Master of Library and Information Science [M.Lib.I.Sc]
at Directorate of Distance Education, Maharshi Dayanand University - [DDE MDU]
About Master of Library and Information Science [M.Lib.I.Sc]
The Master of Library and Information Science (M.Lib.I.Sc) offered by the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak is a 2-year postgraduate programme delivered through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode, structured across 4 semesters. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 32,800 for the complete programme. Admission is merit-based with no entrance exam and the programme has unlimited seat intake. The M.Lib.I.Sc is a professional degree that qualifies graduates for library and information management roles in schools, colleges, universities, government departments, and corporate organisations. MDU is a NAAC A+ accredited university ranked among the top state universities in Haryana by NIRF, and its CDOE has been offering this programme for several years to working library professionals and fresh graduates seeking a career in library science.
Admissions for the 2026-27 session (July batch) are now closed. The last date for submission of online applications without late fee was 31 August 2026, and with late fee up to 15 September 2026. For the upcoming 2027-28 session, admissions are expected to open in July 2027 based on the previous year's pattern. Students enrolled in the second year (3rd and 4th semester) for the January 2027 session could apply until 31 March 2027 (with late fee). Ongoing processes include semester examinations for currently enrolled students, with odd semester exams held in December/January and even semester exams in May/June.
Since this programme is offered in Distance Mode ONLY, it is delivered centrally from the CDOE headquarters at MDU, Rohtak (Haryana). The programme is accessible to students across India. Student Support Services Camps (SSSCs) are organised periodically at the MDU campus in Rohtak, and students are required to attend at least 75% of SSSCs of all subjects to be eligible to appear in examinations. Self-Learning Material (SLM) is provided in soft/hard copy to all enrolled students.
Key Points
- UGC-DEB approved professional programme qualifying graduates for library and information management roles
- Lateral Entry Scheme available: candidates who have passed B.L.I.Sc (1-year) or 1st and 2nd semesters of integrated M.L.I.Sc from MDU or equivalent can seek direct admission to 3rd semester
- Semester-based examination system with exams held twice a year (December/January and May/June)
- Mandatory attendance of 75% in Student Support Services Camps (SSSCs) for exam eligibility
- Self-Learning Material (SLM) provided to all enrolled students
- Students can pursue two academic programmes simultaneously - one full-time and one ODL/Online
- Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID and DEB ID mandatory for admission
DDE MDU M.Lib.I.Sc Fees
The M.Lib.I.Sc programme at MDU CDOE has a higher fee structure compared to other MA programmes, reflecting its professional and specialised nature. The total course fee for the 2-year programme is approximately Rs. 32,800, with Year 1 costing Rs. 16,800 and Year 2 costing Rs. 16,000. SC/ST candidates from Haryana and working defence personnel (up to JCO level with no financial aid) are eligible for a concessional fee of Rs. 13,550 per year in Year 1 and Rs. 12,750 in Year 2.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Year 1 (1st & 2nd Semester) | Year 2 (3rd & 4th Semester) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition / Student Support Services Fee | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 4,000 |
| Self-Learning Material (SLM) | Rs. 2,500 | Rs. 2,500 |
| Other Charges (Admin/Legal/Development/Exam Fee) | Rs. 10,300 | Rs. 9,500 |
| Total Fees | Rs. 16,800 | Rs. 16,000 |
- Total course fee (2 years): Rs. 32,800.
- SC/ST candidates of Haryana and working defence personnel (up to JCO level, receiving no financial aid) are eligible for 50% concession on Tuition/SSSF fee only. Their annual fee is Rs. 13,550 (Year 1) and Rs. 12,750 (Year 2).
- MDU employees and their wards/spouses are eligible for 100% concession on Tuition/SSSF fee.
- Fee is payable only through the Online Admission Portal of the University/CDOE.
- Fee is paid only for odd semesters (1st, 3rd); no separate fee is charged for even semesters (2nd, 4th).
- Fee once paid is generally non-refundable except in specific cases (ineligibility, excess payment, demise before exams). A 20% deduction applies on eligible refunds.
