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.

• • BA(Political Science/Public Administration/Sociology…etc.) is a theoretical course where there is minimal exposure given to students towards practical aspects of functioning of government, active participation in policy making and research or preparation for UPSC competitive examination.
  • The BA Honours (Govt Admn) degree program focuses on the experiential, facilitative and case study method of learning whereby the students are exposed to a participative mode of learning.
  • The highlights are –
  1. Interaction with Eminent Bureaucrats, Political Leaders, Social Activists, Academicians, Media persons and Legal Practitioners.
  2. Practical inputs will be in the form of a lot of field assignments like - projects on social causes.
  3. Field visits to NGOs, Defense Establishment, Model Village, Media House, Co-operative etc.