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 closes this gap with career-building initiatives.
Career Awareness Sessions: These sessions are conducted with UNICEF YuWaah, with primary focus on CV writing, interviews, and career planning.
Alumni Meets: Around 13 alumni meets took place in 2022-23, which helped the current students get in touch with over 18 lakh alumni.
Job Support Programmes: These programmes primary objective is to strengthen employability skills by offering CV preparation guidance, support in applying for jobs on 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 broadening its role from teaching to fostering entrepreneurship. Its students won at the Smart India Hackathon 2022, reaffirming this shift. The IGNOU Innovation and Startup Policy (IISP) now provides mentoring, resources, and structured support next-generation 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 their ideas into scalable ventures. All this while the students continue their higher education from IGNOU.
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 students for roles in content, data, and technology sectors.
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 stable, but very few pursue further education, suggesting most PG students transition directly to the workforce rather than continuing education.
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 goes beyond education through initiatives like UNICEF workshops and alumni mentoring, d ue to which students gain valuable career skills.
Finally, IGNOU offers various pathways to shape their future on their own terms. This is in the form of jobs, higher studies or entrepreneurship.
Placements at IGNOU are no longer the secondary objective of the students. With thousands of students placed, recruiters from across the industries are participating in the recruitment process, and salaries are also gradually rising. IGNOU is proving that open and distance learning can be an optional pathway to careers
On Question asked by student community
Hello aspirant,
Yes, IGNOUs PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine is usually offered and continues to run as part of its medical and health sciences programmes. For the 2026 cycle , IGNOU generally opens admissions i jaunary and july sessions , and you can check official IGNOU prospectus or student portal for the exact status and last dates . You should contact the IGNOU regional centre or visit their website to confirm if the current session admissions are open.
FOR REFERENCE : https://www.careers360.com/university/indira-gandhi-national-open-university-new-delhi/courses
Hope the details will help you.
THANK YOU
Hello
Yes, you can do an IGNOU B.Ed (distance mode) along with a regular M.Sc from another university at the same time.
UGC rules now allow students to pursue two degree courses simultaneously.
One course should preferably be in distance/ODL mode and the other in regular mode, which fits your case.
Both degrees will be considered valid, provided you meet the eligibility criteria for each course. You will need to manage your classes, exams, and schedules on your own. It’s always best to confirm once with IGNOU and your M.Sc university before final admission.
Having currently doing the PGDMCH from IGNOU, the eligibility for you to take the DNB PDCET after the completion of your ongoing diploma course to obtain a secondary degree might modify. You can check out the latest requirements and eligibility criteria for the DNB PDCET follow the given link
Hello,
You cannot directly transfer your M.Com admission from IGNOU to Jain University. IGNOU and Jain University follow different systems, so credit transfer between them is usually not allowed.
If you want to study at Jain University, you will need to take fresh admission there. You can, however, check with Jain University if they accept credit transfer or lateral entry from IGNOU, though this is very rare.
So, most likely, you will have to take new admission in M.Com at Jain University and start again from the first year.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
Yes, you can transfer your BCA credits from Andhra University to IGNOU through the External Credit Transfer (ECT) process.
Steps you may follow.
Your final IGNOU degree is valid for UPSC and all government jobs, as IGNOU is UGC and AIU-recognized.
Hope you understand.
Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026
NAAC A++ Grade | Recognized as Category-1 Deemed to be University by UGC
B.Sc (Hons) Admissions 2026 Now Open | Ranked Among the Top 100 Universities in the World by QS World University Rankings 2025
Ranked #45 Among Universities in India by NIRF | 1950+ Students Placed, 91% Placement, 800+ Recruiters
India's Largest University | NAAC A++ | 100% Placements Record | Highest CTC 2.5 Cr PA | 150 + Programmes across Multiple Disciplines
India's youngest NAAC A++ accredited University | NIRF rank band 151-200 | 2200 Recruiters | 45.98 Lakhs Highest Package
