This answer is based on the experience of my colleagues. If you are willing to pursue a French course just for the sake of learning then IGNOU is a good choice. But if you are pursuing French to earn through it, then French certification from IGNOU is not recommended.
The reason is that employers don’t take distance learning seriously. They prefer regular colleges. They might not take your certificate seriously and your chances of getting employed will become low.
If you are willing to make an earning out of French language consider the following professional courses:
French levels CEFR A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
Specialised French Courses - Alliance Française Montpellier
One more option is that you can first learn French from IGNOU and then appear for International tests like DELF DALF diplomas, French language proficiency exams valid worldwide to prove your expertise in the language.
One of my sister's acquaintances wrote 2016 mains with PSIR optional. She had been working in an IT firm till a month before prelims and had been preparing for a year before.
Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is quite fast. The study material provided by IGNOU is good for selective reading for specific topics like Justice, Equality, MN Roy, Sri Aurobindo, Theory of international relations etc. But she had an engineering background and revealed that the notes were not of premium quality.
Paper 1- Part A
Gauba is not bad. But you will need to read the book more than one time to interpret it completely. The information has been divided unevenly within the chapters making it a difficult read. One more good source is Shubra Ranjan's notes. They summarise the points in the UPSC syllabus format.
Paper 1- Part B
Complete Laxmikant.Read the interpretations given by famous analysts, their viewpoints, case laws and their history and the politics that played behind the evolution of laws and how and why the judiciary evolved. Again for this look into Shubra Ranjan notes. For the remaining topics look into Oxford publications.
Paper 2- part A
For this part, the best recommendation is Heywood’s global politics. It’s easy to understand and very well written. Combine this with IGNOU notes and you will get good results. You can also go through questions given in Baylis and Smith because sometimes they appear verbatim and quoting the exact same viewpoint can get you some extra points.
Paper 2 - Part B
Conduct internet research and make your own notes on the topics included in the syllabus. Then go through commentaries on IDSA /IPCS websites. This will give you a better understanding of and current status of relations.
Once you are done with all the study materials, focus on developing the vocabulary for PSIR. Make sure your answers are evenly distributed with theories, quotes, facts, years etc. Practice writing answers a lot.
Both IGNOU and Sikkim Manipal University are good options for MBA. But considering the fact that you are a working professional, you need to keep some points in mind regarding both universities.
IGNOU-
Less fees structure as compared to Manipal University
Extensive study material
Haa branches worldwide
A large number of regional centres
Has a lot of value is the best open university in the world.
Does not facilitate online fee submission
Does not provide placements
Sikkim Manipal University-
It offers an app from which you can download your textbooks, assignments, and materials
Doubts can be cleared online from a registered student account.
They will give you up-to-date notifications regarding exams, imp dates, materials, and placements via mail
Any queries will be handled by the Sikkim University team quickly and professionally.
Online payment of fees is available
Offers placements for those who have completed their graduation.
All exams are online (theory and objective both)
Less descriptive study material
You can see the pros of Sikkim Manipal University are more than those of IGNOU. Being a working professional, Sikkim University offers you better features than IGNOU.
PhD or research is all about finding out new concepts. Thus we provide a deeper in already existing knowledge. PhD in Social Science is very much different from that of pure sciences, yet the goal is the same. As you know for doing research/PhD at the university level, the qualification required is PG degree. Every university has different criteria for selecting candidates.
As you know DSE, JNU, ISI, IEW, IIPA, and IIMs are the prime institutions for teaching, learning and researching in economics, management and public administration.
If you are willing to get into one of these institutions, a Master’s from IGNOU will have the same value as that from any other university. To get selected into these prestigious institutions, you will have to pass through a rigorous selection process of
Entrance
Group discussion
Personal interview
Moreover you will have to provide testimonials from your professors about your academic developments.
IGNOU study centre is the place allocated for counselling sessions. This is the place where you submit your assignments at the end of a semester of a specific course. The study centre approves your assignments and signs the exam form which makes you eligible to sit for the exam.
IGNOU regional centre is just the administration department of your course. Any queries related to ID Card, Books, Exam Form submission, and re-registration can be submitted here. Your examination form along with the prescribed fee is also accepted at RC only.
In simple words, the study centre is the teaching department whereas the regional centre is your administration department.
One of my friends had a very bad experience in IGNOU. She applied for CCP which has 6 months of certification but the university allowed 2 years to complete it.
She wanted to complete the course within 6 months so she appeared on all the exams on time. She had to follow up with her professors for project work daily. After she did submit her project, they lost it. After 5-6 months the Delhi branch called to inform her that her project was not good enough. Apart from this episode, she shared more drawbacks she faced:
Out of 8-10 classes only 3 were conducted.
They took 6-7 months to inform her that the project wasn’t good.
She did not receive any books and had to get them personally by visiting the centre 4-5 times
They increased the fees suddenly in the second year
She scored 1st division in CCP but did not get the certificate for the same. So it’s not recommended for you to do PGDCA from IGNOU.
IGNOU is a central top-rated university in distance mode. It’s the best option for the ones who are willing to get a degree without actually attending regular classes. The degree, diploma, and certificates of IGNOU are recognised by AICTE, UGC and DEC approved. It has the same value as Delhi University.
MA degree from IGNOU will open opportunities for you in the field of teaching. Also if you are preparing for civil services, you can opt for the same subject for mains.
IGNOU is a central university making it one of the best universities that offer distance education. The study materials are excellent and are written by top-notch professors from various universities. They are written and proofread by professors from renowned universities like JNU and IITs.
Before this, they used to provide books by well-known authors. But when the syllabus was revamped they started printing the study material written by very experienced professors from well-known universities. People prefer these study materials for other competitive exams also.
If you cannot go for a regular program, an MA in political science through IGNOU is the best option.
You certainly can. Credit transfer is available through IGNOU.
Credit transfer refers to allowing a student from another university to enroll in IGNOU to complete an equivalent degree based on credit transfer from that university. As a result, the student did not appear in the exam for that course, which was found to be equivalent to and for which appropriate credit was deemed to have been obtained for the purpose of fulfilling the IGNOU requirements for awarding a degree.
Of course, there are some ground rules. You can find it in the IGNOU prospectus or program guide. You can do both at the same time, one with a regular duration and the other with a certificate program. It would, however, be too difficult for you.
Pursuing MA in economics from IGNOU alongside preparing for RBI Grade B exam has its pros and cons both.
Pros:
It will make you eligible for RBI Grade B (DEPR) vacancies, for which competition would be lesser as compared to RBI Grade B (General). The probability of selection will be higher.
In future, if you need backup options, this degree will come to your rescue.
This degree will get you brownie points in an interview. The knowledge gained through the pursuit of the degree will be helpful in your career.
Will help with the Economic Issues portion of RBI.
Cons:
You might face serious time management issues.
If you decide to pursue MA in Economics alongside prepararing RBI Grade B Exam, it have its own respectve pros and cons.
Weighing the pros and cons you can make the decision based on your caliber and situation.