Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship (MAER) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a 2-year, 4-semester postgraduate programme offered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, under the School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET). The programme is designed to impart knowledge, skills, and competencies required to start and manage one's own business venture, covering startup ecosystems, innovation, IPR, MSME development, finance, marketing, social entrepreneurship, and strategic management. The total programme fee is Rs. 16,000 (Rs. 8,000 per year), and no entrance examination is required. The programme is popular among aspiring entrepreneurs, working professionals in MSMEs, and graduates who wish to formalise their entrepreneurial knowledge and launch their own ventures.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing, with the last date for fresh admission extended to 30th March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open in May 2026, with registration typically closing by August 2026. Students can exit after completing the first two semesters (32 credits) with a PG Diploma in Entrepreneurship.

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Distance Learning Centres

The MAER programme is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode. It has one of the widest networks of study centres among IGNOU MA programmes. Key regional centres include:

Key Points

The programme is semester-based (4 semesters over 2 years), unlike most IGNOU MA programmes which follow a yearly system.
Students can exit after completing the first two semesters (32 credits) with a PG Diploma in Entrepreneurship.
Two mandatory Project Works are included: Project I (MERP-001, 4 credits) in Semester 2 and Project II (MERP-002, 4 credits) in Semester 4.
The programme uses a blended learning approach, integrating self-instructional material with case studies and experiences shared by successful entrepreneurs.
The programme is offered in English medium only.
Term-End Examinations (TEE) are conducted twice a year - in June and December.
The programme is managed by the School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET), IGNOU.
No entrance examination is required; admission is open to graduates from any discipline.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU MAER Fees

The MAER programme at IGNOU is highly affordable, with a total programme fee of Rs. 16,000 payable over two years at Rs. 8,000 per year. In addition to the programme fee, students are required to pay a one-time non-refundable Registration Fee and a Development Fee at the time of admission. The examination fee is charged separately at the time of filling the Term-End Examination form.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (Sem 1+2)	Year 2 (Sem 3+4)	Total
Tuition Fee (Programme Fee)	Rs. 8,000	Rs. 8,000	Rs. 16,000
Registration Fee (one-time)	Rs. 300	-	Rs. 300
Development Fee	As applicable	-	As applicable
Examination Fee (per subject, approx.)	Rs. 200	Rs. 200	Rs. 400 per year
Total Fees (excl. exam fee)	Rs. 8,300	Rs. 8,000	Rs. 16,300

The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable.
Fee paid will be refunded prior to confirmation of admission.
After confirmation of admission, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted if cancellation is requested.
No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
Examination fee of Rs. 200 per subject is payable separately at the time of submitting the exam form.
There is no hostel facility at IGNOU for distance learners.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.

IGNOU MAER Admission 2026

Admissions to MAER at IGNOU are conducted twice a year - in January and July sessions. Since MAER is a semester-based programme, admission timelines differ slightly from yearly programmes. The January 2026 session is currently open, with the last date for fresh admission extended to 30th March 2026. No entrance examination is required; admission is purely based on eligibility.

IGNOU MAER Admission Dates

Event	January 2026 Session	July 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Portal Opens	December 16, 2025	May 2026
Last Date for Fresh Admission	March 30, 2026	July 2026
Last Date for Re-registration	March 30, 2026	July 2026
Distribution of Study Material	January - February 2026	July - August 2026
Contact Programmes / Counselling	February - May 2026	August - November 2026
Assignment Submission (Sem 1)	February - March 2026	August - September 2026
Term-End Examination (TEE)	June 2026 (Sem 1)	December 2026 (Sem 2)
Exam Form Submission (June TEE)	March 10 - April 10, 2026	-
June 2026 TEE Commencement	June 1, 2026	-
June 2026 TEE Last Date	July 15, 2026	-
Result Declaration	August 2026 (for June TEE)	February 2027 (for Dec TEE)

Examination Dates

Examination	Relevance	Dates
IGNOU Term-End Examination (TEE) - June 2026	Mandatory internal university exam for all enrolled students	June 1 - July 15, 2026
IGNOU TEE Exam Form Submission	Required to appear in TEE	March 10 - April 10, 2026
IGNOU TEE - December 2026	Second TEE cycle	December 2026 (tentative)

Note: MAER does not require any external entrance examination. The TEE is the university's own internal examination and is the primary mode of assessment.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline or its equivalent from a recognised University/Institution.
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified; a valid graduation certificate is mandatory.
The programme is open to Indian nationals as well as international students.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Click on 'New Registration' and create a login with a valid email ID and mobile number.
Select the MAER programme and fill in the online application form.
Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph, signature, graduation certificate, category certificate (if applicable).
Pay the programme fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
Select your preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre.
Submit the application and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
Admission confirmation is sent via email/SMS after verification of documents.

