How to Fill IGNOU UG Admission Form Step by Step?
If you want to apply for an undergraduate program at IGNOU, you need to use the official online admission portal. Many students get confused with steps like registration, choosing the right program, uploading documents, or paying fees. This guide explains IGNOU UG admission in simple, step-by-step instructions with practical tips so you can complete your form easily.
What is IGNOU UG Admission?
IGNOU UG Admission is the way students apply for undergraduate programs at IGNOU in the January or July session. You fill the form online, upload your documents, pay the fees, and wait for confirmation. The admission process is online, so you can apply from home using a phone or computer.
Before You Start: Keep These Things Ready
- Photograph (size limit mentioned on portal)
- Signature (size limit mentioned on portal)
- Educational qualification documents
- Experience certificate (if any)
- Category certificate (if applicable, like SC/ST/OBC)
- Your active email ID (that you can access anytime)
- Your mobile number (OTP verification happens during registration)
- A stable internet connection
- A laptop/desktop if possible (it becomes easier to upload documents)
How to Fill IGNOU UG Admission Form
Official Online Admission System
Start from the official online admission portal used by IGNOU for admissions. IGNOU says in the Common Prospectus that you can submit admission forms online using the Online Admission System.
Read Programme Details Carefully
IGNOU asks first-time applicants to click on their chosen program and check details like eligibility, fees, and duration before applying.
So, before you register:
- Check eligibility for the UG programme
- Check fee details
- Check programme duration
- Make sure you are selecting the correct admission cycle
Click “New Registration”
If you are applying for the first time, you must create an account.
click NEW REGISTRATION and fill the required details. It also says you must provide your own email and mobile number, and both are verified through OTP.
Important points while creating your login:
- Username must be 8 to 16 characters (as per portal instructions)
- Password must be alphanumeric and 8 to 16 characters (as per portal instructions)
After you submit registration, the portal says your username is sent via email and SMS.
Login with Your Username and Password
Once registered, login using the same credentials.
The portal also mentions options like “Forgot Password” and “Forgot Username,” which are helpful if you forget details.
Fill Basic Details in the Application Form
Now you will see the actual admission form.
Usually, it will ask for:
- Personal details (name, DOB, gender, etc.)
- Contact details (address, email, mobile)
- Educational details (10th/12th/other qualifications depending on the programme)
Tip: Type everything slowly and correctly. Your name and DOB should match your documents. Even one small mismatch can create trouble later.
Select Your UG Programme and Study Preferences
In this step, you will select:
- Your undergraduate programme
- Medium (if applicable)
- Regional Centre / Learner Support Centre (if the portal provides options)
If you are unsure, don’t guess. Read the programme details again before final selection. IGNOU’s portal itself advises applicants to read programme details carefully before applying.
Upload Documents (Most Important Step)
This is where many students make mistakes.
On the official portal, IGNOU lists the documents needed and also specifies that documents should be scanned from originals.
Upload carefully:
- Upload clear photo and signature
- Upload legible marksheets/certificates
- Upload category certificate only if applicable
- Avoid blurry scans (blurry documents can delay confirmation)
Practical tip:
Name your files simply, like:
- photo.jpg
- sign.jpg
- class12.pdf
This keeps things clean and easy.
Review the Preview Page
After uploading documents, the portal says you can click next and get a Form Preview option.
On the preview page, check:
- Spelling of your name
- DOB
- Programme name
- Address and pin code
- Uploaded documents (correct ones)
- Category details (if applicable)
This is your last clean chance to catch mistakes.
Pay the Admission Fee
After preview, you will move to payment.
The official portal lists the payment modes as: Credit card, Debit card, and Net Banking.
Payment tips that help in real life:
- Prefer net banking or a stable payment method
- Do not refresh the page during payment
- After payment, wait for confirmation on screen
- Save the payment receipt if it appears
Final Submission and Download the Filled Form
After final submission, save a copy for your records.
The official portal clearly says once you upload documents and proceed, you get a form preview option and you should Save/Print the form for future reference.
This is important because:
- You may need it if you contact support later
- It helps you track what you submitted
After Submission: What Happens Next?
- Your application goes for verification
- You may receive updates through email/SMS (depending on system notifications)
- Once admission is confirmed, you can use student services through the student portal after confirmation (as referenced in IGNOU’s official prospectus links section).
Common Mistakes Students Make (And How You Can Avoid Them)
Mistake 1: Using Someone Else’s Email or Phone Number
The portal clearly tells you to use your own email and mobile because OTP verification happens during registration.
If you use someone else’s number, you may lose access to OTP and future updates.
Mistake 2: Uploading Unclear Documents
If your marksheet is not readable, it may create delays. Always upload clear scans from originals (the portal mentions scanning from originals).
Mistake 3: Rushing the Programme Selection
One wrong programme selection can waste your time and money. The portal advises you to read eligibility and programme details carefully before applying.
Mistake 4: Payment Failure Due to Refresh
During payment, never refresh or close the tab. If payment fails, log in again and check your application/payment status.
Quick Checklist Before You Click “Submit”
- Name and DOB match your certificates
- Programme selected correctly
- Photo + signature uploaded correctly
- Marksheets readable
- Category certificate uploaded only if applicable
- Preview checked fully
- Payment successful
- Form saved/printed after submission (recommended by portal)
FAQs: IGNOU UG Admission
1) Do I need to apply online only?
IGNOU describes that admission forms can be submitted online through the Online Admission System.
2) What if I don’t receive OTP during registration?
The registration page mentions an option to resend registration OTP if you did not receive it.
3) Is it necessary to download the filled application form?
The portal advises saving/printing the form for future reference after you upload documents and reach preview.