Improvement Exam Guide
IGNOU Improvement Exam Guide: Complete Eligibility, Rules, Fees & Application Process 2025
IGNOU is India’s largest open university, and it follows a flexible evaluation system to help students complete their education easily. Although IGNOU allows unlimited attempts for backlogs, many students who have already passed all subjects want to improve their percentage for jobs, higher studies, or competitive exams.
To help such students, IGNOU allows Improvement Exams: special exams conducted for students who passed their course but want to improve their marks.
Below is the most comprehensive and updated guide for 2025, covering:
- What is the IGNOU Improvement Exam?
- Who is eligible?
- Rules & restrictions
- Fees & form details
- Step-by-step procedure How many times improvement is allowed?
- Special conditions for UG/PG students
- When results are updated?
- Tips to improve marks
Let’s start.
What Is the IGNOU Improvement Exam?
The IGNOU Improvement Exam is a one-time opportunity only provided to students who have already:
- Completed their program successfully
- Passed all subjects
- Received their marks/grade card
- but feel that their percentage or grade is low and want to increase it for academic or professional reasons.
- It is NOT for failed students
- It is ONLY for passed candidates.
- IGNOU Improvement Exam Eligibility Criteria (2025)
- IGNOU has strict rules regarding who can apply for improvement exams.
- Only students who have PASS status can apply
Improvement is only for those who passed all the components. Backlog/failed students cannot apply.
- Improvement is allowed only for UG & PG programs
Improvement exams are NOT allowed for:
- Certificate Courses
- Diploma/PG Diploma Courses
- Non-credit courses
. Only theory exams can be improved
Assignment, Project, Dissertation, Practical marks cannot be improved.
- Improvement allowed only after completion of the program
You have to finish your program first-pass all your subjects, before applying.
- Only ONE CHANCE is allowed
For a particular program, improvement may be applied for once in a lifetime.
Minimum Score Required to Apply for the Improvement Exam
IGNOU applies special rules for eligibility:
➡️ For Undergraduate Students (BA, BCom, BSc etc.)
You can apply if your final percentage is less than 50%.
➡️ For students of post-graduate courses (MA, MCom, MSc etc)
You can apply if your final **percentage is below 55%.
If your percentage is above these limits, you are NOT eligible.
How many subjects can you improve in IGNOU?
IGNOU allows improvement only in theory papers, and the following are the limits:
Maximum of 40% of total credits or
Up to 2 subjects
whichever is higher
This means:
- You CANNOT apply for all subjects
- You CANNOT apply for assignments or practical’s
IGNOU Improvement Exam Fees (2025)
It all depends on where you reside.
For Indian Students
₹750 per subject
For SAARC Country Students₹2000 per subject
For Non-SAARC International Students
$60 per subject
The fee is subject to change, so always use the most recent form.
IGNOU Improvement Exam Form Download (Manual Process)
Unlike regular examination forms, the form for an improvement exam is offline.
You are required to:
- Download the Improvement Form (PDF)
- Fill it manually
- Attach required documents
- Send it via Speed Post/Registered Post to IGNOU Delhi HQ.
Documents required for the IGNOU Improvement Examination
Prepare the following:
- Improvement form filled
- Photocopy of the IGNOU mark sheet/grade card
Passport size photo (in some cases)
Payment proof (DD/online if allowed)
- Proof of identity, if required
IGNOU Improvement Exam – Step-by-Step Procedure 2025
Do the following with great care:
–
Eligibility Step 1: Check if the study is currently enrolling participants and determine if you are eligible for it.
Ensure:
- You have passed all subjects
- Your percentage is less than 50% UG or 55% PG
- Your program is either UG or PG
You want to improve theory marks only
Step 2: Download the Improvement Form
The form is available on the IGNOU website under “Student Forms.”
It is usually titled:
“Application Form for Improvement in Division/Class”
Step 3: Fill in the Required Details
You must input:
- Name:
- Enrolment number
- Program name
- Subjects you want to improve
- Exam centre code
- Address
- Contact information
Step 4: Pay the Improvement Exam Fee
Payment is typically made via:
- Demand Draft (DD)
- Or any updated online payment option – depending on notification
DD must be drawn in favour of:
“IGNOU” payable at New Delhi”
Step 5: Attach Required Documents
Include:
- Copy of grade card
- Payment proof
- ID proof, if required.
