IGNOU MBA is one of the top distance education MBA courses in India.
When we think about distance education, IGNOU is the first name that clicks to our mind. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established back in 1985 and was named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
IGNOU is the largest university in the World with more than 4 million students.
The university was started with the aim to make higher education accessible to disadvantaged segments of society.
IGNOU MBA Summary
IGNOU offers a 2‑year MBA program in both Open & Distance Learning and fully Online mode through its School of Management Studies.
There is no age bar for admission. Students can complete the program in maximum 4 years.
For the current session, the minimum eligibility is a 3‑year Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) from a recognised university.
There is no entrance exam required for admission. Earlier students were required to clear OPENMAT exam, which IGNOU has discontinued for the new AICTE‑approved MBA.
The total programme fee for the IGNOU MBA program is INR 66,000. Students should always verify the latest semester‑wise fee and any revision on the official IGNOU admission portal before making a payment.
About The Distance Education MBA Course Offered by IGNOU
The MBA course offered by IGNOU is one of the top distance education MBA courses in India. IGNOU MBA course is offered by The School of Management Studies (SOMS) of Indira Gandhi National Open University. SOMS was started in the year 1987 and currently offers 4 Management programmes and 14 programmes in Commerce.
IGNOU also offer MBA programme in African countries.
IGNOU deliver the MBA course through self-instructional printed course material and multimedia.
The self-instructional printed course material is sent to all students who enrolled in the programme by post.
For face to face interaction with counsellors and Audio-Video sessions, students can visit study centers. IGNOU also run videos lectures on Doordarshan, and Audio programs on All India Radio. These are some unique features of IGNOU MBA that none of other University offer.
IGNOU keeps developing new programs and make some changes in the existing programs to keep up with the new changes that are taking place in the business world. In the recent past, IGNOU also collaborate with apex institutions to develop new courses in the field of management.
If you are a working professional and wants to acquire managerial skills or you want to upgrade your managerial skills, IGNOU Distance Learning MBA course is for you.
IGNOU MBA Advantages & Benefits
- IGNOU is among the top universities in India offering distance education management courses.
- IGNOU MBA is UGC-DEB recognized and offers a valid degree that is accepted across India for both government and private jobs.
- IGNOU MBA fee is quite affordable. You can pay the fee in instalments.
- There is no age bar to join the master of business administration program offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University.
- Flexible duration to complete the course. The minimum duration to complete IGNOU MBA degree program is 2 years, although students may complete the course in up to 4 years duration.
IGNOU MBA Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for IGNOU MBA degree program is as per AICTE norms. To be eligible for admission in distance MBA from IGNOU, the student must meet the following criteria
- The candidate must have completed a 3-year undergraduate degree program from a recognized university in India.
- The candidate must have secured minimum 50% marks in undergraduate degree program. For reserved category students minimum 45% marks are required.
- There is no age bar for admission.
IGNOU MBA Admission 2026
IGNOU Offers MBA program through both online and distance learning mode. The admissions are offered twice a year i.e January and July sessions.
Currently, IGNOU Online MBA admissions for the January 2026 Session is going on and the last date to apply for January 2026 session is 31st March 2026.
Note: Exact admission last date is subject to change; candidates should always check the current deadline on ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in or the latest admission notification.
Below is the step-by-step admission process for IGNOU Online/Distance MBA programs.
Check Eligibility:
Before you apply for IGNOU MBA program, you must check if you’re eligible for admission.
To be eligible for IGNOU Online/Distance MBA courses, candidates must have a graduation degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved category students). There is no age bar for admission.
Register on Admission Portal
To register on IGNOU’s admission portal, you can visit ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in, and click “New Registration”.
Login & Fill Application Form
After registering, login to the portal using your credentials and fill up the application form. You will be asked to choose the program you wish to join, and fill personal, educational, and other required details.
Upload Required Documents
Now upload the required documents that includes your recent photograph, signature, educational certificate/marksheet, category certificate (if SC/ST/OBC), and experience certificates.
Pay Application Fee
Before you submit your application, an application fee (approx.) INR 200 needs to be paid online using debit/credit cards or net banking.
Submit Application
Once fee is paid, submit your application.
Wait for Enrolment Number
After submitting your application, an enrolment number is usually issued via SMS within 1 week. Sometime this process may take a month.
You can also visit the admission portal to check your admission status.
Note: IGNOU has permanently discontinued the OPENMAT entrance test for the new AICTE‑approved MBA programme. Admissions are now based on meeting the minimum eligibility criteria (graduation marks) and successful document verification through the online admission portal
IGNOU Distance MBA vs Online MBA
IGNOU now offers its MBA in two delivery modes, and many students get confused between them:
IGNOU MBA (Open & Distance Learning): This one is the classic IGNOU distance MBA which is around for many years. Students who opt for this MBA program gets printed self‑learning material, regional study centres, weekend counselling sessions and term‑end exams conducted at IGNOU exam centres.
