Fees
Fees at Indira Gandhi National Open University for the Bachelor of Computer Applications [BCA] program are structured on a semester basis, with students paying tuition fees every six months. The standard semester fee ranges from INR 6,700 to INR 8,000, potentially varying with additional charges for printed study materials. Examination fees are set at INR 200 per subject, with additional fees for practical exams ranging from INR 200 to INR 300.
The total course fee for six semesters typically falls between INR 40,000 and INR 60,000, exclusive of examination fees. For minority and economically disadvantaged students, need-based financial aids and scholarships, such as waivers, may be accessible, though specifics depend on eligibility and individual application. The total cost of study might include optional book fees and non-refundable registration fees of about INR 300. IGNOU's fee structure is economical and consistent, ensuring affordability for a wide demographic.
About Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com]
The Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) under the programme code BCOMF is a 3-year undergraduate degree delivered entirely through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The programme is administered by the School of Management Studies (SOMS) and covers a comprehensive curriculum spanning Financial Accounting, Business Law, Corporate Accounting, Income Tax, Cost Accounting, Marketing, and Economics. The total programme fee is Rs. 14,400 for the entire 3-year duration (Rs. 4,800 per year), making it one of the most affordable commerce degrees in India. IGNOU B.Com has no entrance exam requirement and no age limit, making it accessible to working professionals, homemakers, and students across all age groups. With over 3 million enrolled students, IGNOU is the world's largest open university, and its B.Com degree is recognised by UGC and widely accepted by employers and higher education institutions across India.
Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing. The last date to apply (with late fee) is 31 March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open tentatively in May 2026, with a last date around July 31, 2026. Students who miss the January session can apply in the July session.
Key Points
- No entrance exam required; admission is purely based on eligibility (10+2 pass).
- Flexible duration: minimum 3 years, maximum 8 years to complete the programme.
- Study material is provided both in print and digital format through IGNOU's e-Gyankosh portal.
- Term-End Examinations (TEE) are conducted twice a year in June and December at designated exam centres across India.
- Assignments contribute 30% and Term-End Examinations contribute 70% to the final grade.
- The programme is available in both English and Hindi medium.
- IGNOU B.Com is recognised for government competitive exams including SSC, UPSC, and banking exams.
- Students can pursue CA, CS, MBA, or M.Com after completing IGNOU B.Com.
IGNOU B.Com Fees
IGNOU B.Com is one of the most economical undergraduate commerce programmes in India. The total programme fee for the 3-year course is Rs. 14,400, payable at Rs. 4,800 per year. In addition to the annual programme fee, a one-time registration fee of Rs. 200 and a university development fee of Rs. 200 are charged at the time of fresh admission, making the first-year total approximately Rs. 5,200. Exam fees are charged separately as applicable based on the number of courses a student registers for in each term-end examination.
Fee Components
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Programme Fee (Per Year) | 4,800 |
| Programme Fee (3 Years Total) | 14,400 |
| Registration Fee (One-time, at admission) | 200 |
| University Development Fee (One-time) | 200 |
| Exam Fee | As applicable (per course per TEE) |
| Total Fees (excluding exam fee) | 14,800 |
- The registration fee of Rs. 200 is non-refundable.
- In case of cancellation after admission confirmation, 15% of the programme fee (up to a maximum of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted.
- Exam fees are not included in the programme fee and are to be paid separately at the time of filling the exam form.
- SAARC country students pay Rs. 6,000 per year; Non-SAARC (US) students pay USD 400 per year.
- No hostel facility is applicable as this is a distance learning programme.
IGNOU B.Com Admission 2026
IGNOU B.Com admissions are conducted twice a year - in January and July sessions. The January 2026 session is currently open, with the last date extended to 31 March 2026. The admission process is entirely online through IGNOU's Samarth portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in), and no entrance exam is required. Admission is granted solely on the basis of meeting the eligibility criteria. Students are allotted a study centre near their location for counselling sessions and assignment submission.
IGNOU B.Com Admission Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| January 2026 Session - Admission Opens | December 16, 2025 |
| January 2026 Session - Last Date to Apply (without late fee) | January 31, 2026 |
| January 2026 Session - Last Date to Apply (with late fee of Rs. 200) | March 31, 2026 |
| January 2026 Session - Assignment Submission Last Date | March 15, 2026 |
| Re-registration for January 2026 Session - Last Date | March 31, 2026 |
| July 2026 Session - Admission Opens (Tentative) | May 2026 |
| July 2026 Session - Last Date to Apply (Tentative) | July 31, 2026 |
| Term-End Examination (TEE) June 2026 | June 1 - July 15, 2026 |
| Term-End Examination (TEE) December 2026 (Tentative) | December 2026 |
IGNOU B.Com does not require any entrance examination for admission. The only examinations relevant to this programme are the internal Term-End Examinations (TEE) conducted by IGNOU itself, twice a year in June and December.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination from any recognised board (CBSE, state boards, etc.).
