IGNOU Scholarship 2026: Last Date, Amount, Eligibility & NSP Portal

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) students can explore financial assistance through eligible Government of India scholarship schemes and university-specific financial-support provisions. These include scholarships available through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), fee support for eligible SC/ST students in specified undergraduate programmes, and IGNOU's research fellowship scheme for selected scholars.

There is no single scholarship amount, eligibility criterion or application deadline applicable to every IGNOU student. Benefits depend on the scheme, academic programme, admission status and other prescribed conditions.

Under IGNOU's January 2026 admission-cycle notification, eligible SC/ST students can receive financial support equal to 50% of the programme fee for specified undergraduate programmes. Separately, IGNOU's Research Unit lists fellowship amounts of ₹8,000 per month for selected PhD scholars and ₹5,000 per month for M.Phil. scholars under its published research fellowship scheme.

Students can explore government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal. Before applying, they should verify the relevant scheme's eligibility criteria, application deadline and document requirements through official sources.

IGNOU Scholarship 2026: Key Highlights

These benefits belong to different financial-support provisions. Students should not assume that every benefit is available to all IGNOU learners.

IGNOU Scholarship Last Date 2026

The last date for an IGNOU student's scholarship application depends on the relevant scheme and whether the application is for fresh assistance or renewal. Scholarship deadlines are separate from IGNOU admission and re-registration deadlines.

As of 12 October 2026, the National Scholarship Portal lists 31 October 2026 as the student application deadline for renewal applications under the following schemes:

The NSP also specifies separate institute and verification deadlines for these applications. Applicants should check the portal for the current dates and requirements.

Important: These dates apply to the specified renewal applications. They are not universal deadlines for every IGNOU scholarship, and their inclusion does not establish that every IGNOU student is eligible for these schemes.

The NSP lists other scholarships with their own eligibility conditions and application windows. Students must verify whether their institution, programme and mode of study are accepted under the relevant scheme.

How to Check the IGNOU Scholarship Last Date

1. Visit the National Scholarship Portal.
2. Open the current scholarship announcements or list of schemes.
3. Select the scheme relevant to your academic programme and category.
4. Check whether fresh applications, renewals or both are open.
5. Verify the student application deadline and any separate verification deadlines.
6. Read the eligibility guidelines before submitting an application.

For IGNOU's own SC/ST financial-support provision, consult the relevant university notification and admission-cycle instructions.

What Are the Types of Scholarships Available for IGNOU Students in 2026?

IGNOU students can explore different financial-assistance routes depending on their programme, category and eligibility. The main categories include government scholarships through NSP, IGNOU's SC/ST fee-support provision and the university's research fellowship scheme.

Government Scholarships for IGNOU Students Through NSP

The National Scholarship Portal provides access to Government of India scholarship schemes administered by the relevant ministries and authorities. Eligible students can apply for schemes for which they meet the prescribed conditions.

Government scholarships may have academic, income, category, institutional and other requirements. Their award amounts, application dates, document requirements and verification procedures vary.

IGNOU enrolment alone does not establish eligibility for a particular government scholarship. Students should check the relevant scheme guidelines to confirm whether their programme and mode of study qualify.

IGNOU SC/ST Fee Support Scheme 2026

IGNOU's Notification No. 92, dated 2 January 2026, specifies financial support for eligible SC/ST students seeking fresh admission or re-registration during the January 2026 admission cycle.

The support equals 50% of the programme fee for specified undergraduate programmes. The notification identifies separate conditions for fresh applicants and eligible re-registering students.

This provision is not a blanket scholarship for every IGNOU programme or every SC/ST student. The programme, admission cycle, income and documentation requirements must be checked.

IGNOU Research Fellowship 2026

IGNOU's Research Unit lists a university-administered research fellowship scheme for selected scholars. Its published page identifies the Dr B. R. Ambedkar Fellowship Scheme for male scholars and the Savitribai Phule Fellowship Scheme for female scholars.

