IGNOU January 2026 Admission: Indira Gandhi National Open University has extended the registration deadline for January 2026 admission cycle for both Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online programmes. Candidates can submit their applications till March 30 through the official admission portal.The University has made available online registration facility for candidates seeking admission in undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programmes. Applicants have to complete the application process through the official website, IGNOU Admission Portal.Application schedule for January 2026 cycleRegistration for the January 2026 admission cycle for various modes of study began earlier. Application process for ODL programs started on 16 December 2025 while registration for online programs started on 24 December 2025.Applications for both ODL and online programs will remain open until March 30, 2026, except for certificate and semester-based programs. The University advises the applicants to keep their APAAR ID ready before starting the admission process.Students who successfully complete their admission process will also be eligible to apply for Government of India Scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal after confirming their admission.Online program and eligibility requirementsIGNOU is offering several academic programs through online mode for January 2026 session. The university advises applicants to enroll in online programs only if they have access to a computer or laptop and a stable internet connection.Students enrolled in online programs will not receive printed study materials. Those who prefer printed material or are not comfortable with online learning are advised to apply under ODL mode instead.Applicants must also provide a valid APAAR ID during the application process, which is required to complete registration.Steps to Complete IGNOU RegistrationCandidates need to visit the official website of IGNOU and select “Register Online” option followed by “Fresh Admission”. Applicants should then select the “Click Here for New Registration” link to initiate the process.After completing the registration step, candidates should save their registration number and password for future login. The system will send the login credentials to the registered mobile number and email address.Applicants must log into the portal to fill the admission form, provide personal details, and enter program information such as program type, enrollment option, region code, medium of study, mode of study, and study center code.The details submitted by the candidates should match with the information entered in their educational records before finalizing the registration form.
