TNOU Admission 2026: Courses, Eligibility and Fees
Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) has extended the last date for online admission for the Academic Year 2026-27 up to 13 October 2026. Prospective learners can apply online via the TNOU portal by submitting personal details, academic certificates, and application fees. TNOU offers a wide range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Vocational Diploma, Certificate, and Short-Term programmes.
Key facts
| AY 2026-27 Admission Deadline | 13 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Application Mode | Online via tnouportal.in |
| University Accreditation | NAAC ‘A+’ Grade (CGPA 3.32) |
| Payment Options | Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking |
| Headquarters Location | Saidapet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Admission Schedule for Academic Year 2026-27
For the Academic Year 2026-27, online admission for all distance learning programmes at Tamil Nadu Open University is active. The university has extended the last date for submitting online admission applications up to 13 October 2026.
Applicants seeking fresh registration or registered learners completing document uploads and fee payments must complete their registration through the official TNOU online admission portal.
Prerequisites for Online Application
Before beginning the online application process on the TNOU portal, applicants must keep the following credentials and scanned documents ready:
- Valid e-mail ID
- Mobile number
- Credit Card, Debit Card, or Internet Banking credentials
- JPEG file of the highest qualification certificate (10th / 10+2 / Degree / Diploma)
- Community Certificate (for applicants seeking scholarship)
- Scanned copy of recent colour passport-size photograph
- Scanned copy of applicant’s signature
Step-by-Step Online Application Procedure
Candidates applying for admission must follow the registration steps outlined on the TNOU admission guidance page:
- Visit the TNOU official website (www.tnou.ac.in).
- Click on the ‘ONLINE ADMISSION’ menu link located at the top of the homepage.
- On the admission portal screen, click the ‘NEW REGISTRATION’ button to load the login interface.
- Select ‘Applicant Login’ to register a fresh admission application.
- Fill in personal details, select the desired programme, and upload required scanned JPEG documents.
- Pay the prescribed admission fee using a Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
- Existing registered applicants needing to complete document upload or fee payment should select the returning applicant link on the online admission portal.
Vocational and Advanced Vocational Diploma Fee Structure
TNOU provides various skill-oriented vocational diploma courses. The fee details listed below correspond to the fee structure for the Academic Year 2023-24 session. The latest fee updates for AY 2026-27 are published in the official TNOU prospectus page.
TNOU Vocational Diploma Programmes and Fees (AY 2023-24)
| Programme Name | Code | Eligibility | Medium | 1st Year Total Fee (₹) | 2nd Year Total Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Vocational Diploma in General Duty Assistant | 8844 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 8,500 | 7,700 |
| Advanced Vocational Diploma in General Duty Assistant (Lateral Entry) | 8851 | 10th Passed and TNOU VDGD/VDHA/DHA | Tamil / English | 8,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in Manufacturing Technology (VDMT) | 845 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | English | 3,300 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in Office Automation | 8847 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 5,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in In-Design | 8848 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 5,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in Vehicle Mechanic | 8850 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 5,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in Refrigeration & AC Technician | 8816 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 5,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in Fashion Design & Garment Making | 8815 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 5,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in Beauty Therapist | 8849 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 8,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in Acupressure Therapist | 8828 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 5,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in General Duty Assistant | 8823 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 8,500 | – |
| Vocational Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education | 8831 | 12th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 8,500 | – |
Diploma, Certificate, and Short-Term Courses Fee Structure
The eligibility and total fee details below reflect the Academic Year 2023-24 fee schedule:
TNOU Diplomas, Certificates, and Short-Term Courses (AY 2023-24)
| Programme Name | Code | Eligibility | Medium | Total Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education | 5576 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | English | 5,300 |
| Diploma in Wild Life Tourism | 5569 | 12th Passed or Equivalent | English | 4,800 |
| Diploma in Archaeology and Epigraphy | 5552 | 12th Passed or Equivalent | Tamil / English | 4,800 |
| Diploma in Tourism and Tour Operations Management | 5572 | 10th Passed or Equivalent | English | 4,800 |
| Diploma in Journalism | 5575 | 12th Passed | English | 5,300 |
| Diploma in Media Arts | 501 | 10th Passed or Equivalent / 12th Passed | Tamil | 3,300 |
| Certificate Course in Conservation Techniques | 795 | 10th Passed and Above | English | 2,500 |
| Certificate Programme in Modern Techniques and Technology in Teaching Mathematics | 794 | 12th Pass and Above | English | 2,500 |
| Certificate in ICT in Functional Tamil | 790 | 12th Pass and Above | Tamil | 2,500 |
| Certificate Programme on Brain Based Learning Techniques | 797 | 12th Pass and Above | English | 2,500 |
| Certificate in Chemical Laboratory Safety Management | 777 | 12th Passed or Equivalent | English | 2,800 |
| Certificate in Environmental Conservation | 776 | 12th Passed or Equivalent | English | 2,800 |
| Certificate in AquaCulture | 746 | 12th Passed or Equivalent | English | 2,100 |
| Certificate in Climate Change | 745 | 12th Passed or Equivalent | English | 1,800 |
| Short Term Course in Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 982 | 10th Passed and Above | English | 1,800 |
| Short Term Course in Tailoring and Dress Making | 988 | 10th Passed and Above | Tamil / English | 1,600 |
| Short Term Course in Surface Embellishments | 979 | 10th Passed and Above | Tamil / English | 2,000 |
| Short Term Course in Life Skills and Personality Development | 989 | 12th Passed and Above | English | 1,550 |
| Short Term Course in Yoga Education | 990 | 10th Passed and Above | 10th Passed and Above | 1,550 |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degree Programmes Offered
TNOU offers broad degree options across specialized schools. Programme curricula can be evaluated via the School of Social Sciences page, the School of Science overview, or the School of Library and Information Science page.
