Compare IGNOU Online and Jain Online: Fees, Recognition, Exams and Degrees
The choice between IGNOU Online and Jain Online depends on your budget and preference for specialisations, with IGNOU’s online MBA costing Rs. 66,000 compared to Jain Online’s MBA (General Management) at Rs. 1,60,000. IGNOU, a central government university, suits those seeking affordable, broad programmes, while private Jain Online offers more specialised degrees.
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online: what each one is and how they differ
IGNOU Online is a National Open University, established by an Act of Parliament in 1985. Jain Online is the e-learning arm of JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), which was declared a Deemed-to-be University in December 2008. IGNOU operates under Act No. 50 of 1985, classifying it as a Central University.
IGNOU’s online programmes are managed by the Centre for Online Education (COE), which was established on 7 June 2019. IGNOU identifies its online learners by a programme code with an ‘OL’ suffix, such as BCA_NEWOL. JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) also offers programmes in ODL mode, with its mode of education declared as Dual Mode in its 2020 UGC-DEB application. The university’s recognition status is under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, but it is not recognised under 12B, as declared in its October 2020 application to UGC-DEB. IGNOU’s headquarters are in New Delhi, while JAIN Online’s headquarters are in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Both institutions offer programmes through an online mode of delivery.
| Point | IGNOU Online | Jain Online |
|---|---|---|
| Type of institution | National Open University established by an Act of Parliament in 1985 Act No. 50 of 1985; described as a Central University |
Deemed-to-be University; JAIN Online is its e-learning arm delivering UGC-entitled programmes Declared a Deemed to be University in December 2008; academic programmes commenced in 2009-10 Recognition status as per UGC Act, 1956: Section 3 (deemed university); not recognised under 12B (as declared in its October 2020 application to UGC-DEB) |
| Unit for online programmes | Centre for Online Education (COE), established on 7 June 2019 by renaming the Inter University Consortium | 2020: JAIN Online, the e-learning arm offering UGC Entitled Programs Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), 319, 17th Cross, 25th Main, JP Nagar 6th Phase, Bengaluru 560078 |
| Headquarters address | Centre for Online Education, Block-17, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068 | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Online mode offering | The Common Prospectus has a separate chapter 13 listing programmes on offer through Online mode, with a separate admission portal | Online |
| Same programme in both modes | BFTTM is in ODL mode; BFTTMOL is in online mode with English as medium of instruction (Common Prospectus July 2026) | UGC-DEB lists JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) ODL-mode programmes for 2026-27 July as well (e.g. MBA, MCA, B.Com, BCA) Mode of education declared as Dual Mode in the 2020 UGC-DEB application |
IGNOU Online only
Jain Online only
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online recognition and validity
IGNOU states it is exempt from the UGC (ODL Programme and Online Programme) Regulations, citing UGC letters dated 9 August 2019 and 17 March 2020. Jain Online, conversely, submitted an application to the UGC-DEB under the UGC (ODL and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.
IGNOU states its degrees, diplomas, and certificates are recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Its online MBA is described as an AICTE recognized/approved programme. Jain Online states its BBA, MBA, BCA, and MCA programmes are approved by AICTE, and it claims accreditation by WES, with recognition in the USA and Canada.
The UGC-DEB lists 16 IGNOU online programmes for the 2026-27 July session, including BCA, B.Com, and MBA. For the same session, the UGC-DEB lists 11 online programmes for Jain (Deemed-to-be University), such as BBA, BCA, B.Com, M.Com, MBA, and MCA. Jain Online’s MBA is listed under the “Online (Entitled)” category in the UGC-DEB list for 2024-25. IGNOU states its UG/PG degrees and PG diplomas awarded through ODL and/or Online mode are equivalent to those offered through conventional mode, according to UGC Regulations clause 22. Jain Online’s MBA (Online) learners may use the Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit option under NEP 2020 / UGC / NCrF, subject to credit requirements.
| Point | IGNOU Online | Jain Online |
|---|---|---|
| NAAC grade | A++ | A++ with CGPA 3.71 (no award date or validity printed) |
| UGC ODL and Online Regulations | IGNOU states it is exempted from applicability of the UGC (ODL Programme and Online Programme) Regulations (UGC letters dated 9 August 2019 and 17 March 2020) | Submitted application on the UGC-DEB online portal under the UGC (ODL and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 |
| UGC-DEB listed online programmes | 16 IGNOU programmes are listed with mode “Online(OL)” for 2026-27 (July): BCA, B.Com, BLIS, MA Distance Education, MA Journalism and Digital Media, MA Journalism and Mass Communication, MA Rural Development, MA Sustainability Science, MA Translation Studies, MBA, MCA, M.Com, MA English, MA Gandhi and Peace Studies, MA Hindi, MA Sanskrit | MBA listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session MCA listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session M.Com listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session BBA listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session BCA listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session B.Com listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session MA (English) listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session MA (Economics) listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session MA (Public Policy) listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session MA (Jainology, Comparative Religion & Philosophy) listed by UGC-DEB for JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Online mode, 2026-27 July session |
IGNOU Online only
Jain Online only
More on the IGNOU degree: whether an IGNOU degree is valid and IGNOU degree certificate, migration and convocation.
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online eligibility: who can enrol
Indian nationals residing in India can enrol in IGNOU Online programmes through ignouiop.samarth.edu.in. Learners outside India, including SAARC, Non-SAARC, FSRI, and NRI students, can apply via ignouforeigniop.samarth.edu.in for the July 2026 session.
IGNOU Online requires applicants to provide a valid APAAR ID. International students pay a one-time application processing fee of INR 2,000 for SAARC applicants and USD 100 for Non-SAARC applicants. However, not all online programmes are open to international students; for example, the BCA (Online) is not offered to them. IGNOU advises students uncomfortable with online learning to enrol in the ODL mode instead.
A student may pursue two academic programmes simultaneously through IGNOU’s ODL or Online mode, subject to specific combinations. Jain Online does not state whether it permits simultaneous registration for two academic programmes.
IGNOU Online only
- Indian student 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 student services
IGNOU Online vs Jain 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. Jain Online publishes 7 online degrees: 4 Master’s and 3 Bachelor’s degrees. The table below lists the specific programmes and their fees.
IGNOU Online’s Bachelor of Computer Applications (Online) has a total fee of Rs. 49,800 over three years, excluding registration, development, and examination fees. Jain Online’s Bachelor of Computer Applications (Online) in Computer Science and Information Technology costs Rs. 1,20,000 for the full programme, also over three years, excluding one-time registration and yearly examination fees. Jain Online offers a 15% one-time payment discount, which is not applied to the listed fees.
For Master’s degrees, IGNOU Online’s Master of Business Administration (Online) costs Rs. 66,000 for the full two-year programme, excluding additional fees. Jain Online’s Master of Business Administration (Online) in General Management has a total fee of Rs. 1,60,000 for two years, excluding one-time registration and yearly examination fees. IGNOU Online states that its online programmes are available for the July 2026 session. Jain Online’s fees are listed for the “2026 Intake.”
| Point | IGNOU Online | Jain Online |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
7 degrees with 30+ electives (4 Masters: MBA, MCA, M.Com, MA; 3 Bachelors: BBA, BCA, B.Com) |
| Bachelor’s degrees offered | BSW, BCA, B.Com, BLIS, Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management. No BA (General) is listed in online mode. | BBA, BCA, B.Com |
