IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) Syllabus 2026: Year-wise Subjects, Credits and Study Blocks
Part of IGNOU Syllabus: IGNOU Syllabus 2026: Programme-wise Course Structure
IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) syllabus structure: 2 years, 64 credits
The IGNOU MA Philosophy requires 64 credits for completion, spread across two years. Students complete 16 compulsory credits and 48 elective credits. The programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. The programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 8,200 per year, making the total fee for the minimum duration Rs. 16,400, excluding registration, development, and exam fees.
In the first year, students earn 40 credits, including the compulsory 8-credit course MPY 1 Indian Philosophy. They choose six elective courses, each worth 4 credits, from a list that includes MPYE 1 Logic and MPYE 6 Dalit Philosophy. Students select six 4-credit electives from options like MPYE 8 Metaphysics and MPYE 15 Gandhian Philosophy, and can also choose MPYP 1 Dissertation, which is worth 4 credits.
MA Philosophy (MAPY) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 9 courses | 40 |
| 2nd year | 11 courses | 48 |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) 1st year subjects: Indian Philosophy, Logic, Ethics, Epistemology
The first year of the IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) programme includes one compulsory course and several elective options. MPY 1 Indian Philosophy is an 8-credit compulsory course. This is the heaviest course in the first year by credit weight. Students must choose six elective courses from a list that includes MPYE 1 Logic, MPYE 2 Ethics, and MPYE 3 Epistemology.
The elective courses also include MPYE 4 Philosophy of Human Person, MPYE 5 World Religions, MPYE 6 Dalit Philosophy, MPYE 7 Research Methodology in Philosophy, and MGP 5 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution. Each elective course carries 4 credits.
IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) 1st year: courses and credits
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPY 1 | Indian Philosophy | 8 | Compulsory Course |
| MPYE 1 | Logic | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 2 | Ethics | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 3 | Epistemology | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 4 | Philosophy of Human Person | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 5 | World Religions | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 6 | Dalit Philosophy | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 7 | Research Methodology in Philosophy | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MGP 5 | Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) 2nd year subjects: Western Philosophy, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Science and Cosmology
The second year of the IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) programme includes one compulsory course and a selection of elective courses. MPY 2 Western Philosophy is the compulsory course, carrying 8 credits. This course is the heaviest by credit weight in the second year.
Elective options cover diverse areas such as MPYE 8 Metaphysics, MPYE 9 Philosophy of Science and Cosmology, and MPYE 10 Philosophy of Religion. Other choices include MPYE 11 Philosophy of Art (Aesthetics), MPYE 12 Tribal Philosophy, and MPYE 13 Philosophy of Technology. Students can also select MPYE 14 Philosophy of Mind, MPYE 15 Gandhian Philosophy, MPYE 16 Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo, or MPYP 1 Dissertation. The dissertation offers a project-based learning experience, carrying 4 credits.
IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) 2nd year: courses and credits
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPY 2 | Western Philosophy | 8 | Compulsory Courses |
| MPYE 8 | Metaphysics | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 9 | Philosophy of Science and Cosmology | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 10 | Philosophy of Religion | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 11 | Philosophy of Art (Aesthetics) | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 12 | Tribal Philosophy | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 13 | Philosophy of Technology | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 14 | Philosophy of Mind | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 15 | Gandhian Philosophy | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYE 16 | Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
| MPYP 1 | Dissertation | 4 | Elective Courses (Choose any six) |
IGNOU student services
IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) assessment: assignments, term-end exams and pass marks
The IGNOU MA Philosophy programme assesses learners through assignments and term-end examinations. Assignments are compulsory for all courses. Learners must submit their assignment responses to the Coordinator of their Learner Support Centre before taking the Term-End Examination (TEE). A failed assignment requires re-submission; however, once passed, an assignment cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
Term-end examinations for the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme are held twice a year, in June and December. Learners pay an examination fee of Rs. 200 per theory course (December 2026 TEE). For project and practical components, 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.
Learners may write the term-end examination in Hindi, even if they registered for the programme in English medium. The University provides numerical marks and a division (I, II, or Pass) for master’s degrees upon request. Bachelor’s and Master’s students who are within 2% marks of a 2nd or 1st division may apply for an improvement of division, with one opportunity only (January 2026).
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
IGNOU MA Philosophy (MAPY) study material: printed blocks and eGyanKosh
IGNOU provides self-instructional study material for the Master of Arts (Philosophy) programme. This material is available as a print book and/or an e-book. Learners who opt for soft copy instead of printed material receive a 15% discount on the programme fee for the July 2026 admission cycle.
The eGyanKosh repository provides self-learning material for over 3923 courses across 384 programmes. Counselling sessions are also held, with schedules drawn up by the Learner Support Centre.
The IGNOU MA Philosophy programme requires students to earn 64 credits over a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years. The first year includes a compulsory 8-credit course, MPY 1 Indian Philosophy, and six elective courses, each worth 4 credits. The second year features MPY 2 Western Philosophy, an 8-credit compulsory course, along with six elective courses, each worth 4 credits. One credit equals 30 hours of learner study.
Study support: IGNOU study material status; IGNOU previous year question papers and IGNOU regional and study centres.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the total fee for the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme?
The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration of IGNOU MA Philosophy is Rs. 16,400. This amount is calculated at Rs. 8,200 per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus, and does not include registration, development, or examination fees.
How many credits are required to complete the IGNOU MA Philosophy?
Learners must earn a total of 64 credits to successfully complete the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme.
Are there any compulsory courses in the IGNOU MA Philosophy syllabus?
Yes, the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme includes 16 compulsory credits. These are covered by MPY 1 Indian Philosophy (8 credits) in the first year and MPY 2 Western Philosophy (8 credits) in the second year.
Does the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme include a dissertation or project?
Yes, the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme includes a dissertation component. MPYP 1 Dissertation is a 4-credit elective course offered in the second year of the programme.
Which year of the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme has more credits?
The second year of the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme has more credits, totalling 48. The first year has 40 credits, making the second year heavier in terms of credit load.
Can I choose to write my term-end examinations in Hindi for IGNOU MA Philosophy?
Yes, learners are permitted to write their term-end examinations in Hindi, even if they are registered for the English medium programme.
What is the fee for each course's term-end examination?
The examination fee for each theory course in the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme is Rs. 200. For projects and practicals, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle.
Where can I find the self-learning material for IGNOU MA Philosophy?
The self-learning material for IGNOU MA Philosophy is provided as a print book and/or e-book.
Is there a discount if I choose digital study materials instead of printed books?
Yes, learners who opt for soft copies of study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. This option is available at the time of admission, as per the July 2026 prospectus.
How many elective courses can I choose each year in IGNOU MA Philosophy?
Learners can choose six elective courses in the first year and six elective courses in the second year of the IGNOU MA Philosophy programme. The programme has 48 elective credits in total.