With over 3.5 million cumulative enrollments across its 370 programmes ranging from short-term certificates to doctoral research, IGNOU has truly become the people’s university. Studying at IGNOU gives you the flexibility to learn at your own pace while balancing work, family, or other commitments.
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Without a plan, it is easy to fall behind on assignments or feel unprepared for the Term-End Exams in a flexible learning mode. A simple daily and weekly study routine can make all the difference.
IGNOU students come from diverse backgrounds such as working professionals, fresh graduates, homemakers, and learners in remote areas. With millions enrolled, the university’s flexible model still expects consistent effort.
The table below shows the ideal daily and weekly study hours for different programme levels, helping students balance coursework, assignments, and research while staying on track.
| Programme Level | Weekly Study Hours | Daily Study Hours | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
Certificate | 6–8 Hours | 1–1.5 Hours | Basic Concepts, Quick Skills, Assignments |
Diploma | 10–12 Hours | 1.5–2 Hours | Applied Learning, Fieldwork, Assignments |
Undergraduate | 15–18 Hours | 2–3 Hours | Theory + Practicals, Labs, Assignments |
Postgraduate | 18–20 Hours | 2–4 Hours | Advanced Study, Research, Dissertation |
Doctoral | 25–30 Hours | 3–5 Hours | Research, Thesis Writing, Data Collection |
Success at IGNOU is built on discipline and steady learning. By dedicating the suggested hours, students can manage studies alongside personal and professional commitments. These habits not only ensure academic progress but also open doors to career growth and future opportunities.
Whether you are enrolled in a short certificate, a skill-based diploma, an undergraduate degree, a master’s programme, or a doctoral course, your daily and weekly study habits play a big role in shaping outcomes. It is important to break down study plans for each level, which will help you balance theory, assignments and real-world applications while making full use of IGNOU’s unique resources.
Certificate courses are short and sharp, perfect for quick upskilling. IGNOU issued 1,61,150 certificates in the last year alone.
Daily (1–1.5 Hours): Spend 30 minutes reading your Self Learning Material (SLM), 20 minutes watching IGNOU e-Content or SWAYAM videos, and 20 minutes drafting notes or assignments.
Weekly (6–8 Hours): Revise twice a week and solve one set of past TEE questions over the weekend.
Student Tip: Use your commute time to listen to GyanVani FM or podcasts. Even as little as 15 minutes daily listening to FM and Podcasts will add up substantially to the overall understanding and learning of the subject.
Diplomas go deeper and often include practical work. IGNOU awarded 52,559 diplomas last year in areas like Dairy Technology, Watershed Management, and Creative Writing.
Daily (1.5–2 Hours): Dedicate 45 minutes to theory, 30 minutes to online lectures, and 30 minutes to assignments or practical logs.
Weekly (10–12 Hours): Set aside one day just for applied tasks, fieldwork, case studies, or lab practice.
Student Tip: Join or start a WhatsApp/Telegram group with batchmates. Peer discussions keep you motivated and accountable.
UG programmes are the largest at IGNOU, with 1,13,876 degrees awarded in 2022–23. With CBCS (Choice-Based Credit System), you can customise your learning journey.
Daily (2–3 hrs): 1 hour reading, 30 min for video/audio lectures (GyanDarshan TV or YouTube), 45 min writing TMAs (assignments), and 30 min self-testing.
Weekly (15–18 hrs): Block weekends for labs, practical work, or group revision.
Student Tip: Don’t wait until the last week for assignments. Write 1–2 questions every week, and the workload at the end becomes much easier to manage.
At PG level, depth matters. IGNOU awarded 1,08,911 master’s degrees last year, covering programmes from MBA to MA in Journalism, Sustainability, and more.
Daily (2–4 Hours): Spend 1.5 hours reading advanced material, 1 hour analysing research papers, and 30–60 minutes writing assignments or dissertations.
Weekly (18–20 Hours): Dedicate one day to seminar participation, online group discussions, or connecting with mentors.
Student Tip: Use the IGNOU e-Content app to read journal articles and references on the go. Turn idle time into study time.
If you are pursuing a Ph.D. or M.Phil., your focus is research. IGNOU currently has 762 active Ph.D. students across 23 disciplines, with 359 theses already submitted to Shodhganga.
Daily (3–5 Hours): 2 hours literature review, 1 hour thesis writing, and 30–60 minutes on data analysis or methodology.
Weekly (25–30 Hours): Reserve weekends for writing research papers and supervisor discussions.
Student Tip: Join IGNOU’s Innovation Club or attend webinars. Sharing your research ideas early sharpens them faster.
No matter which level of study you pursue at IGNOU, consistency is the key to success. By setting aside dedicated hours daily and weekly, you can manage assignments, revision, and practical work without last-minute stress. Small steps like listening to lectures during travel or writing a few assignment answers weekly can make a big difference over time.