Jain Online only
- Master’s degrees offered: MBA, MCA, M.Com, MA
- MBA electives: 16 electives shown on the online MBA page (Year 1 common core, Year 2 elective)
- MA specializations: Only one MA elective is shown: Jainology, Comparative Religion and Philosophy (UGC-DEB lists four more online MA subjects)
Minimum and maximum duration
| Programme | IGNOU Online duration | Jain Online duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.Com | 3 years | 3 years to 6 years |
| BCA | 3 years to 6 years | 3 years |
| MBA | 2 years to 4 years | 2 years |
| MCA | 2 years to 4 years | 2 years |
| M.Com | 2 years to 4 years | 2 years |
Eligibility as published
| Programme | IGNOU Online eligibility | Jain Online eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| B.Com | 10+2 passed or equivalent from a recognized institution | Pass in the (10+2) examination from State Board / CBSE / NIOS / IGCSE/ IB / ICSE recognized by the State or Central Government. Candidates who are due to appear in the (10+2) examination are also eligible to apply. |
| BCA | 10+2 or its equivalent or A pass in Diploma in Commercial Practice or equivalent | Pass in the (10+2) examination from State Board / CBSE / NIOS / IGCSE/ IB / ICSE recognized by the State or Central Government. Candidates who are due to appear in the (10+2) examination are also eligible to apply. |
| MBA | Passed Bachelor Degree of Minimum 3 years duration with at least 50% marks (45% in case of candidates belonging to reserved category). | Pass in an Undergraduate (Bachelor) Program of a minimum duration of three (3) years in any stream from a UGC Recognized University. A minimum aggregate of 50% or an equivalent letter/ numerical grade. A relaxation of 5% shall be given to SC/ST candidates. Candidates who are in the final semester of the Bachelors Program are also eligible to apply. |
| MCA | Eligibility: Category 1: Passed BCA/Bachelor Degree in Computer Science Engineering or Equivalent Degree. OR Category 2: Passed B.Sc./B.Com./B.A. with Mathematics at 10+2 Level or at Graduation Level Students enrolling under Category-2 shall be required to study two additional courses – MCS-201 and MCS-208 in the first semester and pay an additional amount of Rs. 2000/-. | Pass in an Undergraduate (Bachelor) Program of a minimum duration of three (3) years in any stream from a UGC Recognized University. A minimum aggregate of 50% or an equivalent letter/ numerical grade. A relaxation of 5% shall be given to SC/ST candidates. Candidates who are in the final semester of the Bachelors Program are also eligible to apply. |
| M.Com | Any graduate or equivalent from a recognised university is eligible for admission | Pass in an Undergraduate (Bachelor) Program of a minimum duration of three (3) years in any stream from a UGC Recognized University. Candidates who are in the final semester of the Bachelors Program are also eligible to apply. |
IGNOU course guides: IGNOU BA; IGNOU MBA; IGNOU MA; IGNOU MCA and IGNOU syllabus.
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online fees, course by course
IGNOU Online generally offers lower programme fees compared to Jain Online for similar degrees. For example, the Bachelor of Computer Applications (Online) at IGNOU Online costs Rs. 49,800, while Jain Online’s BCA programmes range from Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 for the 2026 intake.
IGNOU Online charges fees per semester or per year, with the Bachelor of Computer Applications (Online) costing Rs. 8,300 per semester for the July 2026 session. Jain Online publishes fees per semester, per year, and as a one-time full programme payment for its 2026 intake. For instance, the Bachelor of Business Administration (Online) – Finance is Rs. 22,500 per semester, Rs. 45,000 per year, or Rs. 1,35,000 as a one-time payment.
Jain Online offers a 15% discount for one-time full programme fee payments and provides education loan/EMI options with 0% interest, with the interest borne by the University.
Regarding refunds for the July 2026 intake, IGNOU Online refunds the full fee before admission confirmation, deducting 15% (up to Rs. 2,000) after confirmation, and no refund is given after 60 days of the admission closing date. Jain Online offers a full refund for cancellations up to 15 September 2026 for the July 2026 intake, with varying percentage deductions after this date, and no refund more than 30 days after the notified last date of admission.
