IGNOU MA Public Administration: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers the Master of Arts in Public Administration (programme code: MPA) through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The 2-year programme provides comprehensive knowledge on the nature of public administration in India in the globalisation context, with focus on the role of the State, Public Sector, Public-Private Interface, Civil Society groups, human resources, e-governance, and public systems management. With a total programme fee of Rs. 16,000 (Rs. 8,000 per year), no entrance exam, and the flexibility to complete the degree over a maximum of 5 years, the MPA programme is highly popular among government employees, UPSC/state PSC aspirants, working professionals, and those seeking NET/SET eligibility. 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 MPA 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.
Covers State, Society and Public Administration; Administrative Theory; Public Policy and Analysis; Public Systems Management; Human Resource Management; Decentralisation and Local Governance; E-Governance; and Disaster Management.
Optional Project Work (dissertation of 10,000-15,000 words) is available for students interested in pursuing further studies in Public Administration.
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 MPA syllabus closely aligns with the UPSC Civil Services Examination Public Administration optional paper.
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 MPA Fees

The MPA programme at IGNOU is one of the most affordable postgraduate Public Administration 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 MPA Admission 2026

Admission to the MPA 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 MPA 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 MPA 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 MPA 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 5 Reviews

IGNOU is an open university known for its knowledgeable and approachable faculty, accessible through regional centers due to the absence of direct meetings with teachers. While faculty support is strong, their limited availability can lead to delays in addressing student issues. Exams occur annually and are manageable with at least a month's preparation. The university maintains a low fee structure, making education accessible to many. For a typical 2-year master's program, the total fees are approximately Rs. 15,000, split into Rs. 7,500 per year, excluding additional exam and registration fees.

Some master’s programs have annual fees ranging from Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 12,000. Scholarships, especially for minority communities, and government financial assistance are available, with opportunities detailed on the National Scholarship Portal. IGNOU also provides job placement assistance to support students in finding employment after graduation.

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IGNOU MPA Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers several scholarship and fee concession options for eligible students enrolled in the MPA 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 MPA FAQs

Ques. Is IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) useful for UPSC preparation?

Ans. Yes, the MPA programme is one of the most popular choices for UPSC aspirants who want to pursue Public Administration as their optional subject. The IGNOU MPA syllabus covers Administrative Theory, Public Policy and Analysis, Public Systems Management, Human Resource Management, Decentralisation and Local Governance, E-Governance, and Disaster Management, which closely aligns with the UPSC Civil Services Examination Public Administration optional paper. Many successful IAS/IPS officers have pursued MPA from IGNOU alongside their civil services preparation.

Ques. Is IGNOU MPA useful for government employees and in-service candidates?

Ans. Absolutely. The MPA programme is specifically designed to benefit government employees, civil servants, and public sector professionals who want to enhance their knowledge of public administration, governance, and policy. The flexible ODL format with no mandatory attendance makes it ideal for in-service candidates. Many state government employees, defence personnel, and central government staff pursue this programme to upgrade their qualifications.

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

Ans. Yes. The IGNOU MPA 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 Public Administration. IGNOU's A++ NAAC accreditation further strengthens the degree's recognition.

Ques. What is the course structure of IGNOU MPA? What subjects are covered?

Ans. The MPA programme covers: MPA-011 (State, Society and Public Administration), MPA-012 (Administrative Theory), MPA-013 (Public Systems Management), MPA-014 (Human Resource Management), MPA-015 (Public Policy and Analysis), MPA-016 (Decentralisation and Local Governance), MPA-017 (E-Governance), and MPA-018 (Disaster Management). Students interested in further studies can also opt for Project Work (dissertation of 10,000-15,000 words).

Ques. How are marks calculated in IGNOU MPA? 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 Public Administration?

Ans. Graduates of IGNOU MPA can pursue a wide range of careers. Popular options include: qualifying UGC-NET/SET to become an Assistant Professor or Lecturer in Public Administration; appearing for UPSC Civil Services Examination (with Public Administration as optional); applying for state PSC examinations; working in government departments, public sector undertakings, and regulatory bodies; pursuing PhD in Public Administration; working in policy research organisations, think tanks, and NGOs; and applying for administrative positions in international organisations and development agencies.

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IGNOU: 1 Answered Question

Does IGNOU notes on BA and MA public administration help for optional public administration in the UPSC?

ChetanBA in Economics and Mathematics from Indira Gandhi National Open university (IGNOU) (Graduated 2022)

Yes, IGNOU notes on BA and MA public administration are surely helpful for optional public h administration in the UPSC. This is because IGNOU study material is prepared by experienced professionals. They are PhD degree holders.

There are many candidates who have passed UPSC alongside pursuing a PG course from IGNOU. They give the rightful credit to IGNOU for passing the UPSC. Times of India has interviewed many such candidates of IGNOU who have claimed the study material from the university to be their best friend.

IGNOUs study material has been designed to facilitate self study. This is why it is easier than other course material. Also, the quality is top notch. It is available at your study centre for a fairly low price.

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ISHITA PANDEY

2.8Helpful

MA, Public Administration

Reviewed on Apr 15, 2025(Enrolled 2024)

IGNOU (ODL)

Fees and Financial Aid:

In IGNOU, the course takes place yearly, not semester-wise. So, you register once every year for your two-year course. The fees for my course for the 1st year were 7000 + 1000 study material charges, which are optional. Again, for the next year, it would be similar.

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Tushar Chopra

3.4

MA, Public Administration

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

IGNOU a necessity of employees

Likes

It is a distance course that allows you to have a full time job

Fees and Financial Aid:

The total fees for the course is ?15000 that has to be paid yearly as 7500 for each year in a 2 year masters program with that additional of exam fees and registration fees has to be paid at the appropriate time

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Prakash kumar

3.6

MA, Public Administration

Reviewed on Sep 2, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

Review for indira gandhi national open University

Likes

The affordability of the course at any individual whether rich or poor can join the college.

Dislikes

After the payment of fees in the starting we don't even know that we are enrolled or not it takes alot of time to get confirmation.

Fees and Financial Aid:

For the entire course the student have to pay around 22000 without the addition of exam fees before the exam you have to pay the exam fees according the number of subjects you have. For the scholarship you can check national scholarship portal if any scholarship is available.

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Ujjwal Jain

3.8

MA, Public Administration

Reviewed on May 11, 2023(Enrolled 2020)

Know more about IGNOU

Fees and Financial Aid:

Fees depend on the course which you are doing.. as Masters fees approximately 11000 to 12000 per year. Examination fees were different from admission fees. Some governmental scholarships and financial assistance will be provided.

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Satendra Kumar

3.8

MA, Public Administration

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2022(Enrolled 2020)

Overall good

Fees and Financial Aid:

Fee structure is minimum in IGNOU. This gives everyone opportunity to study. Scholarship is also available for minorities community. University aslo give assistance of campus job placement. And this is very good to say.

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