Distance MA from NOU 2026: Eligibility, Fee and Duration
Nalanda Open University offers various Master of Arts (MA) programmes with a duration of 2 years. For the July 2026 admission session, the annual fee for most MA Arts programmes is ₹7200, with a 25% concession for women candidates. The registration deadline for the ADMISSION-2026-27 academic cycle is 08 October 2026.
Key facts
| Programme Type | Master of Arts (MA) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor or equivalent Degree in any subject |
| Annual Fee (most MA Arts) | ₹7200 (for July 2026 session) |
| Women’s Fee Concession | 25% on all course fees |
| Registration Deadline | 08 October 2026 (for ADMISSION-2026-27 academic cycle) |
MA Programmes Offered
Nalanda Open University offers the following Master of Arts (MA) programmes. Each programme has a duration of 2 years.
List of MA Arts Programmes and Duration
| Programme Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| M.A. (Economics) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Education) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Environmental Science) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Geography) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Hindi) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (History) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Magahi) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Maithili) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Political Science) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Psychology) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Public Administration) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Rural Development) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Sanskrit) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Sociology) | 2 Years |
| M.A. (Urdu) | 2 Years |
Eligibility Criteria for MA Programmes
To be eligible for admission to a Master’s Degree in Arts subject at Nalanda Open University, candidates must hold a Bachelor or equivalent Degree in any subject.
Only degrees and certificates recognised by the Academic Council of Nalanda Open University will be considered as equivalent.
Annual Programme Fees for MA (July 2026 Session)
The annual fees for MA programmes for the July 2026 admission session are listed below. Women candidates receive a 25% discount on all course fees.
Annual Fees for MA Arts Programmes (July 2026 Session)
| Programme Name | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| M.A. (Economics) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Education) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Environmental Science) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Geography) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Hindi) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (History) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Magahi) | ₹4400 |
| M.A. (Maithili) | ₹4400 |
| M.A. (Political Science) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Psychology) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Public Administration) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Rural Development) | ₹4400 |
| M.A. (Sanskrit) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Sociology) | ₹7200 |
| M.A. (Urdu) | ₹7200 |
Admission Process for July 2026 Session
The NOU Admission 2026: Step-by-Step Application Process”>admission process for the ADMISSION-2026-27 academic cycle is online. You can apply for admissions through the university’s admission portal. The portal allows you to discover programmes, check eligibility, submit your application, upload documents, and pay fees.
You must pay the required charges online in full at the time of online admission. No money order, Bank Draft or postal order is accepted.
- Scanned Photograph (<500 KB)
- Scanned Signature (<500 KB)
- Educational Documents (<1024 KB)
- Experience/Category Certificates (<1024 KB)
- Scanned copy of the original mark sheet of the qualifying examination.
- Scanned copy of matriculation certificate for proof of age.
- Scanned copy of Caste certificate, if seeking admission on reserved quota (issued by DM/DC/SDO or authorised person).
- Go to the Nalanda Open University Admission Portal.
- Complete the new registration process.
- Fill out the application form with necessary details.
- Upload the required scanned documents.
- Pay the programme fees online.
Important Dates for July 2026 Admission
The registration deadline for the ADMISSION-2026-27 academic cycle, including for the July 2026 session, is 08 October 2026.
MA Examination Programme 2026
The following examination programmes for MA Part-I and Part-II were published for 2026:
MA Examination Programme 2026
| Programme Name | Part | Date |
|---|---|---|
| MA MSc Home Science Disaster Management | Part-I | 2026-07-16 |
| MA Psychology Rural Development | Part-I | 2026-07-16 |
| MA Economics, Sanskrit, Urdu, Public Administration | Part-I | 2026-07-13 |
| MA History | Part-I | 2026-07-13 |
| MA Education | Part-I (Revised) | 2026-07-13 |
| MA Political Science, Sociology | Part-I | 2026-07-13 |
| MA Hindi | Part-I | 2026-07-13 |
| MA, MSc Environmental Science | Part-I | 2026-07-13 |
| MA, MSc Geography | Part-I | 2026-07-13 |
| MA Public Administration, Urdu, Sanskrit, Rural Development | Part-II (Revised) | 2026-06-22 |
| MA Education, History, Political Science, Sociology | Part-II (Revised) | 2026-06-22 |
| MA Economics, Psychology | Part-II (Revised) | 2026-06-22 |
| MA, MSc Environmental Science | Part-II (Revised) | 2026-06-22 |
| MA, MSc Geography | Part-II (Revised) | 2026-06-22 |
| MA Hindi | Part-II (Revised) | 2026-06-22 |
Important NOU links
| What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|
| Apply for NOU ADMISSION-2026-27 | nouadm.samarth.edu.in/index.php/site/index |
| View NOU Admission details | nou.ac.in/admission |
Frequently asked questions
Does Nalanda Open University offer BA or BSc in Psychology?
Yes, Nalanda Open University offers a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology. This is a graduate-level programme.
What are the fees for courses at Nalanda Open University?
For MA Arts programmes, the annual fee for the July 2026 session is typically ₹7200, though some programmes like M.A. (Magahi), M.A. (Maithili), and M.A. (Rural Development) have an annual fee of ₹4400. Women candidates receive a 25% discount on all course fees.
What courses are offered at Nalanda Open University?
Nalanda Open University offers a wide range of programmes including various Master of Arts (MA) subjects like Economics, Education, History, Political Science, Psychology, and more. It also offers Master of Science (MSc), Master of Commerce (MCom), Bachelor’s Degrees, Post Graduate Diplomas, and Certificate Courses.
What is the duration of MA programmes at NOU?
All Master of Arts (MA) programmes offered by Nalanda Open University have a duration of 2 years.
Is there a fee concession for women candidates?
Yes, women candidates seeking admission in any course at Nalanda Open University are eligible for a 25% fee concession.
What is the last date to apply for MA admission for the 2026-27 academic cycle?
The registration deadline for the ADMISSION-2026-27 academic cycle, which includes the July 2026 session, is 08 October 2026.
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
- Admission nou.ac.in/…/admission