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Nalanda Open University (NOU): Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
- Public/Government University
- Estd. 1987
Last updated on 7 Nov '25Nalanda Open UniversityWhat's new?
Admission is open to PG Diploma and Certificate courses for the academic session 2025 at Nalanda Open University. Candidates can check and apply through the official website.
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Nalanda Open University Highlights (NOU) 2026
Established in 1987, Nalanda Open University (NOU) is a government-open university, and located in Bihar. NOU Bihar is named after the famous Nalanda University of Ancient India. The University is recognised by the Distance Education Council (DEC), IGNOU, UGC, and the Ministry of HRD, Government of India for imparting education through distance mode.
Nalanda Open University Patna Bihar provides courses at the UG, PG, Certificate and PhD levels via 10 schools. NOU University Patna provides a wide range of courses across arts, science, commerce, technology, pharmacy and business administration. These programmes are offered through distance and online modes. Admission to these courses is offered on the basis of the merit scores. The mode of application is conducted both online and offline. The fees for various courses may vary on the basis of the type and level of the program. Nalanda University Patna has a well-equipped campus with state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the learning experience of the students.
Tabulated below are the Nalanda Open University Bihar highlights:
| Particulars | NOU Highlights 2026 |
|---|---|
|
Establishment Year |
1987 |
|
Ownership type |
Government |
|
Location |
Bihar |
|
Also known as |
NOU or NOU Patna |
|
Schools |
10 |
| Regional study centres |
200+ |
| Recognised by |
DEC, UGC, Ministry of HRD, Government of India |
|
Mode of education |
Distance and Online |
|
Official website |
www.nou.ac.in |
Check out more on NOU Patna Highlights in the video below:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Nalanda Open University (NOU) offers a two-year BEd course under the Teacher Education Programme. This course is only for in-service teachers. The BEd at Nalanda Open University is a two-year course and the medium of instruction is Hindi. To get admission for BEd course, the candidate have to be graduate with 55% aggregate and required teaching expirence.
The MA course fee at Nalanada Open University is INR 11,200. Students can check the table below for more clarity:
| Course | *Total Course Fee |
|---|---|
| MA | INR 11,200 |
*The course fee mentioned above is gathered from external sources. Hecne, is indicative.
Nalanda Open University (NOU) Popular Programmes 2025
Nalanda Open University in Bihar offers more than 100 courses through 10 schools in distance learning mode. The flagship courses are BEd and MSc. NOU Bihar offers a two-year BEd course under the Teacher Education Programme. Admission to the same is absed on Bihar BEd CET. On the other hand, MSc is offered in a wide range of specialisations including Environmental Sciences, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, and Mathematics among others. Admission to the MSc course is based on the merit scores in the last qualifying exam. Candidates can take a look below at the NOU University Patna popular programmes:
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
The university offers degree, diploma, and certificate courses in distance mode under the streams of Humanities & Social Sciences, IT & Software, Accounting & Commerce, Science, Mass Communication & Media, Business & Management Studies, Nursing, Medicine & Health Sciences, and Teaching & Education. The university also offers courses like Disaster Management, Yogic Studies, Child & Women's Rights, and Abolition of Child Labour.
Nalanda Open University (NOU) Admission Process and Dates 2025
Nalanda University Patna Bihar admission is based on the merit scores such as Nalanda University BA admission which are based on previous qualifying examination scores. However, Nalanda BEd admission are done through a state-level entrance exam, Bihar BEd CET. All of the courses at the university are offered through the distance learning mode. The admission and application process for the courses is conducted both offline and online. Interested students must visit the admission portal of NOU University Patna to apply fr the desired course. Additionally, students can also visit their nearest regional centre to apply for the the course and have a detailed look about it. The minimum eligibility requires the candidates to pass Class 12 from a recognised board.
For more details about NOU Patna admission, check out below video:
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Candidates who want to join NOU required to meet the last educational qualification as per course requirement. The table below showcases common eligibility and selection criteria of Nalanda Open University:
| Course | Common Eligibility | Selection Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| MSc | Graduate with a Science background | Merit-Based |
| BEd | Graduate with 50% aggregate. The candidate should have teaching experience | Merit-Based |
| MA | Graduate in any stream/Mathematics | Merit-Based |
| BSc | Intermediate Science | Merit-Based |
| BA | Intermediate | Merit-Based |
For all the undergraduate programmes offered by Nalanda Open University, the admissions are merit-based. For some of the postgraduate programmes the NOU admissions are entrance-based. Moreover, the mode of application is online. Candidates need to visit the official website for applying online. Also, candidates can visit the campus and apply offline.
