IGNOU MA History (MAH) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
The IGNOU MA History is a two-year Master of Arts programme with a fee of Rs. 8,200 per year for the July 2026 session. Any candidate with a Bachelor's Degree or a higher degree from a recognised university is eligible to apply.
| Detail | MA History (MAH) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | MAHI |
| School | School of Social Sciences (SOSS) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University. |
| Medium | English & Hindi |
| Duration | 2 years minimum, 4 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 8,200 /- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 16,400 (Rs. 8,200 x 2 years) |
| Total credits | 80 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU MA History (MAH): what the programme covers
The IGNOU MA History programme code is MAHI. This Master of Arts (History) programme is offered by the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) and has a total of 80 credits. The programme is divided into four semesters, with each semester carrying 20 credits.
The curriculum moves away from traditional period-based history, focusing instead on themes like social, economic, and political developments in Indian history from the earliest times to post-independence. This approach helps students understand continuity and change comparatively. Elective courses offer interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives.
The first year covers foundational courses. The First Semester includes MHI 101 Ancient and Medieval Societies (6 credits), MHI 104 Political Structures in India through the Ages (8 credits), and MHI 105 History of Indian Economy-1: From Earliest Times to C.1700 (6 credits). The Second Semester features MHI 102 Modern World (6 credits), MHI 106 Social Structures in India through the Ages (8 credits), and MHI 107 History of Indian Economy-2: C.1700 to 2000 (6 credits).
The second year includes advanced and elective courses. The Third Semester comprises MHI 103 Historiography and Research Methods (8 credits), MHI 109 Indian National Movement (8 credits), MPSE 004 Social and Political Thought in Modern India (4 credits), and MGP 004 Gandhi’s Political Thought (4 credits). The Fourth Semester includes MHI 108 Environmental Histories of the Indian Subcontinent (8 credits), MHI 110 Urbanization in India-1 (6 credits), and MHI 111 Urbanization in India-2 (6 credits).
IGNOU MA History (MAH) eligibility: who can apply
To apply for the IGNOU MA History programme, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University. This is the sole eligibility criterion for admission to the Master of Arts (History) (MAHI) programme offered by the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) at IGNOU. The programme is available in both English and Hindi mediums.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU MA History (MAH) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
The IGNOU MA History programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 8,200 per year. The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration is Rs. 16,400. This amount excludes additional charges such as registration and development fees.
At the time of admission, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are also payable for the July 2026 session. These are besides the annual programme fee. Applicants can pay these fees online via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway on the ODL admission portal.
Learners who choose the digital material option instead of printed self-instructional study material receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. The self-learning material for over 3923 courses is available on the eGyanKosh repository.
MA History (MAH) fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 8,200 /- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 16,400 (Rs. 8,200 x 2 years) |
| Registration fee (once, non-refundable) | Rs. 300 |
| University Development fee (once) | Rs. 400 |
| Term-end exam fee | Rs. 200 per theory course |
Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU MA History (MAH) duration and credits
The IGNOU MA History programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. Learners must complete all requirements within this 4-year period to earn the degree.
The total credits for the IGNOU MA History programme are 80. These credits are distributed across four semesters:
- I Year (First Semester): 20 credits
- I Year (Second Semester): 20 credits
- II Year (Third Semester): 24 credits
- II Year (Fourth Semester): 20 credits
IGNOU MA History (MAH) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU MA History programme is a two-year, 80-credit course structured into four semesters. Each semester carries 20 credits, except for the third semester which has 24 credits. The programme moves away from conventional period-based history teaching, focusing instead on thematic developments in Indian history from ancient times to post-independence.
The first year of the IGNOU MA History programme covers foundational topics. In the first semester, students study MHI 101 Ancient and Medieval Societies (6 credits), MHI 104 Political Structures in India through the Ages (8 credits), and MHI 105 History of Indian Economy-1: From Earliest Times to C.1700 (6 credits). The second semester includes MHI 102 Modern World (6 credits), MHI 106 Social Structures in India through the Ages (8 credits), and MHI 107 History of Indian Economy-2: C.1700 to 2000 (6 credits). MHI 106, for example, has study blocks covering topics from “Introduction” to “Social Questions Under Colonialism”.
