IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
| Detail | MA Economics (MAEC) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | MAEC |
| 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 Economics (MAEC): what the programme covers
The IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) programme is a Master of Arts (Economics) offered by the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). This programme is structured in semester mode, with four semesters, each carrying 20 credits. The total credits for the programme are 80.
All courses in the first, second, and third semesters are compulsory. The first semester includes MEC 101 Microeconomic Theory and Analysis (6 credits), MEC 102 Macroeconomic Theory and Analysis (6 credits), and MEC 203 Quantitative Methods (8 credits). The second semester covers MEC 104 Economics of Growth and Development (8 credits), MEC 109 Research Methods in Economics (6 credits), and MEC 205 Indian Economic Policy (6 credits). The third semester comprises MEC 106 Public Economics (6 credits), MEC 107 International Trade and Development (6 credits), and MEC 110 Money, Financial Institutions and Markets (8 credits). In the fourth semester, students select one of three specialisation groups: Group A (Data Analytics), Group B (Insurance and Finance), or Group C (Social Policy). All courses within these specialisation groups are available only in English.
IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) eligibility: who can apply
IGNOU MA Economics admission eligibility requires a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University. The School of Social Sciences (SOSS) offers the IGNOU MA Economics programme. Students can pursue the programme in either English or Hindi medium. There are no specific percentage requirements for the qualifying degree.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
IGNOU MA Economics fees for the July 2026 session are Rs. 9,500 per year. The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration is Rs. 19,000. This amount does not include additional charges.
Learners pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 at admission. A University Development fee of Rs. 400 is also payable at admission. These charges are in addition to the annual programme fee.
A 15% discount on the programme fee is available for learners who choose soft copies of study material instead of printed books. Self-learning material for over 3923 courses is accessible on the eGyanKosh repository.
MA Economics (MAEC) 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 Economics (MAEC) duration and credits
The IGNOU MA Economics programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. Learners must complete the programme within this 4-year period from their admission date.
The programme requires a total of 80 credits. It is structured into four semesters, with each semester carrying 20 credits. The first, second, and third semesters consist of compulsory courses.
Each specialisation group requires completing 20 credit courses from that specific area.
IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU MA Economics programme is structured into four semesters, with 20 credits in each. All courses in the first, second, and third semesters are compulsory. The fourth semester allows students to choose one of three specialisation groups.
The first semester includes MEC 101 Microeconomic Theory and Analysis (6 credits), MEC 102 Macroeconomic Theory and Analysis (6 credits), and MEC 203 Quantitative Methods (8 credits). MEC 101 covers topics like Consumer Behaviour and Producer Behaviour across eight study blocks.
In the second semester, students study MEC 104 Economics of Growth and Development (8 credits), MEC 109 Research Methods in Economics (6 credits), and MEC 205 Indian Economic Policy (6 credits). MEC 104 focuses on Economic Growth and Development, with eight study blocks. MEC 205 examines Indian Economic Development and Monetary and Fiscal Policies across six blocks.
The third semester comprises MEC 106 Public Economics (6 credits), MEC 107 International Trade and Development (6 credits), and MEC 110 Money, Financial Institutions and Markets (8 credits). MEC 106 covers Public Goods and Externalities, while MEC 110 explores Monetary Policy and Financial Markets.
For the fourth semester, students select one of three specialisation groups: Data Analytics (Group A), Insurance and Finance (Group B), or Social Policy (Group C). All courses in these specialisation groups are available only in English.
