IGNOU to Offer All Academic Programmes in Odia Following MoU with Odisha Government

Bhubaneswar, June 9, 2025 – In a significant step towards promoting inclusive education and aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha, to offer its entire portfolio of academic programmes in the Odia language. The agreement, formalized in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, aims to make higher education more accessible to Odia-speaking learners, particularly those in rural and tribal regions, by removing linguistic barriers.

A Landmark Initiative for Regional Language Education

The MoU marks a transformative milestone in IGNOU’s commitment to multilingual education, building on its earlier efforts to introduce select programmes, such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA), in Odia. Under this agreement, IGNOU will translate and deliver a comprehensive range of academic programmes, including undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate-level courses, in the Odia language. This initiative covers core disciplines, ensuring that students can pursue diverse fields of study in their mother tongue.

“This collaboration is a game-changer for Odia-speaking students, especially those in underserved areas,” said IGNOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Uma Kanjilal during the signing ceremony. “By offering our programmes in Odia, we are empowering learners to engage with complex academic concepts in a language they are most comfortable with, thereby enhancing comprehension and learning outcomes.”

The move aligns with NEP 2020’s emphasis on promoting education in regional languages to foster inclusivity and equity. Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted the initiative’s potential to transform the state’s educational landscape. “Odisha is on the path to becoming a knowledge-based society, and language is a key driver of progress. This partnership with IGNOU will ensure that higher education reaches every corner of the state, especially rural and tribal communities,” he said.

Comprehensive Academic Delivery in Odia

IGNOU’s commitment extends beyond mere translation of course materials. The university will provide a complete academic ecosystem in Odia, including:

• Printed and Digital Study Materials: All course content, including textbooks and supplementary resources, will be available in Odia, both in physical and digital formats.
• Counselling Sessions: Academic counselling will be conducted in Odia to ensure students receive personalized guidance in their native language.
• Learner Support Services: Support systems, such as query resolution and academic assistance, will be offered in Odia to enhance accessibility.
• Evaluation Components: Examinations, assignments, and other assessments will be conducted in Odia, ensuring a seamless learning experience.

This holistic approach is designed to make higher education more approachable for Odia-speaking learners, particularly those who may face challenges with English or Hindi-medium instruction. IGNOU’s 43 study centres across Odisha, covering all districts, will play a pivotal role in implementing this initiative.

Building on Previous Successes

This MoU builds on IGNOU’s earlier efforts to introduce Odia-medium education. In January 2025, IGNOU launched its MBA programme in Odia, with course materials translated in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the e-Kumbh project. The e-Kumbh initiative, powered by AICTE’s Anuvadini AI-based translation tool, aims to translate academic content into 12 Indian languages, including Odia, to promote multilingual education. The success of the Odia-medium MBA, launched by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on January 22, 2025, paved the way for expanding this model to all IGNOU programmes.

“Developing MBA course materials in Odia was a commendable joint effort by IGNOU and AICTE,” said Pradhan during the January launch. “This new MoU takes that vision further, ensuring that every IGNOU programme is accessible in Odia, making higher education truly inclusive.”

In April 2025, IGNOU Vice-Chancellor Uma Kanjilal met with Minister Suryabanshi Suraj to discuss expanding Odia-medium offerings, proposing courses such as the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE), Bachelor of Arts (BA), and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom). The latest MoU formalizes these plans, covering more than 50 programmes, including certificate and diploma courses.

Impact on Rural and Tribal Learners

The initiative is particularly significant for Odisha’s rural and tribal populations, who often face challenges accessing higher education due to language barriers and limited resources. By offering courses in Odia, IGNOU aims to bridge this gap, enabling students to pursue professional and academic qualifications without leaving their communities. The university’s open and distance learning (ODL) model further enhances accessibility, allowing learners to study at their own pace and convenience.

“Offering higher education in the mother tongue enables students to grasp subjects more effectively, fostering creativity and critical thinking,” said Prof. Kanjilal. “This is a step towards empowering Odisha’s youth to contribute to the state’s development.”

The initiative also includes plans to introduce skill development courses in Odia, such as those in sand art, aligning with Odisha’s cultural and economic priorities. These courses aim to equip learners with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

Alignment with National Education Policy 2020

The MoU is a direct response to NEP 2020’s call for promoting education in Indian languages to ensure equitable access to learning. IGNOU’s collaboration with the Odisha government and AICTE exemplifies how technology, such as the Anuvadini translation tool, can be leveraged to make education inclusive. “We are entering a new era where AI is enabling real-time translation and localization of content at an unprecedented scale,” said Shri Mrutyunjay Behera, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, during the MBA launch event in June 2025.

IGNOU’s efforts also complement its broader goal of expanding multilingual education. The university plans to introduce programmes in ten additional Indian languages, further advancing the objectives of the e-Kumbh project.

Next Steps and Implementation

IGNOU has already begun translating course materials for its various programmes, with a focus on maintaining academic rigor and quality. The university will work closely with the Odisha government to ensure effective implementation, including training academic counsellors and updating digital platforms to support Odia-medium instruction. Students can register for these programmes through the IGNOU Samarth portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in), with the registration window for the July 2025 session open until July 15, 2025.

For further details, candidates are encouraged to visit the official IGNOU website (ignou.ac.in) or contact their nearest regional centre. The university has also emphasized the importance of creating a DEB ID for ODL and online programme applicants, as mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

A Step Towards Educational Equity

This landmark initiative underscores IGNOU’s role as India’s leading open university, as evidenced by its top ranking in the NIRF 2024 for open and distance learning. With an enrollment increase from 6.73 lakh in 2018-19 to 7.53 lakh in 2023-24, IGNOU continues to expand access to education across diverse demographics. The introduction of Odia-medium programmes is expected to further boost enrollment, particularly in Odisha, where the demand for regional language education is high.

As Odisha moves towards becoming a knowledge-based society, this collaboration between IGNOU and the Odisha government sets a precedent for other states to follow. By prioritizing linguistic diversity and accessibility, IGNOU is not only advancing NEP 2020’s vision but also empowering a new generation of learners to achieve their academic and professional aspirations.