The second year includes advanced and elective courses. The third semester comprises MHI 103 Historiography and Research Methods (8 credits), MHI 109 Indian National Movement (8 credits), MPSE 004 Social and Political Thought in Modern India (4 credits), and MGP 004 Gandhi’s Political Thought (4 credits). MGP 004 explores themes like “Gandhi on State and Nation” and “Political Ideologies”. The fourth semester offers MHI 108 Environmental Histories of the Indian Subcontinent (8 credits), MHI 110 Urbanization in India-1 (6 credits), and MHI 111 Urbanization in India-2 (6 credits). MHI 108 includes study blocks on “Writing Environmental History” and “Provincialising the Anthropocene”. MHI 110 covers topics such as “The Earliest Cities in the Subcontinent” and “Patterns of Early Medieval Urbanisation”.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Name | Credits | Type | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | MHI 101 | Ancient and Medieval Societies | 6 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Semester | MHI 104 | Political Structures in India through the Ages | 8 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Semester | MHI 105 | History of Indian Economy-1: From Earliest Times to C.1700 | 6 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Semester | MHI 102 | Modern World | 6 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Semester | MHI 106 | Social Structures in India through the Ages | 8 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Semester | MHI 107 | History of Indian Economy-2: C.1700 to 2000 | 6 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Semester | MHI 103 | Historiography and Research Methods | 8 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Semester | MHI 109 | Indian National Movement | 8 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Semester | MPSE 004 | Social and Political Thought in Modern India | 4 | Theory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Semester | MGP 004 | Gandhi’s Political Thought | 4 | Theory
MA History (MAH) structure at a glance
MA History (MAH) 1st semester
MA History (MAH) 2nd semester
MA History (MAH) 3rd semester
MA History (MAH) 4th semester
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme. IGNOU MA History (MAH) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portalThe IGNOU MA History admission process for 2026 is fully online through the Samarth portal. There are two admission cycles each year: January and July. The current cycle open on the ODL admission portal is July 2026. To apply for the IGNOU MA History programme, follow these steps:
No printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre. A Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University is required for eligibility. IGNOU MA History (MAH) exams and assignmentsIGNOU’s Master of Arts (History) (MAHI) programme requires students to complete assignments and term-end examinations. Assignments are compulsory for all courses. Learners must submit their assignment responses before taking the Term-End Examination for July 2026. Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre. Assignments for the current session are available for download from the university website. If an assignment is failed, it must be re-submitted. Once an assignment is passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade. Term-end examinations are held twice a year, in June and December, at examination centres across India and abroad. There are two sessions daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM, as seen in the December 2026 TEE schedule. The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course (December 2026 TEE). For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post. Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes (December 2026 TEE). The University provides numerical marks and division (I, II or Pass) for master’s degrees upon request. A copy of an answer script costs Rs. 100 per course (January 2026). Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible. Students who fall short of 2% marks for a 2nd or 1st division may improve their grade with one opportunity (January 2026). An early declaration of result costs Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, provided there is proof of selection for a post or further studies (January 2026). Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card. Notices and Documents from IGNOUCommon IGNOU QuestionsWhat is the total fee for the IGNOU MA History programme?The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration of IGNOU MA History is Rs. 16,400. This amount covers the programme fee for both years, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus, but excludes registration, development, and examination fees. What is the annual fee for the IGNOU MA History programme?The annual programme fee for IGNOU MA History is Rs. 8,200. This fee is payable per year, according to the July 2026 prospectus, and does not include additional charges like registration or examination fees. What are the eligibility criteria for admission to IGNOU MA History?To be eligible for the IGNOU MA History programme, an applicant must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University. The programme is open to graduates from any discipline. How many credits are in each semester of the IGNOU MA History programme?Each semester of the IGNOU MA History programme consists of 20 credits. The programme is divided into four semesters, with a total of 80 credits for the entire two-year duration. Which semester has the most credits in the IGNOU MA History programme?The Second Year (Third Semester) of the IGNOU MA History programme has the most credits, totaling 24. This semester includes courses like MHI 103 Historiography and Research Methods and MHI 109 Indian National Movement, each carrying 8 credits. Can I choose to receive digital study materials instead of printed books?Yes, learners can opt for soft copies of study materials instead of printed books. Choosing this option provides a 15% discount on the programme fee, as per the July 2026 prospectus. Are there any courses in the MA History programme that are shared with other IGNOU programmes?Yes, the Second Year (Third Semester) includes courses like MPSE 004 Social and Political Thought in Modern India and MGP 004 Gandhi’s Political Thought. How many study blocks are there for MHI 106 Social Structures in India through the Ages?MHI 106 Social Structures in India through the Ages has 8 study blocks available on eGyanKosh. These blocks cover topics ranging from an introduction to cultures in transition, through early historic and medieval societies, to modern society and social questions under colonialism. What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete the IGNOU MA History programme?The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU MA History programme is 2 years. Learners have a maximum of 4 years to complete all requirements for the degree. |