IGNOU January 2026 registration ends today for ODL courses, new APAAR ID rule mandatory

IGNOU January Admission 2026

• IGNOU closes ODL and online registration today, Feb 15, 2026
• APAAR ID and DEB ID are now mandatory for all applicants
• B.Ed admissions remain open until February 27, 2026

Did our AI summary help?

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will close the extended registration window for its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes today, February 15, 2026. Candidates who have not yet submitted their forms must complete the process immediately on the official Samarth portal to avoid missing out on this academic year.

IGNOU had previously extended the last date for applications from January 31 to February 15, 2026, responding to high student demand and technical requirements. This extension applies to both fresh admissions for new students and re-registration for existing students who need to continue their studies into the next semester.

If you fail to apply by midnight, the admission portal will close, and you will have to wait for the subsequent July 2026 cycle.

Mandatory Changes for January 2026

This admission cycle introduces significant digital mandates aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Students must ensure they have the following credentials ready; without them, the application form will not be accepted.

1. APAAR ID is Now Compulsory

For the first time, IGNOU has made the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID mandatory for all applicants. Think of this as a permanent, digital academic "locker" or an "educational Aadhaar" that stores your academic records, from school to higher education.

What you need to do: If you don't have an APAAR ID, you must generate it immediately via the DigiLocker platform or the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) portal using your Aadhaar number before starting the IGNOU application.

2. DEB ID Generation

Following the regulations of the Distance Education Bureau (DEB), candidates applying for ODL courses must also generate their DEB ID during the application process on the Samarth portal. This is essential for the submission of the form .

Fee Structure and Refund Policy

Understanding the financial rules can save you from future hassles:

• Registration Fee: A non-refundable fee of ₹300 must be paid at the time of new registration.
• Cancellation and Refunds: If you wish to withdraw your admission after confirmation, IGNOU allows a refund under specific conditions.
• Deduction: 15% of the total programme fee (up to a maximum of ₹2,000) will be deducted.
• Timeline: No refund will be processed if the cancellation request is made after 60 days from the date of admission confirmation.

How to apply for the IGNOU January Session 2026?

With the server expected to experience heavy traffic in the final hours, the university advises against last-minute delays. Follow these steps immediately:

Step 1. Go to the official IGNOU Samarth admission website: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

Step 2. Click on ‘New Registration’ and enter your basic details, including a valid email address and mobile number for OTP verification.

Step 3. After receiving login credentials, access your dashboard and select your desired program (e.g., BA, B.Com, MA, MBA, BBA, MSc) .

Step 4. Key in your APAAR ID and generate your DEB ID as required in the academic information section.

Direct Link: IGNOU January Admission 2026

Upload Documents:

• Scanned photograph and signature (each less than 100 KB).
• Educational certificates (10th, 12th, graduation).
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) if applicable (usually under 200 KB).
• Pay Fees: Pay the registration and programme fees online via credit card, debit card, or net banking.

Courses Offered and What’s Next

IGNOU provides a wide array of programs through ODL and online modes, including undergraduate degrees like BBA, BA, BCom, and BSc, as well as postgraduate programs such as MSc, MCA, MBA, MA, and MCom.

For B.Ed Aspirants: If you are looking for the B.Ed programme, note that its application deadline is separate. Admissions for B.Ed are still open until February 27, 2026, and require applying through a dedicated portal (ignou-bed.samarth.edu.in).

After successful admission confirmation, eligible students can also apply for Government of India scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) .

The university has issued an advisory stating that due to heavy internet traffic on the closing day, the website server may experience slowdowns or technical glitches. Students are strongly advised to complete the process now rather than waiting for late evening.