NOU Admission Last Date 2026: July and January Sessions
Nalanda Open University (NOU) has extended the last date for online admission for the July 2026 session to 08 October 2026. Admissions cover Certificate, PG Diploma, Postgraduate, M.LIS, B.LIS, BCA, and 4-Year Undergraduate programmes through the university’s online portal. Women applicants receive a 25% fee concession across all course fees.
Key facts
| July 2026 Admission Start Date | 10 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| July 2026 Admission Last Date | 08 October 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online (Samarth Portal) |
| Women Fee Concession | 25% discount on all courses |
| MCA Entrance Interview Dates | 25 & 26 September 2026 |
| MCA Entrance Result Date | 28 September 2026 (5 PM) |
Admission Schedule for July 2026 Session
Online admission for the July 2026 academic cycle opened on 10 July 2026. The university has extended the application deadline for all Certificate, PG Diploma, Postgraduate, M.LIS, B.LIS, BCA, and 4-Year Undergraduate degree courses.
NOU July 2026 Admission Deadlines
| Academic Session | Admission Opening Date | Extended Last Date to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 Session | 10 July 2026 | 08 October 2026 |
January Session Admission Status
NOU has not published details or deadlines for a January session on its official website as of 02 October 2026. All active admission notices and portals on the site correspond to the July 2026 cycle.
Online Admission Process and Checklist
Admissions at Nalanda Open University are completely digital. Candidates must submit their application and pay fees online through the designated admission portal.
- Scanned Photograph (Format: Image, Size: Less than 500 KB)
- Scanned Signature (Format: Image, Size: Less than 500 KB)
- Educational Documents / Qualifying Exam Mark Sheet (Size: Less than 1024 KB)
- Matriculation Certificate for age proof (Size: Less than 1024 KB)
- Caste / Category Certificate from DM, DC, or SDO for reserved categories (Size: Less than 1024 KB)
- Visit the Nalanda Open University online admission page and select New Registration.
- Enter student details to generate login credentials, then log in to the portal.
- Choose the desired course and complete the personal and qualification details in the application form.
- Upload scanned copies of required certificates according to the prescribed file size limits.
- Pay the full course fee online. Female candidates automatically receive a 25% discount.
- Download and print the filled application form and fee receipt for future reference.
Programme Eligibility and Annual Fees
NOU offers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programmes across multiple disciplines.
NOU Programme Eligibility and Fee Structure
| Programme Level | Minimum Eligibility | Duration | Annual Fee (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. / B.Sc. / B.Com. Honours | Intermediate (10+2) in relevant stream | 3 / 4 Years | Rs. 2,400 |
| BCA | Intermediate with Maths or I.A. with Certificate in Computing | 3 Years | Refer Prospectus |
| M.A. / M.Sc. / M.Com. | Bachelor Degree in relevant subject | 2 Years | Rs. 4,400 – Rs. 7,200 |
| MCA | BCA, B.Sc. CS, B.Tech, or Graduation with 10+2/UG Maths | 2 Years | Rs. 20,000 |
| BLIS | Bachelor Degree in any discipline | 1 Year | Rs. 5,500 |
| MLIS | BLIS Degree | 1 Year | Rs. 9,700 |
| PG Diploma Courses | Bachelor Degree or equivalent | 1 Year | Rs. 6,800 – Rs. 7,200 |
MCA Admission Test 2026 Schedule
Admission to the Master of Computer Applications (MCA) session 2026-2027 required candidates to appear for an admission test (interview) held at Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic & Persian University, Patna.
MCA 2026 Interview Schedule & Result Date
| Candidate Groups | Interview Date | Timing Slot | Result Declaration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A & Group B | 25 September 2026 | A: 10:30 AM-1:30 PM | B: 2:30 PM-5:30 PM | 28 September 2026 (5 PM) |
| Group C & Group D | 26 September 2026 | C: 10:30 AM-1:30 PM | D: 2:30 PM-5:30 PM | 28 September 2026 (5 PM) |
Important NOU links
| What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|
| Register for July 2026 distance admissions | nouadm.samarth.edu.in/ |
| Open official NOU Samarth admission portal | nouadm.samarth.edu.in/index.php/site/index |
| Check course eligibility and fee rules | nou.ac.in/admission |
| Contact NOU admission helpdesk team | nou.ac.in/contact-us |
Official documents (PDF)
- Notice For MCA Admission Test 2026 || PDF — Notice and group-wise candidate list for MCA admission test 2026
Frequently asked questions
How can I get admission to Nalanda Open University after 12th?
Students who have passed Intermediate (10+2) can apply online for 3-year or 4-year undergraduate degree programmes like B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., or BCA. Applications are submitted via the NOU Samarth admission home page by registering, uploading academic documents, and paying the course fee.
Can I apply for admission online at Nalanda Open University?
Yes, NOU conducts all admissions online. Applicants must register on the Samarth portal, fill out the application form, upload required document scans, and pay fees digitally.
What is the last date to apply for admission to Nalanda Open University?
For the July 2026 session, the last date to apply online for Certificate, PG Diploma, PG, BLIS, MLIS, BCA, and UG courses is 08 October 2026.
Is there any fee discount for female candidates at NOU?
Yes, Nalanda Open University offers a 25% fee concession on all course fees for women candidates seeking admission to any programme.
What documents must be uploaded during online admission?
Applicants must upload scanned copies of their photograph (<500 KB), signature (<500 KB), qualifying exam mark sheet (<1024 KB), matriculation age proof certificate (<1024 KB), and category/caste certificate if applying under a reserved quota (<1024 KB).
When were the MCA admission test results declared for 2026?
The MCA admission test (interview) results for the 2026-2027 academic session were published on 28 September 2026 at 5:00 PM on the university website.
Has NOU released admission dates for the January session?
NOU has not published dates or details for a January session on its official website as of 02 October 2026.
Sources
Written from the official NOU pages and documents below, as read on 2 October 2026.
- Welcome To Nalanda Open University nou.ac.in
- Click here for Online Admission 2026 || nouadm.samarth.edu.in
- Nalanda Open nouadm.samarth.edu.in/…/index
- Notice For MCA Admission Test 2026 || www.nou.ac.in/…/179006862787MCA_Admission.pdf
- Admission nou.ac.in/…/admission