Nalanda Open University UG admission is merit-based. For some PG courses admission, such as B.Ed, the admission process is entrance-based. Students can check the minimum eligibility criteria and qualify for the selection process as per the university norms.
Nalanda Open UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
Placements2.6
Infrastructure3.7
Faculty & Course3.9
Campus Life3.6
Value for Money4.1
Nalanda Open University (NOU) Placements 2025
Nalanda Open University (NOU) offers placement assistance to students seeking challenging jobs in the industry. Along with that, the University also provides training and career guidance services to shape the careers of students by developing their personalities. The NOU Patna placement report has not been released officially. As per the Shiksha students' reviews, the highest package and average package offered in recent Nalanda Open University placements were INR 10 LPA and INR 5 LPA, respectively. Axis Bank, SBI, Genpact, and many other leading companies have visited the campus over the past few years. The key highlights of NOU Patna placements for MSc, MA, and other courses are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Placement Statistics |
|---|---|
| Average package | INR 5 LPA |
| Highest package | INR 10 LPA |
| Popular recruiters | HCL Technologies, Axis Bank ICICI Bank |
NOTE: The above placement statistics are fetched from the Shiksha students' reviews.
Commonly asked questions On Placements
According to unofficial online sources, a large share of Nalanda Open University alumni is placed in the Education sector with a 23% share. The other top sectors that involve the majority of alumni are Sales and Business Development. The detailed sector-wise distribution of alumni is depicted below:
Sector | Percentage of Alumni |
|---|---|
Education | 23% |
Sales | 17% |
Business Development | 15% |
Operations | 14% |
Media and Communication | 13% |
Others | 18% |
NOTE: The sectors involved in the 'Others' category are Administrative, Finance, and Engineering.
The University has not released any placement-related data. However, students have mentioned the details on the Shiksha students' review page. Take a look at the below table to know the NOU Patna placement statistics:
| Particulars | Placement Statistics |
|---|---|
| Average package | INR 5 LPA |
| the highest package | INR 10 LPA |
NOTE: The above placement details are collated from the Shiksha students' reviews.
The University hosted a wide-range of recruiters from various sectors. Some of the popular companies where the alumi are placed are listed below:
| Nalanda Open University Placements: Top Recruiters | |
|---|---|
| Axis Bank | ICICI Bank |
| HDFC Bank | State Bank of India |
| HCL Technologies | Genpact |
| Bandhan Bank | Dainik Jagran |
Nalanda Open University (NOU) Scholarships 2026
Nalanda Open University Bihar offers a 25% fee concession to women candidates who enroll in any course except PhD programmes. Students are also offered scholarships like Other Backward Classes Post-Graduation Scholarship Scheme, SC and ST Post-Matric Scholarship, etc. by the State Government of Bihar.
2 yearsNalanda Open University (NOU) Courses and Fees 2026
NOU University Patna offers several UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate and PhD courses to the students. Nalanda University distance course are provided in online/distance learning modes as one of the notable Open University in Bihar. Through 10 schools of study, the university serves a wide range of programmes such as BA, BSc, BEd, MSc, and MCA among many others. These programmes are Distance Education Council (DEC), University Grants Commission (UGC), and the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. The fees for various courses may vary based on the level and type of the program. Students can take a look below at the Open University Patna courses, along with fees and eligibility:
| Courses | Tuition Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
M.Sc.(7 courses) | 8.8 KGet Fee Details | – / – |
B.Ed(1 course) | 50 KGet Fee Details | – / – |
M.A.(15 courses) | 8.8 KGet Fee Details | – / – |
Certificate(35 courses) | 2.2 K - 15.2 KGet Fee Details | |
B.Lib.I.Sc.(1 course) | 5.5 KGet Fee Details | |
B.Sc.(7 courses) | 7.2 KGet Fee Details | |
B.A.(13 courses) | 7.2 KGet Fee Details | |
PG Diploma(4 courses) | 6.8 K - 7.2 KGet Fee Details | – / – |
BCA(1 course) | 19.8 KGet Fee Details | |
MBA/PGDM(2 courses) | 6.8 KGet Fee Details | – / – |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Nalanda Open University offers several courses at the UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate and PhD levels. BEd is the flagship programme at NOU Bihar. The total tuition fees for the same is around INR 50 K. However, in the total fee charged by NOU Patna for BEd, it can include multiple components, such as tuition fees, security deposit, application fee, hostel fees, mess fees, and more. To apply for the BEd course at NOU, candidates must appear for Bihar Bachelor of Education Combined Entrance Test (Bihar BEd CET).