IGNOU MBA (Online): This MBA program is delivered entirely through an LMS. Students who opt for this program study through online classes, e‑content, recorded lectures and online support. This program is designed for students who are looking for a completely online MBA program.
The eligibility criteria for both of these program is same (Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks; 45% for reserved categories) but teaching experience and LMS features differ.
Before applying, you should first decide whether you prefer the flexibility of study centres and printed books (ODL) or you want a more structured online‑class environment. To know more about these courses, you can download the specific prospectus for that mode from IGNOU’s official website.
IGNOU MBA Fee Structure 2026
The total fee for IGNOU Online/Distance MBA program for 2026 session is INR 66,000. Students need to pay INR 16,000 per semester in 1st,2nd,4th semesters, and INR 18,000 in 3rd semester.
Fee is not refundable in any circumstances.
Students can pay the fee Online through Net banking, Credit Card, Debit Card or other digital payment options provided in the system. Fee can also be paid through demand draft obtain from any schedule bank.
Make sure you write your name, enrolment number and address at the back of the of the demand draft.
All students including the students from the reserved category are required to pay the fee in full.
Students from the reserved category can apply for the scholarship that is available to the students of PG courses from Government of India, by filling up the scholarship form
IGNOU Management Courses
Below is the list of management courses offered by IGNOU
- Doctoral Degree
- Doctor of Philosophy in Management (PHDMGMT)
- Master’s Degree
- MBA (Distance Mode)
- MBA (Online Mode)
- MBA (Banking & Finance)
- MBA (Human Resource Management)
- MBA (Financial Management)
- MBA (Marketing Management)
- MBA (Operations Management)
- Bachelor’s Degree
- BBA in Services Management)
- Specialisation PG Diploma Courses
- PG Diploma in Human Resource Management
- PG Diploma in Marketing Management
- PG Diploma in Financial Management
- PG Diploma in Operations Management
- Certificate Courses
- Certificate in NGO Management (CNM)
IGNOU MBA Faculty
Below is the list of IGNOU MBA faculty members along with their qualification and the subjects they teach.
|
Name of the faculty member |
Qualification |
Subject |
|
Prof. K. Ravi Sankar (Director) |
MBA, Ph.D |
Financial Management |
|
Prof. G Subbayamma |
M.A. (Eco.), Ph.D |
Corporate Management |
|
Prof. Neeti Agrawal |
MBA, Ph.D., MA(DE) |
Corporate Management |
|
Prof. Kamal Vagrecha |
MBA, Ph.D |
Financial Management |
|
Prof. Rajeev Kumar Shukla |
BTech, MBA, Ph.D |
Marketing Management |
|
Dr. Leena Singh |
M.A.(Eco.), Ph.D, MBA, PGDDE |
Corporate Management |
|
Sh. Saurabh Jain |
M.Com |
Marketing Management |
|
Prof. Srilatha |
M.A. (Psy.) Ph.D |
Human Resource Management |
|
Prof. Anurag Saxena |
M.Sc.(Stat.), Ph.D |
Operations Management |
|
Prof. Anjali C. Ramteke |
B.Sc.(Tech.), MBA, Ph.D, PGDDE, ME |
Financial Management |
|
Prof. Nayantara Padhi |
MA(IRPM), Ph.D |
Human Resource Management |
|
Mr. T. V. Vijay Kumar |
B.Sc., MBA |
Marketing Management |
|
Dr. Chittipaka Venkataiah |
BTech, MBA, Ph. D
|
Operations Management |
Recognition
All management degree and diploma courses offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) are recongnized by all member Universities of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The degree and diploma courses are also at par with degree and diploma courses offered by all Indian Universities/Institutions, as UGC, AICTE, and AIU.
IGNOU MBA Course Structure
IGNOU follows a clear, AICTE‑approved, credit‑based structure for its MBA program. There are 28 courses in total, offered over four semesters. The medium of instruction is English, and students are required to register for 7 courses in each semester. The earlier MS‑1, MS‑11, MS‑100 style course codes are no longer used in the new 2‑year MBA.
The updated plan is simple:
- Duration: 2 years (4 semesters), maximum 4 years to complete.
- Total courses: 28.
- Mode: Open & Distance Learning (ODL) or fully Online, depending on the option you choose at the time of admission.
What you have to complete to get the MBA
To earn the IGNOU MBA degree under the new structure, you must successfully complete:
- 20 core courses: (course codes MMPC‑001 to MMPC‑020).
