Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

IGNOU's M.Sc. in Zoology (programme code: MSCZOO), offered through the School of Sciences (SOS), is a 2-year postgraduate programme delivered via Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Structured across 4 semesters, the programme covers core areas including Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Comparative Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution, Genomics and Proteomics, Immunology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Principles of Ecology, and Research Methodology. A distinctive feature is its specialization in Entomology, with elective courses in Insect Taxonomy and Morphology, Insect Physiology and Toxicology, and Applied Entomology. The total programme fee is Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 20,000 per year plus registration and development fees). There is no entrance exam; admission is based on eligibility. The programme benefits B.Sc. Zoology graduates, school teachers (TGTs/PGTs), and professionals seeking careers in agriculture, health, education, and environmental sectors.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently open. The last date to apply is 31 March 2026. Applications are submitted online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

Key Points

The programme offers a specialization in Entomology, making it unique among distance M.Sc. Zoology programmes in India.
Students who complete the first year (Semesters 1 and 2) successfully can exit with a PG Diploma in Applied Zoology and Biotechnology.
All four semesters include compulsory laboratory courses (MZOL-001 to MZOL-004), which must be attended in person at the allotted LSC.
A compulsory Project (MZOP-001) is part of Semester 4, providing exposure to research methodology and scientific investigation.
Elective courses in Semesters 1 and 2 include Parasitology, Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Ethics, and Aquaculture.
The programme is particularly beneficial for NET/GATE/Public Service Examination aspirants in Zoology.
Available in English medium only.

Distance Learning Study Centres

Since this programme is offered exclusively in ODL (Distance/Open) mode, students are allotted a Learner Support Centre (LSC) near their place of residence for attending compulsory laboratory sessions. Key study centres across India include:

Hyderabad: Nizam College
Jammu: Govt. Gandhi Memorial Science College Canal Road Jammu
Pune: M.S.P. Mandal's Balbhim Arts, Science and Commerce College; Vidya Pratishtan's School of Biotechnology Vidyanagari Pune
Port Blair: JNR Mahavidyalaya
Bhubaneshwar: Kendrapada College
Lucknow: Feroze Gandhi College Raebareli; Lucknow Christian P.G. College
Kolkata: IGNOU Regional Centre Kolkata; Maulana Azad College
Ranchi: Jamshedpur Cooperative College
Nagpur: Institute of Science R.T. Road Civil Line Nagpur
Delhi: DPG Degree College Naraina; Jamia Millia Islamia University (South Delhi)
Guwahati: Pragjyotish College
Trivandrum: D.B. Pampa College Pathanamthitta
Madurai: Rani Anna Govt. College for Women
Siliguri: A.B.N. Seal Government College
Darbhanga: Ganesh Dutt College
Varanasi: Udai Pratap Autonomous College Varanasi
Patna: Gaya College
Vatakara: Sree Narayana College
Jodhpur: G.D. Memorial College; Govt. P.G. College (Boys); Mahila P.G. Mahavidyalaya; Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute
Angul: Government College Angul; Govt. College Rourkela

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FAQs

IGNOU M.Sc Zoology Fees

The M.Sc. Zoology programme at IGNOU is offered at Rs. 20,000 per year, totalling Rs. 40,000 for the complete 2-year programme. A one-time registration fee of Rs. 300 is payable at the time of first-year admission, along with applicable development fees. An examination fee of Rs. 200 per course is charged separately at the time of submitting the Term-End Examination (TEE) form. There are no hostel facilities associated with this ODL programme.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Programme Fee - Year 1	20,000
Programme Fee - Year 2	20,000
Registration Fee (one-time, at admission)	300
Examination Fee (per course, per TEE)	200
Total Programme Fee (excluding exam fee)	40,300

The registration fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable.
Programme fee is paid year-wise: Year 1 at the time of admission, Year 2 during re-registration (February to March of the following year).
Late re-registration in Year 2 attracts an additional fee of Rs. 200 (permissible up to 20th April).
Fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances, except if admission is not offered by IGNOU.
No EMI or instalment facility is available; fees must be paid in full at the time of admission/re-registration.
Examination fee of Rs. 200 per course is payable separately at the time of submitting the TEE form.

IGNOU M.Sc Zoology Admission 2026

Admissions to IGNOU's M.Sc. Zoology programme are conducted twice a year in January and July sessions. The January 2026 session is currently open. There is no entrance exam; admission is based purely on eligibility. The application process is entirely online through the IGNOU Samarth portal.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Admission Portal Opens (January 2026 Session)	17 December 2025
Last Date for Fresh Admission (January 2026)	31 March 2026
Re-registration / 2nd Year Admission - Last Date (without late fee)	28 February 2026
Re-registration / 2nd Year Admission - Last Date (with late fee of Rs. 200)	31 March 2026
Re-registration Extended Deadline	20 April 2026
Assignment Submission Deadline (for June 2026 TEE)	31 March 2026
Exam Form Submission - Last Date (without late fee, June 2026 TEE)	10 April 2026
Term-End Examination (TEE) - June 2026	June 2026
Expected Batch Commencement (January 2026 Session)	January 2026

Note: No entrance exam is required for this programme. Admission is based on eligibility criteria only.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

B.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Sc. (Major) in Zoology from a recognized university; OR
B.Sc. (General/CBCS) with Zoology as one of the subjects from a recognized university.
Government of India reservation policy is applicable.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Click on New Registration and create login credentials using your name, mobile number, and email ID.
Log in and fill out the admission form with personal, programme, and educational details.
Upload required documents: qualifying degree certificate, passport-size photograph, and signature.
Pay the registration fee (Rs. 300) and Year 1 programme fee (Rs. 20,000) online via debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking.
After confirmation of admission, register on the Student Portal at ignou.samarth.edu.in.
Study materials will be dispatched within 6-8 weeks of the last date of admission.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 1 Reviews

The course is facilitated by highly qualified faculty who are accessible and supportive, using digital tools and WhatsApp to communicate important information about assignments, exams, and practicals. They ensure effective teaching aligned with the syllabus. The annual course fee is 14,000, payable in two installments, with additional exam fees ranging from 500 to 1000 per paper, depending on the number of exams.

