IGNOU Guide IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University · Delhi

IGNOU BA Public Administration 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission

Updated 14 October 2026 Fact-checked by Shakshi Gupta, B.Com student, IGNOU Courses & Fees 7 min read

IGNOU BA Public Administration is a three-year undergraduate programme with a fee of Rs. 5,500 per year for the July 2026 session. Students who have completed 10+2 or its equivalent are eligible to apply.

Detail BA Public Administration
Programme code BAPAH
School SOSS
Eligibility 10+2 or its equivalent
Medium English and Hindi
Duration 3 years minimum, 6 years maximum
Programme fee (July 2026) Rs. 5,500 /- per year
Full-course programme fee Rs. 16,500 (Rs. 5,500 x 3 years)
Total credits 148
Admission cycles January & July

IGNOU BA Public Administration: what the programme covers

The IGNOU BA Public Administration programme covers 148 credits. It is structured across six semesters. The curriculum includes Core, Discipline Specific Elective, Ability Enhancement Compulsory, Skill Enhancement, and Generic Elective courses. This structure ensures a broad foundation in public administration.

Learners must complete all 148 credits to earn the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Public Administration (BAPAH) degree. The programme’s design requires learners to choose courses from specific categories. For instance, Discipline Specific Elective courses allow for deeper study in particular areas of public administration. The programme coordinators are Prof. Dolly Mathew and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Meena.

IGNOU BA Public Administration eligibility: who can apply

To apply for the IGNOU BA Public Administration programme, candidates must have completed 10+2 or its equivalent. This eligibility criterion applies to all applicants. The programme is offered in both English and Hindi mediums, allowing students to choose their preferred language of instruction. Students must ensure their 10+2 qualification is from a recognised board to avoid issues during admission. The application process requires submitting documents that verify this educational background through the Samarth portal.

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

IGNOU BA Public Administration fees 2026: programme fee and other charges

The IGNOU BA Public Administration programme fee is Rs. 5,500 per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. For the minimum duration of three years, the total programme fee is Rs. 16,500. 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 is payable. A University Development fee of Rs. 400 is also charged upon admission. Learners who opt for soft copies of self-learning material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. Printed self-instructional study material is provided as a print book or e-book.

BA Public Administration fees, July 2026 session

Charge Amount
Programme fee (July 2026) Rs. 5,500 /- per year
Full-course programme fee Rs. 16,500 (Rs. 5,500 x 3 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 BA Public Administration duration and credits

The IGNOU BA Public Administration programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum duration of 6 years. Students must complete a total of 148 credits to earn the degree.

The 6-year maximum duration means a learner has ample time to complete the programme, even if they fall behind on assignments or term-end examinations.

IGNOU BA Public Administration syllabus: semester-wise courses

The IGNOU BA Public Administration programme, officially Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Public Administration (BAPAH), structures its 148 credits across six semesters. Learners complete Core, Discipline Specific Elective, Ability Enhancement Compulsory, Skill Enhancement, and Generic Elective courses. The programme coordinators are Prof. Dolly Mathew (dmathew@ignou.ac.in, 011-29572728) and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Meena (rajendrapmeena@ignou.ac.in, 9460137260).

Learners must complete assignments (TMAs) for each course before they can appear for the term-end examination (TEE).

The final semesters include Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) courses, allowing learners to choose areas of focus within public administration. Learners should review the course descriptions for DSEs to align them with their interests.

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

IGNOU BA Public Administration admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal

The IGNOU BA Public Administration programme has two admission cycles each year: January and July. The current cycle open on the ODL admission portal is July 2026. Applicants must apply fully online through the Samarth the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. No printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre.

The application process requires several steps:

  1. Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application.
  2. Upload a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
  3. Upload a soft copy of your relevant educational qualification, under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
  4. If applicable, upload a soft copy of your category certificate (SC/ST/OBC), under 200 KB.
  5. Pay the programme fee of Rs. 5,500 per year for the July 2026 session.
  6. Pay an additional non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300.
  7. Pay a University Development fee of Rs. 400.
  8. Complete payments using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.

The eligibility for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Public Administration (BAPAH) is 10+2 or its equivalent.

IGNOU BA Public Administration exams and assignments

IGNOU BA Public Administration requires learners to submit assignments before appearing for the Term-End Examination (TEE). Assignments for the current session are available for download on 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 for the IGNOU BA Public Administration programme are held twice a year, in June and December, at examination centres across the country and abroad. Daily exam sessions occur in two slots: 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, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle (July 2026). Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post (July 2026).

The University provides numerical marks and division (I, II, or Pass) for bachelor’s degrees upon request (July 2026). 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 for re-evaluation. Students who fall short of 2% marks for a 2nd or 1st division may improve their grade, with one opportunity only (January 2026). Early declaration of results costs Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, only 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

Common IGNOU Questions

What is the total fee for the IGNOU BA Public Administration programme?

The total programme fee for the minimum three-year duration of IGNOU BA Public Administration is Rs. 16,500, based on the July 2026 prospectus. This amount excludes the non-refundable Rs. 300 registration fee, the Rs. 400 University Development fee, and examination fees.

How much is the annual fee for IGNOU BA Public Administration?

The annual programme fee for IGNOU BA Public Administration is Rs. 5,500, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. This fee is paid per year, in addition to other charges like the registration and development fees at admission, and examination fees.

What are the eligibility criteria for IGNOU BA Public Administration?

To be eligible for the IGNOU BA Public Administration programme, applicants must have completed 10+2 or an equivalent qualification. This is the sole eligibility requirement for admission to this programme.

What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete IGNOU BA Public Administration?

The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU BA Public Administration programme is three years. Learners have a maximum of six years to complete all requirements for the degree.

How many total credits are required for the IGNOU BA Public Administration degree?

Learners must successfully complete a total of 148 credits to earn the IGNOU BA Public Administration degree. One credit represents 30 hours of learner study.

In which languages can I study the IGNOU BA Public Administration programme?

The IGNOU BA Public Administration programme is offered in both English and Hindi mediums. Learners can choose their preferred medium of instruction and may also write term-end examinations in Hindi even if registered in English, except for language programmes.

Are assignments compulsory for IGNOU BA Public Administration?

Yes, assignments are compulsory for IGNOU BA Public Administration. Learners must submit their assignment responses to the Coordinator of their Learner Support Centre before they can appear for the Term-End Examination for those courses.

How many times a year are the Term-End Examinations held?

Term-End Examinations (TEE) for IGNOU programmes, including BA Public Administration, are held twice a year. These examination sessions typically occur in June and December across the country.

What is the examination fee per course for IGNOU BA Public Administration?

The examination fee for each theory course in IGNOU BA Public Administration is Rs. 200. For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for courses above 4 credits, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle.

Can I get a discount if I choose digital study material?

Yes, learners who opt for soft copies of study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. All self-learning material is also available on the eGyanKosh repository.