- No hostel facility is available for distance education students.
DDE MDU M.Lib.I.Sc Admission 2026
Admissions to the M.Lib.I.Sc (ODL) programme at MDU CDOE are conducted once a year, normally in July. The process is entirely online through the Samarth portal (ddemduadm.samarth.edu.in). For the 2026-27 session, admissions are now closed. The next fresh admission cycle is expected to open in July 2027. Students seeking intermediate (2nd year) admission for the January 2027 session could apply until 31 March 2027 with late fee. Lateral entry into the 3rd semester is also available for eligible candidates.
Admission Dates
| Event | Date (2026-27 Session) | Date (2027-28 Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Notification / Portal Opens | August 2026 | July 2027 (Tentative) |
| Last Date - Online Application (No Late Fee) | 31 August 2026 | July 2027 (Tentative) |
| Last Date - With Late Fee Rs. 1,000 | 05 September 2026 | August 2027 (Tentative) |
| Last Date - With Late Fee Rs. 2,000 | 10 September 2026 | August 2027 (Tentative) |
| Last Date - With Late Fee Rs. 3,000 | 15 September 2026 | August 2027 (Tentative) |
| Batch Commencement (Odd Semester) | July-August 2026 | July-August 2027 (Tentative) |
| Odd Semester Exams (1st, 3rd Sem) | December 2026 / January 2027 | December 2027 / January 2028 (Tentative) |
| Even Semester Exams (2nd, 4th Sem) | May / June 2027 | May / June 2028 (Tentative) |
| Intermediate / Lateral Entry Admission - Last Date | 31 March 2027 | March 2028 (Tentative) |
Exam Dates
| Exam | Purpose | Exam Date | Registration Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC-NET (Library and Information Science) | Assistant Librarian / JRF eligibility | June 1, 2027 (Tentative) | April 1 - May 1, 2027 (Tentative) |
Note: No entrance exam is required for admission to M.Lib.I.Sc at MDU CDOE. Admission is purely merit-based. UGC-NET in Library and Information Science is highly relevant for graduates seeking positions as Assistant Librarians in colleges and universities.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a university recognised by UGC with at least 45% marks in aggregate
- SC/ST/Blind/Visually and Differently Abled candidates of Haryana: minimum 42.75% marks in aggregate
- Lateral Entry into 3rd Semester: Candidates who have passed 1st and 2nd semesters of the integrated M.L.I.Sc programme of MDU, or B.L.I.Sc (1-year programme) of MDU or any other university recognised as equivalent
Admission Process:
- Generate Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID at abc.gov.in and create DEB ID at deb.ugc.ac.in using ABC ID
- Register on the CDOE Samarth Admission Portal: ddemduadm.samarth.edu.in
- Fill the online application form and upload scanned copies of required documents (Matriculation, Senior Secondary, Graduation DMC, Aadhaar/Voter ID/PAN Card, fee concession certificate if applicable)
- Pay the prescribed fee online through the admission portal
- Admit cards and roll numbers are uploaded on the university website approximately 10 days before examinations
- Students must attend at least 75% of Student Support Services Camps (SSSCs) to be eligible for examinations
DDE MDU M.Lib.I.Sc Scholarships 2026
Students enrolled in the M.Lib.I.Sc (ODL) programme at MDU CDOE can avail several scholarships and fee concessions from both the university and the government. The 50% fee concession for SC/ST students of Haryana provides meaningful relief given the higher fee structure of this professional programme. Government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal and the Haryana government's centralised scholarship portal are also available.
