Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou)

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Number of students

2010> 2019: SC/ ST and ‘general’ students

Manash Gohain, Oct 14, 2019: The Times of India

The number of general, SC and ST students enrolled in the Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2010> 2019
From: Manash Gohain, Oct 14, 2019: The Times of India

Analysis of nine years of enrolment data shows that the number of scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) learners in the largest open university, Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou), has grown by 248% and 172%, respectively.

The number of enrolled students at Ignou has doubled in the same period, from 3.6 lakh in 2010 to 7.14 lakh in 2018. Mandated for running its programmes for 2 lakh students, the only central open university is bursting at the seams.

Now, armed with a special grant of Rs 155 crore for the EWS (economically weaker sections) quota programme from the ministry of human resource development, Ignou is planning to revamp its delivery system — right from introducing encrypted question papers, mobile application-based assignment submissions, to online courses with digital content delivery. Ignou had 1.14 lakh SC and 72,000 ST scholars on its rolls in 2018, compared to 32,000 SC and 26,000 ST learners in 2010.

Officials say that the SC/ ST fee-waiver has helped bring in more students. “In addition to the Rs 100 crore grant for fee waiver, the MHRD also sanctioned additional grants this year due to increase in the number of students,” Nageshwar Rao, vice-chancellor of Ignou, said. Rao told TOI that updated technology would have a signal role in improving delivery and access of course material, as Ignou prepares to play a key role in enhancing the gross enrolment ratio in higher education. The MHRD has already asked Ignou to increase enrolment by 1.5 lakh by 2020.

To bring credibility and make the examination system leak proof, the university has conducted a pilot run using encrypted question papers. “ There were issues of leakage of question papers; now the encrypted papers will be available with the centres at 6am on the day of exam,” Rao says.

To make examinations hassle-free, “the sitting plan for exams will also be delivered to students via text messages and WhatsApp,” Rao said.