IGNOU Online only
- Refund before admission: Fee paid is refunded (July 2026)
- Refund after admission: 15% of the programme fee, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000, is deducted (July 2026)
- Refund for digital material: Fee is refunded after deducting the registration fee only (July 2026); The MBAOL handbook states the 15% discount for opting for soft copy is given “for ODL students” (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026)
- Re-registration fee refund: Not refunded in any case (Common Prospectus July 2026)
Jain Online only
- One-time payment discount: 15% discount if the full programme fee is paid upfront (separate from the listed fee)
- EMI and loan options: Education loan / EMI with 0% interest offered through loan providers; Loan interest borne by the University (asterisked); approval at the loan provider’s discretion
- Scholarship types: Merit-based, Armed Forces, gender-focused and freshers scholarships; amounts not stated
- Refund for July intake: Full refund of all fees for cancellations up to 15 September 2026; after that 100% / 90% / 80% / 50% slabs relative to the notified last date, 0% after 30 days (July 2026 intake)
- Refund for January intake: Full refund of all fees for cancellations up to 30 March 2027 (January 2027 intake)
- Refund processing time: Within 30 working days of approval
- LinkedIn Learning add-on: Optional add-on, Rs 1,200 per year (regular price Rs 16,800/year)
- Extension fee: Additional LMS usage fee for extension beyond the first three years (B.Com Student Handbook, Jan 2026 batch)
Fees of the programmes both run, as each publishes them
| Programme | IGNOU Online fee | Jain Online fee |
|---|---|---|
| B.Com | Rs.5000/- per year Plus Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable (July 2026) | ₹20,000 per semester; ₹40,000 per year; ₹120,000 one-time (full programme) (fee listed on onlinejain.com as fetched 27-Oct-2026 (the fee section prints no session or year; site banner reads “2026 Intake”)) |
| BCA | Rs.8300/- per semester Plus Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable (July 2026) | ₹25,000 per semester; ₹50,000 per year; ₹150,000 one-time (full programme) (fee listed on onlinejain.com as fetched 27-Oct-2026 (the fee section prints no session or year; site banner reads “2026 Intake”)) |
| MBA | Rs.16,000/- per semester for 1st, 2nd and 4th semester Rs.18,000/- for 3rd semester (3rd semester has an 8-credit project) Plus Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable (July 2026) | ₹49,000 per semester; ₹98,000 per year; ₹196,000 one-time (full programme) (fee listed on onlinejain.com as fetched 27-Oct-2026 (the fee section prints no session or year; site banner reads “2026 Intake”)) |
| MCA | Rs.13000/- per semester Plus Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable (July 2026) | ₹40,000 per semester; ₹80,000 per year; ₹160,000 one-time (full programme) (fee listed on onlinejain.com as fetched 27-Oct-2026 (the fee section prints no session or year; site banner reads “2026 Intake”)) |
| M.Com | Rs.10200/- per year Plus Registration Fee & Development Fee as applicable (July 2026) | ₹31,250 per semester; ₹62,500 per year; ₹125,000 one-time (full programme) (fee listed on onlinejain.com as fetched 27-Oct-2026 (the fee section prints no session or year; site banner reads “2026 Intake”)) |
IGNOU fees in full: IGNOU fee structure.
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online admission: sessions, last dates and portals
IGNOU Online and Jain Online both offer two admission cycles per year, in January and July. For the July 2026 session, IGNOU Online’s last date for fresh admissions is 13 October 2026, except for certificate and semester-based programmes.
Applicants to IGNOU Online must register on the ignouiop.samarth.edu.in portal before submitting their form. Jain Online requires applicants to complete an online application form on their website, select a programme, and then pay the fees. IGNOU Online charges a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400, both paid at admission. Jain Online charges a one-time registration fee of Rs. 2,500 for students in India, along with an annual examination fee of Rs. 3,000.
For international learners, IGNOU Online states a last date of 13 October 2026 for the July 2026 cycle. Jain Online publishes separate registration and examination fees for SAARC and other international students. Jain Online confirms admission once payment is made or financing is approved, providing LMS login within 48 hours. IGNOU Online requires soft copies of photographs, signatures, educational qualifications, and category certificates, with specific file size limits. Jain Online requires colour scans of original documents, including Class 10 and 12 grade sheets, all undergraduate semester grade sheets, and Aadhaar or passport.
