IGNOU Master of Arts (MA) Admission Process

Aayushi
Aayushi Madavi
Associate Senior Executive
4 mins readUpdated on May 12, 2025 11:19 IST
Looking for a distance learning MA programme? IGNOU might have something in store for you. Check out the IGNOU Master of Arts admission process and more on this page. 

IGNOU MA Admissions

IGNOU Master of Arts (MA) Admission Process - The most reputable and popular distance-learning university in the country, IGNOU, offers 44 different MA programmes. More than 7 lakh students are admitted to IGNOU for various courses each year. Out of this number, a huge strength enrol on MA programmes alone. It makes for a good choice since many Indians start their professional lives straight after completing their undergraduate programmes. With an efficient online admissions portal and various regional centres across the country, IGNOU MA admissions seem like the ideal choice for postgraduate education in the country. In this article, we will find out what MA disciplines are available at IGNOU and how to get admission. Learn more about IGNOU MA admissions in the article below.

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Table of content
  • IGNOU Admissions Highlights
  • List of MA Programmes at IGNOU
  • IGNOU MA: Eligibility Criteria
  • IGNOU: Admission Process
  • IGNOU: MA Selection Process
  • Other courses offered at IGNOU

IGNOU Admissions Highlights

Some key details about IGNOU are provided in the table below. 

Particulars

IGNOU Admission Highlights

Mode of study

Distance/ Online

No. of Admissions/ Year

7.5 lakhs approximately 

Programmes Offered

200+

No. of MA Programmes a IGNOU

44

How to apply?

Online: Ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in

Offline: Nearest Regional Centre (for select courses)

Number of regional centres

56 (Check out the list here)

Number of study centres

2000+ across the country

Level of programmes offered

Diploma, Certificate, Advanced Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate & PhD

Popular programmes

BA | BCom | BSc | MA | MCom| MSc| B.Ed | MBA| MCA | PhD

List of MA Programmes at IGNOU

Before getting into the admission process, let us take a look at the various disciplines in which IGNOU offers MA programmes.

Adult Education  Anthropology Corporate Social Responsibility
Development Studies Distance Education  English 
Gandhian Peace Studies Gender and Development Studies  Hindi
Journalism & Mass Communication  Philosophy Political Science
Psychology  Public Administration  Rural Development 
Sociology  Translation Studies  Applied Urdu
Arabic Bhagavadgita Studies Economics 
Education Entrepreneurship  Environmental and Occupational Health
Environmental Studies Folklore and Culture Studies  French
Hindi Vyavasayik Lekhan Hindu Studies  History
Journalism and Digital Media  Journalism and Electronic Media  Jyotish
Migration and Diaspora  Population & Family Health Studies  Russian 
Sanskrit  Spanish  Sustainability Science 
Urban Studies  Urdu Vedic Studies
Women's and Gender Studies  Development Journalism  

IGNOU MA: Eligibility Criteria 

The eligibility criteria for admission to an MA at IGNOU are as follows:

  • The candidate must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognised university for admission to the course.
  • The candidate should have secured a minimum of 50 per cent marks in graduation in order to be eligible for admission.

Also Read: Top 10 MA Subjects & Specialisations

IGNOU: Admission Process

The step-by-step admission process for an MA at IGNOU is provided below. 

Step 1: Registration

  • Sign in on the official website of the university and create a username and password.
  • To do so, you must fill in all the necessary information such as name, date of birth, email ID and phone number.
  • Now click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
  • Your username will be sent to your registered email ID. To ensure this, make sure that you provide a valid and working email ID.
  • Once the registration is complete, you can now log in and apply for admissions.

Step 2: Filling the Application Form

  • Log in to the IGNOU website using your username and password to fill out the application forms when it is out.
  • On visiting the website, click on ‘apply now’.
  • Download the information bulletin, carefully read the instructions and click on the option that says ‘click here to proceed’.
  • Fill in details like personal details, academic details, etc. 
  • On filling out the application form, click on the ‘submit’ button.
Also Read: Top 10 BA Subjects & Specialisations

Step 3: Uploading Documents

You will be required to upload the following documents while filling out the form. 

Scanned passport-sized photograph

Scanned signature

Scanned copy of proof of age (birth certificate)

Scanned copy of class 10 mark sheet

Scanned copy of class 12 mark sheet

Scanned copy of graduation mark sheet

Scanned copy of experience certificate (if applicable)

Scanned copy of category certificate (if applicable)

Scanned copy of BPL certificate (if below poverty line)

  • Once you have uploaded these documents, click on the 'Next' button and preview your application.
  • Go back and edit if required before final submission. 

Step 4: Payment of Application Fee

  • The final step is to pay the application fee. 
  • You can make the payment through net banking/ credit card/ debit card.
  • Once the payment is made, the form will show up on the screen. It is advised that you take a printout of the application form as it can come in handy for future references.

IGNOU: MA Selection Process

Admissions to IGNOU are granted on the basis of marks in the qualifying degree examination (merit). The admission committee of the university releases a merit list as per the applicant’s marks in their undergraduate degree.

Candidates who are shortlisted for the programme have to report to their respective regional centres with all the required documents. These documents include -

  • ID proof and photocopies
  • Mark sheets of the undergrad course and its photocopies
  • Class 10 mark sheet and photocopy
  • Class 12 mark sheet and photocopy

Note: Applications to MA programmes are invited twice a year: January and July. 

Other courses offered at IGNOU

BSc

MBA/PGDM

B Lib I Sc

BEd

BA

MA

MSc

MCom

BCom

BCA

BE /B Tech

MCA

M Lib I Sc

MSW

MEd

BBA

BSW

BSc (Post Basic)

ME

MTech

DOEACC O Level

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About the Author
author-image
Aayushi Madavi
Associate Senior Executive
Aayushi is a BAJMC graduate and an ardent consumer of content with a keen passion for film, TV and books. She specialises in Mass Communication and Humanities related exams, entrances and courses.
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heau mishr

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Answered a month ago

For the IGNOU BEd Application Form 2026, the scanned passport-size photo should be in JPEG format, usually between 20KB–100KB. The scanned signature must be clear, in JPEG format, between 10KB–50KB. Uploading the correct size ensures smooth submission of the online BEd registration form.

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Anshul Jindal

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Answered a month ago

The IGNOU BEd Entrance Exam 2026 will be conducted at multiple centres across India. The exact list of exam cities is released in the official notification. Candidates can select their preferred exam centre during the application process, subject to availability of seats at that centre.

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Anshul Jindal

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Answered a month ago

No, once allotted, the IGNOU BEd Entrance Exam Centre 2026 cannot usually be changed. Candidates are advised to carefully select their preferred city while filling the application form. In rare cases, IGNOU may allow changes, but only under specific conditions mentioned in the guidelines.

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Anshul Jindal

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Answered a month ago

Yes, the graduation mark sheet is mandatory for IGNOU BEd admission 2026. Candidates must provide proof of their qualifying degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Without valid academic certificates, the IGNOU BEd application will not be accepted by the university.

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Anshul Jindal

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Answered a month ago

Candidates can pay the IGNOU BEd Application Fee 2026 online through debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking. Offline payment modes are not accepted. Payment must be made immediately after form submission, and a confirmation receipt should be downloaded for future reference.

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Anshul Jindal

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For admission to IGNOU college for MA (Master of Arts) courses, students must at least secure 50% marks in graduation in any discipline from a recognised university in India. You'll get various specializations of MA at IGNOU, from English, Hindi, Political Science, to Mass Communication, Drawing & P

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