Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers the Master of Arts in History (programme code: MAHI) through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The 2-year, 80-credit programme takes a thematic approach to history, moving away from the conventional period-based teaching (ancient, medieval, modern) and instead focusing on social, economic, and political developments in Indian history from earliest times to post-independent India. With a total programme fee of Rs. 16,000, no entrance exam, and the flexibility to complete the degree over a maximum of 5 years, the MAHI programme is popular among UPSC aspirants, working professionals, teachers, and researchers. The programme is available in both English and Hindi medium and is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Admission for the January 2026 cycle is currently ongoing. The last date for submission of the application form (for ODL programmes) has been extended to 30th March 2026. Students who have already enrolled for January 2026 can submit their Term-End Examination (TEE) forms for June 2026 TEE between 10th March 2026 and 10th April 2026 (without late fee), and between 11th April 2026 and 24th April 2026 (with a late fee of Rs. 1,100).

Distance Mode Study Centres:

The MAHI programme is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode. IGNOU has an extensive network of study centres across India. Key regional centres offering this programme include:

- Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Port Blair, Kohima, Bhubaneshwar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi (multiple centres), Itanagar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Jorhat, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Patna, Raghunathganj, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Angul, Bhagalpur, Jodhpur, Bijapur, Saharsa, Deoghar, Vatakara, Vishakhapatnam, Panaji, and many more.

Students must select a study centre at the time of admission. A full list of study centres is available on the IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

Key Points

No entrance exam required; admission is direct based on eligibility.
Available in both English and Hindi medium.
Thematic approach to history covering social, economic, and political developments, with interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary elective courses.
Flexible duration: minimum 2 years, maximum 5 years to complete the programme.
Exams are held twice a year (June and December TEE), giving students the option to appear at their own pace.
Assessment is based on 30% weightage for assignments and 70% for Term-End Examinations (TEE).
The MAHI syllabus is relevant for UPSC Civil Services aspirants choosing History as an optional subject.
The degree is recognised by AIU and is valid for government jobs, NET/SET eligibility, and further academic pursuits.
IGNOU has been accredited with A++ grade by NAAC.

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Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU MAHI Fees

The MAHI programme at IGNOU is one of the most affordable postgraduate History programmes in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 16,000 for the full 2-year course, payable at Rs. 8,000 per year. This includes the programme fee, registration fee, and development fee. Exam fees are charged separately at the time of TEE form submission and are not included in the programme fee.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Programme/Tuition Fee	7,500	7,500	15,000
Registration Fee (one-time)	300	-	300
Development Fee	200	200	400
Study Material (printed, optional)	Included	Included	Included
Examination Fee (per course/paper)	As applicable	As applicable	~200 per paper
Total Fees (excl. exam fee)	8,000	7,700	15,700
Total Fees (incl. registration)	8,300	7,700	16,000

The registration fee of Rs. 300 is a one-time, non-refundable charge.
Development fee is Rs. 200 per year.
Students opting for soft copy (e-SLM) of study material instead of printed material may be eligible for a partial fee refund if they cancel admission before confirmation.
An amount equivalent to 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted if cancellation is requested after confirmation of admission.
No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
There is no hostel facility at IGNOU headquarters; hostel is not mandatory.
No EMI option is officially available; fee is paid year-wise at the time of re-registration.

IGNOU MAHI Admission 2026

Admission to the MAHI programme at IGNOU is straightforward and merit-based, with no entrance examination. The January 2026 admission cycle is currently open, with the last date extended to 30th March 2026. Students admitted in the January 2026 cycle will be eligible to appear for the June 2026 Term-End Examination. The next admission cycle (July 2026) is expected to open around June 2026, based on previous year patterns.

IGNOU MAHI Admission and Examination Dates

Event	Date
January 2026 Admission Cycle Opens	December 16, 2025
Last Date for Fresh Admission (January 2026 ODL)	March 30, 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission (without late fee)	March 10, 2026 - April 10, 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)	April 11, 2026 - April 24, 2026
June 2026 TEE Hall Ticket Release	May 2026 (tentative)
June 2026 Term-End Examination	June 1, 2026 - July 15, 2026
July 2026 Admission Cycle Opens (tentative)	June 2026
Last Date for July 2026 Admission (tentative)	September/October 2026
December 2026 TEE (tentative)	December 2026

Note: IGNOU does not conduct any entrance examination for the MAHI programme. No external exam dates are applicable.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

A Bachelor's degree or higher from a recognised university in any discipline is required.
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified for general category students.
There is no upper age limit for admission.

