IGNOU MSc Information Security 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 MSc Information Security is a two-year postgraduate programme with a fee of Rs. 22,000 per year for the July 2026 session. Any graduate from a recognised university or institute can apply.

IGNOU MSc Information Security: what the programme covers

The IGNOU MSc Information Security programme prepares graduates for careers in information security. It focuses on providing protection and security to personal data and building data-oriented infrastructure. The programme also aims to raise professional ethics in individuals towards information security and to develop skills for protecting information.

The Master of Science (Information Security) (MSCIS) programme requires 64 credits. Students can exit after completing 32 credits with a PGDIS qualification. The programme fee is Rs. 22,000/- per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. The first year includes 32 credits, split across two semesters. Semester I covers 16 credits, including MSEI 21 Introduction to Information Security and MSEI 23 Cyber Security. Semester II also has 16 credits, with courses like MSEI 27 Digital Forensics and MSEP 28 Project-1. The second year also comprises 32 credits. Semester III includes MSE 31 Cyber Security using Python and MCS 226 Data Science and Big Data, totalling 16 credits. Semester IV covers 16 credits, with MSE 33 Web Application Testing and Audit and MSEP 38 Project-II. MCS 226, a 4-credit course, uses eGyanKosh study blocks covering Basics of Data Science, Big Data and its Management, Big Data Analysis, and Programming for Data Analysis.

IGNOU MSc Information Security eligibility: who can apply

To apply for the IGNOU MSc Information Security programme, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline or its equivalent. This degree must be from a recognised University or Institute. The programme is delivered entirely in English.

Students who have already passed the Post Graduate Diploma in Information Security (PGDIS) programme are eligible for lateral entry into the second year of the MSCIS programme. Their credits transfer according to University norms. This means a PGDIS qualification can shorten the overall study duration for the Master of Science (Information Security).

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

IGNOU MSc Information Security fees 2026: programme fee and other charges

The IGNOU MSc Information Security programme fee is Rs. 22,000 per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. For the minimum two-year duration, the total programme fee is Rs. 44,000. This amount does not include additional charges like registration, development, and examination fees.

A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is paid at admission, along with a University Development fee of Rs. 400. Learners applying through the ODL admission portal for July 2026 must pay these charges besides the programme fee. Payment modes include net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI via the payment gateway.

IGNOU offers a 15% discount on the programme fee for learners who choose soft copies of study material instead of printed books.

MSc Information Security fees, July 2026 session

Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.

IGNOU MSc Information Security duration and credits

The IGNOU MSc Information Security 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 the date of admission.

The programme requires a total of 64 credits. Each year is divided into two semesters, with 16 credits allocated to each semester. This means learners complete 16 credits in Semester I, 16 credits in Semester II, 16 credits in Semester III, and 16 credits in Semester IV.

IGNOU MSc Information Security syllabus: semester-wise courses

The IGNOU MSc Information Security programme has 64 credits. Students complete 16 credits in each of the four semesters. The first year of the programme covers foundational aspects of information security, while the second year introduces advanced topics and practical applications.

The first semester includes MSEI 21 Introduction to Information Security, MSEI 22 Network Security, MSEI 23 Cyber Security, and MSE 24 Policy, Standards and Laws. Each of these courses carries 4 credits. In the second semester, students study MSEI 25 Application and Business Security Developments, MSEI 26 BCP, DR Planning and Audit, MSEI 27 Digital Forensics, and MSEP 28 Project-1. MSEP 28 is a project-based course, also worth 4 credits.

The second year begins with the third semester, which contains MSE 29 Cyber Attack: use of Technology in Cyberspace (2 credits), MSE 30 Cloud and Infrastructure Security (2 credits), MSE 31 Cyber Security using Python (4 credits), and MCS 226 Data Science and Big Data (4 credits). MSEL 32 Practical (Cyber Attacks, Cloud Security and Data Recovery etc.) is a 4-credit practical course. MCS 226 uses eGyanKosh study blocks covering Basics of Data Science, Big Data and its Management, Big Data Analysis, and Programming for Data Analysis.

The final semester, Semester IV, includes MSE 33 Web Application Testing and Audit (4 credits), MSE 34 E-commerce and Cyberspace (2 credits), MSE 35 IoT Security (2 credits), and MSE 36 Latest Trends in Information and Cyber Security (2 credits). MSEL 37 Practical (Web Application, Audits, e-commerce security and IoT) is a 4-credit practical course, and MSEP 38 Project-II is a 2-credit project. The programme fee for the July 2026 session is Rs. 22,000 per year.

| Semester | Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
|—|—|—|—|
| **I Year Semester- I** | MSEI 21 | Introduction to Information Security | 4 |
| | MSEI 22 | Network Security | 4 |
| | MSEI 23 | Cyber Security | 4 |
| | MSE 24 | Policy, Standards and Laws | 4 |
| **I Year Semester- II** | MSEI 25 | Application and Business Security Developments | 4 |
| | MSEI 26 | BCP, DR Planning and Audit | 4 |
| | MSEI 27 | Digital Forensics | 4 |
| | MSEP 28 | Project-1 | 4 |
| **II Year Semester- III** | MSE 29 | Cyber Attack: use of Technology in Cyberspace | 2 |
| | MSE 30 | Cloud and Infrastructure Security | 2 |
| | MSE 31 | Cyber Security using Python | 4 |
| | MCS 226 | Data Science and Big Data | 4 |
| | MSEL 32 | Practical (Cyber Attacks, Cloud Security and Data Recovery etc.) | 4 |
| **II Year Semester- IV** | MSE 33 | Web Application Testing and Audit | 4 |
| | MSE 34 | E-commerce and Cyberspace | 2 |
| | MSE 35 | IoT Security | 2 |
| | MSE 36 | Latest Trends in Information and Cyber Security | 2 |
| | MSEL 37 | Practical (Web Application, Audits, e-commerce security and IoT) | 4 |
| | MSEP 38 | Project-II | 2 |

MSc Information Security structure at a glance

MSc Information Security 1st semester

MSc Information Security 2nd semester

MSc Information Security 3rd semester

MSc Information Security 4th semester

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

IGNOU MSc Information Security admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal

Applicants for the IGNOU MSc Information Security programme must apply through the online Samarth portal. The university conducts two admission cycles each year, in January and July. The current cycle open on the ODL admission portal is the July 2026 cycle.

To apply for the IGNOU MSc Information Security programme for the July 2026 session, follow these steps:

• Access the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
• Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application.
• Upload a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format.
• Submit 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. 22,000 per year for the July 2026 session.
• In addition to the programme fee, pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400.
• Payments can be made via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.
• The application process is fully online; no printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre.

Eligibility for the IGNOU MSc Information Security programme requires a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline or its equivalent from a recognised University/Institute. Lateral entry is available for PGDIS students who have passed the PGDIS Programme, allowing them to join the 2nd Year of the MSCIS programme with credit transfers as per University norms.

IGNOU MSc Information Security exams and assignments

Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU MSc Information Security programme. Learners must submit their assignment responses before taking the Term-End Examination (July 2026). Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). Assignments for the current session are available for download from the University website (July 2026). 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 (July 2026), at examination centres across India and abroad (July 2026). Daily exam sessions run from 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).

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 (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 (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