IGNOU Opens January 2026 Re-Registration for ODL & Online Programmes

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has officially opened its re-registration portal for the January 2026 session, inviting all continuing students of its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes to renew their enrolment for the upcoming semester or academic year.

Whether you are pursuing an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate course, or a diploma via IGNOU’s online or distance-education mode — this re-registration is mandatory to continue your studies seamlessly. Here’s everything you need to know.

Who Needs to Re-Register

• The re-registration call is only for existing IGNOU students — those already enrolled in ODL or online courses.
• Fresh applicants or those seeking admission for the first time should use the “Fresh Admission” process instead of re-registration.
• The re-registration applies across a broad array of programmes — from undergraduate to postgraduate, including courses such as BA, BCA, BCom, BBA, BSc, MA, MBA, MSc, MCA, MCom and more, depending on availability.

In short: if you are continuing with your existing IGNOU course via ODL/online mode, you must re-register.

Important Dates — What to Know

• The re-registration window opened on 1 December 2025.
• The last date to complete re-registration is 15 January 2026.
• Students are strongly advised not to wait until the eleventh hour — early application helps avoid portal congestion, payment delays or other technical issues.

Why Re-Registration Is Crucial

Completing re-registration ensures that:

• You remain formally enrolled in your course and are eligible to receive study materials, assignments, notifications, and updates.
• You are allowed to sit for term-end examinations and continue to the next semester or academic year without disruption.
• You avoid potential delays or complications that may arise from lapsed registration — which can affect access to resources, exam eligibility, or continuation of the programme.

In effect, re-registration acts as a “permission slip” to carry forward your academic journey at IGNOU.

Step-by-Step Guide to Re-Register — How to Do It Online

IGNOU’s re-registration process is fully online via its dedicated portal. Here’s how to complete it:

1. Visit the Official Portal
   Go to IGNOU’s website at ignou.ac.in. Under the “Register Online” menu, locate and click on the “Re-Registration” link.
2. Log In or Register (if new to portal)
   • If you have already used the re-registration portal earlier, log in with your existing username and password.
   • If you are logging in for the first time, click “New Registration,” fill in your details (mobile number, email etc.), and complete the registration. You will receive credentials via SMS or email.
3. Select Programme / Courses
   Once logged in, pick the courses or electives you wish to continue in the next semester/year. It’s important to refer to your Programme Guide carefully—selecting incorrect courses could lead to delays or academic complications.
4. Acknowledge Declaration
   Review all the details, read the declaration carefully, then tick the declaration checkbox before proceeding.
5. Pay the Re-Registration Fee
   • Complete the fee payment online using accepted modes: debit/credit card, net banking or UPI (including apps such as BHIM).
   • For international students under IGNOU’s International Division, payment options may vary depending on region.
6. Submit and Save Confirmation
   After payment, submit the form. Download and save a copy of the confirmation receipt — this serves as proof of re-registration and may be needed for future reference.
7. Troubleshooting / Support
   If you face issues — e.g., OTP not received, forgotten password/username — IGNOU advises contacting your Regional Centre for assistance with account reset or updating mobile/email.

Fee Structure & Payment: What to Keep in Mind

• IGNOU’s re-registration fee is nominal — sources suggest that the fee is modest (often around ₹200 for many programmes) but this may vary by course.
• Payment must be completed online. IGNOU strictly cautions users not to share sensitive payment details like OTPs or card information.
• If a payment doesn’t reflect immediately, students are advised to wait for some time rather than retry and risk duplicate payment. In case of duplicate payment, IGNOU indicates that extra payment may be refunded.

Common Mistakes to Avoid — Tips for Smooth Re-Registration

• Selecting wrong courses or electives — always refer to your Programme Guide for the list of valid courses and combinations. Mistakes may delay your academic progression.
• Procrastinating till the last minute — heavy traffic near the deadline may cause portal slow-downs or payment gateway failures. Submit early.
• Using shared computers, cyber-cafés or agents — if someone else fills the form or makes payment on your behalf, ensure every detail (course selection, payment status) is correct, and keep all receipts.
• Ignoring receipt download — always save or print the confirmation page and payment receipt. These may be required later for verification or in case of disputes.

What IGNOU Students Should Do — A Checklist

What Happens If You Don’t Re-Register On Time?

Failing to re-register by the deadline could lead to:

• Suspension of access to study materials, assignments and other resources.
• Ineligibility for term-end examinations.
• Delay or interruption in continuation of the course — you may have to re-apply or face a gap in your academic session.
• Possible complications if you want to resume studies later — re-admission or fresh admission may become necessary.

Therefore, timely re-registration is not just a formality; it’s essential for uninterrupted academic progress at IGNOU.

Important Notes & Recommendations for Students

• Read official instructions carefully: Always refer to official circulars or notifications on the IGNOU portal before selecting courses or paying fees.
• Use your own devices and payment methods: Avoid using public or shared devices or agents — this helps prevent errors or misuse of sensitive data.
• Keep proof of registration: A confirmation receipt can be vital for future reference or in case of disputes.
• Ensure contact details are up to date: All official communication — exam updates, study material dispatch, notices — are often sent via email or SMS. Wrong contact info might mean missed updates.
• Seek help early if needed: For login issues, payment trouble or doubts about course selection — reach out to your IGNOU Regional Centre sooner rather than later.

