IGNOU MA Anthropology (MAAN) 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 Anthropology is a two-year postgraduate programme with a total fee of Rs. 19,000 for the July 2026 session. Applicants must hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher degree from a recognised university.
| Detail | MA Anthropology (MAAN) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | MAANY |
| 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. 9,500 /- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 19,000 (Rs. 9,500 x 2 years) |
| Total credits | 80 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU MA Anthropology (MAAN): what the programme covers
The IGNOU MA Anthropology programme focuses on an integrated approach to human study across time and space. This Master of Arts programme, offered by the School of Social Sciences (SOSS), incorporates insights from physical, social, and archaeological anthropology. The programme totals 80 credits and is offered semester-wise, with each of the four semesters carrying 20 credits.
The first year of the programme consists of two compulsory semesters. The first semester includes five compulsory theory courses, such as MAN 101 Introducing Anthropology and MAN 105 Tribes in India, each worth 4 credits. The second semester also has five compulsory theory courses, including MAN 106 Applied Dimensions in Anthropology and MAN 110 Epidemiology and Public Health, each contributing 4 credits. In the second year, the third semester offers elective courses from Group A and Group B, where students choose two courses from each group. For example, Group A includes MANE 101 Human Genetics and MANE 104 Forensic Anthropology, while Group B offers MANE 105 Ethnography and MANE 106 Ethnographic Training. The third semester also requires choosing one multidisciplinary course, such as MPA 033 Introduction to Disaster Management. The fourth semester includes two compulsory courses, MANL 101 Practical in Physical/Biological Anthropology (8 credits) and MANP 101 Dissertation (8 credits), alongside one multidisciplinary elective like MED 002 Sustainable Development: Issues and Challenges.
IGNOU MA Anthropology (MAAN) eligibility: who can apply
To apply for the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme, a candidate needs a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University. This is the only eligibility requirement. The programme is offered in both English and Hindi mediums.
A recognized university is one approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Candidates must ensure their previous degree meets this standard to avoid issues during admission verification.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU MA Anthropology (MAAN) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
The IGNOU MA Anthropology programme fee is Rs. 9,500 per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. For the full minimum duration of two years, the total programme fee is Rs. 19,000. This amount excludes additional charges such as registration, development, and examination fees.
At the time of admission, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are payable. These are along with the programme fee. Learners who opt for soft copies of study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. SC/ST students are eligible for a programme fee exemption, as per the University’s policy, which is reviewed each admission cycle. Prison inmates are also exempt from both the programme fee and the registration fee.
The application process is fully online via the IGNOU Admission Samarth portal. Payment can be made using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. If an application is cancelled before admission confirmation, the fee paid is refunded. After confirmation, 15% of the programme fee, capped at Rs. 2,000, is deducted from any refund. No refund is processed after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
MA Anthropology (MAAN) fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 9,500 /- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 19,000 (Rs. 9,500 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 Anthropology (MAAN) duration and credits
Learners must complete all programme requirements within this 4-year period to receive the degree.
The programme requires a total of 80 credits. The first year comprises 40 credits, with 20 credits in the first semester and 20 credits in the second semester. All courses in the first year are compulsory.
The second year involves elective and multidisciplinary courses. In the third semester, learners choose two courses from Elective Group A (16 credits) and two from Elective Group B (16 credits). One multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary course (8 credits) is also chosen in the third semester. The fourth semester includes a compulsory course (16 credits) and one multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary course (8 credits).
IGNOU MA Anthropology (MAAN) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU MA Anthropology (MAAN) programme is offered semester-wise, with a total of 80 credits spread across four semesters. Each semester carries 20 credits. The programme integrates insights from physical, social, and archaeological anthropology.
The first year consists of two semesters, with all courses being compulsory. The First Semester includes five theory courses, each worth 4 credits: MAN 101 Introducing Anthropology, MAN 102 Physical/Biological Anthropology, MAN 103 Social and Cultural Anthropology, MAN 104 Archaeological Anthropology, and MAN 105 Tribes in India. The Second Semester also has five compulsory theory courses, each for 4 credits: MAN 106 Applied Dimensions in Anthropology, MAN 107 Environmental Anthropology, MAN 108 Research Methods in Anthropology-I, MAN 109 Research Methods in Anthropology-II, and MAN 110 Epidemiology and Public Health.
The second year features elective and multidisciplinary courses. Elective Group A includes MANE 101 Human Genetics, MANE 102 Human Growth and Development, MANE 103 Physiological Anthropology, and MANE 104 Forensic Anthropology. Elective Group B offers MANE 105 Ethnography, MANE 106 Ethnographic Training (a project course), MANE 107 Urban Anthropology, and MANE 108 Visual Anthropology.
The Fourth Semester includes two compulsory courses: MANL 101 Practical in Physical/Biological Anthropology (8 credits, practical) and MANP 101 Dissertation (8 credits, project).