IGNOU’s convocation showcased the achievements of its diverse student community, with nearly 2.92 lakh learners awarded degrees, diplomas, and certificates. From doctoral scholars to certificate achievers, the event highlighted academic milestones, including 33 gold medallists and strong participation with over 60,000 graduates registered for the ceremony.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Total Students Awarded | 2,91,588 students completed degree/diploma/certificate requirements |
Awardees by Level | Masters: 10,8911 Bachelor: 1,13,876 Diploma: 52,559 Certificate: 16,150 |
Other Degrees Conferred | Ph.D.: 75 M.Phil.: 17 |
Gold Medalists | 33 students (Toppers in Minimum Duration Programs) |
Graduates Registered | 60K+ students registered for the 35th convocation |
At IGNOU, distance learning doesn’t mean learning alone. The university has established one of India’s strongest student support systems, providing guidance, resources, and opportunities for interaction for every learner.
69 Regional Centres (including Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, and Leh) and 2,062 Learner Support Centres provide counselling, assignment help, and exam guidance. Over 51,000 academic counsellors support students.
IGNOU offers 193 SWAYAM MOOCs with 13.5 lakh+ learners, 126 courses adopted by universities for credit transfer. Many courses are available in eight regional languages.
GyanDarshan TV, SWAYAM PRABHA channels, and GyanVani FM broadcast 13 hours of daily lectures and counselling. Interactive Radio Counselling and Gyandhara internet radio enable direct faculty interaction.
The c portal supports 45 programmes with e-content, counselling, and updates. Students also access materials through the IGNOU e-Content App and eGyankosh repository.
The Student Service Centre resolved 4.28 lakh grievances and 58 lakh queries in 2022–23. Regional Centres held 1,073 induction sessions for new learners.
IGNOU operates Special Centres for Persons with Disabilities, enrolling over 4,200 students with disabilities. Accessible resources include 6.77 lakh e-books via Sugamaya Pustakalaya.
Studying at IGNOU is about building consistent habits. Whether you are aiming for a Certificate to upskill quickly or a Doctorate to push the frontiers of knowledge, the secret is the same: plan your week, stick to your daily hours, and use IGNOU’s resources smartly.
Remember, you chose IGNOU for flexibility. With the right routine, that flexibility becomes your superpower and helps you complete the programme you choose to study at IGNOU.
On Question asked by student community
Yes, a B.Com degree is eligible for the IGNOU B.Ed entrance test, but with conditions. You must have a bachelor's or master's degree in Commerce, Science, Social Science, or Humanities with at least 50% marks (or 45% for reserved categories). You also need to be a trained in-service teacher in elementary education or have completed an NCTE-recognized teacher education program through face-to-face mode.
Hello,
Thank you for your question!
IGNOU does not offer MSc Zoology as a regular program.
IGNOU mainly provides MSc in Life Science, Environmental Science, and other distance learning programs, but Zoology (regular specialization) is not available. If you want to pursue MSc Zoology, you’ll have to look at state universities like MDU Rohtak, Kurukshetra University, DU, BHU, AMU, etc.
All the best!
Hello Niharika,
Not qualifying for Delhi’s D.El.Ed. isn’t the end of your teaching career plans. Haryana’s D.El.Ed. is recognized by NCTE and is a valid route to becoming a primary school teacher. Many students from outside Haryana apply and get admission, though you should note that some seats are reserved for Haryana domicile candidates. Your plan to do B.A. from IGNOU alongside D.El.Ed. is very smart—it keeps you academically progressing and later makes you eligible for B.Ed., which will open doors for teaching in higher classes as well. Make sure you check the Haryana Board’s eligibility criteria before applying and confirm if your preferred institute offers quality teaching practice and internships. Good faculty and practical exposure during D.El.Ed. matter a lot for skill development. Overall, this is a good alternative and keeps you on track toward your long-term goal.
Thank you, and I hope this clears your doubt.
Your 10th and 12th certificates have Shaikh at the beginning, but your Aadhaar and bank have it at the end. IGNOU used the Aadhaar name, so your graduation name doesn’t match school records, and even ABC ID isn’t linking.
It's better to match your graduation name with your 10th and 12th, since those are used for most verifications. You can update your Aadhaar later using an affidavit and supporting documents. This will avoid issues in jobs and higher studies.
Hi there!
As you had completed 10th, then BPP from IGNOU, and then B.Com, but don’t have a 12th certificate, many employers may reject you because BPP is not recognized as equivalent to 12th by all sectors. Instead of a diploma, it’s better to do NIOS 12th, which is fully valid across jobs and education. It’s flexible and can be completed in 1–1.5 years. Once done, you’ll be eligible for:Government jobs,Banking/SSC, or PG courses.
Alternatively, you may look into Skill India programs or NSDC-certified vocational diplomas. Some options:
You can check this link for more courses :
https://school.careers360.com/articles/courses-after-10th
Thank you and best wishes for your career restart!
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