How to Download IGNOU ID Card 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)

The IGNOU ID card download process is now fully digital and managed through the official IGNOU Samarth Portal. Whether you are a newly admitted student of the July 2025 or January 2026 batch, or an existing learner, this guide walks you through every step from IGNOU Student Login to opening the password-protected PDF with accurate, up-to-date information sourced from official IGNOU portals.

What Is the IGNOU ID Card?

The IGNOU Identity Card is an official document issued by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to all students whose IGNOU admission has been confirmed. It is generated automatically by the SAMARTH system once admission is approved and is available only in digital (PDF) format. Prior to 2019, IGNOU issued physical ID cards offline; since then, the entire process has been moved online through the IGNOU Samarth Portal.

Details Printed on the IGNOU ID Card

The IGNOU ID card contains the following information:

Important: Verify all details on the ID card before the first Term-End Examination. Any error on the ID card will reflect on your marksheet and degree certificate as well. Report discrepancies immediately to your Regional Centre.

Why Is the IGNOU ID Card Mandatory?

Every enrolled student must possess and carry the IGNOU ID card for the following official purposes:

• Term-End Examinations (TEE): The ID card is compulsory for entry into the IGNOU exam hall. Students without a valid ID card may be denied entry.
• Assignment Submission: Required when submitting physical assignments at the Study Centre or Regional Centre.
• Practical Exams and Lab Sessions: Must be carried during practical sessions at IGNOU Study Centres.
• Project Viva and Counselling Sessions: Needed for identity verification during viva voce and academic counselling.
• Collecting Study Materials: Required to collect printed study material from the Regional Centre.
• Accessing Library Services: Acts as an access pass to IGNOU's library and academic resources.

Prerequisites Before IGNOU ID Card Download

Before you begin the IGNOU ID card download process, ensure the following:

• Your IGNOU admission is confirmed. The ID card is generated only after admission approval.
• You have completed New Registration on the IGNOU Samarth Portal (for students admitted from 2019 onwards).
• You have your Enrollment Number (9 or 10 digits), which is issued after admission confirmation.
• You have your IGNOU Student Login credentials — username and password set during Samarth registration.
• The ID card is typically available 7 to 15 days after admission confirmation. Newly admitted students may see a delay of up to 48 hours after approval.

IGNOU Samarth Portal Official Login Links

IGNOU operates multiple portals under the Samarth framework. Use the correct portal for your specific requirement:

Always access the Samarth portal through the official URLs listed above. Several unofficial websites mimic the Samarth interface — using them can compromise your login credentials.

How to Do New Registration on IGNOU Samarth Portal

If you are a newly admitted student and have not yet registered on the Samarth Student Portal, complete this step first. IGNOU ID card login is not possible without a registered Samarth account.

1. Visit ignou.samarth.edu.in
2. Click on "New Registration" on the login page.
3. Fill in the required details, including your name, mobile number, and active email address.
4. Choose a Username between 8 to 16 characters.
5. Set an alphanumeric password between 8 to 16 characters.
6. Click "Submit" — your username will be sent to your registered email and mobile number via SMS.
7. Use these credentials for all subsequent IGNOU Student Login sessions.

Note: Use your own personal and active mobile number and email address. All official communications from IGNOU, including admission confirmation and exam updates, are sent to this contact information.

Step-by-Step Guide: IGNOU ID Card Download with Enrollment No

Once your IGNOU Samarth account is created and your admission is confirmed, follow these steps for a successful IGNOU ID card download with enrollment no:

Step 1: Visit the IGNOU Samarth Portal

Go to the official student portal: https://ignou.samarth.edu.in

Step 2: IGNOU ID Card Login

On the homepage, you will see the Sign In section. Enter the following:

• Username: Your registered username or Enrollment Number
• Password: The password you set during Samarth registration
• Captcha Code: Enter the verification text displayed on screen

Click the "Login" button to proceed with your IGNOU ID card login with enrollment No.

Step 3: Access the Student Dashboard

After successful login, you will be redirected to your IGNOU Student Login dashboard, which shows all available student services.

Step 4: Navigate to ID Card Section

From the dashboard, click on "Services" in the navigation menu. From the dropdown or list of services, select "ID Card" or "ID Card Download".

Step 5: Download the ID Card PDF

• Click on the ID Card download link in the alerts or services section.
• A PDF file will begin downloading to your device.

