IGNOU is the world’s largest open university, with 13,05,196 learners enrolled at the university in 2022–23 across July and January cycles (54.7 per cent fresh; 45.3 per cent re-registered). Its programmes cater to students from diverse backgrounds: 48.7 per cent women, 49.8 per cent rural, and 1.3 per cent from tribal areas. University’s enrollment data shows that students from diverse backgrounds find IGNOU accessible and valuable.
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Offering 331 programmes across undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate levels, IGNOU combines inclusivity with industry relevance, ensuring that learners not only earn recognised qualifications but also gain pathways to career growth, mobility, and meaningful impact.
IGNOU’s latest data shows over 13 lakh students enrolled, with fresh learners forming 54.7 per cent and re-registered students 45.3 per cent, reflecting the university’s balance of new admissions and continuing education.
| Category | Number of Students | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Fresh Students | 7,13,510 | 54.7% |
Re-Registered Students | 5,91,686 | 45.3% |
Total | 13,05,196 | - |
In the table below, we have given information on the number of graduates at every study level for a better understanding.
A total of 4,36,585 learners completed their Degree, Diploma, Certifications, PhD. and M.Phil programmes through IGNOU in the Academic Year 2021 - 2022.
| Study Level | Number of Graduates | Total Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Masters | 108909 | 24.95% |
Bachelors | 113876 | 26.08% |
Diploma | 52559 | 12.04% |
Certifications | 161150 | 36.91% |
Others (PH.D and M.Phil.) | 91 | 0.02% |
The data shows that IGNOU graduates are largely concentrated in certificate and bachelor’s programmes, reflecting the university’s focus on accessible, flexible education. Master’s degrees also hold significant weight, while diplomas contribute moderately. Doctoral-level qualifications remain minimal, highlighting IGNOU’s primary role in undergraduate and skill-based higher education pathways.
IGNOU empowers learners at every stage with flexible, affordable programmes that strengthen careers and open new opportunities. Master’s students gain leadership skills for promotions and research, while undergraduates build strong foundations for jobs and higher studies. Diplomas deliver industry-ready training for quicker employability and entrepreneurial paths, and certificates offer fast, practical upskilling in fields like healthcare and community services.
Across disciplines, IGNOU helps students earn recognised credentials, achieve mobility, and create meaningful impact in their chosen fields.
| Programme Level | Student Profile | Career Gains | Target Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
Masters | Working professionals seeking leadership/specialization; closing corporate skill gaps. | Promotions, managerial/leadership roles; pathways into teaching/research. | Corporate & Business, Banking/Finance, HR/Operations/Marketing, Higher Education. |
Bachelors | First-degree seekers across India (strong rural presence). | Entry-level roles; eligibility for Master’s/professional study. | Public Administration, Education, Services, BFSI, Law |
Diplomas | Students & mid-career professionals needing job-ready skills. | Employability in niche roles; freelancing/entrepreneurship. | Media & Communication, IT-enabled services, Marketing/HR/Operations, Early Education. |
Certificates | Short-term upskilling; regulated competencies (esp. health). | Fast job-readiness; direct alignment with national health initiatives (e.g., CCH under MoHFW). | Healthcare & Public Health, Social Development, Community Services, Wellness. |
If we analyse the chart below, we can clearly see how a particular study level impacts a given industry. For example, when it comes to corporate business and law, a Master's degree has more impact than a short certificate course. Similarly, in education, a bachelor's degree is more impactful than a Diploma.
However, the trend changes when it comes to Media and Communication and IT. Computer Science, where the Diploma has a larger impact than a Master's or a Bachelor's, or even a certification course. Certification has a huge footprint when it comes to Social Development/NGOs and healthcare.
Note: The chart reflects the sectoral impact of different programme levels (Masters, Bachelors, Diplomas, Certificates) based on a qualitative scoring system from the IGNOU Annual Report. Scores (0-5) were assigned to sectors like Corporate, Education, IT, Healthcare, etc., showing how each programme level benefits these sectors.
IGNOU runs a Campus Placement Cell that conducts on-campus/off-campus drives and employability activities at HQ and Regional Centres. In 2022–23, seven placement campaigns were organised across the country, and 13 alumni meets (from 1 Jan 2023) strengthened faculty-alumni-student interfaces.
The alumni ecosystem is active via a dedicated portal (over 59,000 registrants) and social channels showcasing graduate success stories, useful for prospective students to gauge outcomes.
| Area | Key Highlights (2022–23) |
|---|---|
Placements | 7 placement drives held; employers included, Globiva, Air India SATS, Aptara |
Career Awareness | 7 virtual sessions (Jan–Mar 2023) with industry experts on employability, conducted in collaboration with UNICEF YuWaah |
Job Support | 4 sessions (Mar 2023) on CV building, job portals, interview prep; 58 students trained |
Alumni Network | 38.9 lakh alumni, one of the largest globally; 59,000+ registered on IGNOU’s Alumni Portal |
Industry MoUs | MoUs signed with Indian Army, Navy, Air Force for Agniveers’ skill-based bachelor’s degree; tie-ups with AICTE, ICAI, ICSI, RAI for academic–industry integration |
The University is also becoming a popular destination for higher academic needs for working professionals. There has been a steady rise in the working professional enrollment. They have become a key part of the student community, which just goes on to show how effective IGNOU courses are when it comes to job progression or career growth.
The table below highlights learners with existing employment benefitted after an IGNOU degree. This was out of an internal survey done by IGNOU on its students with work experience.
| Career Impact | Percentage | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
Job Promotion | 42% | 42% of students advanced to higher positions after completing the programme. |
Salary Increase | 38% | 38% gained a rise in earnings, highlighting tangible financial growth. |
Role Change to Preferred Field | 33% | 33% successfully moved into careers aligned with their interests. |
Enhanced Job Security | 46% | 46% felt stronger stability and recognition in their workplaces. |
Entrepreneurial Ventures Started | 8% | 8% launched their own ventures, reflecting entrepreneurial confidence. |
Flexible learning makes IGNOU appealing to working professionals, while career sessions, job-support workshops, and alumni networks enhance its value. Many learners gain promotions, salary growth, and job stability, making IGNOU a reliable path for career growth.
IGNOU stands out as a unique choice for learners with diverse goals. Whether seeking fast-track upskilling, niche expertise, or long-term academic advancement. Its flexible delivery, wide inclusivity, and strong government and employer linkages ensure real-world impact. By aligning education with employability, it empowers students to achieve career growth, career transitions, and academic excellence.
From certificates to doctoral research, IGNOU’s structured yet adaptable academic pathways support every stage of learning, making it a trusted platform for building futures across India’s varied student and professional life.
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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