IGNOU Admission July Session 2026: Last Date (15 July), Form, Online Process, & Fees

IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) admission 2026 for the July session is now open. New students can register and apply at the official ODL admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The last date to submit the application for ODL and Online programmes under the July 2026 cycle is 15 July 2026. 

IGNOU runs 2 admission cycles every year, in January and July, for more than 333 UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, and PhD programmes in both ODL (Open and Distance Learning) and Online modes.

Admission to most IGNOU programmes is merit-based, using marks from the qualifying examination. No entrance test is required except for B.Ed and PhD. The application fee is INR 300 for most programmes (INR 1,000 for B.Ed and PhD) and is non-refundable. Candidates must create an APAAR ID before starting the application process. 

IGNOU Admission Highlights 2026

The table below gives a quick overview of IGNOU 2026 for students looking at distance or online education for the first time.

Source: IGNOU Official Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, May 2026; IGNOU Official Website, ignou.ac.in

IGNOU conducts admissions in 2 cycles every year. The January 2026 cycle is closed. The July 2026 cycle is currently open. The table below lists all IGNOU admission dates 2026 for both cycles.

IGNOU Admission 2026 July Session

The July 2026 session is currently open for new admissions. The IGNOU ODL admission portal is live and accepting fresh registrations. 

Source: IGNOU Official ODL Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, May 2026. 

IGNOU Admission 2026 January Session

The January 2026 admission cycle was open from December 2025 and has now closed. The dates below are for reference for students who joined this cycle.

Source: IGNOU Official Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in; IGNOU Re-Registration Portal, onlinerr.ignou.ac.in; IGNOU B.Ed Portal, ignou-bed.samarth.edu.in, 2026

IGNOU eligibility criteria vary by programme level. There is no upper age limit for any programme at IGNOU. The minimum qualifications and marks required for the most popular IGNOU courses are listed below.

Source: IGNOU Common Prospectus 2026, ignou.ac.in; IGNOU Official Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in

For in-service teachers applying for B.Ed., NCTE-recognised face-to-face teacher education programme completion is required. BE/BTech graduates need 55% to apply for PG programmes. Trained in-service teachers in elementary education are eligible for B.Ed without the minimum percentage criterion.

IGNOU UG admission 2026 for the July session is open. IGNOU offers 49 UG programmes, including BA, B.Com, BBA, BCA, BSc, BLIS, BSW, and BEd, through ODL and Online modes. Admission to all UG programmes except BEd is merit-based — no entrance exam is required.

Source: IGNOU Common Prospectus 2026, ignou.ac.in; IGNOU Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in

IGNOU PG admission 2026 for the July session is open. IGNOU offers 79 PG programmes, including MA (26 specialisations), MBA, MCA, M.Com, M.Sc, MSW, MLIS, and MAJMC. Admission to all PG programmes is merit-based; no entrance exam is required. The MBA programme may require an OPENMAT score for certain specialisations.

Source: IGNOU Common Prospectus 2026, ignou.ac.in; IGNOU Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, 2026

IGNOU launched MA in Population and Family Health Studies (MAPFHS) as a new programme in the July 2026 session under the School of Extension and Development Studies. Candidates interested in this course can apply through the standard PG admission portal.

IGNOU B.Ed 2026 is a 2-year Bachelor of Education programme offered through distance learning mode and approved by NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education). It is designed for working teachers and graduates who want to enter the teaching profession. BEd admission at IGNOU is strictly IGNOU entrance-based, conducted by the university, and it is mandatory for all applicants. 

Source: IGNOU B.Ed Admission Portal, ignou-bed.samarth.edu.in; IGNOU Official Website, ignou.ac.in, 2026

IGNOU PhD admission 2026 requires IGNOU PhD Entrance Test score or a valid UGC NET or NET-JRF score, followed by a personal interview conducted by the university. IGNOU offers PhD programmes in disciplines spanning Social Work, Rural Development, Home Science, Nursing, Languages (Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu), Mathematics, Education, Management, and more.

Source: IGNOU Official Website, ignou.ac.in;

IGNOU online course admission 2026 for the July session is open through a separate portal at ignouiop.samarth.edu.in. Online programmes at IGNOU are different from ODL (distance) programmes; they are delivered entirely through the internet with no physical study centre requirement. The official IGNOU IOP (Institutional Online Portal) at iop.ignouonline.ac.in hosts the full list of online programmes for July 2026.