- There is no minimum percentage requirement for admission.
- There is no upper age limit; students of all age groups can apply.
Admission Process
- Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
- Register as a new user and create a login account.
- Fill in the online application form with personal and educational details.
- Select the B.Com (BCOMF) programme and preferred study centre.
- Upload required documents: 10th and 12th mark sheets, passport-size photograph, signature, ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN), and category certificate (if applicable).
- Pay the programme fee and registration fee online via credit/debit card or net banking.
- Submit the application and note down the enrolment/application number for future reference.
- Admission confirmation and study material dispatch typically happen within 4-6 weeks of application.
IGNOU B.Com Scholarships 2026
IGNOU B.Com students can avail of several scholarship and fee support schemes, primarily targeted at SC/ST, OBC, minority, and economically weaker section (EWS) students. IGNOU itself provides fee support to SC/ST students under its Special Component Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), which covers the full programme fee for eligible students. Additionally, students can apply for central and state government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Scholarship Schemes
| Scholarship / Scheme | Eligibility | Benefit | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGNOU Fee Support for SC/ST Students (SCSP/TSP) | SC/ST students seeking fresh admission or re-registration | Full programme fee waiver (Rs. 4,800 per year) | Apply through IGNOU admission portal; fee waiver applied automatically |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Central Govt.) | SC students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum | Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance | Apply via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Central Govt.) | ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum | Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance | Apply via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students (Central Govt.) | OBC students with family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum | Tuition fee reimbursement | Apply via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | Students with family income below Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum | Rs. 12,000 per annum | Apply via National Scholarship Portal |
| Minority Scholarship (Maulana Azad National Fellowship) | Minority community students | Financial assistance for studies | Apply via National Scholarship Portal |
- IGNOU's SCSP/TSP fee support is available for both fresh admissions and re-registrations in January and July sessions.
- Students must apply for National Scholarship Portal schemes within the stipulated deadlines announced each academic year (typically August-October).
- Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to revision by the respective government bodies.
- Students are advised to check the official IGNOU website and the National Scholarship Portal for the latest updates.
IGNOU B.Com FAQs
Ques. Is the IGNOU B.Com degree valid for government jobs and competitive exams like SSC, UPSC, and banking?
Ans. Yes, IGNOU B.Com is a UGC-recognised degree and is fully valid for all government competitive exams including SSC CGL, UPSC, IBPS, SBI PO, and other banking exams. Many IGNOU B.Com graduates have successfully cleared these exams. The degree is treated on par with regular B.Com degrees from other UGC-recognised universities.
Ques. Can I pursue CA (Chartered Accountancy) alongside IGNOU B.Com?
Ans. Yes, many students pursue CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final alongside IGNOU B.Com. IGNOU's flexible schedule and self-paced learning make it an ideal combination with CA preparation. The ICAI also recognises IGNOU B.Com for the purpose of CA registration. This combination is popular among students who want both a degree and a professional qualification.
Ques. What happens if I fail a subject in the Term-End Examination?
Ans. If you fail a subject, you can re-appear in the next TEE (June or December) without any additional registration. You can attempt failed subjects multiple times within the maximum programme duration (8 years). There is no limit on the number of attempts for a particular subject, but exam fees are applicable for each attempt.
Ques. How are study materials provided? Do I need to attend classes?
Ans. IGNOU provides printed study materials (Self-Learning Materials or SLMs) by post to your registered address. These are also available digitally on the e-Gyankosh portal (egyankosh.ac.in) for free download. Physical attendance is not mandatory, but students are encouraged to attend counselling sessions at their assigned study centre. Counselling sessions are typically held on weekends and are not compulsory but are highly recommended.
Ques. I completed my 12th in 2010 and have been working since then. Am I still eligible for IGNOU B.Com?
Ans. Absolutely. IGNOU has no age limit and no gap year restriction for B.Com admission. Whether you completed your 12th 5 years ago or 20 years ago, you are eligible to apply as long as you have a valid 10+2 certificate from a recognised board. This makes IGNOU B.Com extremely popular among working professionals seeking to upgrade their qualifications.
Ques. What is the difference between IGNOU B.Com (BCOMF) and IGNOU B.Com (Hons.)? Which one should I choose?
Ans. IGNOU offers two B.Com programmes: BCOMF (B.Com General) and BCOMH (B.Com Honours). BCOMF is the standard 3-year B.Com covering general commerce subjects, while BCOMH is the Honours version with a more specialised and intensive curriculum. BCOMF is suitable for students who want a general commerce degree for employment or further studies, while BCOMH is better for those seeking specialisation. The fees for BCOMH are slightly higher. Both are UGC-recognised and equally valid for employment and higher education purposes.