The Bigger Picture: What Re-Registration Means for IGNOU Students

With the re-registration window open, IGNOU is once again enabling its thousands of students across India — and internationally — to continue their educational journey uninterrupted. For many working professionals, distance-learners, and people balancing work or personal commitments, IGNOU remains a vital avenue to obtain degrees and credentials through flexible and accessible education.

Re-registration is a small administrative act, but its timely completion ensures that students don’t lose time, access to resources, or crucial opportunities like examinations or study material dispatch.

For students in remote areas, rural regions, or with demanding schedules, staying alert to re-registration announcements and deadlines is especially important. IGNOU’s decision to keep the process fully digital helps — but that only works if you take action on time.

Final Thoughts

If you are an IGNOU student enrolled in ODL or online courses, do not delay — re-register as soon as possible. The re-registration window for January 2026 is open now, and the deadline is near: 15 January 2026.

Completing re-registration on time ensures:

• uninterrupted continuation of your course;
• access to study materials, assignments and exams;
• proper credit progression to next semester/year; and
• peace of mind without administrative hiccups.

So, log in to the【 official IGNOU portal (ignou.ac.in) → Register Online → Re-Registration】today, select your courses carefully, pay the fee securely, submit the form — and save your confirmation.

Your IGNOU journey depends on it — don’t leave it to chance.

With exam week away, JKAS aspirants left in limbo over age criteria

Aspirants say they received verbal assurances in June, but no written order issued yet

Srinagar: JKAS aspirants are still waiting for the government’s formal order on age relaxation, despite repeated verbal assurances from top officials, including the Chief Minister and senior bureaucrats, over the past several months.

Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a group of JKAS aspirants said the matter has been pending since June, when the process for the 2025 recruitment cycle began. They said they had met officials in both Srinagar and Jammu and were repeatedly assured that the age criteria would be relaxed for the upcoming JKAS examination.

One of the aspirants said that they were told many times that the issue will be resolved. “In June, they assured us in Srinagar that age relaxation will be given. Later, during our visits to Jammu, senior officers again told us it will be done soon.”

He said the last assurance came on November 4, when a senior government functionary told them the matter would be placed before the cabinet within two days.

The aspirants said they even met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently, who also assured them that age relaxation would be approved. “The CM told us that if his advisor has already promised it, he won’t deny it. He told us to focus on our studies and said the issue will be resolved,” the aspirants told KNS.

However, they said the General Administration Department (GAD) has not yet issued any written order. “GAD officials told us the file is still pending and no final decision has been conveyed to them. Everything is still verbal,” an aspirant said.

Aspirants also said that the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) delayed issuing admit cards for two days after receiving verbal inputs that a decision might come. But with no government direction, the Commission finally released the admit cards on Monday evening. The JKAS preliminary examination is scheduled for December 7.

At present, the age limit for open category candidates is 32, and 37 for reserved categories. Aspirants are demanding that the upper age limit for open category be increased to 37 years, and for reserved categories to 40 years, similar to previous relaxations.

“This recruitment was advertised long ago, and we have been requesting relaxation since the day the posts came out. We have travelled multiple times to Srinagar and Jammu. We only want a fair chance,” the aspirants said.

They added that another delegation of students is meeting government officials today, hoping the cabinet which will be held at meeting on this issue tommorrow at the CM’s residence will take a favourable decision.(KNS)

CBSE has issued guidelines and SOPs for practical examinations. The details for Class 10, 12 practical exams can be checked here.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued fresh guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the upcoming Class 10 and 12 practical examinations for CBSE Board Exam 2026. Students appearing for the examinations can check the detailed notice and instructions on the official website of CBSE at cbse.gov.in. The latest guidelines aim to ensure fair and smooth conduct of practical exams across all CBSE-affiliated schools.

According to the official notification, the practical exams for winter-bound schools are being conducted from November 6 to December 6, 2025, while in regular session schools, the practical examinations will take place from January 1 to February 14, 2026. Schools are required to conduct practical exams, project work, and internal assessments only for regular students sponsored through the List of Candidates (LOC) based on their eligibility.

For Class 10 students, CBSE has clarified that no external examiners will be appointed for practical exams. Additionally, the Board will not supply practical answer books for Class 10, and schools will need to make their own arrangements. However, for Class 12, CBSE will appoint External Examiners for conducting practical assessments in designated subjects to ensure transparency and uniformity.

The Board has further stated that the marks of Practical Examinations, Projects, and Internal Assessments for private students will be awarded strictly as per CBSE’s existing policies and Examination Bye-laws. Schools must upload marks simultaneously on the portal during the examination period, and the internal as well as external examiners must ensure accuracy as no corrections will be permitted later.

CBSE has made it clear that practical marks awarded to students must not be disclosed to them under any circumstances. Schools, students, and examiners are advised to strictly follow the issued guidelines and SOPs for a smooth examination process. For detailed instructions and updates, students can visit the official CBSE website.