Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Science in Environmental Science (programme code: MSCENV) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, is a 2-year postgraduate programme offered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Inter-Disciplinary and Trans-Disciplinary Studies (SOITS). The programme aims to generate skilled manpower to tackle growing environmental and developmental challenges, covering areas such as environmental chemistry, pollution control, natural resource management, environmental impact assessment, environmental legislation, and ecotoxicology. The total programme fee is Rs. 17,500 (Rs. 8,500/year + Rs. 300 registration fee + Rs. 200 development fee), making it one of the most affordable M.Sc. programmes in Environmental Science in India. The programme is popular for its interdisciplinary curriculum, flexible ODL mode, wide network of study centres across India, and IGNOU's NAAC A++ accreditation and NIRF Rank 1 in the Open University category.

Admission for the July 2026 session is expected to open around May 2026. For the January 2026 session, the last date to apply was March 30, 2026 (extended). The programme is offered in semester mode (4 semesters over 2 years) with a maximum duration of 4 years. Students can access study materials through IGNOU's eGyanKosh portal and attend practical lab sessions at designated study centres.

Since this is an ODL programme, students are supported through a network of study centres across India. Practical lab sessions are conducted at designated study centres, and students must attend these sessions as required.

Key Points

The programme is offered in ODL (Open Distance Learning) mode - students do not need to attend regular classes; study materials are provided.
The curriculum is interdisciplinary, covering physical, chemical, biological, and social aspects of environmental science.
Students must choose 4 elective courses from a list of 9 options (Global Climate Change, Environmental Management, Environmental Biotechnology, Biodiversity Conservation, Disaster Management, Urban Environment, Environment and Society, Instrumentation Techniques, Environmental Issues).
A Dissertation/Project (8 credits) is mandatory in Semester 4.
Lab courses are included in each of the first three semesters (MEVL 11, MEVL 12, MEVL 13), requiring attendance at designated study centres.
The programme carries a total of 72 credits.
Medium of instruction is English.

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FAQs

IGNOU M.Sc Fees

The M.Sc. (Environmental Science) programme at IGNOU is highly affordable compared to regular university programmes. The annual programme fee is Rs. 8,500, with a one-time registration fee of Rs. 300 and development fee of Rs. 200. For the minimum 2-year duration, the total fee comes to Rs. 17,500. Examination fees are charged separately at Rs. 200 per subject per semester.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Programme Fee - Year 1	8,500
Programme Fee - Year 2	8,500
Registration Fee (one-time)	300
Development Fee (one-time)	200
Total Fees (2 Years)	17,500

Examination fee is Rs. 200 per subject per semester (charged separately, not included above).
Re-registration fee is applicable for subsequent years.
Fees are subject to revision by IGNOU; candidates should verify the latest fee structure at the time of admission from the official IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).
No hostel facility is available at IGNOU for ODL students.

IGNOU M.Sc Admission 2026

IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science admissions are conducted twice a year - for the January session and the July session. The January 2026 session admission last date was March 30, 2026 (extended). For the July 2026 session, admissions are expected to open around May 2026. Applications are submitted online through the IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

Admission Dates

Event	January 2026 Session	July 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Opens	December 2025	May 2026
Last Date to Apply	March 30, 2026 (Extended)	July 2026
Re-Registration for Existing Students	Ongoing	Ongoing
Session Commencement	January 2026	July 2026

Note: IGNOU ODL admissions are open throughout the year for most programmes. Candidates should check the official website for the latest dates.

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1 (Completed)	Phase 2 (Upcoming - Tentative)
Registration Start	October 7, 2025	April 1, 2026
Registration End	November 7, 2025	May 1, 2026
Admit Card Release	December 28, 2025	June 1, 2026
Exam Dates	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026	June 2026
Result Declaration	February 4, 2026	July 1, 2026

Note: UGC NET is not required for admission to M.Sc. Environmental Science at IGNOU. It is relevant for students who wish to pursue teaching or research careers after completing the programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline of Science / Engineering / Agriculture Sciences / Forestry / Veterinary Science from a recognized university.
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified; however, candidates must have passed their qualifying degree.
There is no age bar for admission.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Register and fill the online application form for the MSCENV programme.
Pay the application fee of Rs. 300 online.
Upload required documents: passport-size photograph, signature, and qualifying degree certificate/marksheet.
Select the preferred study centre from the available list.
Submit the application form and note the enrollment number for future reference.
Study materials will be dispatched to the registered address after admission confirmation.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 2 Reviews

The faculty at a University of Delhi college are knowledgeable and supportive, helping students with academic tasks like projects and assignments. As a distance learning institution, there are limited paid internship opportunities, but the university engages in various national and international projects. The cost of studying here is affordable, with fees such as 7,500 INR per year for certain courses.

