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,
Yes, both the D.EL.Ed from NIOS (2017-19) and the BA from IGNOU are likely valid. The Supreme Court of India has recognized the NIOS D.EL.Ed program as a valid qualifications for the teaching positions, particularly for in-service teachers who were in service as of August 10, 2017.
I hope it will clear your query!!
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.
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