| Point | IGNOU Online | Jain Online |
|---|---|---|
| Admission cycles | Two cycles a year: January and July (Common Prospectus July 2026) | Two intakes a year: January cycle and July cycle (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch) |
| Last date for admission | 13 October 2026 (except for certificate and semester-based programmes) (July 2026) January 2026 cycle (online mode): last date for fresh admissions 31 January 2026 13 October 2026 (except for certificate and semester-based programmes), July 2026 cycle |
Admission date sheet: July Batch 2025 – 1st October 2025; January Batch 2026 – 30th March 2026 (2025-26 schedule) |
| Application portal | ignouiop.samarth.edu.in ; registration on the portal is compulsory before submitting the form | Online application form on the JAIN Online website, then select programme, then pay |
| Required documents | Photograph and signature (under 100 KB, JPEG); educational qualification, experience certificate if any, category certificate if SC/ST/OBC (under 200 KB, JPEG/PDF) | Colour scans of originals: Class 10 and 12 grade sheets, all UG semester grade sheets, UG degree/provisional certificate, Aadhaar (Indians) or passport (foreign nationals), ABC and DEB/APAAR ID (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch) Colour scan of original documents uploaded on the admission portal (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch) |
| Registration fee | Rs. 300, non-refundable, paid at admission in addition to the programme fee (Common Prospectus July 2026) | Rs 2,500 one-time registration + Rs 3,000 per year examination fee (students in India) (fee listed on onlinejain.com as fetched 27-Oct-2026 (the fee section prints no session or year; site banner reads “2026 Intake”)) SAARC: Rs 11,250 one-time registration + Rs 3,750 per year exam fee; other international: $150 + $50 per year (fee listed on onlinejain.com as fetched 27-Oct-2026 (the fee section prints no session or year; site banner reads “2026 Intake”)) Rs 2,500 one-time registration + Rs 1,500 per year examination fee (fee listed on onlinejain.com as fetched 27-Oct-2026 (the fee section prints no session or year; site banner reads “2026 Intake”)) |
IGNOU Online only
- Current session: July 2026 session
- Fee payment methods: Credit card (Master/Visa), debit card (Master/Visa/Rupay), net banking, UPI (July 2026)
- University Development fee: Rs. 400, paid at admission in addition to the programme fee (Common Prospectus July 2026)
- Re-registration: Learners must re-register for each semester from the second semester onwards
- Application cancellation: Done from the applicant login; cancellation is irreversible
Jain Online only
- Seat confirmation: Admission confirmed once payment is made or financing approved; LMS login within 48 hours
- Elective choice: Elective is chosen at admission and cannot be changed after the programme starts (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch)
- International students: Separate fees for students in India, SAARC countries and international students; learners from 21+ countries
IGNOU admission this session: IGNOU admission 2026; how to apply to IGNOU online; IGNOU admission last date and IGNOU admission status.
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online study material, classes and study centres
IGNOU Online does not provide printed study material to students enrolled in its online programmes. Jain Online provides Self-Learning Material (SLM) on its Learning Management System (LMS).
IGNOU Online delivers its online programmes through a centralised LMS, where self-instructional material in PDF or other electronic form is uploaded. After admission, learners receive LMS credentials by email. Jain Online uses a four-quadrant approach, including live online lectures, pre-recorded lectures on its LMS, e-content, discussion forums, assignments, projects, and MOOCs.
IGNOU Online holds online counselling sessions for theory and practical courses, with theory sessions lasting 2 hours and practical sessions 3 hours. These sessions are for doubt clearing, not for delivering lectures. Jain Online conducts two-way live interactive sessions on Saturdays for 5-7 hours, with counselling sessions every second and fourth Saturday.
For practical sessions, IGNOU Online requires learners to use the necessary software at their own end, as it provides no hardware or software facilities. A minimum of 70% attendance is compulsory for each lab course in BCA Online, and 75% for MCA Online practical counselling sessions. Jain Online states that learner support centres are not applicable for online programmes. The medium of instruction and examination for Jain Online is English.
| Point | IGNOU Online | Jain Online |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Self-Learning Material (SLM) provided on the LMS |
| Counselling sessions | Online counselling sessions for all theory and practical courses (BCA Online) Counselling sessions are for clearing doubts; counsellors do not deliver lectures as in conventional teaching Theory session 2 hours; practical session 3 hours Virtual classroom is used for online counselling |
Two-way live interactive sessions on Saturdays for 5-7 hours Every 2nd and 4th Saturday |
IGNOU Online only
- 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
- 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
Jain Online only
- Pedagogy: Four-quadrant approach: live online lectures, pre-recorded lectures on LMS, e-content/printed material, discussion forums, assignments, projects, MOOCs
- Learning hours: 2,700 learning hours over two years; each course 120 hours (1 credit = 30 hours)
- Study centres: Learner support centres are not applicable for online programmes
- Medium of instruction: English (instruction and examination)
IGNOU books and centres: IGNOU study material and IGNOU regional and study centres.
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online assignments and exams
IGNOU Online requires assignments to be submitted as PDF files on its LMS portal. Hard copies are not considered for evaluation. Jain Online uses three online assessments for continuous assessment, with the average of the best two counting towards the final grade.
For MBA Online at IGNOU, assignments carry a 30% weight, while the term-end examination accounts for 70%. For BCA Online theory courses, continuous evaluation is 25% and the term-end examination is 75%. Jain Online states that Continuous Assessment has a 30% weight, and the End Semester Examination has a 70% weight.