Source: IGNOU IOP Portal, iop.ignouonline.ac.in; IGNOU Official Admission Portal notice, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, July 2026 session

To apply for an IGNOU Online programme, visit ignouiop.samarth.edu.in, register as a new user, select your programme, fill in the form, upload documents, and pay the application fee. The portal is separate from the ODL portal — do not apply for an Online programme through ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

IGNOU ODL vs IGNOU Online Programmes

The table below shows the key differences between the IGNOU ODL and IGNOU Online programmes:

Source: IGNOU Official Website, ignou.ac.in; IGNOU IOP Portal, iop.ignouonline.ac.in, 2026

IGNOU offers various Diploma and Certificate programs with a duration ranging from 6 months to 2 years. These programs include courses such as the Advanced Certificate in Information Security (ACISE) and the Advanced Certificate in Power Distribution Management (ACPDM) and other courses. Admission to these programs is merit-based. The eligibility criteria depend on the selected course. Students must have completed 10+2 or hold a Bachelor’s degree, as required by the program. More detailed information is provided below.

IGNOU admission 2026 for BEd, Post Basic BSc Nursing, and PhD requires entrance exams. The IGNOU BEd entrance test for the BEd program, and the IGNOU PhD entrance test for Doctoral programs. Students have to give the IGNOU Entrance Test for the Post Basic BSc Nursing admission. Candidates must register on the IGNOU admission portal and check exam schedules at www.ignou.ac.in. 

Note: For all other programmes, including BA, B.Com, BCA, BBA, MA, MBA, MCA, M.Com, M.Sc, PGDM, and Certificate courses, no entrance exam is required. Admission is granted solely based on marks in the qualifying examination.

IGNOU offers more than 333 programmes across 21 academic schools. The most popular courses for the July 2026 session are listed below with their IGNOU fees and eligibility.

Source: IGNOU Common Prospectus 2026, ignou.ac.in; IGNOU Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in

IGNOU offers two modes of admission — Online and Offline. The Online route through the official IGNOU admission portal is the primary and preferred method. The Offline route through Regional Centres is available for students who face technical difficulties or are in areas with limited internet access. Step-by-step admission process for IGNOU admission 2026 is as follows:

IGNOU Online Admission 2026

IGNOU online admission for ODL is managed via ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in (ODL) and registration for IGNOU Online courses can be done on the official IGNOU online admission portal - ignouiop.samarth.edu.in. or iop.ignouonline.ac.in. Candidates use the IGNOU admission login to access the application form, track IGNOU Admission Status, and complete IGNOU registration. The step-by-step process for ODL programmes is:

• Visit ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and click NEW REGISTRATION, and fill the IGNOU admission form.
• Create your APAAR ID from DigiLocker before starting — it is mandatory for all programmes.
• Register with your email and mobile number. An OTP will be sent to both for verification.
• Set a username (8–16 characters) and alphanumeric password (8–16 characters).
• Log in and click the 'Available Programmes' tab to select your course.
• Read the eligibility criteria and fee details before proceeding.
• Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and category information.
• Upload scanned documents in the required format:
  • Photo: JPEG, less than 100 KB, white background
  • Signature: JPEG, less than 100 KB
  • Educational certificates: JPEG or PDF, less than 200 KB
  • Category certificate (if applicable): JPEG or PDF, less than 200 KB
• Pay the IGNOU admission fees of INR 300 via Credit Card (Visa/Master), Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), Net Banking, or UPI.
• Review the form preview, submit, and download or print the confirmation page.

Step-by-step process for Online mode programmes:

• Visit ignouiop.samarth.edu.in and register as a new user.
• Select the Online mode programme from the available list.
• Complete the form, upload documents, and pay the fee.
• For international students applying for Online programmes, visit iop.ignouonline.ac.in.

Source: IGNOU Official ODL Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in; IGNOU IOP Portal, ignouiop.samarth.edu.in, July 2026

IGNOU Offline Admission 2026

IGNOU offline admission is available for students who cannot complete the online INOU application process due to technical difficulties or lack of internet access. The offline route requires a visit to the nearest IGNOU Regional Centre (RC). IGNOU has 67 Regional Centres and over 2,000 Learner Support Centres (LSCs) across India. To apply offline for IGNOU admission 2026, follow these steps:

• Download the IGNOU admission form (Common Admission Form) from ignou.ac.in or collect it from the nearest Regional Centre.
• Fill in the form with all personal, academic, and programme details.
• Attach self-attested copies of all required documents: photo, signature, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, graduation marksheet (for PG), category certificate (if applicable).
• Pay the programme fee via a Demand Draft (DD) in favour of IGNOU, payable at New Delhi — or as specified by the Regional Centre.
• Submit the completed form along with the DD and documents at the Regional Centre in person.

