IGNOU What to Do After Admission 2026: First 30 Days Checklist

Just got IGNOU admission? Congratulations. The first 30 days set the tone for your entire programme - miss a deadline or skip a step and you'll spend months catching up. This checklist covers everything you should do in the first month.

Week 1: Account & Identity

• Log in to Samarth portal at ignou.samarth.edu.in with your enrollment number and the password sent to your email/SMS.
• Download your ID card from Student Profile → ID Card. Save the PDF (password = enrollment number).
• Verify your personal details (name, DOB, address) - request correction now if wrong.
• Note your study centre code and regional centre from the portal.

Week 2: Study Material & Courses

• Download study material from eGyanKosh for all your courses (free PDFs).
• Check study material dispatch status if printed books haven't arrived (see our dispatch guide).
• Review your course list and syllabus for the current session.
• Mark assignment submission deadlines (31 March for June TEE, 30 September for December TEE).

Week 3: Academic Planning

• Join your programme's Telegram study group for doubt-clearing and shared notes (300+ groups).
• Check counseling classes at your study centre schedule.
• Plan your assignment writing - download question papers from ignou.ac.in.
• Bookmark key portals: exam form, grade card, assignment status.

Week 4: Financial & Future Prep

• Note re-registration dates for next session (opens ~2 months before session end).
• Check scholarship eligibility (NSP and others) - see our scholarship guide.
• Create your ABC ID and link Aadhaar (required for degree issuance) - see ABC ID guide.
• Set calendar reminders for exam form, assignment, and re-registration deadlines.

Common Mistakes New IGNOU Students Make

• Not checking the Samarth portal for messages/updates.
• Missing the assignment deadline because of no campus reminders.
• Ignoring study centre counseling classes.
• Not creating ABC ID until degree time.
• Waiting for printed books instead of using eGyanKosh.

When do IGNOU classes start after admission?

IGNOU has no daily classes, but counseling sessions at study centres typically run April–October for the January session and October–April for the July session. Study material dispatch and self-study begin immediately after admission.

What is the IGNOU academic calendar?

IGNOU runs two sessions (January and July) with TEEs in June and December. See the full IGNOU Academic Calendar 2026-27 for all deadlines.

Key Points to Remember

• Log in to Samarth portal immediately and verify your details.
• Download study material from eGyanKosh - don't wait for printed books.
• Set calendar reminders for all deadlines.

What if I can't log in to the Samarth portal?

Use the "Forgot Password" link or contact your regional centre with your enrollment number and programme code.

Additional Tips

• Bookmark all key portals: Samarth, exam form, grade card, assignment status.
• Join your programme's Telegram or WhatsApp group for peer support.
• Create your ABC ID early - it's required for degree issuance.

What if I miss a deadline in the first 30 days?

Most first-month tasks (ID card, study material download) have no strict deadline. Assignment and exam form deadlines are the critical ones - set reminders immediately.