How to Get Free Books from IGNOU – Complete Guide to Printed & Digital Study Material (2025)
One of the most attractive features of IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) is that it provides free study material to its students — both in printed and digital formats.
But many students are unaware of how to request, track, and access these free IGNOU books. This guide will walk you through everything: from requesting printed books to downloading digital ones from eGyankosh and the IGNOU e-Content App.
🎁 Does IGNOU Provide Free Books?
Yes. IGNOU offers free study material in two formats:
| Format | Availability | How to Access |
| 📦 Printed Books | By Post | Delivered to your home if opted during admission |
| 📲 Digital Books | Online | Through eGyankosh, e-Content App, and LMS |
✅ These materials are included in your admission fee — no need to pay extra.
📝 When and How to Opt for Free Printed Books
While filling the IGNOU admission form, you’ll find an option:
“Do you want printed study material?”
- ✔️ If you choose YES – IGNOU will dispatch printed books to your address.
- ❌ If you choose NO – You will only get access to digital study material.
⚠️ You cannot change this option later, so choose wisely at the time of admission.
📦 How to Track IGNOU Printed Books (Dispatch Status)
If you opted for printed books, you can track them as follows:
✅ Step 1: Visit Material Dispatch Status Page
🔗 http://egyankosh.ac.in/StudentZone
Or directly go to:
🔗 https://sd.ignou.ac.in
✅ Step 2: Enter Your Enrollment Number and Program Code
You will see:
- 📦 Book dispatch status (Dispatched/In Process)
- 📮 Consignment number (for postal tracking)
- 📬 Date of dispatch
- 📍 Address of delivery
🛑 Common Issues with Printed Book Delivery
| Issue | Solution |
| 📭 Books not received | Wait for 6–8 weeks after confirmation. Then email materialdispatch@ignou.ac.in |
| 🏚 Wrong address in portal | Contact your Regional Centre to update address |
| 📦 Partial books received | Sometimes books are dispatched in batches. Wait a few more weeks. |
| ❌ Missed “Yes” for printed books | You cannot request printed books after admission if you selected “No” |
📲 How to Get Free Digital Books (eBooks)
Even if you didn’t request printed books, you can freely access all IGNOU study material online in PDF format.
✅ Option 1: eGyankosh – IGNOU’s Official Study Material Library
📌 Steps to Download:
- Go to the website
- Click “School of Study” (e.g., School of Social Sciences)
- Select your program (e.g., B.A., M.A., B.Com)
- Browse or search for your course code (e.g., BEGC-102)
- Click the file (PDF icon) to download
💡 eGyankosh contains books for all subjects and years.
✅ Option 2: IGNOU e-Content Mobile App (Official)
Download from:
🔗 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ignou.studymaterial
Features:
- Free PDFs of all IGNOU study material
- Lightweight and mobile-friendly
- Bookmark, highlight, and read offline
❗App currently available only for Android users
✅ Option 3: IGNOU Digital Learning Portal (LMS)
For certain courses (especially PG programs), IGNOU uses the LMS (Learning Management System):
🔗 https://lms.ignouonline.ac.in
Log in with your enrollment number and program to access:
- Study guides
- Videos
- Quizzes
- Digital books
📩 What If You Haven’t Received Printed Books?
If books are not received within 2 months, do this:
- Email IGNOU Book Dispatch Unit
📧 materialdispatch@ignou.ac.in - Mention:
- Your Full Name
- Enrollment Number
- Program Code
- Address and Mobile Number
- Screenshot of admission confirmation
- Alternatively, raise a complaint at:
🔗 https://igram.ignou.ac.in
💡 Pro Tips for IGNOU Study Material
- 📅 Don’t wait for books to arrive — start studying with PDFs from eGyankosh
- ✅ Check your course code carefully before downloading material
- 💾 Download PDFs in advance for offline access
- 📚 Use IGNOU books for assignments, exams, and projects – they are your best resource!
🧠 FAQs – Getting Free Books from IGNOU
❓Are IGNOU books completely free?
Yes, the cost of study material is included in your admission fee. No extra payment required.
❓Can I get printed books if I chose only digital at the time of admission?
No. IGNOU does not allow changes after admission submission.
❓How long does it take to receive printed books?
Usually 4–8 weeks after admission confirmation. May take longer during peak sessions.
❓What should I do if my books are lost in the post?
Email materialdispatch@ignou.ac.in or raise a complaint on iGRAM.
🔚 Final Thoughts
IGNOU makes education accessible by providing free high-quality study material. Whether you chose printed books or digital PDFs, you have access to everything you need — right from your phone or home.
Make sure to:
- Track your printed books regularly
- Download digital material on time
- Stay connected with your study centre for updates
