IGNOU Guide IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University · Delhi

IGNOU BLIS Admission 2026: Eligibility, Fee Structure, and Application

Updated 29 October 2026 Programmes 12 min read

IGNOU offers the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) degree in Open Distance Learning mode for candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree. The one-year programme costs Rs. 9,000 plus registration fees. Eligible candidates can register online through the IGNOU Samarth admission portal for active academic cycles.

Indira Gandhi National Open University, widely known as IGNOU, offers the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) programme through its School of Social Sciences under Open Distance Learning mode. Designed for individuals seeking professional roles in library management and information services, this one-year degree awards 40 credits across ten specialized courses.

IGNOU BLIS eligibility criteria: Bachelor degree requirement

Candidates seeking admission to the Bachelor of Library and Information Science programme at Indira Gandhi National Open University must satisfy specific academic or professional criteria. General category applicants require a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, whereas candidates from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes, and Physically Handicapped categories require 45% marks. Alternatively, candidates with a Bachelor’s degree alongside a one-year Diploma in Library Science, or a Bachelor’s degree with two years of library work experience, are eligible.

IGNOU BLIS Eligibility Conditions

Category / Route Educational Qualification Minimum Marks / Experience Required
General Category Bachelor’s Degree 50% aggregate marks
Reserved Categories (SC/ST/OBC/PH) Bachelor’s Degree 45% aggregate marks
Diploma Holders Bachelor’s Degree + 1-Year Library Science Diploma Pass grade in qualifying degree
Experienced Professionals Bachelor’s Degree 2 years of working experience in a Library & Information Centre

Five men at an event at IGNOU, one receiving a document.
Five men attending an event at Indira Gandhi National Open University in New Delhi.
Location of Indira Gandhi National Open University headquarters.

IGNOU BLIS Fee Structure: Programme Fee, Registration and Practical Charges

The total programme fee for the IGNOU Bachelor of Library and Information Science course is set at Rs. 9,000 for the complete one-year duration. Candidates must also pay non-refundable registration and development fees as applicable during the initial online application process. Additionally, since the curriculum contains practical course components, students must submit practical examination fees along with their Term-End Examination form prior to appearing for practical assessments.

IGNOU BLIS Fee Breakdown

Fee Component Amount (INR) Applicability / Payment Stage
Programme Fee Rs. 9,000 Full programme fee paid at admission
Registration & Development Fee As applicable Non-refundable charge paid during online registration
Practical Examination Fee As prescribed per practical course Paid with TEE exam form prior to practical tests

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU Entrance Test Online Application Extension Notification 2026
First page of the official document IGNOU Entrance Test Online Application Extension Notification 2026 (2026).

IGNOU BLIS duration: One year ODL degree course

The Bachelor of Library and Information Science at Indira Gandhi National Open University is structured as a one-year degree programme under the Open Distance Learning mode. Registered candidates are expected to complete all theory courses, practical components, assignments, and the mandatory internship within this timeframe. Under university guidelines, learners with benchmark disabilities of 40 percent or more are granted an additional two years beyond the standard duration to successfully pass all course requirements.

IGNOU BLIS Duration and Credit Overview

Feature Standard Provisions Relaxed / Special Provisions
Minimum Duration 1 Year Applicable to all standard learners
Maximum Duration Extension Standard university policy rules Additional 2 years granted for PwD (40% or more)
Total Academic Credits 40 Credits Distributed over 10 total courses

Main entrance gate of IGNOU, with its name, trees, and people.
The main entrance gate of Indira Gandhi National Open University in New Delhi, India.

IGNOU BLIS Course Structure: Theory, Practical and Internship Credits

The Bachelor of Library and Information Science curriculum consists of ten courses carrying a total of 40 academic credits under the School of Social Sciences. Four courses cover theoretical foundations, five courses incorporate practical components in ICT and document processing, and one course requires a practical internship. While the study material is supplied in English medium, candidates have the option to write their continuous assignments and Term-End Examinations in Hindi.

IGNOU BLIS Course List and Credit Allocation

Course Code Course Title Credits Course Type
BLI 221 Library, Information and Society 4 Theory
BLI 222 Information Sources and Services 4 Theory
BLI 223 Organising and Managing Information 4 Theory
BLI 224 ICT Fundamentals 4 Practical
BLIE 225 Communication Skills 4 Practical
BLIE 226 Management of Library and Information Centre 4 Theory
BLIE 227 Document Processing Practice 4 Practical
BLIE 228 Information Products and Services 4 Practical
BLIE 229 ICT in Libraries 4 Practical
BLII 230 Internship 4 Internship

IGNOU BLIS assignment submission: July 2025 session

Continuous evaluation carries a 30 percent weightage towards the final grade in the Bachelor of Library and Information Science programme, while the Term-End Examination accounts for 70 percent. Learners enrolled in the July 2025 session must submit their handwritten Tutor Marked Assignments by 30 March 2026, while January 2026 session learners must submit by 30 September 2026. Answers must be written with proper margins and headers containing student enrolment details.

