IGNOU introduces one-year Master’s route under NEP

Brief By Newsbrief / 5:39 PM on 12 Sep 2026

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has introduced one-year postgraduate programmes for eligible students, offering a shorter route to higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The initiative provides flexibility to learners who have completed four-year undergraduate degrees.

The university has introduced one-year Master’s programmes in several disciplines, including English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Economics, Commerce, Management and Journalism. The route is particularly relevant for students who have completed four-year undergraduate programmes under the higher education framework.

IGNOU has also launched a one-year MA in Development Studies. The programme is open to candidates who have completed a four-year undergraduate degree, subject to prescribed eligibility requirements.

The one-year Master’s option is primarily intended for graduates with four-year undergraduate programmes. However, completing a three-year undergraduate degree does not automatically make a student eligible. Candidates must check the eligibility criteria for each programme before applying.