Indira Gandhi National Open University is a public university approved by NCTE and AICTE. It offers a number of open learning programs and is well known and recognized among a number of different organizations like the Association of Indian Universities, therefore, doing a B.A. degree from here is a good choice. The following points highlight important aspects of obtaining a B.A degree from the institute.
Academics:
The BA degrees at IGNOU offer a wide variety of core disciplines in subjects like Economics, Sociology, and Public Administration with a lot of the course work overlapping with UPSC preparations.
The exams for the coursework are also designed such that they benefit the student if they are appearing for other exams like UPSC.
IGNOU is known for its well-founded courses that ensure the best interests of the student. Depending on if one plans to choose a distance learning or open course degree, one can choose to appear for UPSC.
BA degree from IGNOU:
Obtaining a BA degree from the university depends upon if you are a part-time student at the institute or committed to full-time study. The former situation might be a little tough on the student.
Students are continuously evaluated with assignments, marks from which are counted for the final result.
Assignments carry a weightage of 30% of the total result. Students are barred from appearing for end term examinations if they miss an assignment.
The major evaluation component is the term-end evaluation system which carries a total of 70% weightage. These exams are conducted twice a year.
Students are expected to study from the course material provided and answer accordingly to the point. Most importantly, ensure that one is registered for the exam, failing which results are not declared.
In conclusion, you can definitely prepare for the UPSC CSE at the same time as your BA degree. While it is not very tough to clear the BA degree, a habit of regular study will definitely help one obtain it with a good result.
Elphinstone College is one of the most reputed colleges in Mumbai. It is definitely a good choice for pursuing a BA degree. But the cutoff for Arts programs has increased over the years. So, it may be difficult to get admission. You should check the recent cutoff.
Also, other than Elphinstone College there are plenty of colleges in Mumbai that offer good BA programs.
The passing marks at IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) are
Theory - 30 out of 100 / 18 out of 50
Assignments - More than 50%
If you fail to score 50% in assignments, you will have to resubmit them. If you score above 30 out of 100 or 18 out of 500 in theory, then you will pass without having submitted assignments.
Percentage Calculation - Assignments- 30% weightage and Term End Examination- 70% weightage for FST (Foundation Course in Science & Technology) and FHS (Foundation Course in Humanities and Social Sciences).
No, there is no semester system in IGNOU for BA courses. In IGNOU students are enrolled in two cycles (January and June). The submission of assignments and TEE (Term End Examination) is scheduled once a year.
Although assignments can be submitted only once a year, there is a high chance that if you fail to appear in May or December TEE, you can appear for that particular subject on another cycle.
For example, you enrolled in this course in 2021. If you wish to appear for June 2022 TEE, you are required to submit the assignments by March 30 2022. If you fail to appear or pass the TEE, you can appear for the same exam in December 2022.
Consider what you want as the optional in UPSC and choose it as your honors subject. Public Administration is a good option. Otherwise, you can choose basic BA from IGNOU. The course includes subjects from Social Science, Literature, Community Services, etc.
Here are some of the most popular universities in Maharashtra for B.A.
College | Fees (in INR) |
St. Xavier's College, Mumbai | 16,569 |
Fergusson College, Pune | 22,340 |
MIT Art, Design and Technology University | 1.35 lakhs |
KJ Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce, Mumbai | 28,095 |
Jai Hind College, Mumbai | 16,200 |
St. Andrew’s College of Arts Science and Commerce | 13,050 |
Kishin Chellaram College | 30,245 |
Below are some of the most popular universities in Gujarat for BA.
College | Fees (in INR) |
St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad | 41,810 |
MSU, Vadodara | 23,220 |
Christ College, Rajkot | 77,340 |
BAOU, Ahmedabad | 5,400 |
Sardar Patel University | 1.73 lakhs |
These are the most popular institutes in Maharastra and Gujarat for a BA degree.
IGNOU Bachelor of Arts (BAG) covers a number of disciplines and courses from different schools of study. This program has 132 credits and consists the following categories.
There are two semesters in the first year. Each semester includes 22 credits. For first-year, IGNOU BAG syllabus is as follows.
1st semester | Core Courses - English/Hindi/Indian Languages 1, Discipline 1 Core-A, Discipline 2 Core -B |
Ability/Skill Enhancement Courses - Environmental Studies | |
2nd semester | Core Courses - English/Hindi 2, Discipline 1 Core - B, Discipline 2 Core - B |
Ability/Skill Enhancement Courses - English/Hindi Communication Skills |
Check the detailed syllabus here - IGNOU BA syllabus.