  • Include Programme Code (BLIS), Course Code, Course Title, Assignment Code, Enrolment Number, Name, and Study Centre Code on the first page.
  • Leave a 3-inch margin on the left-hand side and at least 4 lines between consecutive answers for counsellor feedback.
  • If a July 2025 session student fails to submit assignments by 30 March 2026, they must attempt fresh assignments for the subsequent session.
  • If a January 2026 session student fails to submit assignments by 30 September 2026, fresh assignments of the January 2026 session must be attempted.
  • Download assignment question papers in English or Hindi from the official assignment portal.

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU B.Sc B.Ed Merit List Admission Session July 2026
First page of the official document IGNOU B.Sc B.Ed Merit List Admission Session July 2026 (2026).
First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU BA B.Ed Merit List Admission Session July 2026
First page of the official document IGNOU BA B.Ed Merit List Admission Session July 2026 (2026).

IGNOU BLIS admission process: Samarth online portal

Prospective candidates must submit their application for the Bachelor of Library and Information Science online through the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. Applicants create a user profile, fill in academic qualifications, select their designated Regional Centre and Study Centre, and upload scanned supporting documents. Upon verification, programme fees are paid online through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI Gateway to confirm registration.

  1. Open the IGNOU BLIS admission portal on Samarth.
  2. Click on new registration and create a user account using a valid email ID and mobile number.
  3. Log in to the portal and enter personal details, educational qualifications, and category details.
  4. Select the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) programme and choose your preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre.
  5. Upload clear scanned copies of your photograph, signature, educational certificates, and category certificate if applicable.
  6. Pay the Rs. 9,000 programme fee along with registration fees using online payment methods.
  7. Submit the application form and download the confirmation receipt for future reference.

IGNOU BLIS examination system: Independent pass rule

Evaluation in the IGNOU Bachelor of Library and Information Science programme combines continuous assessment through Tutor Marked Assignments with end-of-session Term-End Examinations. Students must pass both components independently to earn credit for each course. Practical courses require students to present fee receipts at exam centres and complete practical tests such as cataloguing using AACR-2R, DDC classification practice, or LibreOffice software tasks.

  • Term-End Examinations carry 70% weightage in continuous evaluation.
  • Assignments and practical assessments carry 30% weightage towards total marks.
  • Practical examination fee receipts must be submitted when attending practical exam sessions at designated study centres.
  • Practical tasks include LibreOffice Impress presentation creation, cataloguing non-book material under AACR-2R, and MARC 21 structure mapping.

Key facts

  • Programme Code: BLIS
  • Degree Name: Bachelor of Library and Information Science
  • Offering School: School of Social Sciences
  • Learning Mode: Open Distance Learning
  • Minimum Duration: 1 Year
  • Total Credits: 40 Credits
  • Programme Fee: Rs. 9,000 (plus registration & practical fees)
  • Medium of Instruction: English (Assignments/Exams permitted in Hindi)

Notices and Documents from IGNOU

Common IGNOU Questions

Can I pursue a distance degree from IGNOU alongside a regular degree at another university?

Yes, IGNOU permits students to pursue an Open Distance Learning degree such as BLIS alongside another regular degree from a recognized university under UGC guidelines. Candidates must ensure that class timetables, attendance obligations, and examination schedules between both degree programmes do not conflict. Applicants can complete their online registration for the BLIS programme by creating a user account on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. If an application is rejected due to inaccurate details, candidates must upload clear, self-attested documents for re-scrutiny.

Is there an upper age limit for taking admission in IGNOU BLIS?

No upper age limit is set by IGNOU for admission to the Bachelor of Library and Information Science programme. Applicants of any age are eligible provided they hold a Bachelor’s degree with 50% aggregate marks for General or 45% for reserved categories. Candidates must register online at the IGNOU Samarth admission portal by filling out personal details and submitting required credentials. If document discrepancies arise during application processing, learners can log into their Samarth account to upload corrected scanned files.

In which medium can students write IGNOU BLIS assignments and examinations?

IGNOU officially permits BLIS students to write their Tutor Marked Assignments and Term-End Examinations in Hindi medium. Although printed study materials are provided exclusively in English by the School of Social Sciences, learners retain the option to attempt evaluation components in Hindi across all courses. Students can download assignment question papers directly from the official IGNOU webservices portal. If an answer script is submitted incorrectly, study centres will require resubmission in an approved medium.

What is the weightage of assignments and term-end exams in IGNOU BLIS?

Assignments and practical evaluations carry a 30% weightage while Term-End Examinations carry a 70% weightage in the final BLIS evaluation. To successfully complete each course in the 40-credit programme, learners must secure separate passing grades in continuous assessment and term-end examinations. Students register for term-end exams online after submitting handwritten assignments at their assigned study centre. If a candidate fails either component, they must re-submit updated assignments or re-appear for the exam in subsequent sessions.

What happens if a candidate fails to submit BLIS assignments before the deadline?

