IGNOU Extends January 2026 Online Programme Registration Deadline to March 15

The deadline for IGNOU has been extended again, and all those candidates who wish to take part in the Indira Gandhi National Open University now have the chance to register themselves on the main official admission portal of IGNOU 2026 till March 15, 2026. 

Previously, the last date decided by the University was February 28, 2026, but now the extension is here, allowing candidates to complete their registration. Although the university has clarified that this extension is only for the online programmes and does not include certificate or semester-based courses.

Students are advised not to wait until the final day to avoid technical issues during fee payment or form submission.

Programmes Offered

As everyone is well aware, IGNOU offers a wide range of academic programmes across undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate levels.

Undergraduate Programmes

• BA
• BBA
• BCom
• BCA
• BSc
• BSW
  (Including honours and specialised streams)

Postgraduate Programmes

• MBA
• MA (Various Specialisations)
• MCA
• MCom

There are multiple programmes that the university offers, including diploma and advanced certificate programmes, which are primarily focused on increasing skillset and career growth in different areas such as:

• Language Studies
• Information Technology
• Environmental Studies
• Management

Entrance Exam Deadlines Also Extended

Not only online admissions, but IGNOU has also extended the last date for submitting the entrance test applications for: 

• BEd
• BSc Nursing (Post Basic)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Rural and Plantation Management (PGDRPC) – July 2026 session

As per the notification issued by IGNOU’s Student Evaluation Division (Exam-II) on February 27, 2026:

• Last Date to Apply: March 10, 2026 (till 6 PM)
• Entrance Exam Date: March 29, 2026

Documents Required for Application

These are some documents that applicants should have, mentioned below, for the ease of the candidates: 

• Recent Photograph (less than 100 KB)
• Signature (less than 100 KB)
• Educational Qualification Certificates (less than 200 KB)
• Experience Certificate (if applicable)
• Category Certificate (if applicable)

How to Apply for IGNOU Online ODL Programmes

For the ease of the candidates, below are some simple steps that candidates can follow to apply for IGNOU Online ODL programmes: 

1. Visit the official admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
2. Click on “New Registration”
3. Complete registration with basic details
4. Log in using your username and password
5. Fill out the online application form carefully
6. Upload the required documents and pay the application fee
7. Submit the form and download/print a copy for reference

One thing which all the candidates should look for is the eligibility criteria before applying, and they must check that the details are correct to avoid any issues later in the admission process.