026: Submission Schedule and Marks
Every candidate enrolled in an IGNOU distance BA programme must submit Tutor Marked Assignments before appearing in term-end examinations. Assignments carry 100 marks and evaluate learner understanding.
IGNOU BA Assignment Submission Deadlines
| Examination Session | Course / Assignment Code | Submission Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| June Term-End Examination | FEG-01 / BEGF-101 | 31st March |
| June Term-End Examination | BULE-002 / BULE-006 | 30th April |
| June Term-End Examination | DCE 01 (July Session) | 31st March |
| December Term-End Examination | FEG-01 / BEGF-101 | 30th September |
| December Term-End Examination | BULE-002 / BULE-006 | 31st October |
| December Term-End Examination | DCE 01 (Jan Session) | 30th September |
IGNOU BA Credit System 2026: Study Hours and Learning Media
IGNOU operates on a credit system where one credit requires 30 hours of comprehensive student effort. Learning resources are delivered through printed modules, online materials, and audio-visual broadcasts.
- One academic credit equals 30 study hours, meaning a 4-credit course requires 120 hours of study.
- Study activities include reading print material, listening to audio, watching videos, attending counselling, and writing assignments.
- Audio-visual programmes run for 25 to 30 minutes and telecast on Doordarshan and Gyan Darshan.
- Curriculum-based audio materials broadcast across Gyan Vani FM stations and select All India Radio stations.
- Digital course materials are accessible via the eGyanKosh repository and IGNOU e-Content mobile application.
IGNOU BA Course Change Rules: Application Procedure and Fees
IGNOU allows admitted BA students to apply for elective course changes within a strict 30-day window after receiving study materials. Requests require submitting a Demand Draft payable to IGNOU.
- Verify that your study material was received less than 30 days ago.
- Calculate the fee: Rs. 350 for a 2 or 4 credit course, or Rs. 700 for a 6 or 8 credit course.
- Prepare a Demand Draft for the calculated amount drawn in favour of IGNOU payable at your Regional Centre city.
- Write an application requesting the course change, specifying the old course code and new course code.
- Submit the application and Demand Draft directly to the Regional Director at your assigned Regional Centre.
IGNOU BA Address Correction: Step-by-Step Update Method
Students needing address updates in university records must submit the printed proforma provided in their Programme Guide. Address changes are processed through the respective Regional Centre.
- Locate the printed address correction proforma inside the Programme Guide received with your first study material dispatch.
- Fill in your enrolment number, name, program code, and complete new postal address.
- Attach proof supporting your address change if required by your Regional Centre.
- Send the filled proforma to your concerned Regional Director.
- The Regional Centre updates the database and transmits corrected data to the Student Registration Division at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.
Where to go on the IGNOU site
- Register online for IGNOU BA admissionsamarth.edu.in ↗
- Log into IGNOU student portal for updatesignou.samarth.edu.in ↗
- Download BA assignment question paperswebservices.ignou.ac.in ↗
- Submit student grievances online on iGRAMigram.ignou.ac.in ↗
Key facts
- Main BA Programme Code: BAM
- Programme Duration: 4 Years (FYUP)
- 2/4 Credit Course Change Fee: Rs. 350
- 6/8 Credit Course Change Fee: Rs. 700
- Study Effort per Credit: 30 Hours
- June TEE Assignment Deadline: 31 March / 30 April
- December TEE Assignment Deadline: 30 September / 31 October
- Disability Extension Limit: Additional 2 Years
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
- IGNOU Common Prospectus Admission Session July 2026 PDF — Official IGNOU Common Prospectus detailing BA programme rules and fee structure
Common IGNOU Questions
Is BA General program discontinued in IGNOU and what are the available BA course options?
IGNOU offers Bachelor of Arts degrees under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme framework, including the Bachelor of Arts (BAM) code. Candidates can also enrol in specialised tracks such as Bachelor of Arts (History) (BAFHI), Bachelor of Arts (Economics) (BAFEC), Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) (BAFSO), and Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) (BAFPS). Applications are processed online via the Samarth admission portal.
What is the study hour requirement for IGNOU BA credits?
Each academic credit in an IGNOU BA course requires 30 hours of total student study effort. Consequently, a standard 4-credit course demands 120 hours of learning activities. These activities encompass reading print materials, listening to audio, watching videos, attending counselling sessions, and preparing assignment responses. Successful completion of a course involves assignments, practicals, projects, and term-end examinations.
