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1 THE UNIVERSITY
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
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
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
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
Student enrolment has reached 3 million.
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:
