IGNOU MSW Admission: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has opened admissions for the Master of Social Work (MSW) for the Jan 2026 session. Fresh admissions and re-registration windows are announced on the official portals; multiple public notices extended the Jan 2026 cycle beyond August, with further extensions up to 31st Jan 2026 (with a late fee) in many regions. Always verify the live deadline on the official portal before paying fees.
Who should apply? The IGNOU MSW is ideal for graduates who want a rigorous, practice-oriented social work master’s with flexible study, national recognition, and strong field exposure. It covers case work, group work, community organisation, social policy, development, research, counselling, public health, disaster relief and more. The degree is valid for government and private roles, and for higher studies (MPhil/PhD) as per university norms.
IGNOU MSW Admission 2026: Programme Highlights
| Full Name of Course | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| Duration | Minimum 2 years; up to 5 years to complete (as per programme guide). |
| Credits | Total 72 credits (Theory + Fieldwork). |
| Mode | ODL (Distance) & Online variants are available (MSW / MSWOL / MSWC). |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) from a recognised university; no upper age limit. |
| Medium | English & Hindi (SLM available via eGyanKosh). |
| Approx. Fee (India) | ₹18,000–₹18,500 per year depending on variant/notifications (exam fee extra). Verify on live portal. |
| Application Fee | ₹300 (non-refundable) — confirm on admission page. |
| Official Portals | ODL Admission • Online Admission • Re-Registration • IGNOU Home |
Note: Several Jan 2026 extension notices were reported publicly (e.g., mid-September and end-September). Check your regional centre and Samarth portal for the current cut-off.
Latest Update (Jan 2026 Cycle)
- Fresh Admission: Public reports extended deadlines up to 15 September 2025, with later extensions to 30 September 2025 in many updates; certificate programmes can differ. Verify live on the portal before applying.
- Re-Registration: The RR portal displayed extension up to 30 September 2025 (with late fee ₹200) for many programmes. Always cross-check the RR page on your date of application.
IGNOU MSW: Programme Structure, Credits & Fieldwork
The MSW follows a credit system. To successfully complete the degree, a learner must earn 72 credits that combine theory and extensive fieldwork. The official programme information and guide confirm the overall credit load and structure.
- Total Credits: 72 (e.g., ~40 Theory + ~32 Fieldwork per official guide).
- Duration Flexibility: Minimum 2 years; up to 5 years permitted to complete.
- Fieldwork: Practicum is a substantial component (orientation, concurrent fieldwork, supervision conferences, block placement, internship). See the MSW fieldwork manuals and course blocks on eGyanKosh.
Indicative Semester-wise Coverage
(Course titles vary by code/variant; consult your programme guide after admission.)
| Year/Sem | Key Papers (Examples) |
| Year 1 | Origin & Development of Social Work; Professional Social Work (Indian perspectives); Social Work Research; Social Work & Social Development; Practicum & Supervision; Fieldwork I. |
| Year 2 | Case Work & Counselling; Social Group Work; Community Organisation Management; Contemporary Methods & Values; Dissertation/Project (as applicable); Block Placement/Internship; Fieldwork II. |
Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- No age bar for admission.
- No entrance exam for the general MSW intake (as per usual practice; check live notifications for any special cases).
IGNOU MSW Fees (2026)
Fees can vary by variant (ODL / Online / Counselling) and are periodically revised. Recent official pages indicate approximately ₹18,000–₹18,500 per year for national students in MSW/ MSWC/ MSWOL, exclusive of exam fees (which are notified separately each TEE cycle). Always confirm your exact payable amount on the live admission page before payment.
| Tuition (per year) | ~₹18,000–₹18,500 (variant-wise; subject to revision). |
| Application/Registration | ~₹300 one-time (non-refundable). |
| Exam Fee | Not included in tuition; notified each term by the University. |
Tip: Some regional centre pages show ₹18,000/year for ODL; Online/Counselling pages list ₹18,500/year. Quote both ranges to stay accurate and add a “verify on portal” line to build trust (and beat competitors on reliability).
How to Apply: Step-by-Step (Fresh Admission)
- Open the official portal: ODL Admission or Online Admission.
- Click New Registration and create your account using an active email & mobile number.
- Log in and select MSW (or MSWOL/MSWC as applicable); choose your Regional/Study Centre.
- Fill personal & academic details; upload scanned documents (10th/12th/UG marksheets & certificates, photo, signature, ID/address proof, category certificate if applicable).
- Pay application + programme fee via the enabled online methods.
- Preview carefully; submit & download your acknowledgement and fee receipt.
- Track application status by logging back into the Samarth portal.
Assignments, TEE & Hall Tickets
- Assignments: Mandatory for each course; contribute a significant share of the overall evaluation (commonly ~30%). Submit by the notified deadline each cycle. Check your programme guide and assignment portal for the exact scheme.
- TEE (Term-End Examinations): Conducted in June and December cycles. Date-sheets and hall tickets are released on official pages ahead of exams.
- Follow exam-centre instructions, ID requirements, and timing exactly as per the University’s hall-ticket notice.
Documents Required
- Bachelor’s Degree (UG) certificate/marksheets
- 10th & 12th marksheets/certificates
- Photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID), Address Proof
- Recent passport-size photograph & scanned signature
- Category certificate (if applicable)
Study Material & SLM (Free Downloads)
All MSW self-learning materials (English/Hindi) are available on eGyanKosh for free download: core theory blocks, manuals, and course books (e.g., MSW-001, MSW-004, MSW-006, MSW-009, practicum manuals). This is a big value-add—linking to primary SLMs improves EEAT and user trust.
Career Scope & Roles after MSW
- NGOs/INGOs, CSR wings, community development projects
- Hospitals & healthcare (medical social work, public health projects)
- Child & women development, welfare boards, legal aid, rehabilitation
- Education, counselling, disaster management, livelihoods & SHGs
- Government social schemes, urban/rural development programmes
- Research, MPhil/PhD entry, and teaching pathways
Important Dates (Reference – Jan 2026)
| Fresh Admission (Jan 2026) | Extended publicly to 1 Dec 2025; later updates noted 31st Jan 2026 (many programmes). Verify on the portal. |
| Re-Registration (Jan 2026) | RR portal showed extension to 30 Mar 2026 with a late fee of ₹200. Check the live RR page. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the duration and total credits of IGNOU MSW?
Ans: Minimum 2 years (max 5). Total 72 credits comprising theory and fieldwork.
Q2. What is the MSW fee per year?
Ans: Indicatively ₹18,000–₹18,500 per year for national students, depending on variant (ODL/Online/Counselling). Exam fee is separate. Confirm the exact amount on the live portal at the time of applying.
Q3. Is there an entrance test?
Ans: Generally no entrance for the standard MSW intake; apply directly if you meet eligibility (check live notices for any changes).
Q4. Where can I download the official study materials?
Ans: From eGyanKosh — the official SLM repository (English & Hindi).
Q5. What are the key fieldwork components?
Ans: Orientation visits, concurrent fieldwork with supervision, block placement/internship, and practicum documentation as per programme guide/manuals.
Related Reads
- IGNOU Assignment Submission — Dates, How to Submit & Status Check
- IGNOU Re-Registration — Step-by-Step with Screenshots
- IGNOU TEE Hall Ticket — Download & Exam Guidelines
