IGNOU Assignment Dispatch Process: How Study Centres Manage
Introduction
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is India’s biggest open and distance learning university, educating millions of students from all over the country and even abroad. Assignments are one of the most important things to study at IGNOU. For each course, students have to submit assignments that count towards their final marks.
But do you ever ask yourself what happens after you hand in your assignment at the study centre? How exactly does the IGNOU assignment dispatch system function? Who checks it, how it is sent on for assessment, and what is the role of the study centres in the whole process?
Here, we will explore the IGNOU assignment dispatch process in-depth, with a focus on the way study centres manage it. This guide will assist you in comprehending every step, preventing errors, and ensuring hassle-free assessment of your work.
Why IGNOU Assignments are Significant
IGNOU assignments are not merely a routine matter—they significantly influence your final outcome. Let’s demystify it:
30% Weightage – Assignments account for 30% of the total marks in most subjects. The rest of the 70% is from term-end exams.
Eligibility to Appear in Exams – Timely submission of assignments is required to appear for the term-end examination (TEE).
Practice & Learning – Assignment writing makes students more aware of concepts and enables them to practice exam-type answers.
Internal Evaluation – Assignments provide an indication of the student’s comprehension beyond exam results.
Therefore, lagging behind in deadlines or submitting assignments wrongly can influence your overall performance and development within the programme.
The Assignment Dispatch Process: A Step-by-Step Procedure
IGNOU has established a formal process to ensure proper submission, authentication, assessment, and documentation of assignments. Study centres are at the core of overseeing this process. Let’s discuss each step.
Step 1: Release of Assignment Questions
Assignments are made available by IGNOU’s Schools of Study.
They are posted on the IGNOU official website in the “Assignments” section.
Every programme has separate assignments (e.g., BA, BCom, MA, MBA, etc.).
Students have to download the assignment of the right session.
Pro Tip: Double-check the year/session (July/January cycle) before proceeding. Submission of an incorrect year’s assignment can result in rejection.
Step 2: Student Prepares the Assignment
Students have to:
Handwrite the answers (typed or printed versions are rarely acceptable).
Use A4-sized ruled sheets for tidiness.
Provide a front page with the following details:
Name
Enrollment number
Programme code
Course code & title
Study centre code
Date of submission
Affix the original question paper at the front (some centres require this as a must).
Pro Tip: Always save a scanned copy of your assignment prior to submitting it. This serves as evidence and comes in handy if your assignment gets lost.
Step 3: Submission at Study Centre
Students submit assignments at their respective study centres.
The study centre staff provides an acknowledgement slip or stamps the student’s copy as proof.
Some centres also allow online submission via email, Google Forms, or portals.
Pro Tip: Submit assignments well before the deadline to avoid last-day crowds and rejections.
Step 4: Verification at Study Centre
The study centre verifies assignments by checking:
Correct enrolment number & programme code.
Whether the assignment is a part of the student’s enrolled courses.
Neatness, handwriting, and completeness.
Compliance with deadlines (late assignments will not be accepted).
If all is well, the assignment is entered in registers and prepared for dispatch.
Step 5: Dispatch to Evaluators / Regional Centre
After collection, study centres send assignments in bulk to:
Internal evaluators (tutors who are affiliated with IGNOU).
Or the Regional Centre (RC), which allocates evaluators.
Assignments are stuffed, coded, and dispatched as per subject/course codes.
Pro Tip: Always preserve your acknowledgement slip safe till results are announced.
Step 6: Tutors’ Evaluation
Subject specialists or academic counsellors assess the assignments.
Marks are awarded on content, organization, handwriting, and originality.
Some examiners also give feedback on sheets.
Step 7: Marks Upload
Marks, after assessment, are dispatched back to the Regional Centre / IGNOU HQ.
They are revised in the Grade Card on IGNOU’s web site.
This takes a few weeks to months depending on the workload.
Step 8: Returning of Assignments (at select centres)
At some places, marked assignments are sent back to study centres. Students can take them to get feedback. Yet, at most centres, marks are uploaded and hard copies are stored.
Roles of Study Centres in the Dispatch Process
Study centres form the backbone of IGNOU’s assignment process. They are responsible for:
- Receiving assignments from students.
- Cross-checking enrolment and course information.
- Issuing acknowledgement receipts.
- Keeping records of submissions.
- Safely sending assignments to evaluators/regional centres.
- Referring marked scripts back (if applicable).
If study centres do not handle assignments properly, students can be subjected to delays or missing marks in grade cards.
Problematic Areas Encountered by Students
Despite following a structured process, students frequently complain about:
Missing Marks – Assignment submitted but not appearing in grade card.
Lost Assignments– Lost during dispatch.
Rejected Assignments– For incorrect session/year or lacking details.
Late Upload of Marks – Delays result declaration.
Misconception of Online vs Offline Submission – Differs from centre to centre.
Avoiding Assignment Dispatch Problems
Submit in advance and retain copies.
Always include the proper front page.
Save your acknowledgement receipt.
Comply with your study centre’s instructions (few require physical submission alone).
Mark your marks regularly on the IGNOU grade card website.
If marks do not reflect, bring a complaint with evidence to your Regional Centre.
Digital Submissions: A New Trend
With the pandemic, most centres have been accepting online submission of assignments. Not widespread as yet but gaining acceptance.
Students upload PDF scanned handwritten assignments.
File naming format typically is: Enrollment No + Course Code + Programme Code.
Some centres accept Google Drive links or email submissions.
But hard copy submission is the norm in most centres.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I submit IGNOU assignments at the Regional Centre directly?
No. Assignments need to be submitted to your study centre, unless you get specific instructions from your RC otherwise.
Q2. What if my assignment marks are not being updated?
Contact your regional centre or study centre with confirmation of delivery. Lodge a complaint if required.
Q3. Can I post or courier my assignments to the study centre?
Certain centres have a facility for courier/post submission, but check first.
Q4. What if I am late?**
Your assignment will not be accepted for this cycle. You will have to recomplete for the next cycle.
Q5. How long does it take before assignment marks are updated?
Usually 30–60 days, though delays are not uncommon in peak exam periods.
Conclusion
The IGNOU assignment dispatch process can seem overwhelming, but once the function of study centres is clear, you’ll be able to navigate it easily. From submission to marking and uploading marks, each stage has checks for fairness.
For the students, the secret is to submit in time, adhere to instructions, and maintain proof of submission. This will help you steer clear of disasters such as missing marks or turned-down assignments.
IGNOU study centres process thousands of assignments per cycle, and as much as delays are unavoidable, being proactive and knowledgeable will conserve your time and energy.