Interest in distance learning grows, 32K register at IGNOU-Karnal centre

The enthusiasm for distance education continues to surge as Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Regional Centre, Karnal, recorded 32,941 students’ registration for the July 2025 session across various programmes. The last date for registration was October 15.

Reflecting a strong and growing preference for flexible learning opportunities, 27,447 learners have already submitted their fee, while 27,352 have successfully re-registered to continue their academic journey for second and third years. The steady rise in enrolment highlights the increasing trend of students in IGNOU’s accessible, learner-centric model of higher education.

In the July 2024 admission cycle, a total of 29,466 learners enrolled in various programmes through distance mode in Haryana. Besides, 26,846 students successfully re-registered for the second and third years of their academic programmes during the same session.

The Regional Centre is significantly contributing to the educational uplift of Haryana by catering to the academic needs of learners across 16 districts of the state. Operating through 30 functional study centres, the regional centre offers a wide range of approximately 350 programmes, including certificate, diploma, post-graduate diploma, onder-graduate and post-graduate degree programmes across various disciplines, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for learners from all walks of life.

Giving details, Dr Dharam Pal, Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre, said that the admission process for this session started from June 20 and the last date was October 15 for registration. Now, the students are submitting their fee, which will clear the total number of enrolled students.

“Nearly 150 programmes are currently being offered at different study centres located in various districts of Haryana. These programmes are strategically chosen to meet the educational and professional aspirations of the learners in the region,” he said.

Highlighting the role of IGNOU, he said that in the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020 and India’s aspiration of self-reliance, the university restructures its programmes with a clear commitment to bridging the gap between formal education and employability. “It integrates skill-oriented, multidisciplinary, flexible and technology-enabled learning pathways for contributing to the national mission of inclusive growth and human resource development,” he said.

He said IGNOU continues to play a vital role in enhancing the gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education through its flexible and learner-centric open and distance learning (ODL) system.

“We are committed to providing quality education to students. The study material will be sent to students soon so that they easily focus on their study,” he added.

IGNOU has launched skill-based Bachelor’s degree programmes especially targeted for Agniveers, personnel of the Indian armed forces, in collaboration with the defence sector, combining academic credits with in-service training. These include courses like BSc (Applied Skills), BA (Applied Skills), BCom (Applied Skills) and others, Dharam Pal said. With support from the Ministry of Education, regulatory bodies and funding agencies, IGNOU plans to expand innovative micro-credentials, vocational short courses and modular higher education programmes in the coming years, the Regional Director maintained.

Students who passed one course of IGNOU are also exploring other courses. They expressed happiness over their learning experience and the flexibility offered by the university.