The Research Unit lists fellowship amounts for PhD and M.Phil. scholars, along with an annual contingency grant. However, the published amounts do not establish that applications are currently open or that a particular applicant is eligible.

Research scholars should consult the latest university notification for eligible programmes and batches, application procedures, selection criteria and deadlines.

IGNOU Scholarship Amount 2026: Scheme-Wise Benefits

There is no single scholarship amount applicable to every IGNOU student. Government scholarships follow the benefits specified in their respective guidelines, while IGNOU's SC/ST provision is calculated as a percentage of the eligible programme fee.

The research fellowship amounts are those listed on IGNOU's Research Unit page. They should not be interpreted as confirmation that a fellowship is open to new applicants in 2026.

For the January 2026 SC/ST fee-support provision, the applicable registration fee and University Development Fee are not covered. Students should consult the official notification for the complete financial conditions.

IGNOU Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2026

IGNOU scholarship eligibility depends on the specific government scheme or university financial-support provision. Students should not assume that all IGNOU learners qualify for the same benefits.

Before applying, check the following:

• Academic programme: Confirm that the course is covered by the relevant scheme.
• Student category: Check any category-specific eligibility requirements.
• Family income: Verify the applicable income ceiling and financial year.
• Admission status: Establish whether the scheme covers fresh admission, re-registration or renewal.
• Other financial assistance: Check whether receiving another scholarship affects eligibility.
• Documents: Obtain the certificates and records specified by the relevant authority.
• Application period: Confirm that the application window is open for the relevant academic year and applicant category.
• Institution and study mode: Verify whether the scheme accepts the student's institution, programme and mode of study.

For government scholarships, the relevant scheme's official guidelines determine eligibility. For the January 2026 SC/ST fee-support provision, IGNOU's Notification No. 92 is the primary reference.

IGNOU SC/ST Scholarship Eligibility and Income Limit

For fresh applicants under IGNOU's January 2026 SC/ST financial-support notification, annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh during FY 2024–25.

The notification specifies that the income certificate must be issued by the authorised Revenue Officer of the student's domicile state. The caste certificate must be issued by the appropriate authority. IGNOU digitally verifies the submitted certificates.

Applicants must also satisfy the prescribed programme and admission-cycle requirements and comply with the notification's condition concerning other government scholarships.

Eligibility for Government Scholarships Through NSP

Students applying through NSP must meet the conditions of the individual scholarship scheme. Depending on the scheme, these may include academic performance, family income, student category, programme, institution and other requirements.

Students should check the official guidelines before applying rather than assuming that admission to IGNOU automatically qualifies them for a government scholarship.

IGNOU Research Fellowship Eligibility

IGNOU's research fellowship is a separate university-administered scheme. Eligibility depends on the applicable fellowship notification, research programme, batch and selection conditions.

Students should verify whether their research programme and batch are covered by the current application call. Admission to a PhD programme does not automatically guarantee a fellowship.

IGNOU Scholarship 2026: Documents Required

Document requirements differ between government scholarships and IGNOU's own financial-support provision. Students should follow the checklist issued for their specific scheme.

For fresh applicants under IGNOU's January 2026 SC/ST fee-support notification, the specified requirements include:

The income certificate must be issued by the authorised Revenue Officer of the student's domicile state. The caste certificate must be issued by the appropriate authority. Both are subject to digital verification by IGNOU.

For government scholarships through NSP, additional documents may be required under the individual scheme. Applicants should check the relevant official guidelines for identity, academic, bank-account and other supporting documents where applicable.

How to Apply for IGNOU Scholarship 2026 Online

The application process depends on the type of financial assistance. Government scholarships use the National Scholarship Portal, while IGNOU's own SC/ST fee support follows the university's applicable admission-cycle instructions.