- 7 specialisation courses
- 1 project course (MMPP‑001)
In total, you study 28 courses, but since the project is counted as equivalent to two courses, its importance in the programme is higher than a normal subject.
Semester‑wise course selection
The prospectus clearly explains how many and which type of courses you should register for in each semester. This makes planning your MBA easier.
1st Semester
In the first semester, there are only core courses:
- 7 compulsory core courses: MMPC‑001 to MMPC‑007.
2nd Semester
In the second semester, there are only core courses:
- 7 compulsory core courses: MMPC‑008 to MMPC‑014.
By the end of 2nd semester, you complete 14 core courses (MMPC‑001 to MMPC‑014).
3rd Semester
In the 3rd semester, you choose the specialization. In this semester there are core courses, project, and specialisation courses:
There are a total of 7 courses in Semester 3:
- 3 compulsory courses:
- MMPC‑015 – Research Methodology for Management Decisions
- MMPC‑016 – Strategic Management
- MMPP‑001 – Project Course (counts as two courses in weightage and fee)
- 4 specialisation courses:
- You choose 4 courses from one specialisation area.
4th Semester
In the fourth semester, there are a total of 7 courses:
- 4 compulsory core courses:
- MMPC‑017
- MMPC‑018
- MMPC‑019
- MMPC‑020
- 3 specialisation courses:
- You choose 3 more courses from the same specialisation that you selected in Semester 3.
By the end of 4th semester, you will have completed:
- 20 core courses (MMPC‑001 to MMPC‑020)
- 7 specialisation courses from one area
- 1 project course (MMPP‑001) which carries double weightage.
IGNOU MBA Project
The IGNOU MBA Project Course (MMPP-001) carries the weight of two courses (8 credits) and has a strong impact on your final result. Students who are pursuing an MBA from IGNOU can take up the project course in 3rd semester, along with MMPC‑015 and MMPC‑016
What is the purpose of the MBA project?
The MBA project is designed to help you:
- Apply the management concepts, tools and techniques that you studied in your courses to a real business problem.
- Develop skills in problem formulation, data collection, analysis and report writing.
- Connect your MBA learning with your job role, industry or career goals in a practical way.
At the end of the project, students are required to submit a project report and after that they have to appear in viva-voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IGNOU MBA recognized by the government?
Yes, IGNOU MBA program is recognized by University Grant Commission (UGC-DEB), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
How to download IGNOU MBA Prospectus?
IGNOU MBA prospectus can be downloaded from IGNOU official website.
Is there any entrance exam for MBA from IGNOU?
No, IGNOU does not conduct any entrance exam for the current MBA programme. Earlier, students were required to clear the OPENMAT test, but IGNOU has discontinued OPENMAT for the new 2‑year AICTE‑approved MBA. Now, admission is offered to candidates who meet the minimum eligibility (Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks, 45% for reserved categories) and complete the online application and document verification process within the prescribed deadlines.
How can someone pay the registration fee?
Registration fee can be paid via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/Rupay), and Net Banking.
What is the availability for IGNOU MBA application form?
IGNOU invites application for admission twice in a year for the January and July admission cycle.
How much does IGNOU MBA cost (fee structure)?
The total cost of IGNOU MBA course is Rs.66,000/-
Is direct admission to IGNOU MBA available?
All students are required to follow the admission procedure set by IGNOU to get an admission in IGNOU distance MBA. Students who meets the eligibility criteria can apply for admission.
Is experience required for MBA from IGNOU?
No, there is no professional working experience is required for admission in IGNOU MBA program. In the past, 3 year working experience was required but recently IGNOU has provided relaxation in eligibility criteria.
Can I change my programme from MBA to MBA (B&F) and vice-versa?
No, Change of programme from MBA to MBA (B&F) and vice-versa is not permitted.
Is additional/dual specialization is possible in IGNOU MBA?
Yes, students can choose an additional-specialization by pursuing six courses from the chosen stream. However such additional specialization will not reflect in MBA degree. A separate certificate will be issued in such a case.
What is the IGNOU contact number and e-mail address?
The IGNOU contact number is 011-29532073. Students call on this number between 9.30AM – 6.00 PM (Monday to Friday).
Students can contact IGNOU School of management studies (SOMS) on their email soms@ignou.ac.in
IGNOU Contact Details For Distance MBA & Management Courses
School of Management Studies
Block – C Academic Complex
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi,
New Delhi - 110068
India
Sources and Last Updated
The information in this article has been checked against the latest available IGNOU Common Prospectus, the official MBA / Online MBA handbooks, and the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. The information was last verified on 22 January 2026.
Before taking a final decision or making any payment, students should always download the latest prospectus from ignou.ac.in and confirm details on the official admission site ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.