About Ignou

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

Basic Info

Founded: 1985

Location: Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, India

Campus: Urban (151.32 acres)

Website: www.ignou.ac.in

Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Uma Kanjilal (Acting)

Enrolled Students: 3,093,583 (2024)

Programs Offered: 333

Regional Centres: 67 + 2,257 LSCs

Key Highlights

• World’s largest open university
• NAAC Accreditation: A++
• Introduced CBCS semester system for UG programs
• Offers education in 23 Indian languages
• Over 3 lakh degrees awarded at the 38th Convocation (2025)
• Partnerships with NSDC, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, IMD, and more
• Initiatives like SANKALP, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, and e-VBAB
• MOUs with institutions in Russia, Greece, Nepal, Kenya, etc.

Schools of Studies (21)

• Agriculture
• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Sciences
• Education
• Engineering & Tech
• Management
• Computer Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Law

• Journalism & Media
• Gender Studies
• Tourism & Hospitality
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Social Work
• Vocational Education
• Extension & Development
• Foreign Languages
• Translation Studies
• Performing & Visual Arts

Recent Developments

• Automatic Weather Station installed (2024)
• Diploma in Paralegal Practice launched (2025)
• Live classes through SWAYAM Prabha DTH channels
• 268 MOOCs & 43 online programs
• Collaborations for civil service coaching for SC/ST students

Notable Alumni

• Deepika Padukone – Actress
• Celina Jaitly – Actress
• Ashok Khemka – Bureaucrat
• K. Vijay Kumar – IPS Officer
• Vineet Verma – Film Director
• Arjun Munda – Former CM of Jharkhand
• Aditya Bandopadhyay – LGBT Activist