Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Migration and Diaspora (MAMIDI) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a 2-year, 80-credit postgraduate programme offered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Inter-Disciplinary and Trans-Disciplinary Studies (SOITS). The programme covers both theoretical and project-based components, promoting knowledge and understanding of migration and diaspora and their socio-cultural, economic, and political engagement with home and host countries. The total programme fee is Rs. 12,700 (tuition fee Rs. 12,000 + registration fee Rs. 300 + development fee Rs. 200), with a minimum duration of 2 years. The programme is structured across 4 semesters and is popular among students of sociology, political science, history, and international relations, as well as professionals working in migration governance, NGOs, and policy research.

Admissions for the January 2026 cycle are currently ongoing. The last date to submit the application form is March 30, 2026 (extended). Students can apply 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 Learning Centres:

Since IGNOU is an open university, the MA Migration and Diaspora programme is offered exclusively in distance mode. The programme is available at a large number of regional centres across India, including:

Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin/Ernakulam, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizwal, Port Blair, Kohima, Bhubaneshwar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Itanagar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Jorhat, Delhi 3 (Naraina), Noida, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, Raghunathganj, Chandigarh, Delhi 1 (Mohan Estate), Panaji, Bhagalpur, Vatakara, Vishakhapatnam, Bijapur, Saharsa, Deoghar, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad

Key Points

The programme has both academic and policy relevance for national and international stakeholders engaged in Migration Governance and Diaspora Engagement.
The curriculum spans migration theory and methodology, transnationalism, global and Indian diaspora studies, gender and diaspora, labour markets, human trafficking, and international affairs.
The programme includes a project component (MDIP-001, 8 credits) in Semester IV, enabling students to conduct independent research on a migration or diaspora-related topic.
Courses such as India and the World (MPSE-001), Canada: Politics and Society (MPSE-009), and The European Union in World Affairs (MPSE-011) provide a strong international perspective.
The programme is offered in English medium and is open to graduates from any discipline, making it accessible to a wide range of students.
IGNOU's MAMIDI degree is UGC and DEB recognized, valid for government jobs, NET/JRF eligibility, and further research.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU MAMIDI Fees

The MA Migration and Diaspora programme at IGNOU is affordably priced at Rs. 6,000 per year in tuition fees, totalling Rs. 12,000 for the 2-year programme. A one-time registration fee of Rs. 300 and a development fee of Rs. 200 are charged at the time of admission, bringing the total programme cost to Rs. 12,700. Since the programme is offered entirely in distance mode, there are no hostel or campus facility charges.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (Year 1 - Semesters I and II)	6,000
Tuition Fee (Year 2 - Semesters III and IV)	6,000
Registration Fee (one-time)	300
Development Fee (one-time)	200
Total Fees	12,700

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.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.
There is no EMI option; the full year's fee is payable at the time of admission/re-registration.

IGNOU MAMIDI Admission 2026

Admissions to the IGNOU MA Migration and Diaspora programme are conducted twice a year - in January and July cycles. The January 2026 cycle is currently open with the last date extended to March 30, 2026. The admission process is entirely online through IGNOU's official admission portal. There is no entrance examination; admission is granted directly based on eligibility. Students must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and upload the required documents at the time of application.

Important Admission Dates

Event	Date
Admission Portal Opens (January 2026 Cycle)	December 16, 2025
Last Date for Submission of Application Form (January 2026)	March 30, 2026 (Extended)
Distribution of Study Learning Material (SLM)	January - March 2026
Contact Programmes / Counselling	February - November 2026
Assignment Submission Last Date	February - March 2026 (Sem I and II)
Exam Form Submission (June 2026 TEE) - Without Late Fee	March 10 - April 10, 2026
Exam Form Submission (June 2026 TEE) - With Late Fee (Rs. 1,100)	April 11 - April 24, 2026
Term-End Examination (TEE) June 2026	June 1 - July 15, 2026
Result Declaration	August 2026 (Tentative)
Admission Opens (July 2026 Cycle)	May 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date for Submission of Application Form (July 2026 Cycle)	August 2026 (Tentative)

Exam Dates

IGNOU MA Migration and Diaspora does not require any entrance examination for admission. Admission is direct, based on eligibility. The Term-End Examinations (TEE) conducted by IGNOU are internal university examinations held twice a year (June and December).

