IGNOU - Indira Gandhi National Open University

Indira Gandhi National University is the largest university globally, operated by the Central Government of India. It has also received accreditation from the NAAC with a Grade of 'A++'. The university offers more than 200 programs at various levels, including certificate, diploma, degree, and doctoral programs. IGNOU's course offerings include BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA, BA, MA, MCA, MBA, MCom, among others. Additionally, the IGNOU Distance Education programs are available in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Learning (OL) formats.

The IGNOU admission cycles occur twice a year, in January and July. For the January session, online registration for most courses begins in November, while for the July session, registrations start in May-June. The official IGNOU website (www.ignou.ac.in) provides information regarding exam forms, assignments, study materials, and grade cards. Furthermore, students can access their IGNOU results at www.ignou.ac.in/result. Candidates can also check their IGNOU assignment and admission status on the official site. Below are the key highlights regarding IGNOU Delhi:

IGNOU History

Some historical facts about IGNOU are outlined below:

• The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the UGC, and the Indian National Commission for Cooperation, organized a seminar on ‘Open University’ with UNESCO.
• Following the seminar's recommendations, the Government of India decided to establish an open university on an experimental basis.
• In 1974, an eight-member working group was formed, led by G Parthasarathy, the then Vice-Chancellor of JNU, to oversee the establishment of the open university.
• According to the Working Group Report of 1974, a proposal was made to establish a national open university through an act of Parliament.
• The report also recommended various measures to be implemented while developing the instructional and management processes of the open university, including admission procedures, preparation of reading materials, establishment of study centers, and live interaction with teachers.
• This was followed by the Union Government of India releasing a draft bill for the establishment of a national open university. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the entire process faced delays.
• In 1985, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, reconstituted a committee to devise a plan of action for the establishment of the open university. Based on the committee's report, the Union Government passed a bill in Parliament, and on September 20, 1985, IGNOU was established.
• Named after the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the university held its inaugural convocation in 1989, awarding degrees to over 1,000 students.
• IGNOU received full recognition from the UGC in 1992, and all degrees conferred by the university began to be recognized as equivalent to those offered by other regular universities in India.
• Indira Gandhi National Open University launched its virtual campus in 1999, offering its first online course in Computer and Information Sciences.
• Today, IGNOU stands as the world’s largest university, serving over 4 million students in India and abroad.