1.
0 INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY (IGNOU)
1.1 Introduction
The Indira Gandhi National Open University was established by an Act of Parliament in 1985 to
achieve the following objectives:
• democratising higher education by taking it to the doorsteps of the learners,
• providing access to high quality education to all those who seek it irrespective of age,
region, religion and gender,
• offering need-based academic programmes by giving professional and vocational orientation
to the courses, and
• promoting and developing distance education in India.
1.2 Prominent Features
IGNOU has certain unique features such as:
• National jurisdiction with international presence
• Flexible admission rules
• The programmes are offered in compliance to NEP 2020 Guidelines
• Individualised study: flexibility in terms of place, pace and duration of study
• Use of latest information and communication technologies
• Nationwide student support services network
• Cost-effective programmes
• Modular approach to programmes
• The programmes follow the multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach
• Resource sharing, collaboration and networking with conventional universities, open
universities and other institutions/organisations
• Socially and academically relevant programmes based on students’ need analysis, and
• Convergence of open and conventional education systems
1.3 Important Achievements
• First Open University in the Country to have been accredited with the highest A++ Grade by
NAAC.
• Emergence of IGNOU as the largest Open University in the world.
• Recognition as Centre of Excellence in Distance Education by the Commonwealth of Learning
(1993).
• Award of Excellence for Distance Education Material by Commonwealth of Learning (1999).
Launch of a series of 24 hour Educational Channels - Gyan Darshan. IGNOU is the nodal agency for
these channels and regular transmissions are done from the studios at Electronic Media Production Centre
(EMPC), IGNOU.
Regular educational broadcast with facility for live interaction
• IGNOU has been entrusted with the responsibility of National Coordinator for Swayam Prabha
Project for four channels (CH 17 to 20). These channels are broadcasting the recorded videos as
well as live telecasting of IGNOU programmes on 24x7 basis.
• UNESCO has declared IGNOU as the largest institution of higher learning in the world in 2010.
• Largest network of learning support system.
• Declaration of Term-end result within 45 days.
1.4 The Schools of Studies
With a view to develop interdisciplinary programmes, the University operates through its Schools of
Studies. Each School is headed by a Director who arranges to organise its academic programmes and
courses in coordination with the School faculty and staff, and different academic, administrative and
service divisions of the University. The emphasis is on providing a wide choice of courses at different
levels.
The following Schools of Studies are in operation currently:
• School of Humanities (SOH)
• School of Social Sciences (SOSS)
• School of Sciences (SOS)
• School of Education (SOE)
• School of Continuing Education (SOCE)
• School of Engineering and Technology (SOET)
• School of Management Studies (SOMS)
• School of Health Sciences (SOHS)
• School of Computer and Information Sciences (SOCIS)
• School of Agriculture (SOA)
• School of Law (SOL)
• School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS)
• School of Gender and Development Studies (SOGDS)
• School of Tourism and Hospitality Service Management (SOTHSM)
• School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SOITS)
• School of Social Work (SOSW)
• School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET)
• School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS)
• School of Foreign Languages (SOFL)
• School of Translation Studies and Training (SOTST)
• School of Performing and Visual Arts (SOPVA)
1.5 Academic Programmes
