IGNOU MSc Chemistry 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission

Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees

IGNOU MSc Chemistry: what the programme covers

The IGNOU MSc Chemistry programme provides a strong foundation in fundamental and advanced aspects of chemistry. It is designed for students with a BSc or BSc (Hons./Major) in Chemistry who seek job prospects in teaching, research, industry, and R&D labs. The programme totals 80 credits.

The First Semester includes MCH 011 Inorganic Chemistry – I, MCH 012 Organic Chemistry – I, and MCH 013 General Physical Chemistry, each worth 4 credits. Learners must choose between MCH 014 Mathematics for Chemists (2 credits) or MCH 015 Biology for Chemists (2 credits) based on their 10+2 level studies. The First Semester also includes three lab courses: MCHL 011, MCHL 012, and MCHL 013, each worth 2 credits, for a total of 22 credits. The Second Semester includes MCH 016 Inorganic Chemistry – II, MCH 017 Organic Chemistry – II, and MCH 018 Quantum Chemistry and group theory, each worth 4 credits, along with MCH 019 Green Chemistry (2 credits) and three lab courses (MCHL 014, MCHL 015, MCHL 016), each worth 2 credits, for a total of 20 credits.

The Third Semester includes MCH 020 Atomic and Molecular spectroscopy, MCH 021 Chemistry of Materials, and MCH 022 Separation and Spectroscopic Methods, each worth 4 credits. It also includes MCHL 017 Separation and Spectroscopic Methods Lab (2 credits), MCH 023 Environmental Chemistry (4 credits), and MCHL 018 Environmental Chemistry Lab (2 credits), totalling 20 credits. The Fourth Semester includes MCH 024 Introduction to research (2 credits) and MCH 025 Electroanalytical and Other analytical methods (4 credits), along with MCHL 019 Electroanalytical and Other analytical methods Lab (2 credits). Learners must also choose one 4-credit elective from options such as MCHE 011 Applications of spectroscopy to Inorganic & Bioinorganic molecules, MCHE 012 Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds, MCHE 013 Supramolecular Chemistry, MCHE 014 Primary and Secondary Metabolites, or MCHE 015 Advanced Kinetics and Electrochemistry. The Fourth Semester totals 28 credits.

IGNOU MSc Chemistry eligibility: who can apply

To apply for the IGNOU MSc Chemistry programme, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree. This degree must be a B.Sc. (Major/Honours) in Chemistry from a recognised university. Alternatively, a B.Sc. degree (or equivalent) from a recognised university is acceptable if Chemistry was one of three science subjects with equal weightage. Graduates from an Open University need a B.Sc. Degree with a minimum of 20 Credits of Chemistry courses. The medium of instruction for the IGNOU MSc Chemistry programme is English.

Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.

IGNOU MSc Chemistry fees 2026: programme fee and other charges

The IGNOU MSc Chemistry programme fee is Rs. 20,400 per year for the July 2026 session. The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration is Rs. 40,800, excluding additional charges. This amount covers the cost of printed self-instructional study material provided as a print book or e-book.

Learners who opt for soft copies of study material instead of printed versions receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. All self-learning material for over 3923 courses across 384 programmes is available on the eGyanKosh repository.

Plus the programme fee, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are payable at the time of admission for the July 2026 session. These charges are separate from the annual programme fee.

MSc Chemistry fees, July 2026 session

Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.

IGNOU MSc Chemistry duration and credits

The IGNOU MSc Chemistry programme has a minimum duration of 2 years. Learners can complete the programme over a maximum duration of 4 years.

The total credits for the IGNOU MSc Chemistry programme are 80. These credits are distributed across four semesters:

• I Year (First Semester): 22 credits
• I Year (Second Semester): 20 credits
• II Year (Third Semester): 20 credits
• II Year (Fourth Semester): 28 credits

IGNOU MSc Chemistry syllabus: semester-wise courses

The IGNOU MSc Chemistry programme requires completion of 80 credits. Learners complete 22 credits in the first semester of the first year. This includes MCH 011 Inorganic Chemistry – I, MCH 012 Organic Chemistry – I, and MCH 013 General Physical Chemistry, each worth 4 credits.

The first year, first semester also includes a choice between MCH 014 Mathematics for Chemists and MCH 015 Biology for Chemists, both 2-credit theory courses. Learners who studied biology at the 10+2 level must opt for MCH 014. Those who studied mathematics at the 10+2 level must opt for MCH 015. In addition, three lab courses, MCHL 011, MCHL 012, and MCHL 013, each carry 2 credits.

The second semester of the first year has a total of 20 credits. This includes MCH 016 Inorganic Chemistry – II, MCH 017 Organic Chemistry – II, and MCH 018 Quantum Chemistry and group theory, each worth 4 credits. MCH 019 Green Chemistry is a 2-credit theory course. Three lab courses, MCHL 014, MCHL 015, and MCHL 016, each contribute 2 credits.

The second year, third semester, comprises 20 credits. Core courses include MCH 020 Atomic and Molecular spectroscopy, MCH 021 Chemistry of Materials, and MCH 022 Separation and Spectroscopic Methods, each worth 4 credits. MCH 023 Environmental Chemistry is also a 4-credit theory course. Lab components include MCHL 017 Separation and Spectroscopic Methods Lab and MCHL 018 Environmental Chemistry Lab, each worth 2 credits.

The final semester, the fourth semester of the second year, accounts for 28 credits. It includes MCH 024 Introduction to research (2 credits) and MCH 025 Electroanalytical and Other analytical methods (4 credits). MCHL 019 Electroanalytical and Other analytical methods Lab is a 2-credit course. Learners choose from five elective courses, each worth 4 credits: MCHE 011 Applications of spectroscopy to Inorganic & Bioinorganic molecules, MCHE 012 Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds, MCHE 013 Supramolecular Chemistry, MCHE 014 Primary and Secondary Metabolites, or MCHE 015 Advanced Kinetics and Electrochemistry.

MSc Chemistry structure at a glance

MSc Chemistry 1st semester

MSc Chemistry 2nd semester

MSc Chemistry 3rd semester

MSc Chemistry 4th semester

Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.

IGNOU MSc Chemistry admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal

The IGNOU MSc Chemistry admission process for the July 2026 cycle is fully online through the Samarth portal. Applicants do not need to send any printed forms to a Regional Centre.

To apply for IGNOU MSc Chemistry admission in the July 2026 cycle, follow these steps:

1. Visit the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
2. Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application.
3. Ensure you have a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
4. Prepare a soft copy of your relevant educational qualification, under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
5. If applicable, have a soft copy of your category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) ready, under 200 KB.
6. Complete the online application form.
7. Pay the fees using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.

The programme fee for IGNOU MSc Chemistry is Rs. 20,400 per year for the July 2026 session. Along with the programme fee, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are paid at admission. IGNOU conducts admissions for the MSc Chemistry programme twice a year, in the January and July cycles. The current admission cycle open on the ODL admission portal is July 2026.

IGNOU MSc Chemistry exams and assignments

Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU MSc Chemistry programme. Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). Assignments for the current session are available for download from the University website (July 2026). A failed assignment must be re-submitted; once passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.

Term-end examinations are held twice a year, in June and December (July 2026), at examination centres across the country and abroad (July 2026). There are two daily exam sessions: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM (December 2026 TEE). Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes (December 2026 TEE).

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 (from January 2023 admission cycle). Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post (July 2026).

Learners can request numerical marks and division (I, II or Pass) for their degree (July 2026). A copy of the 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 only (January 2026). An early declaration of result costs Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, with 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 IGNOU

• IGNOU Common Prospectus July 2026

Common IGNOU Questions