If you are a student and come from Bihar and Jharkhand, and you want to pursue your higher education through distance mode, the IGNOU Regional Centre in Patna can be the gateway for you. Whether you just finished your degree and want to start your postgrad, you’re a professional looking for distance learning, or you’re already studying at IGNOU, the Regional Centre in Patna is there to help. They cover all kinds of questions and needs.
This blog covers everything about the IGNOU Regional Centre Patna. You’ll find the location, how to get in touch, which programs are available, details about the study centres nearby, how to apply, when exams happen, how to sort out issues, and a lot more. So, let’s get started.
What Is IGNOU and Why Does It Matter?
IGNOU stands out as India’s biggest university. It runs over 333 different programs—everything from certificates and diplomas to bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctoral degrees. You’ll find courses in Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Law, Social Work, Education, Computer Science, Nursing, Tourism, and plenty of other fields. What really draws people in? The fees are reasonable, and the schedules fit around your life. That’s why so many students across India choose IGNOU.
IGNOU Regional Centre Patna — An Overview
The IGNOU Regional Centre Patna was established on 4th May 1991. It is one of the most important regional centres in IGNOU's nationwide network. This regional centre serves lakhs of students across Bihar and plays an important administrative and academic support role for learners. Students can coordinate with RC Patna students regarding academic and administrative activities within its jurisdiction, including student admissions, programme registrations, assignment submissions, examination coordination, result processing, certificate distribution, and grievance handling. It also manages all the study centres and program study centres under its region.
Key Information at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Regional Centre Code | 05 |
| Full Name | IGNOU Regional Centre, Patna |
| Address | Institutional Area, Mithapur, Near Bus Stand Gate No. 1, Patna, Bihar – 800 001 |
| Phone | 0612-2365039 / 0612-2360080 / 8521919590 |
| rcpatna@ignou.ac.in | |
| Official Website | rcpatna.ignou.ac.in |
| Working Hours | Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Jurisdiction | Bihar (specific districts) |
Location and How to Reach IGNOU Regional Centre Patna
The IGNOU Regional Centre Patna is located in the Institutional Area at Mithapur, Patna — near Bus Stand Gate No. 1, making it accessible for students from across Bihar.
Full Address
IGNOU Regional Centre, Patna Institutional Area, Mithapur, Near Bus Stand Gate No. 1, Patna, Bihar – 800 001
Programmes Offered Through IGNOU RC Patna
One of the best things about enrolling in IGNOU’s regional centre in Patna is the wide variety of programs they provide. Whether you are looking for a short-term certificate course or a full-fledged Master's degree, IGNOU has something for everyone.
Certificate Programmes
| Programme Name | Programme Code | Duration | Minimum Eligibility |
| Certificate in Rural Development | CRD | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10th Pass |
| Certificate in Disaster Management | CDM | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Certificate in Disaster Management | CDM | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Certificate in Hindi | CHD | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10th Pass |
| Certificate in Urdu Language | CUL | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10th Pass |
| Certificate in Environmental Studies | CES | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Certificate in Nutrition and Child Care | CNCC | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Certificate in Tourism Studies | CTS | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Certificate in Information Technology | CIT | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Certificate in NGO Management | CNM | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Certificate in Teaching of Primary School Mathematics | CTPM | 6 months (Min) – 2 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass + Teaching Experience |
Diploma Programmes
| Programme Name | Programme Code | Duration | Minimum Eligibility |
| Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education | DNHE | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | 0+2 Pass |
| Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education | DECE | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Diploma in Creative Writing in English | DCE | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development | PGDRD | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science | PGDLIS | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Adult Education | PGDAE | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development | PGDESD | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Distance Education | PGDDE | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management | PGDDM | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Post Graduate Diploma in District Health Management | PGDDHM | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | Graduation (any stream); preference to health professionals |
Bachelor's Degree Programmes
| Programme Name | Programme Code | Duration | Minimum Eligibility |
| Bachelor of Arts (General) | BAG | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass from any recognised board |
