IGNOU Guide IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University · Delhi

How to Pursue IGNOU Online BSW? Fee, Duration and Admission Details

Updated 29 October 2026 Programmes 9 min read

IGNOU BSW admission is conducted online through the Samarth portal at ignouiop.samarth.edu.in. Candidates can apply by submitting required documents and paying a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 300 alongside a Rs 400 university development fee.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), also known as IGNOU Delhi, offers the Bachelor of Social Work (BSWOL) programme through its online learning portal alongside the distance mode Bachelor Degree in Social Work (BSW). Offered by the School of Social Work (SOSW), the programme provides foundational and practical education in social work methods, family life education, and community intervention.

IGNOU online BSW overview: School of Social Work

Indira Gandhi National Open University provides the Bachelor of Social Work (BSWOL) degree online to expand access to higher education in social work disciplines. Administered by the School of Social Work, the curriculum prepares learners for professional intervention in family, healthcare, community, and correctional settings. Enrolled learners complete their academic requirements digitally through the IGNOU Online Programmes portal, utilizing self-learning e-content and continuous assignment evaluations.

  • Programme Name: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW / BSWOL)
  • Offering School: School of Social Work (SOSW)
  • Learning Mode: Online (BSWOL) and Open and Distance Learning (ODL BSW)
  • Evaluation Components: Tutor Marked Assignments (30%) and Term-End Examinations (70%)

A multi-storey concrete building featuring the IGNOU Regional Centre signboard and promotional posters.
The Indira Gandhi National Open University Regional Centre building located at Saida Kadal in Srinagar, Kashmir.
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.

IGNOU BSW course structure: three years duration

The Bachelor of Social Work academic framework spans three years of study, incorporating specialized courses on social work methods, human development, family life, and community social action. Candidates complete mandatory theory courses and tutor-marked assignments for each course code prescribed by the School of Social Work across the three academic years.

IGNOU Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Course Structure

Year Course Code Course Title
1st Year BSWE-001 Introduction to Social Work
2nd Year BSWE-002 Social Work Intervention with Individuals and Groups
2nd Year BSWE-004 Introduction to Family Life Education
3rd Year BSWE-003 Social Work Intervention with Communities and Institutions
3rd Year BSWE-005 Introduction to HIV/AIDS
3rd Year BSWE-006 Substance Abuse and Counselling

IGNOU BSW fee structure: Rs 300 registration fee

Mandatory Administrative Fees for IGNOU Admission

Fee Component Amount (INR) Nature of Fee
Registration Fee Rs 300 Non-refundable (Paid at admission)
University Development Fee Rs 400 Mandatory (Paid at admission)

IGNOU BSW fee concession: SC and ST category rules

Indira Gandhi National Open University provides fee concession benefits for eligible reserved category candidates who fulfill institutional financial guidelines. Applicants seeking admission under Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories can claim a programme fee waiver for one course of study upon submitting valid income certificates issued by an authorized government authority. IGNOU has not published the specific academic eligibility criteria for Bachelor of Social Work (BSWOL) on its site as of 24 October 2026.

  • Fee Support Scheme: SC/ST candidates are eligible for programme fee exemption for one programme only.
  • Mandatory Document: Income certificate issued by an Authorized Government Agency must be submitted during admission.
  • Non-Exempted Charges: SC/ST candidates must still pay registration fees, development fees, late fees, and examination fees.

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU Notification 103 Revised Programme Fees 2026
First page of the official document IGNOU Notification 103 Revised Programme Fees 2026 (2027).
Location of Indira Gandhi National Open University headquarters.

IGNOU BSW assignment weightage: 30 percent of grade

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) form a compulsory part of the evaluation scheme for the Bachelor of Social Work programme, carrying a 30 per cent weightage in final course grades. Students must write assignment answers by hand in their own words using IGNOU study materials and submit them to their allotted Study Centre coordinator before the announced deadline for their admission cycle.

  • Evaluation Weightage: 30% of total course marks.
  • Format: Hand-written, duly signed by the learner, with each answer starting on a new page.
  • July 2024 Session Deadline: 31 March 2025 (as specified in 2024–2025 assignment booklets).
  • January 2025 Session Deadline: 30 September 2025 (as specified in 2024–2025 assignment booklets).
  • Official Repository: Access continuous evaluation questions on the IGNOU BSW assignment page.

First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU PhD Information Brochure July 2026
First page of the official document IGNOU PhD Information Brochure July 2026 (2026).
First page of the official IGNOU document: IGNOU Common Prospectus Admission Session July 2026
First page of the official document IGNOU Common Prospectus Admission Session July 2026 (2026).

IGNOU BSW admission process: Samarth portal

Prospective learners seeking admission to the online Bachelor of Social Work (BSWOL) programme must register online through the university’s designated digital admission system. Candidates create an online profile, complete the electronic application form, upload clear scanned copies of required documents, and submit their registration fee online. Physical copies of application forms do not need to be dispatched to university offices.