Source: IGNOU Official Website, ignou.ac.in; IGNOU Regional Centre directory, ignou.ac.in, 2026

Online IGNOU admission is strongly recommended over offline admission — it is faster, generates instant confirmation, and the IGNOU portal provides real-time status updates. Offline applications may take longer to process and status cannot be tracked online until the Regional Centre uploads the data.

The IGNOU admission process is online through the official Samarth portal. There are two separate portals for ODL and Online programmes. Follow the steps below for a hassle-free IGNOU application:

• Visit the official IGNOU ODL admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. For Online programmes, visit onlineadmission.ignou.ac.in.
• Click on 'NEW REGISTRATION' and register with your active email ID and mobile number. An OTP will be sent for verification.
• Create your APAAR ID before proceeding; it is mandatory for all programmes.
• Log in and select your preferred programme. Read the eligibility criteria and fee details carefully under the 'Programme Information' tab.
• Fill in personal, academic, and category details in the application form.
• Upload required documents, photo (less than 100 KB, JPEG), signature (less than 100 KB, JPEG), educational certificates (less than 200 KB, JPEG or PDF), and category certificate (if applicable).
• Pay the application fee of INR 300 online via Credit Card (Visa/Master), Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay), Net Banking, or UPI.
• Review the form preview and submit. Save the confirmation page for future reference.

Do not use a cybercafé to fill in the form unless you are confident all details are correct. Never share your card details or OTP with anyone. The cancellation option is available in the applicant's login — once cancelled, the application cannot be restored.

Keep these documents ready in the specified formats before starting the application:

• Passport-size photograph with white background — JPEG, less than 100 KB
• Scanned signature — JPEG, less than 100 KB
• Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets — JPEG or PDF, less than 200 KB
• Graduation/PG marksheet (for PG programmes)
• Category certificate — SC/ST/OBC (if applicable) — JPEG or PDF, less than 200 KB
• Experience certificate (if applicable)
• Valid APAAR ID
• Valid study visa (for international students applying from abroad)

After submitting the IGNOU application form and paying the fee, students can check their admission status online. IGNOU processes applications and confirms or rejects admission within a few weeks of the application closing date. The status appears in one of four states: Confirmed, Pending, Rejected, or Payment Pending.

Source: IGNOU Official Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, 2026

How to Check IGNOU Admission Status?

To check IGNOU admission status 2026, do the following:

• Primary Method (Post-Confirmation): Visit https://isms.ignou.ac.in/changeadmdata/AdmissionStatusNew.ASP Enter your 10-digit Enrollment Number and Programme Code. View details: Confirmation, study centre, and validity.
• During Application (Samarth Portal): Log in at https://ignouiop.samarth.edu.in/ (for online programs) or https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/ (ODL). Go to "My Application" to track progress.
• Alternative: Check registered email/SMS for confirmation notifications.

For the student willing to cancel their admission in IGNOU and want a refund of the paid fees, they must know that IGNOU follows a strict time-based refund policy, where the refundable amount depends on the time at which admission is cancelled:

IGNOU Application Fee 2026

IGNOU application fee is INR 300 (non-refundable) for all programmes except B.Ed and PhD, which have an application fee of INR 1,000. 

Source: IGNOU Common Prospectus 2026, ignou.ac.in; IGNOU Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, 2026

IGNOU Refund Policy 2026 

IGNOU follows a structured refund policy based on the timing of the cancellation request. The registration fee of INR 300 (or INR 1,000 for B.Ed/PhD) is non-refundable in all cases. The refund rules for the programme fee are:

Source: IGNOU Official Admission Portal, ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in — Cancellation and Refund Rules, 2026

The IGNOU admission cancellation option is only available in the applicant's login on the portal. Do not submit a cancellation request by email or iGRAM. Once cancelled, the admission cannot be restored.

Re-registration is the process by which existing IGNOU students enrol for the next year or semester of their ongoing programme across both Online and Open Distance Learning (ODL) modes. It is separate from fresh admission and applies to students who have already completed at least one year or semester at IGNOU. Re-registration is not required for single-year programmes (Certificate courses).

