Compare IGNOU Online and Amity Online: Fees, Recognition, Exams and Degrees

The choice between IGNOU Online, a central government university, and Amity Online, a private university, depends on programme fees, such as Rs. 66,000 for IGNOU’s online MBA versus Rs. 2,25,000 for Amity’s online MBA.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online: what each one is and how they differ

IGNOU Online is a National Open University, established by an Act of Parliament in 1985. Amity University Online is the online learning platform of Amity University, a private university established by an Act of the State Legislature. IGNOU operates under Act No. 50 of 1985 and is described as a Central University. Amity University, Noida (Uttar Pradesh) was established in January 2005.

IGNOU’s online programmes are managed by the Centre for Online Education (COE), established on 7 June 2019. Amity University Online offers over 80 programmes and specialisations, including Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. IGNOU identifies its online learners by a programme code with an OL suffix, such as BCA_NEWOL. Amity University Online states it has over 250,000 learners.

IGNOU’s online programmes are listed in a separate chapter of its Common Prospectus, with a dedicated admission portal. Amity University Online delivers its programmes entirely online, and states it delivers physical books to students’ doorsteps. Amity University Rajasthan also offers online programmes, as listed separately on the Amity Online UGC page.

IGNOU Online only

Amity Online only

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online recognition and validity

IGNOU Online states it is exempt from the applicability of the UGC (ODL Programme and Online Programme) Regulations, citing UGC letters dated 9 August 2019 and 17 March 2020. Amity Online, conversely, is listed on the UGC-DEB programme list for the 2026-27 July session for its online programmes, such as the MBA. Amity University (Uttar Pradesh) and Amity University Rajasthan are both listed for online programmes in the 2026-27 July session.

IGNOU Online holds an A++ NAAC grade. Amity’s only NAAC grade on its official pages is A+ from a 2018 assessment, valid to 1 October 2023 in one UGC-DEB application and 1 November 2023 in another; that validity has passed, and no current grade is published. IGNOU states its online degrees are at par with those offered through conventional mode, as per UGC Regulations clause 22. Amity’s programme pages also state that its online degrees are UGC approved and equivalent to on-campus programmes.

IGNOU’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates are recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Amity Online claims WASC (USA) accreditation, QAA (UK) recognition, and WES recognition for degree evaluation in Canada and the USA. IGNOU’s online MBA is described as an AICTE-recognised/approved programme. Amity University claims to be India’s first university to receive approval for online degrees after the UGC (Online Courses or Programs) Regulations, 2018.

IGNOU is ranked No. 1 among Open Universities in NIRF 2024 and 2025. Amity Online claims a NIRF 22nd rank on its home page and 32nd rank in its brochure, with the year not stated in either instance.

IGNOU Online only

Amity Online only

More on the IGNOU degree: whether an IGNOU degree is valid and IGNOU degree certificate, migration and convocation.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online eligibility: who can enrol

IGNOU advises students to enrol in an online programme only if they have access to a computer, laptop, and internet, and are comfortable with online learning. If not comfortable, students should enrol in the same programme in ODL mode through the ODL admission portal instead.

Indian nationals residing in India apply for IGNOU’s ODL programmes via ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and for Online programmes via ignouiop.samarth.edu.in. Applicants must provide a valid APAAR ID. For international students, IGNOU states that foreign students residing in other countries can join online programmes, applying at ignouforeigniop.samarth.edu.in. This portal covers overseas students from SAARC, Non-SAARC, FSRI (foreign students residing in India), and NRI categories for the July 2026 session. A one-time application processing fee of INR 2,000 for SAARC and USD 100 for Non-SAARC applicants is required. Not every online programme is open to international students; for example, the BCA (Online) is not offered for them. IGNOU also permits simultaneous registration in two academic programmes through ODL/Online mode, subject to specified combinations.

IGNOU Online only

• Online learning prerequisite: Enrol in an online programme only if you have access to a computer/laptop/internet and are comfortable with learning online
• Alternative for discomfort: Enrol in the same programme in ODL mode through the ODL admission portal instead
• International student eligibility: Foreign students residing in other countries can join the online programmes, applying at ignouforeigniop.samarth.edu.in/; Overseas students: SAARC, Non-SAARC, FSRI (foreign students residing in India) and NRI (July 2026); Example: the BCA (Online) page states it is not offered for international students
• Indian national admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in for ODL programmes and ignouiop.samarth.edu.in for Online programmes
• APAAR ID requirement: Applicants have to provide a valid APAAR ID
• International application fee: INR 2,000 for SAARC and USD 100 for Non-SAARC applicants (as shown on the online programmes portal)
• Simultaneous program pursuit: A student may pursue two academic programmes simultaneously through ODL / Online mode, subject to the combinations IGNOU specifies