Practical exams also have additional fees. As a distance learning program, exams are conducted at specified centers, which may involve extra travel and accommodation costs if these centers are not nearby. Students should also budget for ruled paper and writing materials. Despite these expenses, the course is considered financially accessible for those with an average financial background.

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IGNOU M.Sc Zoology Scholarships 2026

IGNOU facilitates scholarship support for students from reserved and economically weaker sections through Government of India schemes and state government welfare departments. Students are advised to apply through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or through their respective IGNOU Regional Centre.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit	How to Apply
SC/ST Scholarship (Govt. of India)	SC/ST students enrolled in IGNOU programmes	Fee reimbursement / financial support as per GoI norms	Apply via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or through IGNOU Regional Centre
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC	OBC students with family income below prescribed limit	As per GoI/state government norms	Apply via National Scholarship Portal
Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)	Physically handicapped students enrolled in IGNOU	Government of India scholarship; amount varies	Collect form from Directorate of Social Welfare; submit through IGNOU Regional Director
Merit Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC (Delhi)	SC/ST/OBC students (Delhi-based)	Up to Rs. 24,000 per year	Apply by 31 May 2026 through Delhi government welfare department
Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme	Wards of ex-servicemen / defence personnel	As per scheme norms	Apply via Kendriya Sainik Board / NSP portal

SC/ST/PwD students must pay fees at the time of admission; reimbursement is processed subsequently.
Scholarship applications must be submitted within the deadlines specified by the respective state/central government schemes.
Students are advised to check the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for updated scheme details and deadlines.

IGNOU M.Sc Zoology FAQs

Ques. I have a B.Sc. with Zoology as one subject (not major). Am I eligible for IGNOU M.Sc. Zoology?

Ans. Yes. The eligibility criteria include B.Sc. (General/CBCS) with Zoology as one of the subjects. So even if Zoology was not your major or honours subject, you are eligible to apply for MSCZOO as long as Zoology was one of your B.Sc. subjects.

Ques. What is the PG Diploma in Applied Zoology and Biotechnology exit option?

Ans. Students who successfully complete the first year (Semesters 1 and 2) of the M.Sc. Zoology programme are awarded a PG Diploma in Applied Zoology and Biotechnology. This is an automatic exit option for those who do not wish to continue to the second year. However, students who exit with the diploma cannot re-enrol to complete the full M.Sc. degree later.

Ques. What is the Entomology specialization in M.Sc. Zoology at IGNOU?

Ans. IGNOU's M.Sc. Zoology is offered with a specialization in Entomology. In Semester 4, students take elective courses in Insect Taxonomy and Morphology (MZOE-004), Insect Physiology and Toxicology (MZOE-005), and Applied Entomology (MZOE-006). This specialization is particularly relevant for careers in agricultural entomology, pest management, and research in insect biology.

Ques. Are laboratory courses compulsory? How are they conducted?

Ans. Yes, all four lab courses (MZOL-001 to MZOL-004) are compulsory and must be attended in person at the allotted Learner Support Centre. Lab sessions are typically scheduled on weekends. Students must complete all lab courses to be eligible for the award of the M.Sc. degree.

Ques. Is M.Sc. Zoology from IGNOU valid for UGC-NET and teaching positions?

Ans. Yes. The MSCZOO degree from IGNOU is recognized by UGC and AIU and is equivalent to a corresponding degree from any recognized university. Graduates are eligible to appear for UGC-NET in Life Sciences/Zoology and can apply for teaching positions (PGT in schools, lecturer in colleges), subject to meeting the NET/SET qualification requirements.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after M.Sc. Zoology from IGNOU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in teaching (school/college), research (CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, universities), agriculture (pest management, animal husbandry), healthcare (medical laboratory technology, public health), environmental management, and wildlife conservation. The Entomology specialization opens additional opportunities in agricultural research, pest control, and forensic entomology.

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Fees and Financial Aid:

Fees is being paid in two different years per year. The fees is 14,000 that 14,000 fees for one year. This is not a semester course. It is a year course. So basically there will be only one exam throughout the year other than this fees there would be Exam fees. The exam will be according to your paper. That means how many paper you will have that many exam fees will be there it will be around 500 to 1000 per paper. So according to the number of papers you have, you can calculate your exam fees other than exam fees. You also have practical fees. You have to submit some amount of money for your practical exam, that will also depend upon the number of practicals, you'll have practical exams are also conducted once a year. So that means you have to pay the fees only once a year, this is a distance course, so, for writing exam, you need to go to the centre. If your exam is very far away from the centre, then you have to buy the tickets and then you have to rent room that will also cost you money if your house is very near to the centre. Then you are spendings will be limited, but if you belong to another city and you have to come to the different city for writing the exam, then you have to buy a flight ticket or a train ticket that will cost you money accordingly, so that would be the hidden cost in this course. Other than these for making assignments, you need to buy a three ruled papers that will also cost you some money and there will be a lot of assignments to write so buying pen and other stuff will also cost some money. Overall this course is not that expensive. Anyone with a normal financial background can opt for this course.

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