Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies (MAGD) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a 2-year postgraduate programme offered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Gender and Development Studies (SOGDS). The programme is designed to equip practitioners, policy makers, academics, and NGO/government personnel with the knowledge and skills to mainstream gender perspectives into development planning, policy, and practice. It covers gender and development concepts, gender analysis, gender-sensitive planning, research methodologies, and a range of elective specialisations in Year 2 including gender budgeting, gender mainstreaming, gender and agriculture, gender and entrepreneurship, and more. The programme fee is Rs. 7,000 per year (total Rs. 14,300 including registration fee), making it one of the most affordable MA programmes in the country. The medium of instruction is both English and Hindi. No entrance exam is required; admission is based on graduation marks. The programme is particularly popular among development sector professionals, government employees, NGO workers, and researchers working on gender and social equity issues.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing. The last date for submission of the application form (for ODL programmes) is 30 March 2026. Applications can be submitted online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The next admission cycle (July 2026) is expected to open tentatively in May 2026, based on the previous year's schedule.

Distance Mode Centres:

The MAGD programme is offered exclusively through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Students are assigned to a Study Centre near their location. The programme is available across a wide network of IGNOU Regional Centres across India, including:

Hyderabad (RC Hyderabad)
Karnal (RC Karnal)
Shimla (RC Shimla)
Jammu (RC Jammu)
Bangalore (RC Bangalore)
Bhopal (RC Bhopal)
Pune (RC Pune)
Imphal (RC Imphal)
Shillong (RC Shillong)
Aizawl (RC Aizawl)
Port Blair (RC Port Blair)
Kohima (RC Kohima)
Bhubaneswar (RC Bhubaneswar)
Khanna (RC Khanna)
Jaipur (RC Jaipur)
Gangtok (RC Gangtok)
Chennai (RC Chennai)
Agartala (RC Agartala)
Lucknow (RC Lucknow)
Kolkata (RC Kolkata)
Itanagar (RC Itanagar)
Srinagar (RC Srinagar)
Dehradun (RC Dehradun)
Ranchi (RC Ranchi)
Vijayawada (RC Vijayawada)
Raipur (RC Raipur)
Nagpur (RC Nagpur)
Jorhat (RC Jorhat)
Guwahati (RC Guwahati)
Trivandrum (RC Trivandrum)
Jabalpur (RC Jabalpur)
Rajkot (RC Rajkot)
Koraput (RC Koraput)
Siliguri (RC Siliguri)
Darbhanga (RC Darbhanga)
Aligarh (RC Aligarh)
Varanasi (RC Varanasi)
Mumbai (RC Mumbai)
Patna (RC Patna)
Raghunathganj (RC Raghunathganj)
Chandigarh (RC Chandigarh)
Delhi 1 (RC Delhi 1)
Panaji (RC Panaji)
Bhagalpur (RC Bhagalpur)
Vatakara (RC Vatakara)
Visakhapatnam (RC Visakhapatnam)
Bijapur (RC Bijapur)
Saharsa (RC Saharsa)
Deoghar (RC Deoghar)
Jodhpur (RC Jodhpur)
Ahmedabad (RC Ahmedabad)
Angul (RC Angul)

Key Points

The MAGD programme is offered under the School of Gender and Development Studies (SOGDS) at IGNOU.
The medium of instruction is both English and Hindi, making it accessible to a wider student base.
The programme includes Internship/Field-Based Research Project courses (MGSP-001 and MGSP-002) in Year 1, providing practical exposure to gender and development work.
Year 2 offers a wide range of elective courses including Gender Audit and Gender Budgeting, Gender Mainstreaming, Gender and Entrepreneurship Development, Gender and Financial Inclusion, and more.
The programme is designed for both fresh graduates and working professionals in government, NGOs, banks, financial institutions, and academic institutions.
The degree is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
No entrance examination is required; admission is based on qualifying examination marks.
The maximum duration to complete the programme is 5 years.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU MAGD Fees

The MAGD programme at IGNOU is offered at a highly affordable fee of Rs. 7,000 per year. A one-time Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is payable at the time of admission, along with a Development Fee as notified by the university. Examination fees (Rs. 200 per subject per Term-End Exam) are charged separately. There is no hostel facility for this ODL programme.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (Year 1)	7,000
Tuition Fee (Year 2)	7,000
Registration Fee (one-time)	300
Total Fees	14,300

Examination fee (Rs. 200 per subject per Term-End Exam) is charged separately and is not included in the above total.
Development Fee is applicable as per university norms and is charged at the time of admission.
The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.
Refund Policy: Fee paid will be refunded prior to confirmation of admission. After confirmation, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted. No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
SC/ST students and other reserved category students may be eligible for fee exemption/reimbursement as per IGNOU norms.
There is no hostel facility for this ODL programme.

IGNOU MAGD Admission 2026

IGNOU conducts admissions for the MAGD programme twice a year - in January and July sessions. The January 2026 session is currently open, with the last date for application extended to 30 March 2026. Admission is merit-based (qualifying examination marks), and there is no entrance test. Students can apply online through the IGNOU Admission Portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Admission Portal Opens (January 2026 Session)	December 16, 2025
Last Date for Application Submission (ODL Programmes)	March 30, 2026
Tentative Batch Commencement / Study Material Dispatch	January - March 2026
Contact Programme / Counselling Sessions	February - November 2026
Assignment Submission (Year 1)	March - September 2026
Term-End Examination (June 2026)	June 1 - July 15, 2026 (Tentative)
Exam Form Submission Last Date	April 10, 2026
Result Declaration	August 2026 (Tentative)
July 2026 Session Admission Opens (Tentative)	May 2026
July 2026 Session Last Date (Tentative)	August 2026

Entrance Exam Details

Entrance Exam Details
No entrance examination is required for admission to the MAGD programme. Admission is based on merit in the qualifying examination (graduation).