| Bachelor of Commerce (General) | BCOMG | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass from any recognised board |
| Bachelor of Science (General) | BSCG | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | 10+2 with Science from any recognised board |
| Bachelor of Social Work | BSWG | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass from any recognised board |
| Bachelor of Computer Applications | BCA_NEW | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass (with Maths preferred); 50% marks |
| Bachelor of Library and Information Science | BLIS | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Bachelor of Tourism Studies | BTS | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass from any recognised board |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | BBA | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass from any recognised board |
| Bachelor of Education | B.Ed | 2 years (Min) – 4 years (Max) | Graduation with 50% marks + 2 years teaching experience |
| Bachelor of Arts (Gender Studies) | BAGS | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | 10+2 Pass from any recognised board |
Master's Degree Programmes
| Programme Name | Programme Code | Duration | Minimum Eligibility |
| Master of Arts in English | MEG | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Master of Arts in Hindi | MHD | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Master of Arts in History | MAH | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Master of Arts in Political Science | MPS | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Master of Arts in Sociology | MSO | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Master of Arts in Economics | MEC | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Master of Arts in Rural Development | MARD | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Master of Commerce | MCOM | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | B.Com or equivalent graduation |
| Master of Computer Applications | MCA_NEW | 3 years (Min) – 6 years (Max) | BCA / B.Sc (CS) or any graduation with Maths at 10+2 or graduation level; 50% marks |
| Master of Business Administration | MBA | 2 years (Min) – 4 years (Max) | Graduation (any stream) with min. 50% marks from a UGC-DEB-approved university |
| Master of Social Work | MSW | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
| Master of Library and Information Science | MLIS | 1 year (Min) – 4 years (Max) | BLIS or equivalent |
| Master of Education | M.Ed | 2 years (Min) – 4 years (Max) | B.Ed or equivalent with 50% marks |
| Master of Arts in Public Administration | MPA | 2 years (Min) – 5 years (Max) | A graduation in any discipline |
Doctoral Programme
IGNOU also offers a Ph.D. programme. Students interested in pursuing doctoral research can contact the Regional Centre or the main university campus for admission details and available supervisors.
Note: Programme availability is subject to change every session. Always verify the latest list on the official IGNOU website (www.ignou.ac.in) before applying.
Study Centres Under IGNOU Regional Centre Patna
The Regional centre Patna controls approximately 48-53 study centres spread across Bihar. The study centres are the place where students can physically interact with their academic counsellors, submit assignments, and appear for term-end examinations.
Study Centres are usually set up in existing colleges, schools, or institutions that have been approved by IGNOU. Each centre has a designated Programme In-Charge and counsellors for different programmes.
Selected Study Centres Under RC Patna
| S.NO. | SC Code | Study Centre Name | Location |
| 1 | 0701 | Patna University | Patna |
| 2 | 0702 | AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies | Patna |
| 3 | 0703 | Nalanda Open University | Patna |
| 4 | 0704 | Bihar National College | Patna |
| 5 | 0705 | Magadh Mahila College | Patna |
| 6 | 0706 | Patna College | Patna |
| 7 | 0707 | BN College | Patna |
| 8 | 0708 | Patna Women's College | Patna |
| 9 | 0709 | Marwari College | Patna |
| 10 | 0710 | SKMCH Medical College SC | Muzaffarpur |
| 11 | 0711 | Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology | Muzaffarpur |
| 12 | 0712 | SS College Jehanabad | Jehanabad |
| 13 | 0713 | Gaya College | Gaya |
| 14 | 0714 | Magadh University SC | Bodh Gaya |
| 15 | 0715 | BR Ambedkar Bihar University | Muzaffarpur |
Admission Process at IGNOU RC Patna
If you think getting admission to IGNOU is a lengthy or hectic process, you are absolutely wrong. IGNOU’s admission process is very simple and easy to understand. Students can enroll in any course themself they just have to clear the minimum eligibility criteria of the particular course. Students can get admission online through https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/ very easily.
Step 1: Choose your program- the first step to get admission is to visit the official website of IGNOU and shortlist the program you want to pursue. Must check the eligibility criteria, programme duration, fee structure, and medium of instruction before shortlisting.
Step 2: Registration- then go to the admission portal of the university gnouadmission.samarth.edu.in, and create a new account. After creating an account, fill in the admission form correctly. The details required are personal and academic.
Step 3: Select your study and regional centre- One of the main steps of the admission process is to choose your study and regional centre. Make sure you select both these centres according to your convenience, because in some situations, you need to visit them physically.
