Nalanda Open University offers 2026 admission fully through distance learning mode. The university is recognised by UGC-DEB and runs more than 100 programmes, including BA and MCA. Annual fees include INR 2,400 for BA and B.Com, INR 6,600 for BCA, INR 12,000 for MCA, and INR 32,000 per year for B.Ed.

Most UG and PG courses use qualifying exam marks for selection. B.Ed admission is through Bihar B.Ed CET, while PhD admission is based on an NOU entrance test. Candidates with NET, JRF, SET, or GATE are not required to take the PhD entrance test.

Admission Update:
  • UG (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BLIS): Admission for 2026-27 is open. Check nou.ac.in for the current deadline.
  • B.Ed: NOU B.Ed admission is handled through Bihar B.Ed CET counselling conducted for participating Bihar universities.
  • PG and PhD: PG applications are open through the official portal. PhD admission is through the NOU entrance route.
  • A 25% fee concession is given to every female student in all programmes.
  • Bihar reservation rules apply with SC 16%, ST 1%, EBC 18%, BC 12%, EWS 10%, BC Women 3%, and PwBD 5% horizontal reservation.
  • Before filling the form, every applicant must create an ABC (Academic Bank of Credit) ID through Digilocker.
  • The application fee is INR 400 for SC/ST/PwBD applicants and INR 600 for General/OBC/EWS applicants.
  • NOU has 265 counselling and study centres in Bihar for weekend contact sessions.

Direct Admission at NOU: NOU does not have a management quota. Seats are given only through merit or entrance-based selection, depending on the programme.

NOU Admission Portal 2026: nou.ac.in/admission

NOU Important Dates 2026

Event Date
July-26 session online admission window 10 July 2026 to 08 October 2026
Last date for July-26 session online admission 08 October 2026

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

NOU UG Admission 2026

NOU offers UG admission for BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, and BLIS. Students do not have to appear for an entrance exam for these UG courses. Admission is decided only from Class 12 marks.

NOU UG Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board. For most UG courses at NOU, no minimum percentage has been fixed.

Programme Eligibility Annual Fee
BA 10+2 pass from any stream INR 2,400
B.Com 10+2 pass from any stream INR 2,400
B.Sc 10+2 with Science stream INR 3,200
BCA 10+2 with Mathematics INR 6,600
BLIS 10+2 pass from recognised board As per nou.ac.in

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

NOU UG Selection Process

Class 12 marks are used to prepare UG merit lists at NOU. Seats also follow Bihar state reservation rules. After admission, female students get a 25% concession on the course fee.

  • Upload Class 12 marksheets and the required documents during online registration.
  • Merit lists are prepared category-wise as per Bihar reservation policy.
  • Pay the first course fee instalment to get the student ID and study material.

How to Apply for UG at NOU?

The UG form is filled online. Students should keep scanned documents ready before starting the application.

  • Go to nou.ac.in and register as a new student.
  • Create the ABC ID at abc.gov.in through Digilocker before entering the form details.
  • Upload Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, a passport-size photo, and a government ID.
  • Pay INR 400 if you belong to SC/ST/PwBD, or INR 600 if you belong to General/OBC/EWS.
  • Submit the form and keep the acknowledgement slip.

NOU B.Ed Admission 2026

B.Ed admission at NOU is done through the Bihar B.Ed Combined Entrance Test, called CET-BEd. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University conducts the exam, and online counselling is common for all nine participating Bihar universities.

NOU B.Ed Eligibility Criteria

Students need a Bachelor’s degree and a valid Bihar B.Ed CET rank for NOU B.Ed admission.

Criterion Requirement
Minimum Qualification Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
Entrance Exam Bihar B.Ed CET 2026, qualifying rank required
Programme Duration 2 years
Annual Fee INR 32,000 per year, INR 64,000 total

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

NOU B.Ed Selection Criteria

NOU does not hold a separate test or interview for B.Ed. Selection depends fully on the Bihar B.Ed CET rank.

  • After the CET result, register for counselling on the official BRABU counselling portal.
  • Fill college choices online and add NOU as one of the preferences.
  • BRABU prepares category-wise merit lists and allots seats to participating colleges.
  • Pay the acceptance fee within the allotment window to confirm the seat.
  • Report to NOU for document checking and final admission.

Key insight: Bihar B.Ed CET 2026 counselling is completed through the centralised counselling portal. Candidates must register there after the CET result and should not apply directly to NOU for B.Ed.

How to Apply for B.Ed at NOU?

For B.Ed, students must follow the centralised Bihar B.Ed CET counselling process from start to finish.

  • Check the Bihar B.Ed CET rank on the official exam website.
  • Register for counselling with the CET roll number.
  • Add NOU while filling college preferences.
  • Pay the seat confirmation fee if NOU is allotted.
  • Attend document verification at NOU on the date shared by BRABU.

NOU PG Admission 2026

At the PG level, NOU offers MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MCA, MBA, MJMC, and MLIS in distance learning mode. For most PG courses, graduation marks are used for admission.

NOU PG Eligibility Criteria

Students must have a graduation degree in the relevant subject for PG admission. MCA applicants also need Mathematics at the 10+2 level.

