IGNOU MCA Admission 2026: Eligibility, Admission Process, Documents Required
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IGNOU MCA Admission 2026: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) MCA admission for the January 2026 session is open, with a last date of January 31, 2026, and a potential late fee extension to March 31, 2026. The 2-year Master of Computer Applications program is available in both online and distance learning modes. Apply online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. NO entrance examination for IGNOU MCA admissions. The programme can be pursued in both online and distance learning modes. Check out the admission process for IGNOU MCA.
- About IGNOU MCA
- IGNOU MCA Eligibility
- Documents Required for Admission to IGNOU MCA
- How to Apply for IGNOU MCA?: IGNOU MCA Admission Application Process
- IGNOU MCA Admission Process Selection Procedure
- IGNOU MCA Selection Criteria
- IGNOU MCA Fee Structure
- IGNOU MCA Syllabus
About IGNOU MCA
The Master of Computer Applications (MCA) is a postgraduate degree programme. The duration of the MCA from IGNOU is 2 years. The maximum completion time is 4 years.
The programme aims to -
- Prepare students for a rewarding tech career.
- Impart a solid theoretical and practical knowledge of computer science.
- Sharpen software development skills and expose students to the latest technologies.
- Train students to apply software tools in solving real-world problems.
- Develop students' problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills while promoting advanced domain knowledge.
Application form for B.Ed can be obtained online from the official website of IGNOU. At least, 50% marks either in the Bachelor's degree and/or in the Master's degree in sciences/social sciences/commerce/humanity. Candidates, who are trained in-service teachers in elementary education, will be eligible to apply for the entrance exam and further for admission or who have completed a NCTE recognised teacher education programme through face-to-face mode. Candidates can apply for the exam online by visiting the official website of university i.e. www.ignou.ac.in. Thanks!
Students who have applied for B.Ed, MBA or PB BSc Nursing must appear for the required entrance and check if they've qualified it. Followed by application, application fee payment and entrance, students who have completed their registration can check their status by entering their registration number on the IGNOU admission status page. The university also notifies students about their admission confirmation or rejection through an email and a text message in the next two months.
IGNOU MCA Eligibility
| Criteria |
Details |
| Eligibility |
Category 1: Passed BCA/Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science Engineering or Equivalent Degree. |
| Bridge Courses |
|
| Medium of Instruction |
English |
Important to Note: Students without Mathematics at 10+2 or Graduation level are not eligible for the ODL/Online MCA programme.
Documents Required for Admission to IGNOU MCA
Please note the mandatory documents required for admission to the IGNOU MCA program.
| Document |
Details / Purpose |
| 10th Mark Sheet |
Proof of date of birth and basic education qualification. |
| 12th Mark Sheet |
Required to verify academic background and Mathematics eligibility (if applicable). |
| Graduation Degree Certificate |
Proof of completion of a Bachelor's degree (BCA, B.Sc. in Computer Science, or equivalent). |
| Graduation Mark Sheets |
Detailed academic record of all semesters/years completed during graduation. |
| Valid ID Proof |
An Aadhaar card is preferred as a photo ID proof, but other accepted documents include a PAN card and a passport. |
| Recent Passport-Size Photograph |
For identification and official records. |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) |
To claim reservation benefits (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, etc.). |
| Proof of Mathematics Study |
Evidence of having studied Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level (mandatory). |
IGNOU offers admission based on merit of the aspirants in the last qualifying exam to most of the programmes. However, candidates need to appear for entrance exam for a few courses. Below are the courses accepting IGNOU entrance exam scores for admission:
- B.Ed
- Post Basic BSc Nursing
- PhD
Candidates who are selected for admission need to confirm their seat by paying the course fee. Here are few things that students will recieve after taking admission in IGNOU:
- Once a students get admission into IGNOU, he or she will recieve the enrollment number and ID for future login to the samarth portal of the university.
- Based on the choice made by the candidate while filling the application form, he or she will then recieve the study material. Soft copy is available on the official website of the university.
- Registered students also recieve a mail from the regional or study centre for counselling. It is an induction ceremony where the course is introduced to the students.