The university offers more than 35 courses. The mode of study is distance/correspondance and full-time. The tuition fee for Nalanda Open University ranges between 2.2 K to INR 50 K. However, students can check the the table below to know the list of a top courses fee:
| Course Name | Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| MSc | INR 11,200 |
| BEd | INR 50,000 |
| MA | INR 11,200 |
| BSc | INR 9,600 |
| BA | INR 9,600 to INR 10,800 |
Nalanda Open University MSc fee is INR 11,200. The fee needs to be paid all at once during admission. According to the official website of the university, the payment must be made through demand draft in favour of Nalanda Open University, payable at Patna. On the back side of the demand draft students need to write their admission number and name of the course he has applied for. NOU provides a discount of 25% on the fee for female students. For further queries, students can contact the admission help desk of the university.
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Nalanda Open University (NOU) Vs Other Universities: Which is better?
Nalanda University Patna is an open university in Patna, Bihar. It is the only open university in Bihar that offers distance education. NOU Bihar is well-known for its MBA, MSc and BEd programmes. The University is often compared based on fees, eligibility, courses offered, and salary package. However, students compare NOU Bihar with IGNOU as it is the most popular open university in India. The IGNOU study centre in patna also offers UG, PG, Diploma, and Certificate programmes. The below-mentioned table reflects upon the comparison between Nalanda Open University Patna Bihar and other open Universities:
| University Name | Eligibility (MBA) | Course Fee (MBA) |
|---|---|---|
| NOU | Graduation with 50% aggregate |
INR 2.5 lakh - INR 4.2 lakh
|
|
Graduation with 50% aggregate
|
INR 58 K
|
|
| NA |
INR 10.2 K - 49.9 K
|
Note: The above-represented data have been collated from multiple unofficial sources and hence, are indicative.
Compare Nalanda Open University with other similar colleges
| College | Median Salary | Total Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| -/- | ₹ 8.8 K | -/- | |
| -/- | ₹ 40.7 K | -/- | |
| -/- | -/- | -/- | |
| -/- | ₹ 30 K - 72 K | -/- | |
| ₹ 5 LPA | ₹ 16.15 K - 51.15 K | -/- | |
| ₹ 6.55 LPA - 7.2 LPA | ₹ 9.15 K - 21.66 K | -/- |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
No, a student can not join the B.Ed programme offered by Nalanda Open University without appearing for the Bihar B.Ed CET programme. Admission to the course is entrance-based and requires students to appear for the entrance test conducted by the concerned authoritiy. Hence, students must appear and clear the exam to secure their seat at the university for the B.Ed programme. Aside from the entrance exam, fulfilling the basic eligibility i.e., graduation from a recognised university and a minimum teaching experience of two years is also important. For further admission related queries, students are advised to visit the official website of the university.
The table below compares the NOU Patna placements with IGNOU in terms of the highest and average packages:
| University Name | Average Package | the highest Package |
|---|---|---|
| Nalanda Open University | INR 5 LPA | INR 10 LPA |
| IGNOU | INR 2.50 LPA* | INR 6 LPA |
*The salary mentioned is the lowest package.
NOTE: The above placement details are fetched from Shiksha students' reviews.
Nalanda Open University (NOU) Application Process 2025
The Nalanda Open University application process occurs in online mode with an application fee of INR 450. Prospective candidates can look at the steps below for a breakdown on the Nalanda Open University Patna application process:
- Log in to the official NOU website (www.nou.ac.in).
- Click on the 'Admissions' tab.
- Click on the 'Apply for Admissions' button.
- Fill in the required details and upload documents.
- Pay required application fee and submit application.
Candidates must also prepare the following documents during the admission/application process for submission:
- Valid Mobile Number and Email ID.
- Class 10 and 12 marksheet and certificate.
- Transfer certificate.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Passport Sized photo.
- Signature.
Commonly asked questions On Application Process
NOU Patna provides multiple UG & PG courses in Open & Distance Learning Mode. These courses allows people to access education widely and remotely. ODL courses can be pursued in either online or offline mode. Candidates can choose an institute that provides their desired course in their preferred mode. Other institutes that offer such courses are listed below:
Nalanda Open University MA is offered in different specialisations. The admission is merit-based. Students are to appear for their previous qualifying examination with valid scoring. The admission process can be started by visiting the official website of the university.