Admission Process

Visit the IGNOU Online Admission Portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Click on 'New Registration' and complete the registration process using your own email ID and mobile number (OTP verification required).
Log in and select the MAHI programme from the list of available programmes.
Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and programme details.
Select your preferred medium of study (English or Hindi).
Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph, signature, educational qualification certificates, and category certificate (if applicable).
Pay the programme fee online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
Select your preferred study centre from the available list.
Submit the form and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
Study material will be dispatched to the registered address after confirmation of admission.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 10 Reviews

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in New Delhi offers accessible and affordable education with a strong emphasis on personalized learning. The faculty is highly qualified, featuring many members with PhDs and NET JRF clearances. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 30:1, students receive personalized attention and support, especially during exams and research projects. The curriculum is highly relevant, as 90% of exam questions are based on provided course materials, and classes are conducted both online and offline.

Resources such as books and video lectures are available through the IGNOU website. The course fee is approximately Rs 8,000 per year, reduced to Rs 7,000 for those opting for online study materials. Additional fees include Rs 200 per exam paper and Rs 250 for practicals. Although no specific campus placement support exists, students may access various central and state government scholarships, despite limited information on university-specific scholarships. Admission fees vary based on reservation categories, with general category students paying between Rs 12,000-14,000 and other categories paying Rs 8,000-12,000, with a possible 15% fee waiver for those not requiring books.

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IGNOU MAHI Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers several scholarship and fee concession options for eligible students enrolled in the MAHI programme. Given the already affordable fee structure, these scholarships provide additional financial relief to deserving students. SC/ST students and economically weaker sections are the primary beneficiaries, and students can also apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / Scheme	Eligibility	Benefit	How to Apply
IGNOU Fee Concession for SC/ST Students	SC/ST students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Up to 50% fee concession on programme fee	Apply through Regional Centre; submit caste and income certificate
Fee Exemption for Jail Inmates	Students enrolled from jail/correctional facilities	Full exemption from programme fee and registration fee (exam fee and re-registration fee applicable after release)	Through Regional Centre/Jail authorities
Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Minorities (NSP)	Minority community students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum; minimum 50% in previous exam	Rs. 20,000 per year (course fee + maintenance allowance)	Apply online at scholarships.gov.in
Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities	Students with 40%+ disability; family income below Rs. 6 lakh per annum	Full tuition fee (up to Rs. 2 lakh/year) + maintenance allowance + book allowance + device allowance	Apply online at scholarships.gov.in
Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students	SC students admitted under general category seats; family income below Rs. 8 lakh per annum	Full tuition fee (up to Rs. 2 lakh/year) + living and book allowances	Apply via 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 scholarship portals

A student can avail only one scholarship at a time.
Scholarship forms must be certified by the Regional Director at the respective IGNOU Regional Centre before submission.
Application deadlines vary by scheme; students should check the National Scholarship Portal and their respective state portals for current deadlines.
IGNOU also directs eligible students to apply for Government of India scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal after confirmation of admission.

IGNOU MAHI FAQs

Ques. Is IGNOU MA History (MAHI) useful for UPSC preparation?

Ans. Yes, the MAHI programme is a popular choice for UPSC aspirants who wish to take History as their optional subject. The IGNOU MAHI syllabus covers Ancient and Medieval Societies, Modern World, Political Structures in India, History of Indian Economy, Historiography, Indian National Movement, Environmental History, and Urbanization in India, which overlaps significantly with the UPSC History optional syllabus. The flexible ODL format allows students to pursue both simultaneously without compromising on either.

Ques. What is the difference between MAH and MAHI at IGNOU?

Ans. MAH is the older programme code for Master of Arts in History at IGNOU, while MAHI is the revised/updated version with a restructured semester-based curriculum (80 credits across 4 semesters). The MAHI programme takes a thematic approach rather than the conventional period-based approach. Fresh applicants will be enrolled under the MAHI programme code. Students who enrolled earlier under MAH continue under that code.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU MA History while working or preparing for competitive exams?

Ans. Absolutely. The MAHI programme is offered in distance/ODL mode with no mandatory daily attendance. You study using IGNOU's self-learning material, submit assignments, and appear for Term-End Examinations (held twice a year in June and December). This makes it ideal for working professionals, government employees, and competitive exam aspirants who need a flexible postgraduate degree.

Ques. Is the IGNOU MA History degree valid for government jobs and NET/SET eligibility?

Ans. Yes. The IGNOU MAHI degree is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is valid for government jobs requiring a postgraduate degree. It is also accepted for UGC-NET/SET eligibility, enabling graduates to become Assistant Professors or qualify for JRF in History. IGNOU's A++ NAAC accreditation further strengthens the degree's recognition.

Ques. How are marks calculated in IGNOU MA History? What is the passing criteria?

Ans. The final marks are calculated as: 30% from Assignments + 70% from Term-End Examination (TEE). You need to score a minimum of 40% in TEE and 40% overall (combined) to pass each course. Assignments must be submitted before the TEE to be eligible to appear for the exam. Scoring well in assignments (aim for 85+/100) significantly boosts your overall percentage.

Ques. What career options are available after IGNOU MA History?