IGNOU entry rules: IGNOU eligibility criteria and IGNOU at a glance.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online courses offered

IGNOU Online offers 46 programmes for the July 2026 session, including 5 Bachelor’s degrees, 14 Master’s degrees, 10 PG Diplomas, 3 Diplomas, 2 PG Certificates, and 12 Certificates. Amity Online publishes details for 11 programmes, comprising 7 Bachelor’s degrees and 4 Master’s degrees for its January 2027 session.

IGNOU Online’s Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) has a total fee of Rs. 49,800, while Amity Online’s BCA is Rs. 1,75,000. For Master of Business Administration (MBA), IGNOU Online charges Rs. 66,000, whereas Amity Online states a total fee of Rs. 2,25,000. IGNOU Online’s Master of Computer Applications (MCA) costs Rs. 52,000, and Amity Online’s MCA is Rs. 1,99,000.

IGNOU Online lists eligibility for its Bachelor of Library and Information Science (Online) as a Bachelor’s Degree with 50% marks, or 45% for reserved categories. Amity Online requires 10th and 12th class certificates for its Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programmes. For its MBA, Amity Online specifies graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 40% marks.

IGNOU Online offers its Master of Arts (Journalism and Mass Communication) in English, Hindi, and Tamil. Its Master of Arts (Rural Development) is available in English and Hindi. Amity Online states English as the medium of instruction for all its listed programmes.

IGNOU Online only

• Total online programs: 46 programmes for the July 2026 session: 5 Bachelor’s degrees, 14 Master’s degrees, 10 PG Diplomas, 3 Diplomas, 2 PG Certificates, 12 Certificates; 45 programmes (chapter 13); PGDINDSOL is on the admission portal but not in this list
• Bachelor’s degree programs: BSW, BCA, B.Com, BLIS, Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management. No BA (General) is listed in online mode.

Minimum and maximum duration

Eligibility as published

IGNOU course guides: IGNOU BA; IGNOU MBA; IGNOU MA; IGNOU MCA and IGNOU syllabus.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online fees, course by course

Amity Online generally has higher programme fees than IGNOU Online for comparable degrees. For instance, the Master of Business Administration (Online) at IGNOU costs Rs. 66,000 for the July 2026 session, while Amity’s MBA is Rs. 2,25,000 for the January 2027 session. IGNOU charges per year or per semester, with fees like Rs. 8,300 per semester for the Bachelor of Computer Applications (Online). Amity Online publishes per-semester fees, such as Rs. 56,300 for the MBA, and offers various payment plans including one-time, annual, per-semester, and 24-month no-cost EMI options.

Amity Online provides “Self Pay Benefits” for one-time and annual payments, reducing the listed fee; for example, the MBA one-time payment is Rs. 2,07,000 against a listed Rs. 2,25,000. Amity also states merit-based scholarships of up to 45% on the semester fee, with a condition of a minimum 85% aggregate in the previous qualification for up to a 20% reduction on the full programme fee. Other scholarships include Sports (CHAMPS), Defence, Divyaang, and a family benefit of up to 20% for existing students’ and alumni’s family members. The early-bird scholarship for the January 2027 session ends on 31 October.

IGNOU’s refund policy for the July 2026 session states that the fee is refunded before admission confirmation. After confirmation, 15% of the programme fee, up to Rs. 2,000, is deducted. No refund is given after 60 days of the closing date of admissions, and the re-registration fee is not refunded in any case. Amity Online does not publish its refund policy in the provided facts.

IGNOU Online only

• Admission fee refund: Fee paid is refunded (July 2026); 15% of the programme fee, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000, is deducted (July 2026)
• Study material refund: Fee is refunded after deducting the registration fee only (July 2026)
• Refund time limit: No refund after 60 days of the closing date of admissions (July 2026)
• Re-registration fee refund: Not refunded in any case (Common Prospectus July 2026)