IGNOU has officially started the re-registration process for the July 2026 academic session. If you are an already enrolled student, you must complete this process to advance to your next semester or academic year (e.g., 2nd or 3rd year).

Important IGNOU Re-Registration Dates 2026

• Start Date: May 6, 2026
• Last Date to Apply: June 30, 2026

Who Needs to Re-Register?

Re-registration is mandatory for existing students enrolled in Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) programs (such as BA, BSc, BCom, MA, MBA, BCA, BBA, etc.) across both Online and Open Distance Learning (ODL) modes. Even if you have not yet appeared for your term-end exams or submitted previous assignments, you can and should still re-register for the next year/semester to avoid any academic gaps.

(Note: Re-registration is strictly for continuing students. New students must use the Fresh Admission portal instead.

IGNOU Re-Registration Eligibility 2026

To be eligible for IGNOU re-registration, you must be an existing student enrolled in a program that lasts longer than one year, and you must be ready to advance to your next semester or academic year.

• UG and PG Students: Students currently enrolled in Undergraduate (BA, BCom, BSc, BCA, etc.) or Postgraduate (MA, MCom, MCA, MBA, etc.) programs that span 2 to 3 years.
• Semester-Based Students: Students enrolled in semester-based programs (like BCA or MBA) who have completed the minimum required time in their current semester and need to enroll for the next one (e.g., moving from Semester 1 to Semester 2).
• Annual-Based Students: Students enrolled in yearly programs who have completed one full academic year and are moving to the 2nd or 3rd year.

IGNOU Re-Registration Fees 2026

• Re-Registration Registration Fee: INR 300 (non-refundable), in addition to your specific program/course fee for the upcoming year.
• Late Fee: Applying after the deadline may incur an INR 200 late fee (if the deadline is extended).

How to Apply Online for IGNOU Re-registration 2026?

1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official IGNOU re-registration portal at onlinerr.ignou.ac.in.
2. Login/Register: If you are using the portal for the first time, click on "New Registration" to create your account. Otherwise, log in using your Enrollment Number, Username, and Password.
3. Select Courses: Carefully choose your elective or optional courses for the upcoming semester/year from the provided list. It is highly recommended to consult your Programme Guide before selecting, as changing courses later can be difficult.
4. Make Payment: Pay the re-registration and course fees online via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
5. Confirmation: After a successful payment, download and save the fee receipt and confirmation page.
   • Pro Tip: If a payment is deducted from your bank but doesn't reflect immediately on the portal, do not pay again instantly. Wait at least 24 hours and check the payment status to avoid duplicate transactions.

What You Will Need Before Starting IGNOU Re-Registration?

• Your 10-digit Enrollment Number
• Registered Email ID and Mobile Number
• A finalized list of preferred courses for the next semester
• An active online payment method

IGNOU Re-Registration Portal 2026

IGNOU conducts re-registration through a dedicated portal separate from the fresh admission portal. Students must complete re-registration to be promoted to the next semester or year of their course. Missing the re-registration deadline can result in a break in studies.

• Portal URL: onlinerr.ignou.ac.in
• Re-registration is available for both ODL and Online programmes.
• Fee: INR 300 per re-registration cycle — payable online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
• Students must choose their courses carefully before locking — changes after the deadline are not allowed.
• Do not pay twice if a transaction appears to fail — wait one day, check the payment status, and then decide.
• In case of login issues or OTP problems, contact your Regional Centre for account reset.
• Obtain a printout of the submitted form and payment confirmation if using a cybercafé.

IGNOU welcomes international students for its ODL and Online programmes. Students from SAARC countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) pay the same IGNOU fees as Indian students for most programmes. Students from Non-SAARC countries pay fees in US Dollars (USD), and rates vary by programme.

Source: IGNOU IOP Portal, iop.ignouonline.ac.in; IGNOU Official Website, ignou.ac.in, 2026

International students residing in India can apply through the same ODL admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in) by submitting their admission form, a valid study visa covering the full programme duration, and paying the applicable fee. International students living outside India must contact the IGNOU International Division or apply through the IOP portal at iop.ignouonline.ac.in for Online programmes. IGNOU's degrees hold recognition for international study equivalence through WES (World Education Services) and other global credential evaluation bodies.