Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies (MAWGSR) 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 Gender and Development Studies (SOGDS). The programme has been offered since July 2013 and is designed to equip students with the ability to deconstruct complex power hierarchies and relationships in society from the perspective of women and gender. It covers theories of women's and gender studies, gender and power, gendered bodies, arts and media, research methods, and offers specialisations in "Gender, Literature and Culture" or "Women's Studies" in the second year. The programme fee is Rs. 8,000 per year (total Rs. 16,300 including registration fee), making it highly accessible. No entrance exam is required; admission is based on graduation marks. The programme is popular among students, researchers, NGO professionals, and those seeking careers in gender advocacy, teaching, and social sector roles.

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. An exit option with a PG Diploma in Women's and Gender Studies is available after successful completion of the first two semesters.

Distance Mode Centres:

The MAWGSR 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 IGNOU Regional Centres and affiliated Study 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)
Bhubaneswar (RC Bhubaneswar)
Khanna (RC Khanna)
Jaipur (RC Jaipur)
Gangtok (RC Gangtok)
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)
Noida (RC Noida)
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)
Delhi 1 (RC Delhi 1)
Panaji (RC Panaji)
Bhagalpur (RC Bhagalpur)
Vatakara (RC Vatakara)
Visakhapatnam (RC Visakhapatnam)
Saharsa (RC Saharsa)
Deoghar (RC Deoghar)
Jodhpur (RC Jodhpur)
Ahmedabad (RC Ahmedabad)

Key Points

The MAWGSR programme is offered under the School of Gender and Development Studies (SOGDS) at IGNOU.
The programme carries 80 credits and is structured over 2 years (minimum), with a maximum duration of 4 years.
The medium of instruction is English.
Students can choose a specialisation in Year 2: either "Gender, Literature and Culture" or "Women's Studies."
An exit option with a PG Diploma in Women's and Gender Studies is available after completing the first two semesters successfully.
The programme includes a Project Work component (MWGP-101) as an elective in Year 2.
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.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU MAWGSR Fees

The MAWGSR programme at IGNOU is offered at a highly affordable fee of Rs. 8,000 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)	8,000
Tuition Fee (Year 2)	8,000
Registration Fee (one-time)	300
Total Fees	16,300

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 MAWGSR Admission 2026

IGNOU conducts admissions for the MAWGSR 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 MAWGSR 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 in any discipline from a recognised university.
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified by IGNOU for the MAWGSR 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 MAWGSR 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 MAWGSR Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students enrolled in the MAWGSR 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 MAWGSR FAQs

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

Ans. MAWGSR (Women's and Gender Studies) focuses on gender theory, power hierarchies, cultural and literary dimensions of gender, and offers specialisations in "Gender, Literature and Culture" or "Women's Studies." MAGD (Gender and Development Studies) is more focused on the intersection of gender with development - covering development planning, policy, and social change. MAWGSR is more suited for those interested in academic research, advocacy, and cultural studies, while MAGD is better for those in the development sector.

Ques. Is the IGNOU MA Women and Gender Studies degree valid for UGC-NET and teaching positions?

Ans. Yes, the MAWGSR degree from IGNOU is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is equivalent to degrees from conventional universities. It is valid for UGC-NET eligibility in Women's Studies, and graduates can apply for teaching and research positions in colleges and universities.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU MAWGSR while working full-time?

Ans. Yes. The programme is offered through ODL mode, which means there are no mandatory daily classes. Students study through self-instructional printed material and attend contact/counselling sessions at their assigned Study Centre on scheduled dates (usually weekends). This makes it ideal for working professionals, homemakers, and others who cannot attend regular classes.

Ques. What specialisations are available in the second year of MAWGSR?

Ans. In the second year, students can choose between two specialisations: (1) Gender, Literature and Culture - covering postmodernism and gender, gender and life narratives, and related topics; and (2) Women's Studies - covering women in political processes, women in the economy, and women and social structure. Students also have the option of a Project Work (MWGP-101) as an elective.

Ques. What career options are available after completing IGNOU MA Women and Gender Studies?

Ans. Graduates of MAWGSR can pursue careers in: academic teaching and research in gender studies and women's studies, programme and advocacy roles in national and international NGOs and INGOs, government agencies working on gender and social welfare, mass media, writing, and editing with a gender perspective, corporate sector diversity and inclusion roles, and further research through MPhil or PhD programmes in gender studies or related disciplines.

Ques. Is there an exit option in the MAWGSR programme?

Ans. Yes. Students who successfully complete the first two semesters (Year 1) of the MAWGSR programme are eligible for an exit option with a PG Diploma in Women's and Gender Studies. This is useful for students who wish to obtain a qualification without completing the full 2-year MA programme.