NOU Admission 2026: Step-by-Step Application Process
Nalanda Open University (NOU) conducts admissions online for the 2026-27 academic cycle, with the registration deadline set for 08 October 2026. Applicants must fill out the online registration form on the portal, upload prescribed documents, and pay course fees digitally. Female candidates receive a 25% discount on all course fees.
Key facts
| 2026-27 Application Deadline | 08 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Application Mode | Online Portal |
| Women Fee Concession | 25% discount on all course fees |
| Information Counter Hours | 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Working days) |
| Helpdesk Phone | +91 9341508577 / 9341508579 / 9341508580 |
| MCA Test Result Date (2026) | 28 September 2026 (5:00 PM) |
Application Deadline and Highlights for 2026-27 Session
Nalanda Open University conducts admissions for the 2026-27 academic cycle entirely through its online portal. Candidates seeking admission for the July 2026 session must submit their forms through the Nalanda Open University admission portal. The registration deadline for the 2026-27 academic cycle is 08 October 2026.
Applicants must pay full course charges online at the time of admission. Female candidates applying for any course are given a 25% fee concession on the total course fee. NOU does not accept offline payments via bank draft, money order, or postal order.
Document Upload Checklist and File Size Guidelines
Candidates must upload scanned copies of their original documents during the online application. All uploaded files must adhere to the maximum size limits established by NOU.
- Scanned Photograph: Less than 500 KB
- Scanned Signature: Less than 500 KB
- Educational Documents (Qualifying exam mark sheet and Matriculation certificate for age proof): Less than 1024 KB
- Experience or Caste/Category Certificates (SC/ST/BC/OBC certificates issued by DM/DC/SDO or authorized officer): Less than 1024 KB
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
Candidates must follow these steps on the admission portal to complete their application:
- Visit the Nalanda Open University admission portal and select NEW REGISTRATION or open the NOU new user registration form.
- Enter registration details to create your user credentials.
- Log in using your account details under Existing Users Login.
- Fill out the candidate profile including personal details, contact information, and choice of programme.
- Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, educational mark sheets, and category certificates matching specified size limits.
- Pay the required course fee in full online via digital payment gateways.
- Submit the application and print copies of the completed application form and fee receipt for personal reference.
Programme Eligibility Criteria and Annual Fee Structure
Eligibility rules and annual tuition fees for major academic programmes offered by NOU are detailed below. All female candidates receive a 25% discount on these course fees.
NOU Programme Eligibility and Fee Schedule
| Programme Category | Minimum Eligibility | Duration | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. (Economics, Education, Env. Science, Geography, Hindi, History, Pol. Science, Psychology, Sociology, Public Admin, Sanskrit, Urdu) | Bachelor or equivalent degree in any subject | 2 Years | ₹7,200 |
| M.A. (Magahi, Maithili, Rural Development) | Bachelor or equivalent degree in any subject | 2 Years | ₹4,400 |
| M.Sc. (Botany, Chemistry, Env. Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology) | Bachelor or equivalent degree in concerned Science subject | 2 Years | ₹7,200 |
| Master of Computer Application (MCA) | BCA / Bachelor degree in CS / B.Tech / Graduation with Maths at 10+2 or Graduation | 2 Years | ₹20,000 |
| Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) | BLIS degree | 1 Year | ₹9,700 |
| Master of Journalism & Mass Communication (MJMC) | Bachelor degree or equivalent or PGDJMC | 2 Years | ₹8,000 |
| Master of Commerce (M.Com) | Bachelor’s degree in Commerce | 2 Years | ₹7,200 |
| Bachelor of Library & Information Science (BLIS) | Bachelor degree or equivalent | 1 Year | ₹5,500 |
| B.A. Honours / B.Com Honours | Intermediate in any stream | 3 Years | ₹2,400 |
| B.Sc. Honours | Intermediate in Science | 3 Years | ₹2,400 |
| Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) | Bachelor’s degree with minimum 45% marks + 2 years teaching experience | 2 Years | ₹32,000 (Via CET-BED) |
| PG Diplomas (Marketing Mgmt, Financial Mgmt, Hindi-English Translation) | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent | 1 Year | ₹6,800 |
| PG Diplomas (JMC, Yogic Studies, Info & PR) | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent | 1 Year | ₹7,200 |
MCA Admission Test Schedule for 2026 Session
Admission to the MCA programme for the 2026-2027 academic session is subject to an Admission Test (Interview), as detailed in the MCA admission test notice PDF.
The test interviews were scheduled across four candidate groups (A, B, C, D) on 25 September 2026 and 26 September 2026 at Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic & Persian University, Mithapur Farm Area, Patna. Session timings were 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM for morning groups and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM for afternoon groups.
Candidates appearing for the test were required to bring a printed copy of their MCA Application Form and their Aadhaar Card. Results were announced on 28 September 2026 at 5:00 PM on the NOU website.
Helpdesk Support and Online Grievance Process
For assistance with online admission forms, candidates can contact the NOU helpdesk at +91 9341508577, +91 9341508579, or +91 9341508580, or email helpdesk@nou.ac.in. The physical information counter operates on working days from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
To register or track an admission grievance, candidates can use the Samarth grievance portal following these steps:
- Open the grievance portal and click Add Grievance.
- Fill in the online information form describing the issue and submit.
- Note the generated Grievance Number.
- Track the resolution status under Check Status of Your Grievance using your Grievance Number.
Important NOU links
| What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|
| open NOU online admission portal | nouadm.samarth.edu.in/ |
| submit or check online grievance status | nou.samarth.ac.in/index.php/pgportal/grievance-public/publ |
| register as a new applicant | nouadm.samarth.edu.in/index.php/registration/user-new/regi |
Official documents (PDF)
- Notice For MCA Admission Test 2026 || PDF — Schedule, venue, and rules for MCA Admission Test 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for NOU admission 2026-27?
The registration deadline for the NOU 2026-27 academic cycle is 08 October 2026.
Is there any fee discount for female candidates at NOU?
Yes, NOU provides a 25% fee concession on all course fees for female applicants.
Can I pay NOU admission fees offline using Demand Draft?
No, NOU accepts course fee payments online only. Bank drafts, money orders, and postal orders are not accepted.
What documents were required for the MCA Admission Test 2026?
Candidates attending the MCA Admission Test (Interview) 2026 were required to carry a copy of their MCA Application Form and their Aadhaar Card.
How can I submit an admission grievance at NOU?
You can log a grievance on the Samarth portal by selecting ‘Add Grievance’, filling out the online form, and tracking updates using your Grievance Number.
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
- 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
- Samarth Grievance Management nou.samarth.ac.in/…/public