Ans. Graduates of IGNOU MAHI can pursue a wide range of careers. Popular options include: qualifying UGC-NET/SET to become an Assistant Professor or Lecturer in History; appearing for UPSC Civil Services Examination (with History as optional); applying for state PSC examinations; working in museums, archives, and heritage organisations; pursuing PhD in History; working in journalism, media, or content writing; teaching at school level (after B.Ed.); and applying for government jobs in administrative services where a postgraduate degree is required.

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Why To Join IGNOU - Reviews & Rating

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Ananya Prasad

4.0Helpful

MA, History

Reviewed on Aug 31, 2025(Enrolled 2023)

All about my College.

Likes

Exams are held annually so we get plenty of time to study while also doing other things like job etc.
The course is affordable as compared to other universities

Dislikes

No proper syllabus. Only the previous year question papers help.
The timings for exam form, updates, exam dates everything needs to be checked time to time by our own selves as it's an open University

Fees and Financial Aid:

I paid 16000rs (8000rs per year)for registration for 2 years to pursue MA in History at Ignou. Each year annually for term end exams I paid 800rs.(200rs per paper).. this year I will be paying 800rs again for term end exam. (200rs per paper)

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Sushant kumar

3.4

MA, History

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2025(Enrolled 2024)

college life at home

Fees and Financial Aid:

When anyone go through in IGNOU MA admission then he paid reservation type wise charge General catagory minmum 12-14 thousand rupees and other reservation catagory minimum 8-12 thousand and also that fee reduce when any one not need books when waive 15% on admission charge

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Anonymous

5.0Helpful

MA, History

Reviewed on Dec 26, 2024(Enrolled 2019)

One Life different Perspectives

Fees and Financial Aid:

Two years fees: 24000 Examination for for each subjects were: 200 Praticals: 250 each Every fee and the fee structure was afforadable i liked the idea if having good ad small fee structured in IGNOU university

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College Ninja

5.0Helpful

MA, History

Reviewed on Dec 14, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

IGNOU

Likes

Cources are affordable and also there is no age limit to join.

Dislikes

I don't know about other cources but my exam datesheets were very hectic, much less time to study for the next exam.

Fees and Financial Aid:

I paid Rs7200 for this course for the first year which provides hard copy books. Its my second year and I've paid around Rs5k (without the hard copy books). Ignou cources are quite affordable for middle class people like me and also if you're preparing for competitive exams it's quite helpful for you to study at home because you don't even have to attend classes like regular colleges and universities.

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Sanjeev kumar

4.0

MA, History

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

Review of college

Likes

College fees ammount is fare there is no miniature for corruption so fees is very low

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fees amount of the college is medium.it is totaly depending on your choise If you are Choosing LNMU affiliated courses or if you are Choosing IGNOU courses so amount is different. There is also a scholarship option given by central and state government

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SHIVANI KUMARI

4.1Helpful

MA, History

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

An Enticing IGNOU Experince for My Masters

Likes

Also, the study material which we received from ignou is nonetheless been considered the best as which relatively helps in preparing for other competitive exams. It really have a prominenet standard which initially helps us to complete my research.

Dislikes

Exam fees is relatively quite high with is 200 per paper , espixally in case of Bachlors studnets since there are numerous core subjects in their syllabus.

Fees and Financial Aid:

Tuition fees for my course are quite minimal, and it's been the same for both my particular years. But the exam fees are quite high and that's my opinion, that is 200 for each paper. I am not quite sure of any scholarship been offered at IGNOU along with Financial aid.

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Sneha Raj

5.0

MA, History

Reviewed on May 13, 2024(Enrolled 2020)

My Favourite University of My life

Fees and Financial Aid:

In Our University Provided Many types of scholarship, like this Sukanya Yojna,balika protsahan Yojna,Balika poshak yojna, Scooty Yojna,Aawas yojna etc But don't use here Campus placement.Fee are used very normal in Our University.

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Aiqib Ahmad Shah

3.7

MA, History

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024(Enrolled 2015)

Learn to explore

Likes

It was very cost friendly unlike in other universities where h needed to spend in lakhs here you can spend only thousands.

Dislikes

Students were very casual in studies, there were no rules for the learning and managing things. One can skip the class whole year still can apply for the exam

Fees and Financial Aid:

I have studied my whole life in government colleges so fees was not that much, hardly you can spend around 30k to 40k in whole year. This includes admission fees, examination fees, books materials, excluding hostel charges.

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suman

2.8

MA, History

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023(Enrolled 2022)

Ignou is best for distance learners.

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fee for my course is 7000 if you choose online study material otherwise it is 8000 per year and study material is available at your home address within 2 months. There is no information about any scholarship because it is an online and open distance learning college.

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Suman ahirwar

3.0

MA, History

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2023(Enrolled 2022)

IGNOU is best for distance learning students.

Fees and Financial Aid:

My course fee is 8000 Rs per year and there is no information about scholarship and placement. But if you are an irregular student and a job person then this University is best for you. In my course, University sends every update in my email like exam assignments, etc.

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