For all the postgraduate programmes offered by Nalanda Open University, the admissions are merit-based. For some of the postgraduate programmes the NOU admissions are entrance-based. Moreover, the mode of application is online. Candidates need to visit the official website for applying online. Also, candidates can visit the campus and apply offline.
Nalanda Open University (NOU) Infrastructure
NOU Bihar is currently operating from its main Nalanda Open University branch in Bihar at Biscomaun Bhawan, Patna. The office is well equipped and has a 60,000 sq. ft. of area as its examination center for 1,000 students. This campus also overs a library, computer lab, administrative office and a library.
How to Reach:
NOU University Patna has various means to travel. Patna Open University is well connected to the roadways. For candidates coming in from various parts of India, airways and railways is an affordable option. The university can be reached through public transports as well within the city. Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport (PAT) and Patna Junction Railway Station are the some of the options to ease out the candidates for airway and railway means.
Check out the below video for more information:
Library
Labs
Others
Nalanda Open University (NOU) Schools
Nalanda Open University Bihar comprises 10 schools to offer its courses. The name of these NOU Bihar schools are enlisted below:
|
NOU Schools |
||
|---|---|---|
|
School of Computer Education and Information Technology |
School of Economics, Commerce, and Management |
School of Health and Environmental Science |
|
School of Indian and Foreign Languages |
School of Indology |
School of Journalism and Mass Communication |
|
School of Library and Information Science |
School of Pure and Agricultural Sciences |
School of Social Sciences |
|
School of Teacher’s Education |
||
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Nalanda Open University Results (NOU) 2025
Nalanda Open University Nalanda follows an odd and even semester pattern for all its distance learning courses. While the odd semester examinations are conducted in the months of December-January, the even semester exams are conducted in June-July. NOU Bihar results for both examination patterns are released on the official website within a few days after the end of the semester. Candidates can follow the steps below to check the UG or PG results at Nalanda Open University Bihar:
- Log in to the official college website (www.nou.ac.in).
- Navigate to the 'Exam Results' section.
- Choose desired course.
Note: Candidates who wish to apply for NOU revaluation and rechecking of papers can register through the official university website. Students will be notified of the results for the same within a week from the submission of applications.
Commonly asked questions On Results
Nalanda Open University provides several MSc courses to its students. The eligibility across all of the offered courses is same. Students are selected on a merit basis. Aspirants can check out the following list to know about the Nalanda Open University MSc courses:
- Mathematics
- Zoology
- Physics
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Geography
The specialisations offered for the B.A. (Hons) course at the Nalanda Open University include Economics, Geography, Education, Hindi History, Journalism & Mass Communication, political. Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Social Work, Tourism, Home Science, and Statistics. Moreover, candidates who want admission to BA (Hons) course need to clear Class 12 from a recognized board. The admissions are merit-based.
Nalanda Open University BSc (Hons) course has eight subjects. The subjects are divided into Part 1 and Part 2. The written exam and assignment scores is 640 and 40, respectively for both the course part.
Nalanda Open University (NOU) FAQs
Below are the NOU FAQs:
Nalanda Open University is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Ministry of HRD, the Government of India and the Distance Education Bureau (DEB). NOU is also a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the International Council of Open and Distance Education (ICDE) and the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). Additionally, Nalanda Open University was established in 1987 under the ACT of Bihar Government, Nalanda Open University (NOU).
Nalanda Open University (NOU) offers placement assistance to students seeking challenging jobs in the industry. Along with that, the University also provides training and career guidance services to shape the careers of students by developing their personalities. As per the Shiksha students' reviews, the the highest package and average package offered in recent Nalanda Open University placements were INR 10 LPA and INR 5 LPA, respectively.
Note: The stats mentioned above is the overall placement data. Hence, it is not course-specific.
Yes, candidates who want to take admission at NOU, state doesn't matter, if you have good marks you apply for the course. Apart from this, the minimum eligibility should be match as per course requirement. However, for PhD admission, the candidate need to have PG degree in concerned subjects with 55% aggregate + eligibility test. For more details, students can check the official website.