IGNOU Online holds term-end examinations twice a year, in June and December. The June 2026 TEE notification covers both Pen & Paper and CBT modes. Learners choose their mode and an exam centre. For BCA Online, exams are taken at an examination centre, and students must appear only at the allotted centre. Jain Online conducts End Semester Examinations twice a year, usually around the 18th week of the semester. These are online proctored examinations, requiring a laptop or desktop with a webcam and microphone, with AI-enabled remote proctoring and live invigilation. Mobile devices are prohibited.
An examination fee of Rs. 200 per course is charged by IGNOU Online, which is not included in the programme fee. The last date for assignments for the December 2026 TEE is 31 October 2026. Jain Online states that the examination fee covers all courses of the semester in the first off attempt, and is per-course for later attempts. The End Semester Examination for all semesters commenced on 9th March 2026, with results expected in June 2026.
For MBA Online, IGNOU requires an overall C grade (50% to 59.9%) to qualify a course. Jain Online states a 40% aggregate (Continuous Assessment + End Semester Examination) is needed for a C grade, with specific minimum marks in the ESE: 28 of 70 for MBA, BBA, B.Com, M.Com, and 25 of 70 for MCA, BCA. Re-evaluation at IGNOU costs Rs. 750 per course, within 40 days of result declaration. Jain Online allows re-appearances by registering and paying a fee, with Continuous Assessment marks carried forward.
| Point | IGNOU Online | Jain Online |
|---|---|---|
| Weightage of assessments | Assignments 30%, term-end examination 70% (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026) Continuous evaluation 25%, term-end examination 75% (BCA_NEWOL Programme Guide, July 2025) |
Continuous Assessment 30%, End Semester Examination 70% |
| Exam eligibility | A learner cannot appear in the term-end examination of a course without submitting its assignment (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026) | 75% participation in all programme activities (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch) |
| Exam frequency | Twice a year, in June and December (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026) | End Semester Examinations twice a year, usually around the 18th week of the semester (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch) |
| Exam mode | The June 2026 TEE notification covers ODL and Online programmes together, in Pen & Paper and CBT (computer-based test) modes Students choose Pen & Paper mode or CBT mode, the courses and an exam centre in the examination form (June 2026 TEE) |
Online Proctored Examination (laptop/desktop with webcam and microphone) (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch) AI-Enabled Remote Proctored Examination (20/02/2026) |
| Exam centre | 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) 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) Learners may appear only at the examination centre allotted to them (BCA_NEWOL Programme Guide, July 2025) No request for change of examination centre is entertained after the form is filled (June 2026 TEE) |
Not applicable for online programmes |
| Exam fee | Rs. 200 per course (theory / practical / lab) (BCA_NEWOL Programme Guide, July 2025) Exam fee is not included in the fee structure |
Exam fee for all courses of the semester in first attempt; per-course for later attempts; non-refundable (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch) |
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 copies submitted at a study centre / Regional Centre / SED are not considered for evaluation (MBAOL Student Handbook and Prospectus, January 2026)
- Assignment deadline: Last date for assignments for the December 2026 TEE extended to 31 October 2026
- Exam form submission: Submitted through the student portal on the Samarth platform (ignou.samarth.edu.in) (June 2026 TEE)
- Exam 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)
Jain Online only
- Continuous assessment format: Three online assessments of 30 marks; average of best two counts
- Proctoring method: AI-enabled remote proctoring supported by live invigilation (Process manual version 1, dated 20/02/2026)
- Exam device requirements: Laptop/desktop only; mobile devices are prohibited (20/02/2026)
- Exam duration and marks: 180 minutes, single sitting; maximum 70 marks (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch)
- Question pattern: Section A: 50 MCQs of 1 mark; Section B: answer any 4 of 6 descriptive questions of 5 marks (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch)
- Pass marks: 40% aggregate (CA + ESE) for a C grade and at least 28 of 70 in the ESE (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch); 40% aggregate (CA + ESE) for a C grade and at least 25 of 70 in the ESE (MCA Student Handbook, Jan 2026 batch)
- Exam and result dates: End Semester Examination for all semesters commenced 9th March 2026; results June 2026 (2025-26 schedule); June 2026
- Grading system: Relative grading; letter grades O to P with grade points 10 to 4; SGPA and CGPA
- Re-examination policy: Re-appear by registering and paying a prescribed fee within the maximum period; CA marks carried forward (Student Handbook, January 2026 batch)
IGNOU exam cycle: IGNOU assignments; IGNOU date sheet; IGNOU hall ticket and IGNOU result and grade card.
