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Nalanda Open University (NOU): Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
- Public/Government University
- Estd. 1987
Nalanda 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.
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 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 system of distance learning is flexible for students living in different parts of the nation.
- NOU offers UG, PG, Diploma and Certificate courses across various specialisations. All these courses are recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Distance Education Council (DEC).
Bad sides of studying at NOU:
- Due to the distance learning mode, students lack interaction with the faculty. This can impact the learning experience of students.
- Open universities such as NOU Bihar and Patna IGNOU often lack placement opportunities, practical training and exposure.
- Students miss out on extra-curricular activities, vibrant college life, fests, events, internships and seminars.
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) 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:
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:
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
The University has not disclosed the placement data on its official website. However, the students have mentioned the salary details on the Shiksha students' reviews. As per the reviews, the Nalanada Open University average package offered over the past few placements was INR 5 LPA. The following table mentions the NOU Patna average package for reference:
| Praticulars | Placement Statistics |
|---|---|
| Average package | INR 5 LPA |
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 |
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.
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.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Nalanda Open University provides scholarships to the deserving candidates or lower section of the society. The institute offers Other Backward Classes Post-Graduation Scholarship Scheme and the SC and ST Post-Matric Scholarship, among others.
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 | – / – |
Certificate(35 courses) | 2.2 K - 15.2 KGet Fee Details | |
M.A.(15 courses) | 8.8 KGet Fee Details | – / – |
B.Lib.I.Sc.(1 course) | 5.5 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 |
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 |
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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 | -/- | |
| ₹ 5 LPA | ₹ 16.15 K - 51.15 K | -/- | |
| ₹ 7.2 LPA | ₹ 9.15 K - 21.66 K | -/- | |
| ₹ 7.2 LPA | ₹ 4 K | -/- | |
| ₹ 3 LPA | ₹ 6 K | -/- |
CompareNalanda 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.
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.
Nalanda Open University (NOU) FAQs
Below are the NOU FAQs:
Nalanda Open University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 months ago
Students can go to the official site of Nalanda Open University to start the application. The form can be submitted by logging into the NOU Bihar admission portal. Follow the steps below to apply:
- Register and using the registered details, login to your dashboard.
- Fill the form with personal and acade
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 months ago
Students have to submit some documents for verification during Nalanda Open University admissions and applications. The list of documents is as below:
- Class 10 marksheet & Certificate
- Class 12 marksheet & Certificate
- UG degree marksheet & Certificate - for PG admissions
- Leaving certificate
- Transfer Certi
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 months ago
Nalanda Open University has not released the last date of admissions and applications yet. Students still have time to apply for the courses. Once the admission cycle starts, students can simply login at the admission portal.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 months ago
No, CUET is not required for Nalanda Open University admissions. The university is an Open University and offers courses through online and distance learning mode. Hence, no selection rounds are conducted. Students can apply simply by completing the Class 12/ Graduation as per the course.
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 months ago
Nalanda Open University admissions are expected to open soon. Students can go to the official site of NOU Bihar to get the latest admission updates. The process can be completed online mainly.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Content authored by:
Updated on Nov 7, 2025
Nalanda Open UniversityTake a look at Campus
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Nalanda Open UniversityContact Information
2nd/3rd Floor, Biscomaun Bhawan, Gandhi Maidan, Patna
Bihar - Other ( Bihar)
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- Courses 2026
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- Placement - Highest & Average Salary Package
- Gallery 2026
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Know more about Programs
- MSc (Master of Science)
- Social Responsibility
- M.A. (Master of Arts)
- B.Ed
- B.Lib.I.Sc. (Bachelor of Library and Information Science)
- 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
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Science Subject
- Teaching & Education
- IT Software Courses
- Mass Communication & Media
- Beauty & Fitness
- Banking, Finance & Insurance
- Commerce
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