IGNOU Opens Registration Window For January 2026 Fresh Admission

NEW DELHI: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has opened the registration window for January 2026 fresh admission.

Students willing to register against the January 2026 fresh academic session in the online distance learning (ODL) and online programmes can register for the programmes. The last date to apply for the programmes is January 31.

The list of programmes provided online is available on the official website, iop.ignouonline.ac.in.

The Fresh Admissions of Indira Gandhi National Open University for the January, 2026 session commenced from 16th December, 2025 on the Samarth Portal. The last date is 31st January, 2026.
Link to Admissions Portal: https://t.co/60KwBd2PwX pic.twitter.com/iOCQZLUf6m

— IGNOU RC Visakhapatnam (@RCVisakhapatnam) December 17, 2025

“The Fresh Admission for the January, 2026 session for the notified programmes offered in ODL commenced from 16th December, 2025 on the Samarth Portal. Samarth Portal may be referred for the notified Programmes. The last date of Fresh Admissions for the January, 2026 Session is 31st January, 2026,” said a social media post by IGNOU.

How to apply for IGNOU 2025

Step 1: Visit the official website of IGNOU, ignou.ac.in or ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in

Step 2: Go to the Register Online’ tab and click on it followed by ‘Fresh Admissions’

Step 3: Click on the ‘New Registrations’ tab

Step 4: Fill in all the required registration details

Step 5: Set a ‘Username’ and ‘Password’

Step 6: Fill all the required information and submit

Step 7: With the login details received on the email ID and phone number, login using the same and fill in all the details required

Step 8: Select the programme to be studied

Step 9: Submit the IGNOU registration form

Students are asked to keep their APAAR ID ready before starting the application process for the January 2026 session.

Documents required

• Scanned Photograph (less than 100 KB)
• Scanned Signature (less than 100 KB)
• Scanned copy of relevant Educational Qualification (less than 200 KB)
• Scanned Copy of Experience Certificate (if any) (less than 200 KB)
• Scanned Copy of Category Certificate, if SC/ST/OBC (less than 200 KB)

Eligible students can also apply for government scholarships on the national scholarship portal at – scholarships.gov.in after confirmation of admission.