MA Economics (MAEC) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | 3 courses | 20 |
| 2nd semester | 3 courses | 20 |
| 3rd semester | 3 courses | 20 |
| 4th semester | 6 courses | 24 |
| 4th semester | 7 courses | 28 |
| 4th semester | 6 courses | 28 |
MA Economics (MAEC) 1st semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEC 101 | Microeconomic Theory and Analysis | 6 | Core |
| MEC 102 | Macroeconomic Theory and Analysis | 6 | Core |
| MEC 203 | Quantitative Methods | 8 | Core |
MA Economics (MAEC) 2nd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEC 104 | Economics of Growth and Development | 8 | Core |
| MEC 109 | Research Methods in Economics | 6 | Core |
| MEC 205 | Indian Economic Policy | 6 | Core |
MA Economics (MAEC) 3rd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEC 106 | Public Economics | 6 | Core |
| MEC 107 | International Trade and Development | 6 | Core |
| MEC 110 | Money, Financial Institutions and Markets | 8 | Core |
4th semester, Group A: Data Analytics
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MECE 101 | Introductory Econometric Methods | 4 | Elective |
| MECE 102 | Advanced Econometric Methods | 4 | Elective |
| MCS 226 | Data Science and Big Data | 4 | Elective |
| MCS 224 | Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learing | 4 | Elective |
| MGG 011 | Geographical Information System-I | 4 | Elective |
| MECP 301 | Project Work | 4 | Project |
4th semester, Group B: Insurance and Finance
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MECE 101 | Introductory Econometric Methods | 4 | Elective |
| MECE 102 | Advanced Econometric Methods | 4 | Elective |
| MECE 203 | Actuarial Economics | 4 | Elective |
| MMPC 014 | Financial Management | 4 | Elective |
| MMPF 005 | International Financial Management | 4 | Elective |
| MMPF 006 | Management of Financial Services | 4 | Elective |
| MECP 301 | Project Work | 4 | Project |
4th semester, Group C: Social Policy
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MECE 101 | Introductory Econometric Methods | 4 | Elective |
| MECE 204 | Economics of Social Sector and Environment | 4 | Elective |
| MGPE 6 | Gandhi’s Economic Thoughts | 4 | Elective |
| MWG 111 | Women in the Economy | 8 | Elective |
| MGSE 009 | Gender issues in Work, employment and productivity | 4 | Elective |
| MECP 301 | Project Work | 4 | Project |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
You must apply for IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) admission 2026 through the Samarth portal. The application process is fully online, and no printed form needs to be sent to a Regional Centre.
IGNOU conducts admissions for its MA Economics programme twice a year, in the January and July cycles. The current admission cycle open on the ODL admission portal is July 2026.
To apply for IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) admission 2026, follow these steps:
- Visit the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
- Ensure you have a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB JPEG.
- Keep soft copies of your relevant educational qualifications, under 200 KB, in JPEG/PDF format.
- If applicable, have a soft copy of your category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) ready, under 200 KB.
- Applicants are told to keep their APAAR ID ready before applying.
- Pay the programme fee of Rs. 9,500 per year for the July 2026 session.
- A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is also paid at admission.
- An additional University Development fee of Rs. 400 is paid at admission.
- Payments can be made via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.
IGNOU MA Economics (MAEC) exams and assignments
IGNOU MA Economics students must complete assignments before taking the Term-End Examination (TEE) for the July 2026 session. These Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) are compulsory and must be submitted to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre. Assignments for the current session are available for download from 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 are held twice a year, in June and December, at examination centres across the country and abroad. There are two sessions daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM, as seen in the December 2026 TEE schedule. Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes.
The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course, applicable to the 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, effective from the January 2023 admission cycle. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post for the July 2026 session.
Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible. A copy of the answer script costs Rs. 100 per course as of January 2026. Early declaration of results is available for Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, with proof of selection for a post or further studies, as of 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 MA Economics programme?
The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration of the IGNOU MA Economics is Rs. 19,000. This amount does not include the registration fee, university development fee, or examination fees, which are separate charges.
What is the annual fee for the IGNOU MA Economics programme?
The annual programme fee for the IGNOU MA Economics is Rs. 9,500, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. This fee is paid per year of study, in addition to other charges like registration and examination fees.
What are the eligibility criteria for the IGNOU MA Economics programme?
To be eligible for the IGNOU MA Economics programme, a learner must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a university recognized by the UGC. There are no specific percentage requirements published for admission.
How many credits are required to complete the IGNOU MA Economics?
The IGNOU MA Economics programme requires a total of 80 credits for completion. The programme is structured into four semesters, with each semester carrying 20 credits.
Which semester has the heaviest workload in the IGNOU MA Economics programme?
The first semester includes MEC 203 Quantitative Methods, which is an 8-credit course. This course has nine study blocks, covering topics from basic mathematics to inferential statistics, indicating a substantial workload.
Does the IGNOU MA Economics programme include a project?
Yes, the IGNOU MA Economics programme includes a project work component, MECP 301 Project Work, which carries 4 credits. This project is part of the fourth-semester specialization groups.
Can I choose a specialization in the IGNOU MA Economics programme?
Yes, in the fourth semester, learners can choose one of three specialization groups: Data Analytics, Insurance and Finance, or Social Policy.
Are there any courses shared with other programmes in the MA Economics?
Yes, some courses in the fourth-semester specializations are shared.
What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Economics?
The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Economics programme is 2 years. Learners have a maximum duration of 4 years to complete all programme requirements, including assignments and term-end examinations.
What is the difference between the new and old MA Economics syllabus?
The MA Economics programme has been restructured in line with the New Education Policy 2020 and UGC Guidelines. It is now offered in semester mode, consisting of four semesters of 20 credits each, allowing for specialization in the fourth semester.