Nagpur, 22 August 2026

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), has introduced seven new career-focused programmes from the July 2026 session. The programmes include two postgraduate degrees, three postgraduate diplomas, one bachelor’s degree and one certificate programme.

The new programmes are M.Sc. in Climate Change, Post Graduate Diploma in Climate Change, M.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Women’s and Gender Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies, Bachelor’s in Rural Studies, and Certificate in Criminal Justice Social Work. The programmes cover areas including climate change, gender studies, environmental sustainability, rural development and criminal justice social work.

IGNOU offers Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, PG Diploma and Certificate programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online modes. The University has more than 4.6 million learners and operates through 58 Regional Centres and 2,382 Learner Support Centres. It has secured the top position in the NIRF 2024 and 2025 rankings in the Open University category and holds NAAC A++ accreditation.

IGNOU Regional Centre, Nagpur, has facilitated the admission of 75 jail inmates into various programmes. Of these, 68 learners are from Central Jail, Nagpur, including 11 female inmates, while seven are from Central Jail, Amravati. The initiative enables inmates to pursue higher education through IGNOU’s flexible ODL system while serving their sentences.

IGNOU is also scheduled to conduct the entrance test for Ph.D. programmes for the July 2026 session, proposed to be held in the last week of September 2026 in Nagpur.

The last date for Fresh Admissions and Re-Registration for the July 2026 session has been extended to August 31, 2026. Interested learners can apply through the IGNOU admission portal. Re-registration is mandatory for continuation of studies, and learners have been advised not to wait for examination results before completing the process.

Dr. Laxman Kumarwad, Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre, Nagpur, shared these updates during a press conference.

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Saurabh Khekde/Parshuram Kor

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