Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has extended its last date of fresh application for its July, 2024 academic session. The students can submit their application till October 15, 2024. Formerly, the scheduled last date was September 30. But now, the fresh date is only applicable to the ODL and online programmes but not applicable to the semester-based and certificate courses of Indira Gandhi National Open University.

This is a last day time opportunity for students to enroll for any of the various programmes as accepted up to the earlier deadline. Details of programmes offered can be accessed through the portal at iop.ignouonline.ac.in.

IGNOU July 2024 Admission Application Procedure

Step 1: Visit Website: The website to visit is www.ignou.ac.in .
Step 2: Online Registration: Click on the ‘Register Online’ button and then ‘Fresh Admissions’.

3. New Registration: Tap the ‘New Registrations’ tab and fill in all required information to register.
4. Set Credentials: Set a ‘Username’ and ‘Password’ to be able to login in the future.
5. Fill in Details: Log in with the credentials that have been sent to your e-mail and phone number, the required details
6. Select Your Program: Select which program you’d like, and complete registration.

The move by IGNOU to extend further the date of admission can be touted as a way of catering to the need for increased and flexible education avenues. ODL and online programs, which are specifically offered at the university, are more or less a gesture of accessible education for the people of India, particularly those in far-off areas, making higher education accessible for everyone.

Eligible students are also supposed to apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal after confirmation of admission at scholarships.gov.in.

Coping with the Wider Challenges of Distance Learning

While the extension provides a temporary relief to the student, it speaks to the larger issue of education deadlines and access. In order to significantly improve the flexibility of learning opportunities, IGNOU and similar institutions can consider continuous enrollment models wherein students can apply throughout the year without being restricted by a fixed timeline. This would prove to be much more responsive to working professionals and people in rural regions where adjustment to tied timelines is not easy.