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree or a higher degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified by IGNOU for the MAGD programme.
The programme is open to both fresh graduates and working professionals.

Admission Process

Visit the IGNOU Admission Portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Click on "New Registration" and complete the registration process with a valid email ID and mobile number.
Log in and select the MAGD programme.
Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and address details.
Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, educational qualification certificates, and category certificate (if applicable).
Pay the programme fee online (Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking).
Submit the application form and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
Students will be allotted a Study Centre based on their preferred location.
APAAR ID must be kept ready before starting the application process.

IGNOU MAGD Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students enrolled in the MAGD programme can avail of various government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission. IGNOU also provides fee exemptions and reimbursements for SC/ST students, physically challenged students, jail inmates, and economically weaker sections. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships as early as possible, as selection is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Benefit	How to Apply
IGNOU Fee Exemption (SC/ST/PwD/Jail Inmates/Weaver Community)	SC/ST, Physically Challenged, Jail Inmates, Weaver Community, Transgender; Family income less than Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum; Age below 35 years	Full or partial fee exemption/reimbursement as per IGNOU norms	Apply through IGNOU Regional Centre; submit form certified by Regional Director
Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses (Minority Students)	Minority community students; Family income less than Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum; Minimum 50% marks in previous exam	Rs. 20,000 per year (tuition + maintenance allowance up to Rs. 1,000/month for hostlers, Rs. 500/month for day scholars)	Apply online at scholarships.gov.in
Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities	PwD students with more than 40% disability; Family income less than Rs. 6 lakh per annum	Tuition fee up to Rs. 2 lakh/year; Books/stationery up to Rs. 5,000/year; Maintenance allowance; One-time laptop allowance of Rs. 45,000	Apply online at scholarships.gov.in
Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students	SC students; Family income less than Rs. 8 lakh per annum; Admitted under general category seats	Tuition fee up to Rs. 2 lakh/year; Books/stationery; Living expenses; One-time laptop allowance of Rs. 45,000	Apply at Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment portal
State Government Scholarships	Varies by state; SC/ST/OBC/EWS students	Varies by state scheme	Apply through respective State Social Welfare Office or NSP portal

A student can avail only one scholarship at a time.
Scholarship forms must be certified by the IGNOU Regional Director before submission.
Students must apply for government scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
The IGNOU fee exemption for SC/ST students covers the programme fee; the Registration Fee is non-refundable even for exempted categories.
Jail inmates are exempted from all fees including the Registration Fee during their incarceration; applicable fees must be paid upon release.

IGNOU MAGD FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between IGNOU MAGD and MAWGSR (Women's and Gender Studies)?

Ans. MAGD (Gender and Development Studies) focuses on the intersection of gender with development - covering gender analysis, gender-sensitive planning, gender budgeting, gender mainstreaming, and practical internship/field research. It is more applied and policy-oriented, suited for those working in NGOs, government, banks, and development organisations. MAWGSR (Women's and Gender Studies) is more theoretical and academic, covering gender theory, cultural and literary dimensions, and is suited for those interested in research, teaching, and advocacy.

Ques. Is the IGNOU MAGD programme available in Hindi medium?

Ans. Yes. The MAGD programme is offered in both English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to students from Hindi-speaking regions who are more comfortable studying in Hindi. Students can choose their preferred medium at the time of admission.

Ques. What is the Internship/Field-Based Research Project in MAGD?

Ans. The MAGD programme includes two Internship/Field-Based Research Project courses (MGSP-001 and MGSP-002) in Year 1, each carrying 4 credits. Students are required to undertake an internship with an organisation working on gender and development issues, or conduct a field-based research project. 100% weightage is given to the Internship Report or Research Project Report submitted for these courses.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU MAGD while working in an NGO or government department?

Ans. Absolutely. The MAGD programme is specifically designed for middle and senior level personnel working in organisations, institutions, and agencies working on gender and development issues. The ODL format allows students to study at their own pace without attending daily classes, making it ideal for working professionals.

Ques. What are the career options after completing IGNOU MA Gender and Development Studies?

Ans. MAGD graduates can pursue careers as: Gender Specialist or Gender Analyst in NGOs, INGOs, and UN agencies, Programme Officer or Project Manager in development organisations, Gender Trainer or Facilitator, Policy Analyst in government departments working on gender and social welfare, Researcher or Academic in gender and development studies, and roles in banks and financial institutions working on gender and financial inclusion programmes.

Ques. What elective courses are available in Year 2 of MAGD?

Ans. Year 2 of MAGD offers a wide range of elective courses including: Gender Planning and Development Policies, Gender Audit and Gender Budgeting, Gender Mainstreaming, Gender Issues in Agriculture, Rural Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management, Gender, Resources and Entitlements, Gender, Organization and Leadership, Gender Issues in Work, Employment and Productivity, Gender and Entrepreneurship Development, Gender Training and Empowerment, and Gender and Financial Inclusion. Students can choose electives based on their area of interest and career goals.