Established in 1985 under the Parliament Act, IGNOU has earned an A++ grade for 2021 and 2026. It supports thousands of poor and intelligent students who have no access to pursue regular programmes, offering flexible, student-centred, and choice-based courses.
Rahi Firdous
IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) is one of the most reputed central universities recognised by the UGC and the Distance Education Council of India. It was established in the year 1985 under the Parliament Act of 1985. This prestigious university has earned an A++ grade for the years 2021 and 2026.
It is an evident fact that IGNOU has revolutionised the distance education system in India by introducing flexible, student-centred, and choice-based courses for students. Thousands of students across the country prefer IGNOU as the most favourable and student-friendly university, because this highest seat of learning supports those thousands of poor and intelligent students who have no access to pursue regular programmes.
In the near future, IGNOU is going to bring about many more revolutionary academic reforms by enhancing high standards in the field of education. It plans to introduce the latest demand-driven vocational and skill-based programmes for the total well-being of the student community. Every year, thousands of students from different courses complete their PG, diploma, certificate, and PhD degrees within a stipulated time period.
Besides PG, diploma, and certificate courses, IGNOU also offers doctorate programmes in various disciplines such as History, Political Science, Education, Social Work, Public Administration, Distance Education, Development Studies, Journalism, Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Translation Studies, and Biochemistry. These programmes have a minimum duration of three years and often require six months of coursework.
The university has also started Gyan Darshan, a 24×7 educational TV channel, which is a joint venture offering curriculum-based and live interactive sessions for the benefit of students.
The counsellors’ role in providing better guidance during IGNOU’s weekly (Sunday) interactive sessions is pivotal. The counsellors deliver weekly lectures every Sunday and evaluate assignments for different courses as part-time faculty.
IGNOU celebrated its 39th Convocation Function at all regional centres across the country on 7 April 2026. The main function was organised at IGNOU Headquarters in New Delhi. At the Srinagar Regional Centre, a grand function was also celebrated at Dental College, Srinagar, with 10,989 degrees, diplomas, and certificates awarded to learners. The grand ceremony highlighted the university’s commitment to inclusive education and its dynamic role in promoting education in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The writer is a teacher in the school education department
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