IGNOU Free Course List 2026: Eligibility & Admission Process

IGNOU free course list 2026 includes 14 free certificate programs, 9 postgraduate certificate programs, 6 Diploma programs, and 12 postgraduate Diploma programs in total. Most of these courses are paid degree-level courses, but IGNOU also offers some of its courses free of cost to candidates belonging to SCs and STs. 

As per IGNOU’s Free Course List 2026 for SC/ST students, the university offers a total of 41 completely free programs across different levels: 14 certificate courses, 9 postgraduate certificate courses, 6 diploma courses, and 12 postgraduate diploma courses. Certificate offerings include diverse topics such as HIV & Family Education, Community Radio, Beekeeping, Organic Farming, Sericulture, Visual and Performing Arts, Power Distribution, First Aid, and Water Management. At the postgraduate level, free certificate courses include Adult Education, Climate Change, Cyber Law, Geo-Informatics, Gandhi & Peace Studies, Patent Practice, and Malayalam–Hindi & Bangla–Hindi Translation.

Apart from this, diploma-level free courses for IGNOU encompass areas like Aquaculture, Critical Care Nursing, Paralegal Practice, Creative Writing, Urdu, and Teaching German. Postgraduate diplomas cover specialized fields such as Analytical Chemistry, Book Publishing, Environmental & Occupational Health, Education Technology, Audio Programme Production, Library Automation, Information Security, Pharmaceutical Sales Management, Sustainability Sciences, Folklore & Culture, Gandhi & Peace Studies, Higher Education, and Environmental Health. The eligibility criteria for IGNOU free courses require the candidates to secure at least 50% marks in 10+2 from any recognised board and 55% marks in an undergraduate program for admission into postgraduate diploma and postgraduate certificate courses

IGNOU Free Courses List 2026: UG and PG Certificate, Diploma

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) SC/ST you can check out this list of courses based on the categories for an opportunity to study and complete your degree, which will therefore help you apply for jobs.

You can check the table below for more information.

Certificate Programs

You can check out the list of IGNOU free certificate programs to pursue in the academic session 2026. 

• Certificate in HIV and Family Education
• Certificate in the Arabic Language
• Certificate in Power Distribution
• Certificate in Community Radio
• Certificate in Energy Technology and Management
• Certificate in First Aid
• Certificate in Beekeeping
• Certificate in Sericulture
• Certificate in Life and Thought of Ambedkar
• Certificate in Organic Farming
• Certificate in performing arts (Bharatnatyam, hindustani music, Carnatic music, theatre arts)
• Certificate in poultry farming
• Certificate in visual arts
• Certificate in water harvesting and management)

Final Thoughts

For students from a variety of circumstances, the IGNOU Free Courses List 2026 is a fantastic chance to obtain high-quality education without facing financial obstacles. IGNOU promotes lifelong learning and job advancement by offering a variety of free foundational and skill-based courses in fields like language, computer applications, entrepreneurship, and social sciences. Through these free classes, you can broaden your knowledge, develop new skills, and increase your employability in the cutthroat job market of today. Examining IGNOU's free course options in 2026 can be a beneficial step toward both professional and personal development, regardless of whether you are a student, working professional, or lifelong learner.

Postgraduate Certificate Programs

You can check out the list of IGNOU free postgraduate certificate programs to pursue in the academic session 2026. 

• Postgraduate Certificate in Adult Education
• Postgraduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy
• Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Change
• Postgraduate Certificate in Cyber Law
• Postgraduate Certificate in Geoinformatics
• Postgraduate Certificate in Gandhi and Peace Studies
• Postgraduate Certificate in Patent Practice
• Postgraduate Certificate in Bangla Hindi translation
• Postgraduate Certificate in Malayalam Hindi translation

Also Check: IGNOU Courses After 10th

Diploma Programs

You can check out the list of IGNOU free diploma programs to pursue in the academic session 2026. 

• Diploma in Aquaculture
• Diploma in Critical Care Nursing
• Diploma in Paralegal Practice
• Diploma in Creative Writing
• Diploma in Urdu
• Diploma in Teaching German

Also Check: IGNOU Certificate Courses

Postgraduate Diploma Programs

You can check out the list of IGNOU free postgraduate diploma programs to pursue in the academic session 2026. 

• Postgraduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry
• Postgraduate Diploma in Book Publishing
• Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education Technology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Audio Program Production
• Postgraduate Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies
• Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Folklore and Culture
• Postgraduate Diploma in Information Security
• Postgraduate Diploma in Library Automation and Networking
• Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sales Management
• Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability Sciences

Also Check: IGNOU Diploma Courses

IGNOU Free Courses Eligibility Criteria

IGNOU free courses eligibility criteria are listed in the pointers below for you to calibrate if you are eligible to take up these free courses offered by the university. 

• You must have an undergraduate degree with at least a 55% mark average to apply to any postgraduate Diploma or certification courses. 
• You can cross-major from one stream to another, provided that you have basic knowledge of the subjects and an impeccable academic record. 
• You must have a 60% mark average to apply for the undergraduate Diploma or certificate courses. 
• You can also finish your undergraduate degree in correspondence with a mark average of 55% in all your subjects. 

Also Check: IGNOU Distance Education Courses

IGNOU Free Courses Admission Process

The admission process at IGNOU involves filling out the application form, submitting necessary documents, and paying the required fee. The application process is outlined below:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of IGNOU. 
• Step 2: Click on the online registration link on the homepage. 
• Step 3: Click on "Fresh Registration" from the drop-down options.
• Step 4: Then select the "Click here for new registration" button on the left corner of the page. 

• Step 5: Fill in all the required details, such as personal details, educational qualifications, etc. 
• Step 6: Submit the necessary documents, such as 10th, and 12th class mark sheets, entrance exam scorecards, other identity documents, etc. 
• Step 7: Pay the registration fee as required via net banking, UPI, debit, or credit card. 

Note: The registration fee for IGNOU is Rs. 300 for the general category and Rs. 200 for SC/ST students