How much is the fee to change an elective course in IGNOU BA?
Changing a 2 or 4 credit undergraduate course costs Rs. 350, while changing a 6 or 8 credit course costs Rs. 700. Requests must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the first batch of study materials. Payments must be made via Demand Draft drawn in favour of IGNOU payable at your Regional Centre.
What are the assignment submission deadlines for IGNOU BA examinations?
For June Term-End Examinations, assignments for FEG-01/BEGF-101 and DCE 01 (July Session) are due by 31st March, while BULE-002/BULE-006 assignments are due by 30th April. For December Term-End Examinations, deadlines are 30th September for FEG-01/BEGF-101 and DCE 01 (Jan Session), and 31st October for BULE-002/BULE-006. Submitting these 100-mark assignments to your Study Centre is compulsory to appear for the Term-End Examination.
Is there an extra time extension available for IGNOU students with disabilities?
Yes, IGNOU provides up to 2 additional years beyond the maximum prescribed program duration for learners with disabilities. This condition applies strictly to candidates who possess a valid benchmark disability of 40 percent or higher. Candidates must upload their official disability certificate on the Samarth admission portal at samarth.edu.in during the 2026 application process along with their registration form. If the extension is not updated in your student profile, submit an online grievance on iGRAM at igram.ignou.ac.in/ for correction.
How can an IGNOU BA student request an address change?
Students must fill out the printed address correction proforma provided in the Programme Guide sent with their study materials. The completed form should be submitted to the Regional Director at their concerned Regional Centre. The Regional Centre updates the student database and forwards details to the Student Registration Division in New Delhi.
What are the eligibility criteria for IGNOU BA admission?
Candidates applying for IGNOU BA admission must meet the established academic criteria for undergraduate enrolment. A Bachelor’s degree qualification at IGNOU refers to a programme of not less than three years duration. First-degree courses completed prior to June 4, 1986, are also considered valid for admission without requiring a bridge course.
What is the official online portal for IGNOU BA admission?
The official online portal for IGNOU BA admission and registration is samarth.edu.in. This portal applies to all fresh applicants choosing Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes like BAM, BAFHI, BAFEC, or BAFSO. Applicants for the 2026 admission cycle must create an account, select their BA major, upload scanned certificates, and pay the registration and first-year fees online. If you experience payment failures or login technical errors on the portal, raise an online support query immediately through iGRAM at igram.ignou.ac.in/.
When is the non-refundable registration fee paid for IGNOU BA admission?
The non-refundable registration fee for IGNOU BA admission is paid at the time of initial online application submission. This rule applies universally to all newly enrolling students during their first semester or first-year registration. For the 2026 academic sessions, candidates must pay this fee along with the first-year programme fee using online payment modes on the Samarth portal at samarth.edu.in. If your fee transaction fails or shows pending, verify your bank deduction and submit a ticket via iGRAM at igram.ignou.ac.in/.
How can I check my IGNOU BA admission application status?
You can check your IGNOU BA admission status by logging into the official student portal at ignou.samarth.edu.in/. This tracking facility applies to all applicants who have completed their registration and submitted their online application forms. Enter your generated enrolment number or login credentials created during the 2026 registration cycle to view real-time processing updates. If your admission status remains unconfirmed or delayed past the processing window, contact your assigned Regional Director or submit a query on igram.ignou.ac.in/.
What digital and broadcast learning support does IGNOU provide for BA students?
IGNOU BA students can access digital study materials online through the eGyanKosh repository and the IGNOU e-Content mobile app. These digital services apply to all distance learners seeking self-learning modules and supplementary resources. Audio-visual broadcasts featuring 25-to-30-minute videos air on Doordarshan and Gyan Darshan, while audio programmes stream over Gyan Vani FM stations. If you face difficulty downloading digital files or accessing links, log into the web-enabled academic support portal or submit a query on igram.ignou.ac.in/.
What are the project evaluation fee rules for IGNOU BA courses?
Students enrolled in IGNOU BA courses with project or practical components must pay a prescribed Project Evaluation Fee when filling out the term-end examination form. This requirement applies across all academic programmes featuring project or practical work introduced since January 2023. Candidates must attach the online fee payment receipt directly when submitting their project report or attending practical exams. If the fee receipt fails to generate after payment, log into igram.ignou.ac.in/ to resolve the issue.
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