Step 4: Upload Documents- students have to upload the following documents:
- Scanned passport-size photograph (recent, in JPEG format)
- Scanned signature (in JPEG format)
- Class 10 certificate (for proof of date of birth)
- Class 12 marksheet and certificate (for UG programmes)
- Graduation marksheet and certificate (for PG programmes)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) if applicable
- Experience certificate (for certain professional programmes)
Step 5: Pay the Programme Fee- The last step of the admission process is fee payment. Students can pay their program fee online via card, debit card, net banking, and UPI.
Admission Cycles
IGNOU conducts admissions twice a year:
- January Session — applications typically open in October/November; the January 2026 session last date was 15 March 2026
- July Session — applications typically open in May/June
Always check the official university website for exact current deadlines, as they are updated every session
Examination and Result System
IGNOU conducts an exam twice a year, which is called the term-end examination.
Examination Form Submission
The examination form submission can be done online at ignou.ac.in. While filling in the examination form, make sure you fill in all the information correctly. There are two rounds of examination form submission — without a late fee and with a late fee.
Examination Centres
Usually, IGNOU allocates an examination centre to students near their chosen study centre. Students will receive their Hall Ticket or Admit Card, which they can download and carry to the examination centre.
Result Declaration
IGNOU declares the end-term examination results on the official website of the university (ignou.ac.in). To check the results, students only need their Enrolment Number. Results are usually declared 45–60 days after the completion of examinations, and are released in phases.
Re-evaluation and Re-checking
If any student is not satisfied with their result or they think their answer sheet was not checked well, they can apply for re-checking or re-evaluation of their answer sheet. Applications must be submitted within 30–45 days of the result declaration.
Assignment Submission at Regional Centre Patna
Assignments are an essential part of IGNOU’s continuous evaluation system. At IGNOU, every course contains at least one or two Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) that students must complete and submit before appearing for term-end examinations.
How to Submit Assignments
- Download the assignment question papers from the official IGNOU website (ignou.ac.in)
- Write your answers in IGNOU Assignment booklets or in clearly labelled notebooks
- Submit the completed assignments to your Study Centre Coordinator before the deadline
- Collect an acknowledgement receipt — this is very important for future reference
Assignment Deadlines
- For the July session: Assignments are typically due by March 31 of the following year
- For the January session: Assignments are typically due by September 30 of the same year
Important Online Portals and Resources for Students of the Regional Centre Patna
| Resource / Portal | URL |
| IGNOU Main Website | http://www.ignou.ac.in |
| RC Patna Website | rcpatna.ignou.ac.in |
| ODL Admission Portal | ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in |
| Online Programme Portal | ignouiop.samarth.edu.in |
| Result / Grade Card | ignou.ac.in → Student Zone → Results |
| Assignment Questions | ignou.ac.in → Student Zone → Assignments |
| eGyan Kosh (Study Material) | egyankosh.ac.in |
| Student Grievance Portal | ignou.ac.in → Grievance |
| ABC ID Portal | abc.gov.in |
Fee Structure and Financial Assistance
| Programme Type | Approx. Fee Range | Duration |
| Certificate Programmes | ₹3,000 – ₹9,000 | 6 months to 1 year |
| Diploma Programmes | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 | 1 to 2 years |
| Bachelor's Degree (BA/B.Com/B.Sc) | ₹7,200 – ₹9,600 per year | 3 to 6 years |
| Bachelor's Degree (BCA/BBA) | ₹18,000 – ₹45,000 | 3 to 6 years |
| Master's Degree (MA/M.Com) | ₹9,000 – ₹20,000 per year | 2 to 5 years |
| Master's Degree (MBA) | Approx. ₹37,800 – ₹62,000 total | 2 to 5 years |
| Master's Degree (MBA) | Approx. ₹37,800 – ₹62,000 total | 2 to 5 years |
| Master's Degree (MCA) | Approx. ₹50,800 total | 2 to 5 years |
| PG Diploma | ₹5,000 – ₹20,000 | 1 to 2 years |
Fee Concessions
IGNOU provides fee concessions and waivers only for certain categories of students, including:
- SC/ST students may receive concessions in some programmes
- BPL (Below Poverty Line) card holders may be eligible for fee waivers in select programmes
- Ex-servicemen and their dependents may receive special consideration
- Differently-abled students also receive special provisions
Scholarships
Ignou provides several state and central government scholarships to students to decrease their financial burden. Including those on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for SC/ST/OBC students. Students from Bihar can also explore Bihar state scholarships through the Bihar Scholarship Portal.