How to Apply for Government Scholarships Through NSP

1. Visit the portal: Open the National Scholarship Portal.
2. Complete One-Time Registration: Follow the portal's instructions for OTR, which is required for scholarship applications.
3. Identify the relevant scheme: Check its academic, category, income and other eligibility requirements.
4. Complete the application: Enter the required details accurately.
5. Submit supporting documents: Provide the documents requested under the scheme.
6. Complete verification: Follow the verification requirements applicable to the student and institution.
7. Track the application: Monitor the application through the portal and respond to requests for corrections or additional information.

Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or payment. The outcome depends on eligibility, verification, selection and the applicable scheme rules.

How to Apply for IGNOU SC/ST Fee Support

For the January 2026 financial-support provision:

1. Read Notification No. 92 in the IGNOU Common Prospectus.
2. Confirm that the programme and admission status are covered.
3. Check the category, income and other eligibility conditions.
4. Obtain the prescribed income and caste certificates.
5. Ensure that the certificates meet the issuing-authority requirements and can be digitally verified.
6. Provide the required undertaking regarding other government scholarships.
7. Follow the applicable IGNOU admission or re-registration procedure and pay any charges not covered by the support.

Students should contact their IGNOU Regional Centre or the relevant university office if they need clarification about the procedure for the applicable admission cycle.

IGNOU SC/ST Scholarship 2026: 50% Programme Fee Support

IGNOU's January 2026 Notification No. 92 provides financial support equal to 50% of the programme fee for eligible SC/ST students in specified undergraduate programmes.

Eligible Courses Under the IGNOU SC/ST Fee Support Scheme

Income Limit and Other Eligibility Conditions

Fresh applicants must meet the annual family-income ceiling of ₹2.5 lakh for FY 2024–25. They must also submit the required income and caste certificates for verification and satisfy the notification's other conditions.

Applicants must comply with the stated restriction on receiving another scholarship from a Central Government, State Government or other government agency.

Fees Not Covered Under the IGNOU SC/ST Support Scheme

The 50% financial support applies to the programme fee specified in the notification. The applicable registration fee and University Development Fee are not covered.

Students should read the complete January 2026 Common Prospectus before applying.

IGNOU Research Fellowship 2026: Amount, Eligibility and Application Process

IGNOU's Research Unit lists a university research fellowship scheme for selected scholars. The published page lists ₹8,000 per month for PhD scholars and ₹5,000 per month for M.Phil. scholars, together with a contingency grant of ₹8,000 per year.

The general fellowship page and a current application notification serve different purposes. The general page describes the published scheme, while the latest notification establishes which scholars may apply in a particular call.

Before applying, research scholars should verify:

• Eligible research programme and batch
• Full-time research requirements, where applicable
• Application deadline and submission procedure
• Selection criteria and committee process
• Current fellowship terms and funding conditions

The published fellowship amounts do not establish that applications are currently open. Nor does admission to a research programme guarantee an award.

IGNOU Scholarship for PhD Students 2026

PhD students may explore eligible research fellowships offered by IGNOU or external funding agencies. IGNOU's Research Unit provides information about funding routes, including UGC-JRF and fellowships associated with ICSSR and other research bodies.

Each funding route has separate rules, eligibility conditions and application procedures. Students should not assume that all schemes are available to every discipline or research scholar.

The availability of a funding route does not guarantee an award. Applicants must meet the applicable requirements and complete the prescribed selection process.

IGNOU Scholarship for Undergraduate Students 2026

Undergraduate students can explore government scholarships through NSP if they meet the requirements of a relevant scheme.

Separately, IGNOU's January 2026 Notification No. 92 provides financial support equal to 50% of the programme fee for eligible SC/ST students in specified undergraduate programmes. The programmes identified for fresh admission are BAM, BCOMF and BSCM, with corresponding programme codes specified for eligible re-registering students.

This provision is not automatically available to every undergraduate learner. Students must confirm the programme code, admission cycle, income requirements and documentation conditions.

Students who do not qualify for this particular IGNOU provision may check the NSP for government schemes applicable to their circumstances. Eligibility and benefits must be established from the relevant official scheme guidelines.

IGNOU Scholarship 2026 FAQs