- A schedule of classes is also shared through mail. For any query regarding classes, students must contact their study centre.
How to Apply for IGNOU MCA?: IGNOU MCA Admission Application Process
The following steps are to be carried out to apply for the IGNOU:
- Open the official IGNOU website (https://www.ignou.ac.in/). Alternatively, you can use Google or another web browser to search for the keyword 'IGNOU website' and click on the URL - https://www.ignou.ac.in/.
- Click on the "Apply for ODL Programme" tab.
- You will be redirected to a new page where you will find "Click Here For New Registration" to start creating your account.
- Fill in your personal and academic details carefully.
- Upload the necessary documents as mentioned on the website.
- Pay the application fee online using a debit/credit card or net banking.
- Submit the completed and reviewed application form.
- Take a screenshot for future reference.
- Wait for an admission confirmation email or message from IGNOU once your application is reviewed.
IGNOU MCA Admission Process Selection Procedure
The selection process of IGNOU MCA is straightforward and is mentioned below-
Entrance Test
- IGNOU does not conduct any entrance examination for MCA admission.
- Admission is based solely on academic qualifications and eligibility.
Mode of Admission
The IGNOU Application Process for MCA is as follows -
- Candidates are enrolled on their merit (Marks obtained in graduation) and fulfilment of the eligibility criteria.
- The entire admission process, including submission of the activation form and document verification, will be conducted online.
IGNOU MCA Selection Criteria
- Merit-Based Selection: Admission to the IGNOU MCA course will be granted basis the marks obtained by the applicant in the qualifying degrees (e.g., BCA, B.Sc.).
- Educational Background: Preference will be given to candidates with a background in Computer Science, IT, or related fields.
- Reservation Policy: IGNOU adheres to the reservation norms as per the guidelines of the Government of India for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and other eligible categories.
IGNOU MCA Fee Structure
The detailed fee structure for pursuing the IGNOU MCA degree is listed below.
| Description |
Amount |
| Course Fee per semester |
INR 12,700/- |
| Total fee for 4 semesters |
INR 50,800/- |
| IGNOU MCA Admission Fee |
INR 12,700/- |
| IGNOU Application Fee |
INR 300/- |
| Practical MCA Exam Form |
INR 300/- |
| University Development Fee |
INR 200/- |
| Theory Exam Form |
INR 200/- |
| Bridge Course Fee |
INR 1,000/- per course |
Please note -
- The registration fee is not refundable.
- There is no additional fee for practical exams
- Fee support for SC/ST students is available as specified by the government.
IGNOU MCA Syllabus
Listed below is the detailed syllabus of IGNOU MCA ODL.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
| MCS-211: Design and Analysis of Algorithms |
4 |
| MCS-212: Discrete Mathematics |
4 |
| MCS-213: Software Engineering |
4 |
| MCS-214: Professional Skills and Ethics |
4 |
| MCS-215: Security and Cyber Laws |
2 |
| MCSL-216: DAA and Web Design Lab |
2 |
| MCSL-217: Software Engineering Lab |
2 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
| MCS-218: Data Communication and Computer Networks |
4 |
| MCS-219: Object-Oriented Analysis and Design |
4 |
| MCS-220: Web Technologies |
4 |
| MCS-221: Data Warehousing and Data Mining |
4 |
| MCSL-222: OOAD and Web Technologies Lab |
2 |
| MCSL-223: Computer Networks and Data Mining Lab |
2 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
| MCS-224: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning |
4 |
| MCS-225: Accountancy and Financial Management |
4 |
| MCS-226: Data Science and Big Data |
4 |
| MCS-227: Cloud Computing and IoT |
4 |
| MCSL-228: AI and Machine Learning Lab |
2 |
| MCSL-229: Cloud and Data Science Lab |
2 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
| MCS-230: Digital Image Processing and Computer Vision |
4 |
| MCS-231: Mobile Computing |
4 |
| MCSP-232: Project |
12 |
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IGNOU registrations are closed for July Session. The university will conduct the PhD entrance test on Jan 5, 2026. The admissions for next session are likely to open soon.