IGNOU MAER Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students enrolled in MAER can avail a range of government-sponsored scholarships and fee concessions, particularly for students from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC), economically weaker sections, persons with disabilities, and minority communities. SC/ST students are eligible for a 50% fee concession directly from IGNOU, while other categories can apply through the National Scholarship Portal. These scholarships make this already affordable programme even more accessible.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Benefit	How to Apply
IGNOU Fee Concession for SC/ST Students	SC/ST students enrolled at IGNOU	50% fee concession on programme fee	Apply at Regional Centre with caste certificate
Fee Exemption for Jail Inmates	Jail inmates enrolled at IGNOU	Full fee exemption (including registration fee)	Through Regional Centre
Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Minorities	Minority students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year; min. 50% in previous exam	Rs. 20,000/year + maintenance allowance (Rs. 1,000/month for hostlers, Rs. 500/month for day scholars)	Apply online at scholarships.gov.in
Scholarship for Top Class Education (SC Students)	SC students; family income below Rs. 8 lakh/year; admitted under general category seats	Full tuition fee (up to Rs. 2 lakh/year) + books/stationery + maintenance allowance	Apply at Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment portal
Scholarship for Students with Disabilities	Students with 40%+ disability; family income below Rs. 6 lakh/year	Tuition fee up to Rs. 2 lakh/year + Rs. 5,000 for books + Rs. 45,000 one-time for laptop	Apply at scholarships.gov.in
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS students	Varies by scheme and state	scholarships.gov.in
State Government Scholarships	Varies by state	Varies by state	Respective state scholarship portals

Students can avail only one scholarship at a time.
Scholarship applications on NSP should be submitted after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
Application deadlines for NSP scholarships are typically between August and October each year.

IGNOU MAER FAQs

Ques. Is MAER from IGNOU a recognised degree for starting a business or applying for government startup schemes?

Ans. Yes, the MAER degree from IGNOU is fully recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is a valid postgraduate qualification. It is accepted for government startup schemes, MSME registration, and entrepreneurship development programmes. IGNOU is a central university established by an Act of Parliament, and its degrees carry the same value as those from any UGC-recognised university.

Ques. What is the exit option in MAER? Can I get a diploma after one year?

Ans. Yes, MAER has an exit option. Students who successfully complete the first two semesters (32 credits) can exit the programme with a PG Diploma in Entrepreneurship. This is useful for students who wish to get a formal qualification quickly and start their venture, with the option to return and complete the full Master's degree later.

Ques. Does MAER cover government schemes for startups and MSMEs?

Ans. Yes, MAER includes a dedicated course on Government Initiatives and MSME Development (MER-007) in Semester 2, which covers government schemes like Startup India, MUDRA, Stand-Up India, and other MSME support programmes. This makes the programme highly practical for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to leverage government support.

Ques. What are the project work requirements in MAER?

Ans. MAER includes two mandatory project works: Project I (MERP-001, 4 credits) in Semester 2 and Project II (MERP-002, 4 credits) in Semester 4. Students are required to undertake practical entrepreneurship-related projects, which may involve business plan development, market research, or startup feasibility studies. Projects are evaluated through written reports and viva voce examinations.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing MAER from IGNOU?

Ans. Graduates of MAER can launch their own startups, work as Entrepreneurship Development Officers, Business Consultants, MSME Advisors, Incubation Centre Managers, Social Entrepreneurs, and Corporate Innovation Managers. They can also work with government entrepreneurship development institutes, startup incubators, and venture capital firms.

Ques. Is MAER a semester-based or yearly programme? How does this affect the admission and exam schedule?

Ans. MAER is a semester-based programme with 4 semesters over 2 years, unlike most IGNOU MA programmes which follow a yearly system. This means admissions are taken for specific semesters (January session for Semester 1/3, July session for Semester 2/4), and Term-End Examinations are held at the end of each semester. Students should check the IGNOU academic calendar carefully to plan their admission and exam schedule accordingly.