Scholarships and fee reductions are available for ST and SC students. Although the campus doesn't offer direct job placements, job-related information can be accessed through the SAMARTH portal, despite some noted accessibility challenges. Study materials are provided by post, which helps in minimizing extra costs on resources.

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IGNOU M.Sc Scholarships 2026

IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science students can avail various government scholarships and fellowships. IGNOU itself does not offer programme-specific scholarships for ODL students, but students are eligible for national and state government scholarship schemes.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Scholarships	SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS students	Varies by scheme
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC category students	As per state norms
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC category students	As per state norms
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority community students	Rs. 25,000/month (for research)
INSPIRE Scholarship (DST)	Top 1% in Class 12 pursuing natural/basic sciences	Rs. 80,000/year
State Government Scholarships	Varies by state	Varies

Students must apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or respective state portals.
INSPIRE Scholarship is applicable for students who were in the top 1% in their Class 12 board exams and are pursuing natural/basic sciences at the postgraduate level.
Scholarship deadlines vary; students should apply early in the academic year.

IGNOU M.Sc FAQs

Ques. Is IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science a distance learning programme? Do I need to attend classes?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science (MSCENV) is offered in ODL (Open Distance Learning) mode. Students do not need to attend regular classes. Study materials are provided by IGNOU. However, students must attend practical lab sessions at their designated study centre for the three lab courses (MEVL 11, MEVL 12, MEVL 13) and must submit a dissertation/project in Semester 4. Attendance at the study centre for lab work is mandatory.

Ques. What is the difference between IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science and M.A. Environmental Studies?

Ans. IGNOU offers both M.Sc. Environmental Science (MSCENV) and M.A. Environmental Studies (MAEVS). The M.Sc. programme is science-oriented, requiring a science/engineering/agriculture background, and covers technical aspects like environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, and instrumentation. The M.A. programme is more social science-oriented and is open to graduates from any discipline. Students with a science background seeking technical knowledge should opt for M.Sc., while those interested in policy, law, and social dimensions may prefer M.A.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science while working full-time?

Ans. Yes, since the programme is in ODL mode, it is designed for working professionals. There are no regular classes to attend. Students study at their own pace using IGNOU's self-learning materials. The only mandatory attendance is for practical lab sessions at the study centre and the term-end examinations. The flexible schedule makes it ideal for working professionals.

Ques. What career options are available after IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Environmental Scientists, Environmental Consultants, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Experts, Pollution Control Officers, Wildlife Managers, Environmental Auditors, and Research Scientists. They can work with government agencies (MoEFCC, CPCB, SPCBs), industries (for environmental compliance), NGOs, research institutions (TERI, NEERI, CPCB), and international organizations. Graduates can also qualify UGC NET to pursue teaching and research careers.

Ques. Is the IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science degree recognized by UGC and other bodies?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU is a Central University established by an Act of Parliament. Its degrees are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and all member institutions. The M.Sc. Environmental Science degree from IGNOU is valid for government jobs, higher studies, and UGC NET eligibility.

Ques. How are the practical lab sessions conducted for IGNOU M.Sc. Environmental Science?

Ans. Practical lab sessions (MEVL 11, MEVL 12, MEVL 13) are conducted at designated study centres. Students must attend these sessions as per the schedule announced by their respective study centre. The lab courses cover hands-on experiments related to environmental science topics covered in the theory courses. Students should contact their study centre coordinator for the lab session schedule after admission.

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Rajeshwari De

3.8

M.Sc, Environmental Science

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

Good option to pursue a degree in distance-learning mode

Likes

Conduction of Classes at the allotted college
Conduct of practical assessments for the subjects

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fee structure is quite affordable, minimal actually. The study materials were all delivered to us through post so we didn't even have to buy other resource and study materials as well. The campus employment opportunity is mentioned on the SAMARTH portal but I couldn't access it.

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Debasish Krishnatreya

3.9

M.Sc, Environmental Science

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2022(Enrolled 2022)

Indira Gandhi National Open University:My reviews

Fees and Financial Aid:

There is no such increase in fees structure. Cost of study is affordable for everyone. It's different for different courses. In my course fees is 7500/ year There are different scholarships or fees relaxation for ST sc students. IGNOU campus doesn't give any job opportunities.

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