IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission

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IGNOU MA Development Studies is a two-year Master of Arts programme with a fee of Rs. 8,000 per year for the July 2026 session. Any candidate with a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university can apply.

IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS): what the programme covers

The IGNOU MA Development Studies programme provides quality education and training for development professionals and fresh graduates. The programme has a total of 80 credits, structured across two years. Students who complete the Post Graduate Diploma in Development Studies (PGDDVS) can take lateral entry directly into the second year of the IGNOU MA Development Studies programme.

The first year of the IGNOU MA Development Studies programme consists of 36 compulsory credits across six courses. These include MDV 101 Introduction to Development and Development Theories, MDV 102 Dynamics of Development, MDV 103 Issues and Challenges of Development, MDV 4 Gender and Development, MDV 106 Research Methodology in Development Studies, and MDV 109 Development in India – An Overview. Each of these courses carries 6 credits. The second year requires students to choose 36 credits from a selection of courses, including MDV 105 Development Planning and Management, MDV 108 Development Communication and Extension, and MDVP 117 Project Work, which is equivalent to 12 credits.

IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) eligibility: who can apply

To apply for the IGNOU MA Development Studies programme, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University. This is the sole academic requirement for admission to the Master of Arts (Development Studies) (MADVS) programme offered by the School of Extension & Development Studies (SOEDS). The programme is delivered entirely in English. There are no specific subject prerequisites for the undergraduate degree; any Bachelor’s Degree from a university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) is sufficient.

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

IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges

The IGNOU MA Development Studies programme fee is Rs. 8,000 per year for the July 2026 session. For the minimum duration of two years, the total programme fee is Rs. 16,000. This amount does not include additional charges like registration, development, or 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 on top of the programme fee. Learners who choose soft copies of study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. IGNOU provides printed self-instructional study material as a print book and/or e-book, with over 3923 courses available on the eGyanKosh repository.

MA Development Studies (MADVS) fees, July 2026 session

Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.

IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) duration and credits

The IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. Learners must complete the programme within this four-year window from their admission date. The total credits for the programme are 80.

In the first year, learners complete 36 credits.

IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) syllabus: semester-wise courses

The IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) programme is structured into two years. The first year consists of six compulsory courses, totaling 36 credits. These courses establish foundational knowledge in development studies.

The second year requires students to choose courses amounting to 36 credits from a selection of options. This allows for specialisation in areas such as development planning, health, or urban development. Students who complete the Post Graduate Diploma in Development Studies (PGDDVS) can take lateral entry directly into the second year of MADVS.

Project work, MDVP 117, is an option in the second year and is equivalent to two courses or 12 credits. The total credits for the entire programme are 80.

For example, MDV 101, “Introduction to Development and Development Theories,” is a 6-credit course in the first year. Its eGyanKosh study blocks cover topics from “Development: An Overview” to “Heterogeneous Theories.” Similarly, MDV 106, “Research Methodology in Development Studies,” also a 6-credit course, includes blocks on “Fundamental of Social Science Research” and “Data Analysis.”

In the second year, students select courses like MDV 105, “Development Planning and Management,” or MEDS 41, “Introduction to Urban Development.” MDV 105, for instance, has five study blocks, including “Programme Planning” and “Case Studies On Development Planning And Management.”

MA Development Studies (MADVS) structure at a glance

MA Development Studies (MADVS) 1st year

MA Development Studies (MADVS) 2nd year

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

IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal

Applicants for the IGNOU MA Development Studies programme must apply online through the Samarth portal. The university conducts admissions twice a year, in the January and July cycles. For the July 2026 session, the application portal is ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/.

The application process is fully online; no printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre. Keep the following documents ready before starting the application:

• A colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
• A soft copy of the relevant educational qualification, under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
• A soft copy of the category certificate (SC/ST/OBC), if applicable, under 200 KB.
• Your APAAR ID.

This includes the programme fee of Rs. 8,000 per year, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300, and a University Development fee of Rs. 400. Payment can be made through net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI via the payment gateway.

IGNOU MA Development Studies (MADVS) exams and assignments

IGNOU MA Development Studies students must complete assignments before taking the Term-End Examination (July 2026). Assignments for the current session are available for download from the University website (July 2026). Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). A failed assignment requires re-submission; a passed assignment cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.

Term-end examinations for the IGNOU MA Development Studies programme are held twice a year, in June and December (July 2026). These examinations take place at centres across India 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, 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 master’s degrees upon request (July 2026). Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible. A copy of an answer script costs Rs. 100 per course (January 2026). Students who are short of 2% marks for a 2nd or 1st division may improve their division once (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

• IGNOU Common Prospectus July 2026

Common IGNOU Questions