IGNOU has always meant flexibility, inclusivity, and access to higher education for all. With over 3.5 million cumulative learners, it is the world’s largest open university. But today, a shift is unfolding. IGNOU students are not just studying; they are landing jobs, launching start-ups, and moving up the career ladder. From aviation and publishing to edtech and IT, recruiters are noticing IGNOU students. Placements are no longer a side story; they are becoming part of IGNOU’s identity.
This Story also Contains
In 2022-23, IGNOU’s Campus Placement Cell organised seven placement campaigns across its headquarters and regional centres. Some prominent recruiters include Globiva, Aptara, Air India STATS, Breeze Immigration, and Tech2Globe.
This shows that open university learners, often overlooked in traditional cycles, are now finding jobs through placements, just like their campus peers.
The real story lies in the numbers. The data submitted by IGNOU to the NIRF 2025 rankings captures how students across various programmes are performing in placements and higher education.
Program | Year | Admitted | Graduated | Placed | Median Salary | Higher Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UG 1 Year | 2021-22 | 10862 | 826 | 65 | Rs.2.5 LPA | 500 |
UG 1 Year | 2022-23 | 13003 | 963 | 75 | Rs.2.5 LPA | 575 |
UG 1 Year | 2023-24 | 15901 | 7208 | 577 | Rs. 2.85 LPA | 4325 |
UG 3 Years | 2019-20 intake / 2021-22 grad | 325418 | 19668 | 1575 | Rs. 2.88 LPA | 11800 |
UG 3 Years | 2020-21 intake / 2022-23 grad | 343537 | 25515 | 2040 | Rs. 3.36 LPA | 15300 |
UG 3 Years | 2021-22 intake / 2023-24 grad | 336069 | 81769 | 6542 | Rs. 3.50 LPA | 49062 |
In 2023–24, outcomes from the 2022–23 intake highlight IGNOU’s growing role in both employability and academic progression. In the UG 1-year programme, 13,003 students were admitted, with 963 graduating; 75 secured placements with a median salary of Rs 2.5 LPA, while 575 opted for higher studies.
The UG 3-year programme reflected a much larger scale, with 3,36,069 admissions leading to 81,769 graduates; of these, 6,542 were placed at a median salary of Rs. 3.5 LPA, and 49,062 advanced to higher education.
This means that a UG programme here not only prepares you for jobs but also opens pathways for advanced education and career growth.
| Program | Year | Admitted | Graduated | Placed | Median Salary (Rs.) | Higher Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PG 1 Year | 2021-22 | 1728 | 297 | 180 | Rs.2.88 LPA | 25 |
PG 1 Year | 2022-23 | 1781 | 421 | 250 | Rs. 3.36 LPA | 35 |
PG 1 Year | 2023-24 | 2218 | 967 | 580 | Rs. 3.5 LPA | 77 |
PG 2 Years | 2020-21 intake / 2021-22 grad | 227083 | 31292 | 18750 | Rs. 2.88 LPA | 2,500 |
PG 2 Years | 2021-22 intake / 2022-23 grad | 232508 | 39524 | 23715 | Rs. 3.36 LPA | 3150 |
PG 2 Years | 2022-23 intake / 2023-24 grad | 257977 | 45945 | 15989 | Rs. 3.50 LPA | 2132 |
Placements in PG programmes have been consistent, with salaries steadily rising. Although the number of placed graduates dipped slightly in 2023–24, the salary packages improved. The median salaries improved from Rs. 3.36 LPA to Rs. 3.5 LPA.
This highlights IGNOU’s strengthening role in enhancing employability and opening diverse pathways for its learners.
Jobs today demand more than degrees; they require skills and networking. IGNOU is bridging this gap with career-building initiatives.
Career Awareness Sessions: These sessions are conducted with UNICEF YuWaah, focusing on CV writing, interviews, and career planning.
Alumni Meets: Around 13 alumni meets took place in 2022-23, which helped link current students with over 18 lakh alumni.
Job Support Programmes: Helping students prepare for industry-specific roles. These programmes aimed to strengthen employability skills by offering CV preparation guidance, support in applying for jobs on online portals and Interview preparation sessions.
So for students, this is highly advantageous as this helps in networking, mentorship and confidence building, which happen to be crucial aspects that will help them get a good job and remain competitive in the job market.
IGNOU is expanding its role from teaching to fostering entrepreneurship. Its students won at the Smart India Hackathon 2022, highlighting this shift. The IGNOU Innovation and Startup Policy (IISP) now provides mentoring, resources, and structured support for budding entrepreneurs. Along with the Institution Innovation Council and the IGNOU Innovation Club, the university is building a culture of creativity and enterprise, offering students the opportunity to turn bold ideas into scalable ventures while continuing their education.
The diversity of recruiters at IGNOU highlights its broad academic reach. From Edtech firms such as Globiva to aviation players such as Air India SATS and Breeze Immigration, opportunities span teaching, logistics, and operations. Publishing and IT companies like Aptara and Tech2Globe also hire IGNOU graduates for content, data, and technology roles.
What distinguishes these students is their maturity, real-world experience, and adaptability, qualities often lacking in conventional fresh campus hires.
While undergraduate enrollment remains strong, only a small portion progress to higher studies, though this is improving in recent years. In the Academic year 2021 -22.
For postgraduates, enrollment is steady, but very few pursue further education, suggesting most PG students transition directly to the workforce rather than continuing academics.
If you are studying at IGNOU or planning to join, there are three key takeaways. First, placements are real and steadily growing, with students securing jobs and seeing rising salary trends.
Second, the university’s support extends far beyond academics through initiatives like UNICEF workshops and alumni mentoring, and students gain valuable career skills.
Finally, IGNOU offers multiple pathways, whether it is jobs, higher studies, or entrepreneurship, giving learners the flexibility to shape their future on their own terms.
Placements at IGNOU are no longer a side note; they are becoming a success story. With thousands of students placed, recruiters from multiple industries participating, and salaries steadily rising, IGNOU is proving that open and distance learning can be a powerful pathway to careers.
For students, the message is clear: your education at IGNOU can take you from classrooms to careers, from degrees to dreams.
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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