Programme Eligibility Annual Fee
MA Bachelor’s in relevant Arts/Social Science subject INR 4,400
M.Com B.Com or equivalent INR 4,400
M.Sc B.Sc in relevant Science subject INR 4,400
MCA Graduation with Mathematics at 10+2 level INR 12,000
MBA Bachelor’s degree in any discipline As per nou.ac.in
MJMC Bachelor’s degree in any discipline As per nou.ac.in

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

NOU PG Selection Process

PG merit is prepared from graduation percentage. MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA, and MJMC do not require an entrance exam. MCA applicants should check nou.ac.in for the current entrance requirement before applying.

  • Graduation marks in the relevant subject are used for merit calculation.
  • Every PG seat follows Bihar state reservation rules.
  • Female candidates get a 25% concession on the annual PG fee.

How to Apply for PG at NOU?

PG applicants use the same official online admission portal used for UG courses. After enrolment, NOU provides Self Learning Material, and students can attend weekend counselling sessions at study centres across Bihar.

  • Visit nou.ac.in and either log in or create a new user account.
  • Generate the ABC ID through Digilocker before filling the admission form.
  • Upload graduation marksheets, the character certificate, and a government photo ID.
  • Pay INR 400 for SC/ST/PwBD or INR 600 for General/OBC/EWS.
  • Submit the application and save the acknowledgement receipt.

NOU PhD Admission 2026

NOU offers PhD admission in Arts, Science, Commerce, Library Science, and Computer Science. Selection includes an NOU entrance test followed by an interview.

NOU PhD Eligibility Criteria

A Master’s degree is required for PhD admission. General and EWS candidates need at least 55% marks, while reserved category candidates need 50%. NET, JRF, SET, and GATE qualified candidates are excused from the entrance test but still have to appear for the interview.

Criterion Requirement
Minimum Qualification Master’s degree from a recognised university
Minimum Marks (General/EWS) 55% in Master’s
Minimum Marks (Reserved) 50% in Master’s
Entrance Test Exemption UGC-NET, JRF, SET, or GATE qualified
Annual Fee INR 20,000

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

NOU PhD Selection Criteria

NOU makes the PhD merit list using entrance test marks and interview performance. Applicants who are exempt from the test are ranked only on interview performance.

NOU Scholarships 2026

NOU students can use university-level fee concessions as well as Bihar and central government scholarship schemes. The direct university benefit is the 25% fee waiver given to all female students.

Scheme Eligible Students Benefit
NOU Women Fee Concession All enrolled female students 25% off total course fee
Bihar SC/ST Post-Matric Scholarship SC/ST students, Bihar domicile Fee reimbursement via scholarships.gov.in
Bihar OBC PG Scholarship OBC PG students, Bihar domicile Partial fee support via Bihar govt portal
UGC Indira Gandhi Single Girl Child Scholarship Single female child pursuing PG INR 3,100 per month
Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship (RGF) SC/ST PhD candidates Monthly fellowship via UGC-RGF scheme

Government scholarship applications can be submitted at scholarships.gov.in. Bihar state schemes are available through the Bihar Social Welfare Department portal.

NOU Admission FAQs

Ques. Which NOU courses need an entrance exam in 2026?

Ans. Most courses at NOU are offered without an entrance test. B.Ed needs a valid Bihar B.Ed CET rank. PhD applicants must take the NOU entrance test unless they have NET, JRF, SET, or GATE qualification.

Ques. Who can apply for UG courses at NOU?

Ans. Students who have passed Class 12 from a recognised board can apply for UG admission. For most UG programmes, NOU has not set a minimum percentage cut-off.

Ques. How much is the NOU application fee?

Ans. SC/ST/PwBD applicants pay INR 400. General, OBC, and EWS applicants pay INR 600. The payment is made online while submitting the form.

Ques. Are fee concessions available at NOU?

Ans. Yes. Every female student gets a 25% concession on course fees. Bihar SC/ST and OBC students may apply for post-matric scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal. Eligible PhD students can also apply for UGC fellowships.

Ques. What is the NOU B.Ed course fee?

Ans. The B.Ed fee at NOU is INR 32,000 per year. The full 2-year course costs INR 64,000. Female students receive a 25% concession on this fee.

Ques. How are B.Ed seats allotted at NOU?

Ans. B.Ed seats are allotted through Bihar B.Ed CET counselling conducted by BRABU. After the result, candidates register for counselling, fill choices, and receive allotment through the centralised process. NOU is one of the nine participating Bihar universities.

Ques. What marks are needed for NOU PhD admission?

Ans. PhD applicants need a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks. Reserved category applicants need 50%. Candidates with NET, JRF, SET, or GATE do not have to appear for the NOU entrance test.

Ques. Is NOU approved for distance education?

Ans. Yes. NOU is recognised by UGC-DEB for Open and Distance Learning programmes. NOU degrees are valid for government jobs and higher studies.

Ques. What reservation policy does NOU follow?

Ans. NOU follows Bihar state reservation rules: SC 16%, ST 1%, EBC 18%, BC 12%, EWS 10%, BC Women 3%, and PwBD 5% horizontal reservation.

Ques. Why must students create an ABC ID before applying to NOU?

Ans. The Academic Bank of Credit ID is required by the Government of India for higher education enrolments. Students can create it at abc.gov.in through Digilocker. The NOU form cannot be submitted without this ID.