  1. Navigate to the official IGNOU IOP admission portal and select the link for new student registration.
  2. Create a user account by providing an active personal email address and mobile phone number.
  3. Log in with the generated credentials and select Bachelor of Social Work (BSWOL) from the online programme list.
  4. Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and correspondence address in the application form.
  5. Upload clear scanned copies of photo identity proof, photograph, signature, and educational mark sheets.
  6. Pay the mandatory Rs 300 registration fee and Rs 400 university development fee along with the programme fee using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
  7. Submit the final application form and download the payment receipt and completed form for record keeping.

Key facts

  • Programme Name: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW / BSWOL)
  • Academic School: School of Social Work (SOSW)
  • Online Admission Portal: ignouiop.samarth.edu.in
  • Registration Fee: Rs 300 (Non-refundable)
  • University Development Fee: Rs 400
  • Assignment Weightage: 30% of total course evaluation

Notices and Documents from IGNOU

Common IGNOU Questions

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

IGNOU does not enforce any upper age limit for candidates seeking admission to its undergraduate degree programmes like BSW. Applicants of any age who meet the programme guidelines can register digitally through the Samarth online admission portal at ignouiop.samarth.edu.in. Candidates need to complete registration by uploading required self-attested documents and paying administrative fees. If the transaction or registration process fails, candidates should re-check browser compatibility and submit clear credentials.

What is the weightage of assignments in IGNOU BSW evaluation?

Tutor Marked Assignments carry a 30 per cent weightage in evaluating final course grades for each course code in IGNOU BSW. The remaining 70 per cent weightage is evaluated through Term-End Examinations conducted by the university. Enrolled learners must submit hand-written, signed assignment responses directly to their allotted Study Centre coordinator before the official deadline. If assignment receipt confirmation fails, learners must contact their Study Centre or Regional Centre coordinator with proof of submission.

What mandatory fees must be paid during IGNOU admission?

Candidates must pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 300 and a mandatory university development fee of Rs 400 at IGNOU admission. These administrative charges are paid online along with the tuition fee through net banking, debit card, or UPI on the ignouiop.samarth.edu.in portal. Candidates must save the digital payment receipt for future reference. If online payment fails or receipt generation stalls, applicants should check their account balance and re-attempt registration.

Are SC and ST candidates eligible for fee exemption in IGNOU?

IGNOU offers programme fee exemption to eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students for one academic programme. Applicants must upload a valid income certificate issued by an authorized government agency while registering on the ignouiop.samarth.edu.in portal. However, mandatory administrative charges, including the Rs 300 registration fee and Rs 400 development fee, still apply. If fee exemption fails during portal verification, candidates must present self-attested government income proof to their Regional Centre.

How can students access IGNOU digital study material for BSW?

IGNOU provides free digital access to self-learning study materials for over 2,500 courses through the eGyanKosh online repository. Enrolled learners can also view, read, and download BSW e-content on mobile devices using the official IGNOU e-Content mobile application. In addition, students can access supplementary audio-visual content through Gyan Darshan and Gyan Vani broadcasts. If digital downloads fail, learners can access physical course books at their Study Centre library.

What were the submission deadlines for BSW 2024-2025 assignments?

For the 2024–2025 assignment cycle, July 2024 session BSW learners had a submission deadline of 31 March 2025. For learners admitted in the January 2025 session, the assignment submission deadline was 30 September 2025 as stated in official assignment booklets. Hand-written assignments had to be submitted directly to the allotted Study Centre coordinator. If submission failed by the deadline, learners were advised to consult their Study Centre or Regional Centre.

What courses are included in the IGNOU BSW curriculum across three years?

IGNOU BSW curriculum includes course BSWE-001 in the first year, BSWE-002 and BSWE-004 in the second year, and BSWE-003, BSWE-005, and BSWE-006 in the third year. Learners study topics covering social work methods, family life education, community intervention, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse counselling. Assignments must be submitted for each course code to the allotted Study Centre before appearing for term-end exams. If course registration fails, students must update choices via their Regional Centre.

Is the IGNOU examination fee refundable if a student misses the exam?

IGNOU examination fees are strictly non-refundable and non-adjustable once paid, even if the student fails to appear for the Term-End Examination. Learners must carefully select their examination centres and course codes during online TEE form submission. Students can appear for examinations only for courses where required tutor-marked assignments have been submitted on time. If transaction errors occur during online fee payment, applicants should verify receipt generation on the university portal immediately.

What rules apply for performance improvement in IGNOU undergraduate degree programmes?

IGNOU allows students to apply for marks improvement in theory papers for a maximum of 25 per cent of total programme credits. Students must apply within six months of receiving their final grade card and pay a fee of Rs 750 per course code via bank draft. The completed application must be sent to the Registrar, Student Evaluation Division at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. If the improvement exam score is lower, the university retains the better of the two scores.

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