If a candidate fails to submit BLIS assignments before the specified deadline, they must download and attempt the fresh set of assignments published for the subsequent academic session. For instance, July 2025 learners missing the 30 March 2026 deadline or January 2026 learners missing the 30 September 2026 deadline must download new questions from the IGNOU webservices portal. If outdated assignment responses are submitted to the study centre, the evaluation will be rejected, requiring fresh submissions.

What is the total fee for the IGNOU BLIS programme?

The total base programme fee for the IGNOU Bachelor of Library and Information Science course is Rs. 9,000 for the full one-year duration. In addition to this fee, applicants must pay non-refundable registration and development charges on the IGNOU Samarth portal during admission. Practical examination fees apply separately when filling out the Term-End Examination form prior to practical tests. If online payment fails during registration, candidates should verify bank debits and re-attempt payment through net banking or UPI.

What are the eligibility requirements for admission into the IGNOU BLIS programme?

IGNOU requires a Bachelor’s degree with 50% aggregate marks for General category applicants and 45% for SC, ST, OBC, and PH categories. Alternatively, candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree with a one-year Diploma in Library Science, or a Bachelor’s degree with two years of library work experience, are eligible. Eligible candidates must apply online through the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. If qualification certificates are incomplete or unverified, the admission application will be rejected during document scrutiny.

What is the maximum duration to complete the IGNOU BLIS programme for PwD candidates?

Candidates with benchmark disabilities of 40 percent or more are allowed an additional two years beyond the standard one-year duration to complete IGNOU BLIS. Standard learners must finish the 40-credit curriculum within the regular timeframe prescribed by the university. Applicants claiming disability relaxation must upload a valid PwBD certificate while applying on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. If the disability certificate is missing or invalid, standard duration limits will apply without extended relaxations.

How many practical courses are included in the IGNOU BLIS curriculum?

The IGNOU BLIS programme includes five practical courses, four theory courses, and one mandatory internship carrying a total of 40 credits. The practical courses cover ICT Fundamentals (BLI 224), Communication Skills (BLIE 225), Document Processing Practice (BLIE 227), Information Products and Services (BLIE 228), and ICT in Libraries (BLIE 229). Students must register for practical exams on the university portal and pay practical fees with their examination form. Failure to clear practical evaluations prevents course completion.

What cover page details and page layout rules apply to IGNOU BLIS assignments?

IGNOU BLIS assignment submission sheets must include the Programme Code (BLIS), Course Title, Course Code, Assignment Code, Enrolment Number, Candidate Name, and Study Centre Code on the first page. Learners must leave a 3-inch margin on the left side of each answer sheet and at least 4 lines between consecutive answers. These handwritten assignments are submitted directly to the designated Study Centre coordinator. If margin or header formatting rules are ignored, academic counsellors may return scripts unassessed.

What is the fee and process to change a course in IGNOU undergraduate programmes?

IGNOU permits a change of course within 30 days of receiving the first set of study material upon paying prescribed fees. For undergraduate courses, the fee is Rs. 350 for a 2 or 4 credit course and Rs. 700 for a 6 or 8 credit course. Requests for course change must be submitted directly to the concerned IGNOU Regional Centre using a Demand Draft drawn in favour of IGNOU. Requests submitted after the 30-day period will not be entertained by the university.

What documents are required to be uploaded during the IGNOU BLIS online application?

Applicants must upload clear scanned copies of their passport-size photograph, signature, Class 10 certificate, and qualifying Bachelor’s degree marksheets on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. Candidates applying under reserved categories or disability quota must additionally upload valid SC, ST, OBC, or PwBD certificates. Registration is completed online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in during active admission cycles. If uploaded files are unverified or illegible during document scrutiny, the university will reject the application.

Is an internship mandatory for completing the IGNOU BLIS degree?

Yes, the IGNOU BLIS degree includes a mandatory practical internship course coded BLII 230 carrying 4 credits. The overall 40-credit curriculum consists of four theory courses, five practical courses, and this compulsory internship component managed by the School of Social Sciences. Learners complete this requirement within the standard minimum duration of one year. If a student fails to clear the internship evaluation, IGNOU will withhold the degree until all 40 credits are earned.

Which theory courses form part of the IGNOU BLIS curriculum?

The IGNOU BLIS curriculum includes four theory courses carrying 4 credits each, offered by the School of Social Sciences. These courses are Library, Information and Society (BLI 221), Information Sources and Services (BLI 222), Organising and Managing Information (BLI 223), and Management of Library and Information Centre (BLIE 226). Learners study printed modules in English and submit handwritten assignments for continuous evaluation. If a candidate fails any theory course, they must re-appear in subsequent Term-End Examinations.

How can students apply for education loans for IGNOU programmes?

Students can apply for education loans and government scholarships for IGNOU programmes through the Vidya Lakshmi Portal developed by NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited. This single-window electronic portal allows applicants to view, fill out, and track loan applications submitted to participating financial institutions. Learners must complete online registration on the portal to submit required financial details and track sanction progress anytime. If an application gets flagged for discrepancies, candidates can log into their portal account to re-upload clear scanned documents.

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