MA Anthropology (MAAN) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | 5 courses | 20 |
| 2nd semester | 5 courses | 20 |
| 3rd semester | 4 courses | 16 |
| 3rd semester | 4 courses | 16 |
| 3rd semester | 2 courses | 8 |
| 4th semester | 2 courses | 16 |
| 4th semester | 2 courses | 8 |
MA Anthropology (MAAN) 1st semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAN 101 | Introducing Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
| MAN 102 | Physical/Biological Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
| MAN 103 | Social and Cultural Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
| MAN 104 | Archaeological Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
| MAN 105 | Tribes in India | 4 | Theory |
MA Anthropology (MAAN) 2nd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAN 106 | Applied Dimensions in Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
| MAN 107 | Environmental Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
| MAN 108 | Research Methods in Anthropology-I | 4 | Theory |
| MAN 109 | Research Methods in Anthropology-II | 4 | Theory |
| MAN 110 | Epidemiology and Public Health | 4 | Theory |
MA Anthropology (MAAN) 3rd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPA 033 | Introduction to Disaster Management | 4 | Theory |
| MED 008 | Globalisation, Environment and Development | 4 | Theory |
MA Anthropology (MAAN) 4th semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MANL 101 | Practical in Physical/Biological Anthropology | 8 | Practical |
| MANP 101 | Dissertation | 8 | Project |
MA Anthropology (MAAN) 4th semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGS 109 | *Gender, Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion | 4 | Theory |
| MED 002 | Sustainable Development: Issues and Challenges | 4 | Theory |
4th semester, Group A: : Choose any TWO from the following courses:
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MANE 101 | Human Genetics | 4 | Theory |
| MANE 102 | Human Growth and Development | 4 | Theory |
| MANE 103 | Physiological Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
| MANE 104 | Forensic Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
4th semester, Group B: : Choose any TWO from the following courses:
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MANE 105 | Ethnography | 4 | Theory |
| MANE 106 | Ethnographic Training | 4 | Project |
| MANE 107 | Urban Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
| MANE 108 | Visual Anthropology | 4 | Theory |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU MA Anthropology (MAAN) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
Applicants for IGNOU MA Anthropology admission for the July 2026 cycle must apply online through the Samarth portal. The university conducts two admission cycles each year, in January and July. The current cycle open on the ODL admission portal is July 2026.
To apply for the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme, follow these steps:
- Visit the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
- Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application process.
- Upload a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
- Upload soft copies of relevant educational qualifications, under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
- If applicable, upload a soft copy of your category certificate (SC/ST/OBC), under 200 KB.
- Pay the programme fee of Rs. 9,500 per year for the July 2026 session.
- In addition to the programme fee, pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300.
- Also pay a University Development fee of Rs. 400 at the time of admission.
- Complete payments using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.
- The entire application process is fully online; no printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre.
IGNOU MA Anthropology (MAAN) exams and assignments
The IGNOU MA Anthropology programme requires compulsory assignments. Learners must write assignment responses before taking the Term-End Examination (July 2026). Assignments for the current session are available for download from the website (July 2026). Tutor Marked Assignments are submitted to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). A failed assignment must be re-submitted. Once an assignment is passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
Term-End Examinations (TEE) for the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme are held twice a year, in June and December (July 2026). Examination centres are located 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) (July 2026). Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post (July 2026).
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the total fee for the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme?
The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration of IGNOU MA Anthropology is Rs. 19,000, based on the July 2026 prospectus. This amount does not include the registration fee, university development fee, or examination fees.
How many credits are in the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme, and how are they distributed per semester?
The IGNOU MA Anthropology programme has a total of 80 credits. It is offered semester-wise, with each of the four semesters carrying 20 credits. This structure applies to both the first and second years of study.
Which semester in the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme includes practicals or a project?
The fourth semester of the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme includes both a practical and a project. Learners must complete MANL 101 Practical in Physical/Biological Anthropology, which is 8 credits, and MANP 101 Dissertation, also 8 credits.
Are there any courses in the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme that are shared with other IGNOU programmes?
Yes, the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme includes multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary courses that are part of other programmes. For example, in the third semester, you can choose MPA 033 Introduction to Disaster Management or MED 008 Globalisation, Environment and Development.
What is the fee for the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme per year?
The programme fee for IGNOU MA Anthropology is Rs. 9,500 per year, according to the July 2026 prospectus.
What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme?
The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme is two years.
When can I apply for admission to the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme?
Admissions for the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme are conducted twice a year, during the January and July admission cycles. The current admission cycle open on the Samarth portal is July 2026.
Where can I find the study materials for the IGNOU MA Anthropology courses?
The self-learning materials for IGNOU MA Anthropology courses are available on eGyanKosh. For instance, MAN 101 Introducing Anthropology has four study blocks covering topics from the emergence of anthropology to its concerns.
What is the process for submitting assignments for the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme?
Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU MA Anthropology programme and must be submitted before you can appear for the Term-End Examination.