Amity Online only

• Fee payment options: One-time, annual, per-semester and 24-month no-cost EMI plans; one-time and annual plans carry a “Self Pay Benefits” reduction below the listed fee (Jan 2027 session (admissions open as shown on official pages fetched 2026-10-27))
• One-time payment discount: MBA one-time payment Rs. 2,07,000 against listed Rs. 2,25,000 (self-pay benefit, not the listed fee) (Jan 2027 session (admissions open as shown on official pages fetched 2026-10-27))
• Merit scholarship details: Merit-based scholarship of up to 45% on semester fee; Minimum 85% aggregate in previous qualification: up to 20% reduction on full programme fee
• Scholarship types: Sports (CHAMPS), Defence, Divyaang, Merit-based, ISAT scholarship test, and others
• Family scholarship: Up to 20% for family members of existing Amity Online students and alumni
• Defence scholarship criteria: Minimum 2 years of service in the defence forces with valid ID card number
• Early-bird scholarship deadline: Early-bird scholarship ends 31 October (Jan 2027 session)
• EMI options: Zero-cost EMI starting from Rs. 8,906/month (MBA) (Jan 2027 session (admissions open as shown on official pages fetched 2026-10-27))

Fees of the programmes both run, as each publishes them

IGNOU fees in full: IGNOU fee structure.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online admission: sessions, last dates and portals

IGNOU Online accepts applications for its July 2026 session, with a last date of 13 October 2026 for most programmes. Amity Online is currently accepting admissions for its January 2027 session. IGNOU Online offers two admission cycles per year, in January and July.

For IGNOU Online, applicants must register on the portal ignouiop.samarth.edu.in before submitting their form. Required documents include a photograph and signature (under 100 KB, JPEG), and educational qualification, experience, or category certificates (under 200 KB, JPEG/PDF). A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are payable at admission, besides the programme fee. Fee payment methods include credit card, debit card, net banking, and UPI. Overseas students for the July 2026 cycle also have a last date of 13 October 2026.

Amity Online outlines its admission steps as selecting a programme, completing the application, paying the programme fee, submitting and registering, then awaiting enrolment details. For MBA programmes, applicants need 10th and 12th mark sheets, a graduation degree, a government-issued photo ID, and a passport-size photo. Foreign students applying for BA programmes require O Level, A Level, and an AIU equivalence certificate.

IGNOU Online only

• Admission cycle frequency: Two cycles a year: January and July (Common Prospectus July 2026)
• Current last date: 13 October 2026 (except for certificate and semester-based programmes) (July 2026); 13 October 2026 (except for certificate and semester-based programmes), July 2026 cycle
• Previous cycle last date: January 2026 cycle (online mode): last date for fresh admissions 31 January 2026
• Application portal: ignouiop.samarth.edu.in ; registration on the portal is compulsory before submitting the form
• Fee payment methods: Credit card (Master/Visa), debit card (Master/Visa/Rupay), net banking, UPI (July 2026)
• Registration fee: Rs. 300, non-refundable, paid at admission in addition to the programme fee (Common Prospectus July 2026)
• University development fee: Rs. 400, paid at admission in addition to the programme fee (Common Prospectus July 2026)
• Re-registration requirement: Learners must re-register for each semester from the second semester onwards
• Application cancellation: Done from the applicant login; cancellation is irreversible

Amity Online only

• Foreign student documents: Foreign students need O Level, A Level and AIU equivalence certificate
• Admission steps: Select programme, complete application, pay programme fee, submit and register, await enrolment details

IGNOU admission this session: IGNOU admission 2026; how to apply to IGNOU online; IGNOU admission last date and IGNOU admission status.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online study material, classes and study centres

IGNOU Online does not provide printed study materials to its online students; all self-instructional material is available in PDF or other electronic forms on its Learning Management System (LMS) and eGyankosh. Amity Online publishes that it provides both live weekend sessions with faculty and recorded lectures for self-paced study. IGNOU Online’s LMS is a centralised portal for all online programmes, with credentials sent via email after admission.

Online counselling sessions are provided by IGNOU Online for all theory and practical courses, such as the BCA Online programme. These sessions are for doubt clearing, not for delivering lectures. Theory sessions last two hours, and practical sessions are three hours long. Amity Online states that its online MBA programme requires 12 to 15 hours of learning effort per week over two years, totalling 102 credits.

IGNOU Online does not provide hardware or software facilities, requiring learners to use their own for practical sessions. For the BCA Online programme, 70% attendance is compulsory for each lab course, while for MCA Online, 75% attendance in practical counselling sessions is needed to be eligible for term-end practical examinations. Amity Online publishes that its students can access Amity campuses for orientation, mid-year meetups, on-campus connect, and convocation.

IGNOU Online lists Regional Centres as “Study Centres” on its admission portal, with no separate local study centres. For example, RC Delhi-3 is the nodal Regional Centre for BCA_NEWOL students.

IGNOU Online only

• Study material format: No printed study material is provided to students enrolled in the online programmes; No provision of hard copy of self-instructional material for online students; Self-instructional material in PDF or other electronic form, uploaded on the LMS; also on eGyankosh
• Learning Management System: IGNOU has created an LMS for online learners; online programmes are delivered on the university LMS (lms.ignouonline.ac.in); The LMS is a centralised portal for accessing all online programmes; After admission is confirmed the learner receives LMS credentials by email
• Counselling session length: Theory session 2 hours; practical session 3 hours
• Practical sessions: Held only in online mode; learners use the required software at their own end; IGNOU provides no hardware or software facility to online students
• Practical attendance: 70% attendance compulsory for each lab course; Minimum 75% attendance in practical counselling sessions to be eligible for term-end practical examinations
• Counselling schedules: Regional Centres post counselling schedules for online programmes on the LMS (example dated 12 October 2026)
• Nodal Regional Centre: RC Delhi-3 is the nodal Regional Centre for BCA_NEWOL students; RC Delhi-1 is the nodal Regional Centre for MCAOL students; Confined to holding academic counselling sessions; it also gets LMS-submitted assignments evaluated

Amity Online only

• Campus access: Access to Amity campuses for orientation, mid-year meetups, on-campus connect and convocation

IGNOU books and centres: IGNOU study material and IGNOU regional and study centres.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online assignments and exams

IGNOU Online requires learners to take term-end examinations at an examination centre, while Amity Online states that its exams are 100% remote and digitally proctored. For IGNOU Online, the learner prints a hall ticket and reports to an examination centre with an identity card for BCA Online programmes. Amity Online states that remote proctored exams are taken from the learner’s own space.

IGNOU Online assignments for BCA Online are submitted as PDF files on the LMS portal. For MBA Online, assignments are uploaded on the IGNOU LMS portal only; hard copies submitted at a study centre are not considered for evaluation. For MBA Online, assignments carry 30% weight, and the term-end examination carries 70%. For BCA Online theory courses, continuous evaluation is 25%, and the term-end examination is 75%. Amity Online states that for its MBA programme, internal assessments are 30% and the 2-hour end-term exam is 70%, monitored with AI tools and live webcams.

A learner cannot appear in an IGNOU Online term-end examination without submitting its assignment. Term-end examinations are held twice a year, in June and December. The last date for assignments for the December 2026 TEE is 31 October 2026. The June 2026 TEE notification covers ODL and Online programmes together, in Pen & Paper and CBT modes. Students choose their mode and an exam centre in the examination form. The examination fee is Rs. 200 per course and is not included in the programme fee. For MBA Online, an overall C grade (50% to 59.9%) is needed to qualify a course. Re-evaluation costs Rs. 750 per course, within 40 days of result declaration. Assignments, project reports, and practical answer scripts cannot be re-evaluated.

IGNOU Online only

• Assignment submission method: Assignments are submitted on the LMS portal only, as PDF files (BCA_NEWOL Programme Guide, July 2025); Assignments are uploaded on the IGNOU LMS portal only (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026)
• Hard copy assignments: Hard copies submitted at a study centre / Regional Centre / SED are not considered for evaluation (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026)
• Assignment prerequisite for exam: A learner cannot appear in the term-end examination of a course without submitting its assignment (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026)
• Current assignment deadline: Last date for assignments for the December 2026 TEE extended to 31 October 2026
• Exam frequency: Twice a year, in June and December (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026)
• Choice of exam mode and centre: Students choose Pen & Paper mode or CBT mode, the courses and an exam centre in the examination form (June 2026 TEE)
• Exam location: At an examination centre: the learner prints the hall ticket and reports at the examination centre with the identity card (BCA_NEWOL Programme Guide, July 2025)
• Exam centre selection: The learner enters an Examination Centre Code in the online exam form; if that centre is not activated an alternative centre is allotted (BCA_NEWOL Programme Guide, July 2025)
• Allotted centre only: Learners may appear only at the examination centre allotted to them (BCA_NEWOL Programme Guide, July 2025)
• No exam centre change: No request for change of examination centre is entertained after the form is filled (June 2026 TEE)
• Examination form submission: Submitted through the student portal on the Samarth platform (ignou.samarth.edu.in) (June 2026 TEE)
• Examination form dates: 10.03.2026 to 10.04.2026 without late fee; 11.04.2026 to 24.04.2026 with late fee of Rs.1,100 (June 2026 TEE)
• Examination fee: Rs. 200 per course (theory / practical / lab) (BCA_NEWOL Programme Guide, July 2025)
• Exam fee separate from programme fee: Exam fee is not included in the fee structure

IGNOU exam cycle: IGNOU assignments; IGNOU date sheet; IGNOU hall ticket and IGNOU result and grade card.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online credit transfer, migration and re-admission

Changing courses or migrating between IGNOU Online and Amity Online is not directly possible. Each university has its own policies for internal movement and credit recognition. IGNOU Online states that learners can exit its MBA Online programme after the first and second semesters, completing 56 credits, to receive a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDIM).