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship / Concession | Eligibility | Amount / Benefit | Application Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC/ST Fee Concession (MDU CDOE) | SC/ST candidates of Haryana only | 50% concession on Tuition/SSSF fee | Applicable at time of admission |
| Defence Personnel Fee Concession (MDU CDOE) | Working defence personnel up to JCO level (no financial aid from employer) | 50% concession on Tuition/SSSF fee | Applicable at time of admission |
| MDU Employee / Ward / Spouse Concession | MDU employees and their wards/spouses | 100% concession on Tuition/SSSF fee | Applicable at time of admission |
| Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Haryana Govt.) | SC students, Haryana domicile, family income below Rs. 2,50,000 per annum | Full/partial tuition fee reimbursement | haryanascbc.gov.in / scholarships.gov.in |
| Post Matric Scholarship for OBC/EBC/DNT (Central Govt.) | OBC/EBC/DNT students, income criteria applicable | Partial fee assistance | scholarships.gov.in (NSP) |
| Haryana State Merit Scholarship | Merit-based, Haryana domicile | Variable | harchhatravratti.highereduhry.ac.in |
| Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (MDU) | Meritorious and needy students | Variable | MDU DSW Office |
- SC/ST and Defence concessions are applied directly at the time of admission on the CDOE portal.
- Government scholarships (Post Matric, NSP) require separate applications on the respective portals, typically after admission confirmation.
- Students can avail only one scholarship/concession at a time from the university-level schemes.
- Scholarship deadlines for government schemes are typically notified in October-November each year on the NSP portal.
DDE MDU M.Lib.I.Sc FAQs
Q1. Is the M.Lib.I.Sc degree from MDU CDOE valid for librarian positions in government colleges and universities?
Ans. Yes, the M.Lib.I.Sc from MDU CDOE is UGC-DEB approved and is fully valid for librarian and assistant librarian positions in government and private colleges, universities, schools, and public sector organisations. Graduates can also appear for UGC-NET in Library and Information Science to qualify for Assistant Librarian positions in colleges and universities.
Q2. What is the Lateral Entry Scheme for M.Lib.I.Sc at MDU CDOE?
Ans. Candidates who have already completed the B.L.I.Sc (1-year programme) from MDU or any equivalent university, or who have passed the 1st and 2nd semesters of the integrated M.L.I.Sc programme of MDU, are eligible for direct admission to the 3rd semester of the M.Lib.I.Sc programme under the Lateral Entry Scheme. This allows B.L.I.Sc holders to complete their master's degree in just one additional year.
Q3. Is it mandatory to attend classes or visit the MDU campus for the distance M.Lib.I.Sc programme?
Ans. Physical attendance is not required for regular classes. However, students must attend at least 75% of Student Support Services Camps (SSSCs) organised by CDOE at the MDU campus in Rohtak. These camps are held periodically and serve as interactive counselling and doubt-clearing sessions. Missing SSSCs below the 75% threshold will make a student ineligible to appear in the semester examinations.
Q4. What are the career options after completing M.Lib.I.Sc from MDU CDOE?
Ans. After completing M.Lib.I.Sc from MDU CDOE, graduates can pursue careers as: (1) Librarian or Assistant Librarian in schools, colleges, and universities (after clearing UGC-NET for college/university positions), (2) Library and Information Officer in government departments, PSUs, and research institutions, (3) Digital Library Manager in corporate organisations and IT companies, (4) Knowledge Management Specialist in law firms, hospitals, and media organisations, (5) Archivist or Documentation Officer in museums, archives, and cultural institutions, (6) PhD and academic research in Library and Information Science.
Q5. Why is the fee for M.Lib.I.Sc higher than other MA programmes at MDU CDOE?
Ans. The M.Lib.I.Sc programme has a higher fee structure (Rs. 32,800 total) compared to other MA programmes (Rs. 19,700 total) primarily because of higher Other Charges, which include administrative, development, and examination fees associated with this professional programme. The Tuition/SSSF fee and SLM charges are only marginally higher than other MA programmes.
Q6. Can a working librarian pursue M.Lib.I.Sc through MDU CDOE while continuing their job?
Ans. Yes, this is one of the primary advantages of the distance mode. Working library professionals who hold a B.Lib.I.Sc or equivalent qualification and wish to upgrade to a master's degree can pursue M.Lib.I.Sc through MDU CDOE without leaving their job. The flexible study schedule, self-learning material, and periodic SSSCs make it convenient for working professionals to complete the programme.