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified; any graduate is eligible to apply.
Students must have a valid APAAR ID ready before starting the application process.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Click on "New Registration" and complete the registration using your own email ID and mobile number (OTP verification required).
Log in and select the MAMIDI programme from the list of available programmes.
Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and contact details.
Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph (less than 100 KB), signature (less than 100 KB), educational qualification certificates (less than 200 KB), category certificate if applicable (SC/ST/OBC), and experience certificate if any.
Pay the programme fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
Submit the form and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
After confirmation of admission, study material will be dispatched to the student's address.

IGNOU MAMIDI Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students pursuing the MA Migration and Diaspora programme are eligible to apply for various Government of India scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). These scholarships are primarily targeted at students from SC, ST, OBC, minority communities, and economically weaker sections. IGNOU actively encourages eligible students to apply for these scholarships after confirmation of admission.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount	Application Portal
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC category students	As per state/central norms	scholarships.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students	ST category students	As per state/central norms	scholarships.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC category students	As per state/central norms	scholarships.gov.in
Central Sector Scholarship for Minorities	Minority community students	As per scheme norms	scholarships.gov.in
Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students	SC students in top institutions	Full fee coverage + maintenance	scholarships.gov.in

Students must apply for scholarships on the NSP portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
The NSP portal is open for Academic Year 2026-27.
One Time Registration (OTR) on NSP using Aadhaar/Aadhaar Enrollment Number (EID) is mandatory before applying.
Scholarship amounts and deadlines vary by scheme and state; students should check the NSP portal for the latest details.
IGNOU does not offer its own institutional scholarships for the MAMIDI programme; all financial assistance is routed through government schemes.

IGNOU MAMIDI FAQs

Ques. What makes IGNOU MA Migration and Diaspora unique compared to other social science MA programmes?

Ans. MAMIDI is one of the very few dedicated postgraduate programmes in India focused exclusively on migration and diaspora studies. Unlike general sociology or political science MA programmes, it combines theory, policy, and fieldwork on topics like transnationalism, human trafficking, labour markets, and diaspora governance - making it highly relevant for careers in international organizations, NGOs, and government policy roles.

Ques. Is there any project work in IGNOU MA Migration and Diaspora?

Ans. Yes. In Semester IV, students must complete a Project Work (MDIP-001) worth 8 credits. This involves independent research on a migration or diaspora-related topic of the student's choice, under the guidance of the programme coordinator. The project is a significant component of the final assessment.

Ques. Can students from non-social science backgrounds apply for IGNOU MA Migration and Diaspora?

Ans. Yes. The eligibility criterion is simply a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Students from science, commerce, law, or any other background can apply. However, a basic interest in social sciences, international relations, or policy studies would be beneficial for engaging with the course content.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing IGNOU MA Migration and Diaspora?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in international organizations (UN, IOM, UNHCR), government ministries dealing with external affairs and diaspora, NGOs working on migration and refugee issues, research institutions, think tanks, journalism, and academia. The programme also prepares students for competitive exams like UPSC (International Relations and Sociology papers).

Ques. How is the project work evaluated in IGNOU MA Migration and Diaspora?

Ans. The project work (MDIP-001) is evaluated by the programme coordinator and an external examiner. Students are required to submit a written project report based on their research. The project carries 8 credits and is a mandatory component for the award of the degree. Students should contact their regional centre for specific guidelines on project submission.

Ques. Is IGNOU MA Migration and Diaspora recognized for UGC NET/JRF?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU's MAMIDI is a UGC-recognized postgraduate degree. Graduates are eligible to appear for UGC NET/JRF in relevant subjects such as Sociology, Political Science, or International Studies, depending on the paper chosen. The degree is also valid for Ph.D. admissions at recognized universities across India.