Step 6: Open the PDF with IGNOU ID Card Password

The downloaded ID card PDF is password-protected. To open it:

• Enter your Enrollment Number (9 or 10 digits) as the IGNOU ID card password.
• The ID card will open displaying all your academic and personal details.

Step 7: Verify and Print

• Carefully check all details: name, programme, study centre, regional centre, photograph, and signature.
• Print the ID card on an A4-size sheet in colour.
• It is strongly recommended to laminate the printed copy for durability and official use.

IGNOU ID Card Download Quick Reference Table

How to Reset IGNOU ID Card Password (Forgot Password)

If you have forgotten your IGNOU Student Login password and cannot proceed with the IGNOU ID card login, follow these steps:

1. Go to ignou.samarth.edu.in
2. Click on "Reset Password" or "Forgot Password" on the login page.
3. Enter your Enrollment Number and registered mobile number or email.
4. An OTP will be sent to your registered contact.
5. Enter the OTP and set a new alphanumeric password (8–16 characters).
6. Use the new password to complete your IGNOU ID card Login.

Remember: The IGNOU ID card password (to open the PDF file) is always your Enrollment Number itself, this is separate from your Samarth portal login password.

IGNOU ID Card Download for Old Students (Previous Batches)

Students admitted before the launch of the current Samarth portal must download their ID card through the Previous Admission Portal:

1. Visit ignou.samarth.edu.in and look for the "Previous Admission Portal" link at the bottom of the login page.
2. Select your admission session and mode (online/offline).
3. Enter your username, password, and captcha to log in.
4. Navigate to Services > ID Card.
5. Click the download link and enter your Enrollment Number as the IGNOU ID card password to open the PDF.

If you have forgotten your login username, click "Forgot Username" on the login page and follow the retrieval steps.

IGNOU ID Card Download on Mobile

Students can also complete the IGNOU ID card download process from a smartphone:

• Open your browser (Chrome recommended) and visit ignou.samarth.edu.in in Desktop Mode.
• Complete the IGNOU ID card login steps as described above.
• Download and save the PDF to your phone's downloads folder.
• The soft copy can be shown at exam centres if the invigilator permits, but a printed and laminated copy is always strongly recommended for official use.

Duplicate IGNOU ID Card : What to Do If You Lose It

If you have lost your IGNOU ID card, the process differs depending on whether you are an online or offline-admitted student:

For Online-Admitted Students

• Simply log in to ignou.samarth.edu.in again and re-download the ID card PDF.
• IGNOU does not charge any fee for re-downloading the digital ID card.

For Offline-Admitted Students or When Download Is Not Possible

1. Visit the nearest Police Station and lodge an FIR for the lost ID card.
2. Visit your designated IGNOU Regional Centre with the following:
   • FIR copy
   • Government-approved photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.)
   • A Demand Draft of Rs. 200 payable to IGNOU
3. Write a letter to the coordinator of your respective IGNOU Study Centre requesting a duplicate ID card.
4. Follow the instructions provided by the Regional Centre authorities.

Students admitted through offline mode must collect their physical ID card from their assigned Regional Centre in person.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

IGNOU Admission 2026 : Key Facts

Understanding IGNOU admission helps put the ID card process in context. Here are the key facts for 2026:

• Admission Cycles: January Session and July Session
• Mode of Admission: Online through ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in (ODL) and ignouiop.samarth.edu.in (Online programmes)
• Enrollment Number: A unique 9 or 10-digit number allotted to each student after admission confirmation; used for IGNOU ID card login with enrollment No and as the PDF password
• APAAR ID: From 2026, a valid APAAR ID is required for new admissions on the Samarth portal
• Student Helpdesk Email: csrc@ignou.ac.in
• Complaint Portal: IGNOU IGRAM (for unresolved grievances)

Difference Between IGNOU ID Card and Hall Ticket

Many students confuse these two documents. Here is a clear comparison:

Both documents must be carried together to the examination centre along with a valid government-issued photo ID.

In a nutshell, the IGNOU ID card download is a straightforward process once your admission is confirmed and your Samarth portal account is active. To recap the key steps:

1. Visit ignou.samarth.edu.in
2. Complete IGNOU Student Login using your username/enrollment number and password
3. Go to Services > ID Card
4. Download the PDF
5. Enter your Enrollment Number as the IGNOU ID card password
6. Print in colour on A4 and laminate

Keep your enrollment number safe at all times it serves as your identity on the IGNOU Samarth Portal, as your PDF password, and as your primary student reference throughout your academic journey at IGNOU.