IGNOU Exam Form Deadlines and Important Dates

Imagine pursuing a degree from a premium institution but not attending classes within the typical classroom walls. A distance/online degree from IGNOU does precisely that. IGNOU has it all, from flexible to accessible and affordable programmes, turning dreams into reality with one lesson at a time. That is the power and glory of the largest open educational institute in the world.

Welcome to the world of distance and online learning at IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University), where education knows no limits and is a beacon of endless opportunities. IGNOU was established in 1985 with the vision of providing the highest quality of education to all learners across the country. Presently, with around 4 million enrolled students, it is the largest university in the world. It offers several affordable undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and short-term diploma certificate courses. IGNOU programmes are affordable and flexible in their learning model. It helps students pursue education while attending to their prior commitments.

IGNOU employs a semester-based examination system, with exams held twice a year in June and December. Currently, the link for online examination form submission is open. In this blog, we’ll cover the examination deadlines, important instructions to follow, and other essential details for IGNOU term-end exams. 

Highlights of the Term End Examination-December 2024

• The exams are held semester-wise at IGNOU. The next semester’s exams are to be held in December.

• The examinations for both distance and online programmes are likely to start on December 2, 2024, till January 9, 2025, for both pen and paper and CBT (Computer Based Test) mode.

• The online link where students have to submit examination forms, projects, and practical examinations for the term-end examination is open.

• You are also to submit the fees for project evaluation and practical examinations if they are part of your programme.

• According to the change implemented from the admission cycle of January 2023 onwards, students have to submit online fees for project submission and practical examinations.

• Exams will be held in two shifts: 

Morning shift: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm 

Evening shift: 2:00-5:00 p.m

Must Read: Is the IGNOU Distance Education Degree Valid?

Schedule of the December 2024 Exam Form Submission

The date for submission of the examination form and practical/lab course exams has been scheduled from 9th September 2024 to 15th October 2024 (up to 6 PM) through an online mode of payment. After 15th October, a late fee of Rs. 1100/- shall be levied per course till 31st October 2024 (up to 6 PM) through online mode of payment. 

No form shall be accepted after 31st October, 6 PM. 

• Fee for students admitted till December 2022 admission cycle: Rs. 200 per course ( Courses include theory courses and practical/lab courses.)

• Late form submission: Rs. 200/- per course with a late fee of Rs. 1100/-

• Fee for students admitted from the January 2023 Admission Cycle onwards

As already stated, for students admitted from the January 2023 admission cycle onwards, practical and project fees are now required in addition to the examination fee. Here is the updated fee list:

(i)Examination Fee: 

• Rs. 200/- per  theory course

(ii) Practical Fees:

• Rs. 300/- Per course up to 4 credit

• Rs. 500/- per course above 4 credit 

(iii) Project Fees:

• Rs. 300/- Per course up to 4 credit

• Rs. 500/- per course above 4 credit 

A late fee of Rs 1100/- will be levied from October 16 to October 31 for each course. Students are requested to fill out the examination form for December 2024.

Term-End Examination for the following eligible courses registered for:

1. First-year/re-registered for second/third year for bachelor’s and master’s level courses. 

2. Diploma and PG Diploma Programmes.

3. Certificate, PG Certificate Programmes and all the semester-based courses.

4. Specific cases where term-end examinations have not appeared for or been completed, so far.

Note: You should be able to confirm that you hold the validity of the programme to appear for the term-end examination.

Related: Explained – Distance Education, Online Education and Traditional Education

Create your ABC ID

The government of India has made it mandatory for students to create an ABC ID to fill out the term and examination form at IGNOU. ABC ID stands for Academic Bank of Credit, also known as Digilocker.

If you fail to create an ABC ID, marks or grades might not be reflected. Through an ABC ID, students receive their academic credits from the institution they are enrolled at through the National Academic Depository via the APAAR ID. So, it is important for a student enrolled at IGNOU to create their ABC ID to stand eligible for appearing at the term-end exam in December 2024. Therefore, understand the instructions before submitting the IGNOU term-end examination form. 

Exam Centres

A student pursuing a degree through distance education from IGNOU is allotted exam centres to appear for term-end examinations. Either pen and paper examination or CBT mode is adopted at exam centres, depending on the choice of the candidates. IGNOU conducts term-end examinations at hundreds of regional exam centres across all states throughout the country.

• IGNOU provides students with the option to select the most convenient exam centres to appear for the term-end examinations. 

• Allotment of exam centres happens on a first come, first served basis.

• The university, in most cases, tries to allot the same centre that the candidate has preferred to appear for the exam. 

• If, for any reason, such as the exhaustion of seats at a particular centre, students are unable to secure their chosen exam centre, IGNOU offers alternative options for candidates.

• You can choose from a list of alternate exam centres or go for the second nearest centre that falls under the jurisdiction of the same regional centre.

• Students shall take all the exams at a single exam centre.

Due to exigency or any other valid reason, IGNOU reserves the right to either cancel or reschedule the term-end examination/practical or lab exams at any point of time across different examination centres in the country or in any particular exam centre or part of the state.

Steps for IGNOU Exam Form Submission

1. Generate your ABC ID, fill out the examination form, and submit the fees.

2. Select your desired regional centre and centre code carefully.

3. Check the summary of your examination form carefully and correct the necessary details.

4. Select the most suitable method of payment for the program fee. Once paid, the examination fee shall neither be refunded nor adjusted in any case.

5. Take the printout of the accepted admission form for your future reference.

IGNOU Exam Hall Ticket

• The students will stand eligible for the determined examination after successful examination fee submission. 

• Hall tickets will be uploaded on the university’s official website approximately one week before the exams begin.

• Students should take out the printout of their hall tickets and report on time at the allotted examination centre. 

• A student shall not be allowed into the exam centre if he/she fails to carry a university identity card and ticket with him/her to the exam centre.

Popular Programmes Offered by IGNOU

The university offers the following programmes:

Closing

IGNOU is one of the most preferred institutions in India for online and distance education. It offers a wide range of courses at different levels. There will be hardly any course which you won’t find at IGNOU. The term-end examination shall be held in December 2024, and the link for online exam form submission is open till 15th October. Students are advised to submit the exam fee by 15th October, after which a late fee of Rs. 1100 will be levied till 31st October. Students should carefully fill out the exam form, submit the course fee, and download the hall ticket, generally available seven days before the exams start.