IGNOU Online publishes that a migration certificate can be requested from the Regional Director for a fee of Rs. 500. Credit transfer under the Academic Bank of Credits is available at IGNOU Online.

For internal programme changes, students must consult each university’s specific guidelines.

IGNOU Online only

• Exit options: Exit after the 1st and 2nd semesters (56 credits) at the learner’s request, with a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDIM)
• Migration certificate: Requested from the Regional Director with a fee of Rs. 500
• Credit transfer: Available

For enrolled IGNOU students: IGNOU re-registration.

IGNOU Online vs Amity Online student support and helpline

IGNOU Online provides support through its Centre for Online Education, accessible via coe@ignou.ac.in and iopsupport@ignouonline.ac.in. Amity Online offers a toll-free admission number at 1800-102-3434 and student support at +91-88-263-34455.

For admissions, IGNOU Online has a Centralised Student Registration Cell, reachable at 011-29571301, 011-29571528, and csrc@ignou.ac.in for the July 2026 session. Amity Online states it provides an AI tutor, Prof. AMI, for doubt-solving. IGNOU Online’s support hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 6 pm.

IGNOU Online publishes a grievance portal, iGRAM, at igram.ignou.ac.in/. IGNOU has a Campus Placement Cell (CPC), and learners can send their resumes to campusplacement@ignou.ac.in. Its career services include resume building, mock interviews, and placement drives held fortnightly, both on campus and online.

IGNOU Online only

• Online support email: Centre for Online Education: coe@ignou.ac.in and iopsupport@ignouonline.ac.in
• Grievance portal: iGRAM, igram.ignou.ac.in/
• Support hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 6 pm
• Device requirements: A computer system with the necessary software for practical courses (BCA Online)
• Eligibility for MA JMC: Access to computers and the Internet and basic knowledge of word processing are part of the eligibility

Amity Online only

• AI tutor: Prof. AMI, an AI mentor for doubt-solving

IGNOU portals: IGNOU Samarth portal; IGNOU grievance portal (iGRAM) and IGNOU ID card.

IGNOU Online or Amity Online: which is better for you

The total fee for an online BCA at IGNOU is Rs. 49,800, while Amity Online’s BCA costs Rs. 1,75,000. Similarly, an online MBA from IGNOU costs Rs. 66,000, compared to Amity Online’s Rs. 2,25,000. Amity Online does publish a merit-based scholarship of up to 45% on the semester fee for students with a minimum 85% aggregate in their previous qualification.

Amity states its exams are 100% remote and digitally proctored, allowing students to take them from their own space. IGNOU Online’s term-end examinations are held at examination centres, with students choosing between Pen & Paper and CBT modes. IGNOU also requires 70% attendance for practical sessions in BCA Online and 75% for MCA Online to be eligible for practical examinations.

IGNOU states its degrees, diplomas, and certificates are recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities. Amity University publishes that its degrees are eligible for national tests like GATE, CAT, and UPSC. Both universities are listed on the UGC-DEB programme list for 2026-27 for online mode programmes.

For those who prefer physical study materials, Amity Online states it delivers physical books to the doorstep. IGNOU Online explicitly states that no printed study material is provided to students enrolled in its online programmes. IGNOU provides self-instructional material in PDF or other electronic forms on its LMS and eGyankosh.

Notices and Documents from IGNOU

• IGNOU BCA Newol Programme Guide
• IGNOU Common Prospectus Admission Session July 2026
• IGNOU Mbaol Student Handbook
• IGNOU TEE June 2026 Notification
• IGNOU Mcaol Programme Guide
• IGNOU Samarth Portal Online Programmes Home
• IGNOU Online Programmes About
• IGNOU Samarth Portal Foreign Online Programmes Home
• IGNOU LMS Home
• Amity Brochure MBA
• Amity Ugc Deb Application Entitled
• Amity Ugc Deb Application Eligible
• Amity MBA
• Amity Ugc Deb Programme List
• Amity Home
• Amity About Us Md
• Amity Scholarship
• Amity Edu Recognition

Common IGNOU Questions