Step 6: Send by Speed Post to IGNOU Delhi
Send the form to:
The Registrar (Student Evaluation Division),
Indira Gandhi National Open University,
Block 12, Maidan Geri,
New Delhi – 110068
Label envelope with the following information:
“Application for Improvement Exam”
Step 7: Wait for confirmation
Confirmation is not commonly issued by IGNOU.
Your application is accepted if it is delivered within the deadline.
Step 8: Download the Hall Ticket for Improvement Exam
Improvement exams are held along with regular Term-End Exams.
Download the hall ticket from the IGNOU portal.
Step 9: Appear in the Exam
Write the exam carefully because:
Only the better score will be counted
Either previous score or improvement score
Step 10: Check Updated Result
After the declaration of results:
If improved marks are higher → IGNOU updates your grade card
If marks are lower → Old marks remain
So, there is no risk of losing previous marks.
IGNOU Improvement Exam Date (Cycle System)
Improvement examinations are only held during:
June TEE
December TEE
Form should be submitted at least 3 months prior to the exam month.
Example:
For June exam → Apply by March
For December exam → Apply by September
IGNOU Improvement Exam – Important Rules You Must Know
These are some of the most important rules that every student should be aware of:
- Improvement Allowed Only Once
In each program, you can only apply for an improvement once. - Improvement Not Allowed for:
- Assignments
- Practical exams
- Viva/project
- Laboratory courses
- Dissertation/thesis
Only theoretical papers are allowed.
- Improvement Applies Only to Final Score
Your CGPA/percentage changes only after completed program.
- Degree Will Not Be Reissued
IGNOU does not reissue a new degree with updated marks.
Instead, they give:
Updated marksheet
Updated grade card
A separate improvement result sheet
- Improvement is not applicable for backlogs.
If your grade card shows F/B/L/NC, you have to apply for reappear, not improvement. - Improvement Marks Are Final
If your improved marks are less, IGNOU keeps the better score.
No risk.
IGNOU Improvement Result – How It Affects Your Grade/Percentage
Once you pass the improvement exam:
Your new marks, if better, replace the old ones.
Your percentage is updated
Grade card gets updated.
Class/Division is updated
You get a new marksheet.
However, your degree certificate remains unaltered.
Advantages of IGNOU Improvement Exam
Many students choose improvement for:
Higher Percentage for Job Eligibility
Many government and private jobs require:
50% minimum marks (UG)
55% minimum marks (PG)
Improvement helps you meet the criteria. Higher Studies (MA/MBA/MPhil/PhD) Most universities have certain percentage cut-offs.
Improvement of marks enhances the chances.
✔ Professional Courses: LAW, B.Ed, NET, SET, UPSC Higher marks give a stronger academic profile. Common mistakes that students make in IGNOU improvement exams: Avoid the following:
❌ Applying even if not eligible
❌ Filling wrong subject codes
❌ Missing the deadline
❌ Not calculating eligibility properly
❌ Sending incomplete documents
❌ Waiting for confirmation
❌ Anticipating a new degree IGNOU Improvement Exam – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I improve marks for assignments? No. Only theory exams.
2. Is multiple-time improvement allowed? No. Only once per program.
3. Can I improve practical marks? No.
4. Can I apply for improvement before completing the program? No. Only after passing all subjects.
5. Will IGNOU issue a new degree? No. Only the updated mark sheet.
6. What if I score less in the improvement exam? Older/higher marks remain valid. Conclusion The IGNOU Improvement Exam is a wonderful opportunity for students who have completed their programs but are not satisfied with their scores for seeking jobs or higher studies.
The university gives you a fair system to improve your performance without any risk, as the original marks remain safe.
You can easily upgrade your marks and enhance your academic profile by following the eligibility criteria, preparing the documents, and submitting the form on time.