Indira Gandhi National Open University's Ever-Growing Student Body

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a public distance learning university located in Delhi, India. It was established in 1985 and has since become the world's largest university in terms of enrolment numbers, with an active student body of over 3 million. The university offers a wide range of academic programmes and is recognised internationally.

Indira Gandhi National Open University's student enrolment numbers

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), established in 1985, is the world's largest university in terms of enrolment numbers. It is a public open and distance learning university located in Delhi, India. It was founded to serve the Indian population by providing quality higher education opportunities to all segments of society through distance and open education.

IGNOU has an active enrolment of 3,093,583 students, with an all-time high of 753,286 registrations for the 2023-24 period. The university offers 333 academic programmes through its 21 Schools of Studies, supported by a network of 67 regional centres and 2,257 Learner Support Centres (LSCs).

IGNOU's international presence is also significant, with a total of 92,000 international student enrolments from 15 foreign countries. The university offers 168 programmes (including 44 online programmes) through 25 Overseas Study Centres.

In addition to its international reach, IGNOU serves over 3 million students in India. The university has a faculty strength of nearly 810 members and 574 academic staff at its headquarters and regional centres. Furthermore, it has approximately 33,212 academic counsellors from conventional institutions of higher learning, professional organisations, and industry, among others.

IGNOU's large enrolment numbers are a testament to its success in providing accessible and high-quality education to a diverse range of students, both in India and abroad.

The university's founding and history

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established in 1985 by an Act of Parliament of India. Named after the former Prime Minister of India, the university was founded with the aim of serving the Indian population by providing access to quality higher education through distance and open education.

IGNOU is a public open and distance learning university located in Delhi, India. It was established with a budget of ₹20 million and is operated by the central government of India. The university has a mandate to provide access to higher education for all segments of society, offering high-quality, innovative, and need-based programmes at different levels. It strives to reach disadvantaged groups by offering affordable programmes across all parts of the country.

In its early years, IGNOU offered two academic programmes: a Diploma in Management and a Diploma in Distance Education. With a modest start of 4,528 students in 1987, the university has since grown significantly. As of 2025, IGNOU is the world's largest university, with an active enrollment of over 3 million students. The university caters to the educational aspirations of students not only in India but also in other countries, with a presence in 36 to 40 other nations.

To support its large student body, IGNOU has established an extensive network of regional centres and learner support centres. As of 2025, the university offers around 228 to 490 certificate, diploma, degree, and doctoral programmes through its 21 Schools of Studies. Additionally, IGNOU has a strong international presence, with collaborations and partnerships in various countries, further enhancing its reputation and reach.

The university's recognition and reputation

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is recognised as a Central University by the University Grants Commission of India (UGC). The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) also recognises IGNOU degrees as being on par with the degrees conferred by its members. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) recognises the Master of Computer Applications and Master of Business Administration programmes offered by IGNOU.

The university has been designated by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) as its first Centre of Excellence for Distance Education. IGNOU has also been awarded the status of "A++" by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

IGNOU degrees are recognised and acclaimed internationally. They are recognised by the Universities of Nepal and the University Grant Commission (UGC) of Nepal, Commonwealth (CW) member countries, American colleges and universities, and academic and professional institutions, as well as by government, industry, and commerce sectors.

As a world leader in distance education, IGNOU has been conferred with awards of excellence by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada, several times.

The number of academic programmes offered

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers a wide range of academic programmes, including certificate, diploma, degree, and doctoral programmes. The university has 21 Schools of Studies, through which it provides around 228 to 490 academic programmes.

IGNOU's academic programmes are designed to serve the diverse educational needs of its students, who come from various backgrounds and have different aspirations. The university's mandate is to provide access to higher education for all segments of society, offering high-quality, innovative, and need-based programmes at different levels.

One of the key features of IGNOU's academic programmes is their flexibility. The university recognises that its students have varying commitments and, therefore, offers Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes of education. This allows students to pursue their academic goals without having to attend traditional classroom settings.

The range of academic programmes offered by IGNOU includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Bachelor in Development Studies
• Bachelor in Development Finance
• Bachelor of Social Sciences (IR)
• Diploma in Management
• Diploma in Distance Education

The university also has a strong focus on continuous improvement and has introduced new initiatives to enhance its academic offerings. For example, it has implemented the CBCS method for various bachelor's degree courses, transitioning from an annual examination system to a semester-based one.

Additionally, IGNOU has established partnerships and collaborations with various organisations, both within India and internationally, to further expand its academic offerings. These partnerships include agreements with the University Grants Commission (UGC), Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and universities in Nepal, as well as collaborations with the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and the Open University of Kenya.

Through its diverse academic programmes, IGNOU strives to fulfil its mission of providing inclusive, innovative, and high-quality education to students from all walks of life.

The university's mandate and objectives

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established in 1985 by an Act of Parliament of India. It is a public open and distance learning university located in Delhi, India, and is named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.

The mandate of the university is fourfold:

• Provide access to higher education to all segments of society: IGNOU aims to make quality higher education accessible to all, regardless of their background or location.
• Offer high-quality, innovative, and need-based programmes: The university strives to deliver exceptional and relevant academic programmes that meet the diverse needs of its students.
• Reach out to the disadvantaged: By offering affordable programmes across all parts of the country, IGNOU ensures that those facing economic or geographical challenges can access educational opportunities.
• Promote, coordinate and regulate distance learning standards: As a leader in distance education, IGNOU is committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of open and distance learning in India.

The university's objectives are closely aligned with its mandate. These include:

• Increasing the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER): IGNOU aims to boost enrollment numbers by providing flexible and accessible educational pathways.
• Building an inclusive knowledge society: The university strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers all individuals to acquire knowledge and skills, regardless of their social or economic background.
• Widening access for all sections of society: IGNOU aims to remove barriers to education by utilising innovative technologies and instructional methods.
• Providing continuous professional development and training: The university offers a range of programmes and resources to support lifelong learning and skill enhancement for professionals across all sectors.
• Strengthening human resources in India: By offering educational opportunities to a diverse range of students, IGNOU contributes to the development of a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in India.
• Promoting integrated national development and global understanding: Through its academic programmes and initiatives, IGNOU fosters a culture of inclusive growth and international cooperation.

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