No, the university does not required CUET score for BSc admission. The candidate can enroll for the course as per the latest course requirement. To know the detail common eligibility, students can check the table presented below:
| Course Name | Eligibility | Selection Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| BSc Honors | Intermediate Science | Merit-Based |
Nalanda Open University offers BA (Hons) in Bhojpuri, Economics, Education, Environmental Studies, Geography, Hindi History, Magahi, Maithili, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, Rural Development, Sanskrit, Urdu, and English. The duration of the course is for two years.
The University has not revealed the course-specific placement data. As per the overall placement data available on the Shikhs students' review page, the highest package and average package grabbed by NOU Patna students passed out in recent years was INR 10 LPA and INR 5 LPA, respectively. State Bank of India, Dainik Jagran, Bandhan Bank, Axis Bank, and many other renowned companies participated in the placement process over the years.
Nalanda Open University offers several BSc (Hons) courses across multiple specialisations. The eligibility is same across all of the offered specialisations. Students seeking to apply for the course need to pass Class 12 or equivalent with relevant subjects. Find below the list of NOU BSc courses:
- Botany
- Zoology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Home Science
- Geography
A total of 16 subjects is present and these are divided into two parts, i.e., part A and part B. For both of the course part the written examination and assingnment score is 640 & 160, resepectively. All the MSc Mathematics subjects offered at NOU is presented in the table below:
| NOU MSc Mathematics Subjects (Part A) | |
|---|---|
| Advance Abstract Algebra | Real Analysis |
| Measure Theory | Topology |
| Linear Algebra, Lattice Theory and Boolean Algebra | Complex Analysis |
| Theory Differential Equations | Set, Graph, Number Theory and Differential Geometry |
| NOU MSc Mathematics Subjects (Part B) | |
| Numerical Analysis | Functional Analysis |
| Partial Differential Equations | Analytical Dynamics |
| Fluid Mechanics | Operations Research |
| Tensor Algebra, Integral Transforms, Linera Integral equations, Operational Research Modelling | Programming in C |
Check below the list of top companies who participated in Nalanda Open University placements in recent years:
| Nalanda Open University Placements: Top Recruiters | |
|---|---|
| Axis Bank | ICICI Bank |
| HDFC Bank | State Bank of India |
| HCL Technologies | Genpact |
| Bandhan Bank | Dainik Jagran |
No, Nalanda Open University is not hard to get as the admission process is based on merit scores. Additionally, open universities are easier to get in comparison to regular colleges/universities. This is one of the reasons that makes open universities accessible to all the students around India. However, for specific programmes such as BEd or PhD, students would be required to appear for the entrance exams. The fee for all the courses is affordable. Interested students must visit the official website of NOU and apply for the desired course.
At Nalanda Open University, students are offered over fifteen specialisations in part-time and full-time modes. The eligibility and selection criteria is same across all of the specialisations. Students can refer to the following list to know about NOU MA specialisations:
NOU Patna offers a two-year PG course of MA across 15 specialisations, which are taught through five different schools at the university. These specialisations are Economics, Education, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Maithili, Public Administration, Urdu, etc. Apart from this, the university also offers MA in Bhojpuri and English, but these specialisations are currently suspended by the university till any further update.
Nalanda Open University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 9 months ago
Nalanda Open University (NOU) intends to begin PG course admission for the 2025-26 academic year through distance education starting from March 15th 2025 until the May 28th deadline. The official website allows applicants to submit their applications online upon payment of a fee that amounts to INR
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 9 months ago
Nalanda Open University has several pros and cons of studying for various students. The good and bad sides are given below:
Good side of studying at NOU:
- In comparison to other regular universities, NOU is affordable in terms of everything. The tuition fee, along with other fee components is lower.
- The
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 11 months ago
Through distance learning, Nalanda Open University (NOU) in Patna provides a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics. Since NOU is an open university, it usually has an open admissions policy that prioritizes giving a diverse variety of students access to education. As a result, there are typically no set cutoff
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 years ago
Guide-Level 14
Answered a year ago
Admission is open to PG course courses for the academic session 2024 at Nalanda Open University. Candidates can check and apply through the official website.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Content authored by:
Updated on Nov 7, 2025
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2nd/3rd Floor, Biscomaun Bhawan, Gandhi Maidan, Patna
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- MSc (Master of Science)
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- BSc
- B.A (Bachelor of Arts)
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
- M.Lib.I.Sc. (Master of Library and Information Science)
- B.J.M.C. (Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication)
- MBA (Masters of Business Administration)
- M.Com
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What is the date for application for PG courses through distance mode at Nalanda Open University?