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online credit transfer, migration and re-admission
Moving between courses or taking a break differs between IGNOU Online and Jain Online. Jain Online states that a learner may take a break of a semester or more with prior approval and continue after re-registration. IGNOU Online publishes an exit option for its MBA Online programme.
For the MBA Online, IGNOU Online allows learners to exit after the first and second semesters, completing 56 credits, to receive a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDIM). This option is available at the learner’s request.
Credit transfer under the Academic Bank of Credits is available at IGNOU Online. For a migration certificate, IGNOU Online requires a request to the Regional Director along with a fee of Rs. 500.
IGNOU Online only
- Exit option: 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
Jain Online only
- Semester break: With prior approval a learner may take a break of a semester or more and continue after re-registration
For enrolled IGNOU students: IGNOU re-registration.
IGNOU Online vs Jain Online student support and helpline
IGNOU Online provides support through its Centre for Online Education, reachable at coe@ignou.ac.in and iopsupport@ignouonline.ac.in. Jain Online offers student support via phone at +91 87489 00900. For admissions, IGNOU Online has a Centralised Student Registration Cell, which can be contacted at 011-29571301, 011-29571528, or csrc@ignou.ac.in for the July 2026 session. Jain Online provides admission enquiry numbers: +91 76765 43210 for calls and +91 63640 07160 for WhatsApp.
Learners can raise grievances at IGNOU Online through the iGRAM portal, available at igram.ignou.ac.in/. Jain Online lists grievance@onlinejain.com as its grievance email and mentions the Students’ Grievance Redressal Committee (SGRC), Ombudsperson, and E-Samadhan in its mandatory disclosures. IGNOU Online states its support hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 6 pm.
IGNOU has a Campus Placement Cell (CPC), and learners can send their resumes to campusplacement@ignou.ac.in. Jain Online’s MBA page lists a placement cell under “Career Edge” and offers a career readiness programme that includes resume building, LinkedIn optimisation, and interview preparation.
| Point | IGNOU Online | Jain Online |
|---|---|---|
| Admission helpline | Centralised Student Registration Cell: 011-29571301, 011-29571528, csrc@ignou.ac.in (July 2026) | +91 76765 43210 (call), +91 63640 07160 (WhatsApp) |
| Placement cell | IGNOU has a Campus Placement Cell (CPC); learners send their resume to campusplacement@ignou.ac.in | MBA page lists a placement cell under “Career Edge” |
IGNOU Online only
- Online helpdesk: 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)
Jain Online only
- Grievance email: grievance@onlinejain.com
- Grievance bodies: Students’ Grievance Redressal Committee (SGRC), Ombudsperson and E-Samadhan listed in mandatory disclosures
- Mentorship: Personalised 1:1 mentorship and a dedicated batch owner (elective pages)
- Career readiness: Resume building, LinkedIn optimisation, interview preparation
- Student support phone: +91 87489 00900
IGNOU portals: IGNOU Samarth portal; IGNOU grievance portal (iGRAM) and IGNOU ID card.
IGNOU Online or Jain Online: which is better for you
For students prioritising the lowest fee, IGNOU Online is a more affordable choice. Its Bachelor of Commerce (Online) costs ₹15,000 for the full programme, excluding registration and examination fees. Jain Online’s Bachelor of Commerce (Online) – Accounting and Finance costs ₹1,20,000, excluding registration and examination fees.
A working professional seeking flexibility in examinations finds Jain Online more suitable. Jain Online conducts online proctored examinations, requiring a laptop or desktop with a webcam and microphone. IGNOU Online’s term-end examinations are held at examination centres, either in Pen & Paper or CBT modes, and students must appear only at their allotted centre.
Students who require many specialisations may prefer Jain Online.
