IGNOU MA Public Administration Admission 2026: Indira Gandhi National Open University offers a postgraduate course known as the Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA). This course is designed for students who wish to build a career in government administration, public policy, governance, and social development. The course is suitable for fresh graduates, working professionals, and students preparing for civil services. IGNOU offers an MA in public administration course through its School of Social Science (SOSS) in open distance learning mode.
IGNOU MPA course focuses on helping students understand and focuses on helping students understand how administrative frameworks operate. Through this course, students will gain knowledge about administrative theories, public system management, human resources management in the public sector, public policy formulation, e-governance, and the role of the state in development. The flexible learning system and well-structured study material allow students to develop both theoretical and practical administrative skills, which are essential for effective public services.
To study this course at IGNOU, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification from a recognised university. There is no age limit, making the course suitable for students from any stream to opt for the course. The fee for the IGNOU MPA course is INR 8,000 per year. IGNOU admission procedure has started for MA Public Administration course into the January 2026 session, students who are interested they can apply by visiting the official portal of the university @ignou.ac.in. IGNOU MA Public Administration admission last date is 31 January 2026 in January AY, and for more information you can read the content below.
IGNOU MA Public Administration Admission Highlights Table
| Particulars | Details |
| Course Name | Master of Arts in Public Administration (MAPA) |
| Conducting University | Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) |
| Course Level | Postgraduate Degree |
| Duration | Minimum 2 Years – Maximum 4 Years |
| Mode of Study | Open & Distance Learning |
| Admission Year | 2026 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Medium of Instruction | English & Hindi |
| Admission Process | Merit-based |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Course Fee | INR 16,000 |
| Study Material | Printed + Digital (eGyanKosh) |
| Examination Mode | Assignments + Term-End Examination (TEE) |
| Career Scope | Civil Services, Government Jobs, NGOs, Policy Research, Teaching |
IGNOU MA Public Administration Course Details
IGNOU MA in Public Administration is a two-year PG-level degree offered under an annual system and designed with knowledge of governance, administration processes, and public sector management. The course curriculum helps students to understand how government institutions and public organizations function at various levels. IGNOU offers this course through ODL mode, which makes it suitable for working professionals, civil services aspirants, and students who prefer flexible learning due to many reasons.
As per the credit-based system, students need to secure a minimum of 64 credits at the end of the year. The curriculum of the MPA program covers important subjects such as Administrative Theories, State and Society, Public System Management, Human Resources Management, Public Sector, Public Policy Formulations, and Analysis of Electronic Governance and Research Methods. Through all these subjects, students gain both theoretical and practical learning in modern public administration. IGNOU offers the course in both English and Hindi.
IGNOU MA Public Administration Admission 2026
The admission process has commenced for the IGNOU MA public administration course under the January 2026 session. Students interested in applying can submit their application through the official IGNOU admission portal https://www.ignou.ac.in/. The last date to complete the IGNOU MA Public Administration admission is 31 January 2026.
Students seeking admission need to register on the official portal, fill out the online application form, upload the necessary documents, and pay the course fee using the online payment mode. IGNOU will send a confirmation email of application submission to the registered email address of the students. Candidates also have the option to apply offline by submitting the application form along with a fee of INR 300 at the nearest IGNOU regional centres. Students from all parts of the country can complete the admission process easily.
IGNOU MA Public Administration Re-registration 2026
IGNOU has opened the re-registration portal for the MA Public Administration program for the January 2026 AY, allowing students to continue their studies. Students must have successfully completed their previous year or semester to register for the next year. Students are required to pay the 2nd year program fee of INR 8,000 at the time of re-registration.
The last date to apply for IGNOU Re-Registration is 16 January 2026 for the MPA course without any late fee. Students need to visit the official website of IGNOU official re-registration https://onlinerr.ignou.ac.in/. It is important to complete the process before the last date.
IGNOU MA Public Administration Eligibility Criteria
To apply for IGNOU MPA admission 2026, students must fulfill the eligibility criteria. The university will provide admission only if students meet the minimum qualifications and marks. Below are the complete details students must check:
- Students must have completed a 3-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
- The degree must be recognised by the UGC.
- There are no minimum marks required by the university, but students must have secured a minimum 50%.
- There is no age limit set by IGNOU for MPA.
IGNOU MA Public Administration Fee Structure
IGNOU MPA program fee structure is affordable as compared to other universities. The university offers quality education to students at an affordable fee. Below are the complete fee details:
- The total course fee for the MA Public Administration is INR 16000.
- Students are required to pay INR 8000 per year, which makes the payment manageable.
- Apart from the course fee, the university also charges a one-time registration fee of INR 300 at the time of form submission.
- All fees can be paid securely online through debit card, credit card, and net banking.
How To Apply for IGNOU MA Public Administration Admission 2026
Students must follow the steps below to complete the IGNOU MPA admission process:
- Step1: Go to the official IGNOU admission website https://www.ignou.ac.in/.
- Step 2: Select the option for new user registration on the homepage.
- Step 3: Provide basic details such as the student’s full name, active email, and 10-digit mobile number.
- Step 4: Create a secure password and complete the registration process.
- Step 5: Sign in to the portal using the registered login details.
- Step 6: Carefully complete the online application form with accurate personal and academic information.
- Step 7: Upload scanned documents in the prescribed format.
- Step 8: Proceed with the form and pay the form fee of INR 300 using online payments.
- Step 9: Submit the IGNOU application form.
- Step 10: Save a copy of the confirmation page and fee receipts for any future reference.
Documents Required:
- Class 10th marksheet
- Class 12th marksheet
- Bachelors degree
- Category certificate
- Identity proofs
- Photographs
- Signature
- Migration
- Transfer certificate
Career Scope After IGNOU MA Public Administration Course
Students who will complete the MA in public administration can pursue their career in a wide range of courses, such as the public and private sectors. This course is especially useful for candidates preparing for civil services examinations such as UPSC and state public services commissions, as it provides a strong understanding of administrative theories and public policies.
Graduates can work in various roles like administrative office, policy analyst, public relations, NGO program manager, Research assistant, government consultant, and more. The course also opens doors in jobs like government departments, public sector undertakings, research organisations, and international agencies. Salary of candidates at the entry level can expect to earn around INR 3 to INR 5 LPA, while candidates with experience can earn INR 6 to INR 10 LPA.
Jobs After Completing IGNOU MA Public Administration Course
| Job Role | Average Salary (Per Month) |
| Public Administration Officer | INR 35,000 – INR 70,000 |
| Government Officer | INR 40,000 – INR 80,000* |
| Policy Analyst | INR 40,000 – INR 75,000 |
| Administrative Executive | INR 30,000 – INR 60,000 |
| NGO Program Manager | INR 35,000 – INR 65,000 |
| Research Assistant | INR 25,000 – INR 45,000 |
| Consultant (Public Sector) | INR 45,000 – INR 90,000 |
| Teaching / Academic Assistant | INR 30,000 – INR 55,000 |
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