Over 3.24 lakh students receive degrees, diplomas, certificates at IGNOU's 39th convocation
New Delhi, April 7
Over 3.24 lakh students were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates at the 39th convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Open University on Tuesday, with rural learners accounting for the largest share across categories. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishna was the chief guest at the event.
According to data presented at the ceremony, 1,35,739 students received bachelor's degrees, followed by 1,32,683 master's degrees, 42,028 diplomas, 14,312 certificates, and 82 PhDs.
"Today's convocation marks an important milestone, with over 3 lakh learners receiving their degrees, diplomas, and certificates," Vice President C. P. Radhakrishna said while addressing the gathering.
A further breakdown showed that the bulk of learners came from rural and urban regions, underlining IGNOU's outreach.
Of the total, 1,74,510 beneficiaries were from rural areas, followed by 1,47,021 from urban regions and 3,304 from tribal communities.
Bachelor's and Master's programmes formed the bulk of awards, with 76,581 rural students receiving bachelor's degrees compared to 58,030 urban candidates, while master's degrees were nearly evenly split between urban (66,136) and rural (65,024) learners. Diploma and certificate distributions also reflected a strong rural presence, whereas PhD awards remained limited across categories at the University.
Highlighting the institution's academic approach, the vice president added, "IGNOU's diverse academic offerings beautifully integrate Indian traditional knowledge and modern education."
The Vice President described IGNOU as a key pillar of India's open and distance learning ecosystem, noting that its network of regional centres and expanding online programmes have brought education closer to people in remote areas while fostering national integration.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and IGNOU Vice-Chancellor Uma Kanjilal were among those present at the ceremony.
"IGNOU has fully transformed education in India by breaking barriers of distance, time, and circumstance, making learning accessible to millions across the country," Sandhu said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As an IGNOU alumnus from a small town in UP, this makes me so proud. The flexibility allowed me to work and study simultaneously. The rural numbers prove it's not just an urban phenomenon. More power to open learning!
While the scale is impressive, I hope the quality of education and the value of these degrees in the job market is also being addressed. Sometimes, distance learning degrees are not given the same weight by employers.
The integration of traditional Indian knowledge with modern education is the best part! It's about time our ancient wisdom got its rightful place in the formal system. Kudos IGNOU! 👏
1.74 lakh rural beneficiaries! This is real democratization of education. When people in villages can get degrees, it changes entire communities. My cousin in Odisha just completed her B.Com through IGNOU.
Only 82 PhDs? For such a massive university, that number seems very low. They should focus on boosting research output and doctoral programmes. The potential is huge.
Heartwarming to see tribal community representation too (3,304). Education is the greatest tool for empowerment
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.