Indira Gandhi national open University, is one of the best universities to provide education in distance mode. It is a centrally sponsered open University, hence, it maintains high standards. Its headquarter is located at New Delhi. But, it has many regional offices in every state. After applying for any course you have to choose a study centre, which is nothing but a reputed college provided by ignou, which will conduct classes for the students. At least two or three study centres are available in each city. You can apply either through online or offline mode. Books, prospectus and other materials are sent to you through courier. There are two batches to join every course : one is January batch for which the admission process starts in the month of November. And the second is July batch, for which admission process starts in the month of may. At the end of every year, that is in both December and July term-end exams are conducted.
EXAMINATION PROCESS:
Basically there is no entey test. But, you need to attend for the term end exam of the course which you choose. Basically the exam is conducted for a total of 100 marks, which include 70 percent of written exam and 30 marks assignment or practical exam. You need to score atleast 35 marks to pass the examination. If you don't submit the assignment for any of the subjects then you will not receive your admit card for term end examination. By mistake if you fail the exam, you can apply again for the exam and attend the same. If you have failed in December term end exam then you have a chance to reappear for the exam in the month of July, if you failed in July month term end examination, then you can reappear in the month of December. But, remember that you have only 5 years time to clear all your examinations so as to obtain a degree or post graduation degree. Within 3 years of your course, if you are successful that's fine, if not then you have the chance to clear all your backlogs within two years of completion of your course. Also remember that you have to work hard so as to pass the exams. Because the standard of question paper set is high, it's very tough to answer the questions and gain good marks. Even the evaluation is done by expert lecturers.
BOOKS AND MATERIALS:
The books are provided to you free of cost through courier to the address which you have mentioned in your application form. The standards of books are good, even the civil service aspirants go through this books. But the quality of papers and cover page should have been better, before your examination itself the cover pages are torn, if you are regular reader. The depth if subject provided in the books is wide.
FEE: Generally the fee is affordable by any one as it is very low. For MA course it charges 4400 rupees. And for other technical courses it may be little more. Apart from your tution fee you need to pay examination fee seperately. You need to pay 120 rupees for each subject you want to appear the exam. So, persons from every strata of economy can apply for any course in this university.
FACULTY: There are no specially recruited faculty members. The faculty present in the study centre which you choose will be teaching you. They will be paid by ignou. The quality of teaching and the standard of faculty varies from college to college. So, if you have choosen a study centre with good faculty members then congratulations you will be taught well. Otherwise its not that great. What I found in my study centre is that the faculty members doesn't possess good communication skills.
HELP AND FEEDBACK: Well if you have any doubt regarding your course or regarding any problem that you face, you can contact the coordinator of your IGNOU study centre or you can contact the IGNOU regional office. And the best thing is that they will help you with cool and calm nature.
COURSES PROVIDED: B.A, M.A, B.Sc, MSc, B.com, M.com, MBA, MCA, B.ed and all other common courses and some technical courses are provided in this university. Wide variety of courses are offered with great curriculum. So you can choose the best one which suits you.
Co- CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Well as of my knowledge not many co curricular activities are conducted as it is a distance education university. But at regular intervals quiz competitions, seminars and other lectures are conducted. If you have time, you can also attend.
CURRICULUM: The curriculum of every subject is designed quiet perfectly with great expertise by national level reputed professors and scholars. It may be a distance education University but it provides good quality and standard in their work.
POSITIVES:
Reputed University with great value for the courses it provides.
Access to each and every person all over the nation.
Nominal fee.
Good standard of materials.
Highly excellence oriented exam pattern.
No scope for corruption and mal administration.
NEGATIVES:
Physical quality of books not good.
Lack of capable tutors and faculty members.
Less co - curricular activities and no extra curricular activities.
Lack of fixed schedules of examination.
Few orientation classes are conducted depending upon the number of students appear. Overall, if you have completed your graduation but unable to pursue masters, then IGNOU is the best choice for you. It may be a distance education University but the certificate provided by this university has nation wide acceptance and reputation. But still there are so many problems which you have to deal with while pursuing a course in this university. If you think that you can get a degree easily because this is a distance university then you are mistaken. Its not that easy to pass the examination studying overnight.
