Distance BA from NOU 2026: Eligibility, Fee and Duration
Nalanda Open University (NOU) offers distance Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours degrees across 13 active subject specializations for candidates who have passed Intermediate (10+2) in any stream. The standard course duration is 3 years (with 4-year CBCS tracks active), and the tuition fee is Rs. 2,400 per year with a 25% concession for women candidates. Online applications for the 2026–27 academic cycle are accepted through the university portal until 08 October 2026.
Key facts
| Programme | Bachelor of Arts (BA Honours) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Intermediate (10+2) in any stream |
| Duration | 3 Years (4-Year CBCS options available) |
| Annual Fee (General) | Rs. 2,400 per year |
| Annual Fee (Women) | Rs. 1,800 per year (25% discount) |
| 2026 Application Deadline | 08 October 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online via Samarth Admission Portal |
BA Course Eligibility and Program Duration
Applicants seeking admission to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program at Nalanda Open University must have passed Intermediate (10+2) in any stream. Only degrees and certificates recognized as equivalent by the Academic Council of Nalanda Open University are accepted.
The standard BA Honours program duration is 3 years. NOU also conducts a 4-Year UG Programme under the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).
Available BA Honours Subject Specializations
NOU offers BA Honours in 13 active subjects. The Statistics specialization currently remains suspended.
NOU BA Honours Subject Specializations and Status
| Subject Specialization | Status |
|---|---|
| Economics | Active |
| Education | Active |
| Geography | Active |
| Hindi | Active |
| History | Active |
| Journalism & Mass Communication | Active |
| Political Science | Active |
| Psychology | Active |
| Public Administration | Active |
| Sociology | Active |
| Social Work | Active |
| Tourism | Active |
| Home Science | Active |
| Statistics | Suspended |
BA Fee Structure and Fee Concession
All active BA Honours subjects have a uniform annual fee structure. Women candidates receive a 25% fee discount on all course fees. Required charges must be paid online in full during admission.
BA Honours Fee Structure for July 2026 Session
| Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Male Candidates | Rs. 2,400/- per year |
| Women Candidates (25% Concession) | Rs. 1,800/- per year |
Required Documents for BA Online Admission
Candidates must upload scanned copies of original certificates while filling out the online application form:
- Scanned photograph (file size under 500 KB)
- Scanned signature (file size under 500 KB)
- Scanned copy of original mark sheet of Intermediate / qualifying examination (under 1024 KB)
- Scanned copy of Matriculation (10th) certificate for age proof (under 1024 KB)
- Scanned copy of Caste Certificate issued by DM, DC, SDO, or an authorized officer (for SC, ST, BC, or OBC reserved quota candidates; under 1024 KB)
Step-by-Step BA Admission Procedure 2026
Admissions to NOU for the 2026–27 academic cycle are completely digital. Offline submissions, bank drafts, and money orders are not accepted.
- Visit the NOU Samarth online admission portal and click on ‘NEW REGISTRATION’.
- Create candidate login credentials, log in, and fill out the online application form.
- Select the desired BA Honours subject specialization.
- Upload the required documents, photograph, and signature within the specified file sizes.
- Pay the prescribed annual fee in full online before the registration deadline of 08 October 2026.
- Print and save the application form and fee receipt for future reference and document verification.
Student Login Portal and Counselling Classes
Enrolled BA students can access university academic services through the NOU UMIS student login portal by entering their Enrollment No., Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy), and Captcha code.
NOU conducts online counselling classes for BA programmes via Microsoft Teams. Direct class links for specific BA subjects are published in schedules like the CBCS BA counselling schedule PDF. Semester and annual examination schedules can be checked on the official NOU examination programme page.
Important NOU links
| What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|
| apply for BA online admission | nouadm.samarth.edu.in/ |
| view NOU examination programme page | nou.ac.in/noticenewall/Students%20Corner/Examination%20Pro |
| access NOU 2026 admission portal | nouadm.samarth.edu.in/index.php/site/index |
| login to NOU student portal | umis.nou.ac.in/User/Login |
| read NOU general admission rules | nou.ac.in/admission |
Official documents (PDF)
- View PDF — Microsoft Teams counselling links for CBCS BA and BSc Semester-II
Frequently asked questions
Does Nalanda Open University offer BA or BSc in Psychology?
Nalanda Open University offers a BA Honours in Psychology. However, it does not offer a BSc in Psychology; science undergraduate honours options are restricted to Botany, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, and Physics.
What are the fees for courses at Nalanda Open University?
For BA Honours programmes, the standard fee is Rs. 2,400 per year. Female students receive a 25% discount, reducing their fee to Rs. 1,800 per year.
What courses are offered at Nalanda Open University?
NOU offers Intermediate courses, Undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc, BCom, BCA, BLIS), Postgraduate degrees (MA, MSc, MCom, MCA, MJMC, MLIS), PG Diplomas, and various Certificate programmes.
What is the eligibility for BA admission at NOU?
Candidates must have passed Intermediate (10+2) in any stream from a recognized board or hold an equivalent qualification approved by the Academic Council of Nalanda Open University.
What is the last date to apply for NOU BA admission in 2026?
For the 2026–27 academic cycle (July 2026 session), the online registration deadline on the Samarth admission portal is 08 October 2026.
Is there a fee discount for female candidates at NOU?
Yes, NOU grants a 25% fee concession on all course fees for female candidates seeking admission to any programme, including BA Honours.
Sources
Written from the official NOU pages and documents below, as read on 2 October 2026.
- Click here for Online Admission 2026 || nouadm.samarth.edu.in
- Welcome To Nalanda Open University nou.ac.in/…/Examination%20Programme-2026
- Nalanda Open nouadm.samarth.edu.in/…/index
- Student Login – Admission 2025 || umis.nou.ac.in/…/Login
- View www.nou.ac.in/…/179016452796Counselling Class Link for C
- Admission nou.ac.in/…/admission