6. How to Complete Degree on Time

How to Complete Your IGNOU Degree on Time: A Step-by-Step Guide

Many students join IGNOU for its flexibility — but that flexibility often leads to procrastination, delayed assignments, missed exams, and eventually, extended study durations.

The good news? You can complete your IGNOU degree on time — and even with distinction — by following a disciplined strategy.

Let’s explore how to finish your degree on time, with real tips, timelines, and tools.

📆 Step 1: Know Your Programme Duration & Deadline

Each IGNOU program comes with a minimum and maximum duration.

👉 Check your last permissible year using your admission session.

🔗 Visit: https://admission.ignou.ac.in → “Know Your Admission Details”

🧾 Step 2: Plan Your Curriculum Year-Wise

Immediately after admission:

1. Download your syllabus structure from IGNOU website
2. Divide your courses into Semester-wise or Year-wise study plans
3. Know the credit system (e.g., 4 or 8 credits per subject)
4. Mark compulsory practical, projects, or field work elements

📘 Sample for BA General (BAG):

• 1st Year: 4 subjects (32 credits)
• 2nd Year: 4 subjects (32 credits)
• 3rd Year: 4 subjects (32 credits)

📝 Tip: Avoid backlog by completing 32 credits every year.

📚 Step 3: Start Studying Immediately — Don’t Wait for Printed Books

Don’t wait for hard copies. Instead:

• 📥 Use https://egyankosh.ac.in to download your course blocks
• 📲 Use IGNOU e-Content App (Android)
• 📅 Make a monthly planner with topics to be completed

💡 Follow the 2-4-6 formula:

• 2 hours a day of reading
• 4 units per week
• 6 days a week of consistent study

📝 Step 4: Complete Assignments on Time — Every Session

Assignments carry 30% weightage in most programs and are mandatory.

• Check assignment questions at https://webservices.ignou.ac.in/assignments
• Write them by hand
• Submit at your Study Centre or online (if allowed)
• Keep the receipt or acknowledgment

📌 Submit before the March (for June TEE) and September (for December TEE) deadlines.

🧑‍💻 Step 5: Fill the Exam Form Every Session

You can appear in exams twice a year:

• Fill exam form: https://exam.ignou.ac.in
• Pay the required fees
• Download hall ticket 10 days before exam

🧠 Pro Tip: Don’t skip exam sessions. Even if you’re not confident, give it a try — you can reappear next time if needed.

🧪 Step 6: Don’t Miss Practical Sessions or Projects

For some programs (BCA, MCA, BLIS, MLIS, MAPC, PGDCA, etc.):

• Lab attendance is mandatory
• Projects/dissertations have separate guides and submission processes

Submit your Project Proposal early and get approval before the final deadline.

📥 Refer to IGNOU Project Guidelines at:
https://project.ignou.ac.in

📈 Step 7: Track Your Progress Online

Use these portals:

• 📄 Assignment/Grade Card Status: https://gradecard.ignou.ac.in
• 🎓 Exam Results: https://termendresult.ignou.ac.in
• 🧾 Re-registration: https://onlinerr.ignou.ac.in
• 🛠️ Grievance: https://igram.ignou.ac.in

🧠 Keep a spreadsheet or notebook to track:

• Submitted assignments
• Exam attempts
• Marks received
• Pending courses

📤 Step 8: Don’t Delay Re-Registration

IGNOU requires Re-Registration at the start of each academic year.

🔗 https://onlinerr.ignou.ac.in

🚨 Missing this will delay your course completion by 6 months!

🚀 Bonus Tips for Timely Graduation

✅ Join Telegram groups or IGNOU forums
→ Stay updated on deadlines, exam forms, and materials

✅ Contact your Study Centre regularly
→ For practical dates, assignment queries, and attendance

✅ Use iGRAM for grievances
→ For missing marks, study material issues, or re-registration errors

✅ Avoid year gaps
→ Appear in both June and December TEE sessions to spread your workload

✅ Download your grade card after each exam
→ Track what’s pending and plan accordingly

🧠 Conclusion: Discipline Beats Delay

IGNOU gives you flexibility — but completing your degree on time requires structure, planning, and consistency.

Just follow these golden rules:

• 📅 Stay updated with dates
• 📝 Submit assignments regularly
• 🎯 Attempt every exam session
• 🚫 Don’t let one mistake delay an entire year

If you stay focused and proactive, you can easily complete your IGNOU degree on time or even earlier.