For learners outside India, IGNOU Online provides a clear application portal at ignouforeigniop.samarth.edu.in. It charges a one-time application processing fee of ₹2,000 for SAARC applicants and USD 100 for Non-SAARC applicants. Jain Online states it enrols learners from 21+ countries and publishes separate fees for SAARC and other international students, but does not state a specific international application portal.
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
- Jain MBA Handbook Jan 2026
- Jain Ugc Deb Online Application 2020
- Jain Schedule 2025-26
- Jain Online Proctored Exam Manual 2026
- Jain MCA Handbook Jan 2026
- Jain Bcom Handbook Jan 2026
- Jain Ugc Deb Programme List
- Jain Online MBA
- Jain About Us
Common IGNOU Questions
Which university, IGNOU Online or Jain Online, is better for a student seeking a wide range of online Master’s degrees?
Students looking for more diverse postgraduate options may find IGNOU Online more suitable.
What are the fees for an online BCA degree at IGNOU Online versus Jain Online?
The total fee for a BCA (Online) at IGNOU Online is Rs. 49,800, excluding registration and examination fees. For Jain Online, a BCA (Online) in Computer Science and Information Technology costs Rs. 1,20,000, excluding one-time registration and yearly examination fees. IGNOU Online offers a significantly lower fee for its BCA program.
How do the MBA (Online) fees compare between IGNOU Online and Jain Online?
The total fee for an MBA (Online) at IGNOU Online is Rs. 66,000, excluding registration and examination fees. For Jain Online, an MBA (Online) in General Management costs Rs. 1,60,000, excluding one-time registration and yearly examination fees. IGNOU Online’s MBA program is considerably more affordable.
Is an online degree from IGNOU Online or Jain Online considered more widely recognised?
IGNOU Online is a National Open University established by an Act of Parliament in 1985, and its degrees are recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities. Jain Online states its programmes are UGC-Entitled and AICTE approved for BBA, MBA, BCA, and MCA. Both institutions hold significant recognition, but IGNOU’s parliamentary act status provides a distinct foundation.
What are the eligibility criteria for an online MBA at IGNOU Online and Jain Online?
For an MBA (Online) at IGNOU Online, candidates need a Bachelor’s Degree of minimum 3 years duration with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Jain Online requires a Bachelor’s Program of minimum 3 years duration from a UGC Recognized University with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST candidates). Both universities have similar percentage requirements for their MBA programs.
How do IGNOU Online and Jain Online provide study materials and conduct online classes?
IGNOU Online provides self-instructional material in PDF or electronic form on its LMS and eGyankosh, with no printed study material. Jain Online provides Self-Learning Material (SLM) on its LMS and conducts two-way live interactive sessions on Saturdays for 5-7 hours. Jain Online offers structured live sessions, while IGNOU focuses on self-study materials and doubt-clearing counselling.
What is the assignment and examination weightage for online MBA programmes at IGNOU Online and Jain Online?
For IGNOU Online’s MBA, assignments carry 30% weightage and the term-end examination carries 70%. Jain Online’s MBA programmes have Continuous Assessment at 30% and End Semester Examination at 70%. Both universities use a similar 30:70 split for continuous assessment and final exams.
Where are the term-end examinations held for IGNOU Online and Jain Online students?
IGNOU Online students take their term-end examinations at an examination centre, choosing between Pen & Paper mode or CBT mode. Jain Online conducts online proctored examinations, requiring a laptop/desktop with a webcam and microphone, meaning examination centres are not applicable. Students must choose based on their preference for physical or remote examination settings.
In which medium of instruction are online programmes offered by IGNOU Online and Jain Online?
Jain Online states that its medium of instruction and examination for all online programmes is English. Students seeking Hindi instruction for certain PG courses may find IGNOU Online more suitable.
Can a student pursue two academic programmes simultaneously at IGNOU Online or Jain Online?
A student at IGNOU Online may pursue two academic programmes simultaneously through ODL / Online mode, subject to specific combinations. Jain Online does not state whether simultaneous registration in two programmes is permitted. IGNOU Online explicitly allows for dual degree pursuits under certain conditions.
What kind of student support is available at IGNOU Online and Jain Online?
IGNOU Online provides an online-mode helpdesk, a centralised student registration cell, and a grievance portal (iGRAM). Jain Online offers a student support phone number, an admission enquiry line, a grievance email, and mentions personalised 1:1 mentorship. Both universities offer multiple channels for student assistance.