- School of Social Sciences: B.Sc. Psychology, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), B.A. Economics, B.A. Business Economics, B.A. Sociology, B.A. History, B.A. History and Heritage Management, B.A. Tourism and Travel Studies, B.A. Islamic Studies, B.A. Criminology, M.Sc. Psychology, M.Sc. Counseling & Psychotherapy, Master of Social Work (MSW), M.A. Economics, M.A. Sociology, M.A. History, M.A. Tourism and Travel Studies, M.A. Anthropology, M.A. Women Studies, M.A. Gender Studies, M.A. Islamic Studies, M.A. Criminology.
- School of Science: B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Mathematics, Mathematics with Computer Applications, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Geography, Apparel and Fashion Design.
- School of Library and Information Science: Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.Sc.) and PG Diploma in Library Automation and Networking.
Final Year Project Rules and Fee Evaluation
Final year students enrolled in MCA and M.Sc. Computer Science programmes must complete an 8-credit Project Work (Course Code MCA-26/MSC-P4).
Students are required to pay a Project Evaluation Fee of ₹500 alongside their theory examination fees.
Project work carries 200 marks in total (150 marks for project report evaluation and 50 marks for viva-voce). The passing mark is 50% overall, requiring at least 75/150 marks in the project report and 25/50 marks in the viva-voce examination.
For Academic Year batch learners, submitting project reports before June 30th ensures results release alongside June Term-End Examinations. For Calendar Year batch learners, submitting before December 31st aligns results with December Term-End Examinations. For the August 2026 Term End Examination, project submissions are due by 23 October 2026.
Important TNOU links
| What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|
| Access TNOU fresh admission registration portal | tnouportal.in/OnlineadmissionHomeAY2026.aspx |
| View School of Social Sciences programmes | tnou.ac.in/SchoolSocial.php |
| View School of Science programmes | tnou.ac.in/SchoolScience.php |
| View School of Library Science programmes | tnou.ac.in/SchoolLibrary.php |
| Download latest TNOU prospectus and fees | tnou.ac.in/ProspectusNew.php |
| Read official TNOU admission step guide | tnou.ac.in/modeofadmission.php |
Official documents (PDF)
- Programme Coordinators PDF — Complete list of programmes offered and fee structure PDF
- MCA/M.SC Project Guidelines PDF — Guidelines for MCA and MSc final year project work
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date for TNOU admission for Academic Year 2026-27?
The last date for online admission registration for the Academic Year 2026-27 is extended up to 13 October 2026.
How can prospective students apply for online admission at TNOU?
Applicants can visit www.tnou.ac.in, select ‘ONLINE ADMISSION’, and click ‘NEW REGISTRATION’ to complete the online form, upload required JPEG certificates, and pay fees electronically.
Which scanned documents are compulsory for the online application?
Applicants must upload scanned JPEG files of their highest qualification certificate (10th, 10+2, Diploma, or Degree), recent colour photo, signature, and community certificate if claiming a scholarship.
What is the project evaluation fee and passing criterion for MCA/M.Sc. candidates?
The project evaluation fee is ₹500, paid along with theory exam fees. Candidates must secure at least 50% overall (100 out of 200 marks), with a minimum of 75/150 in project report evaluation and 25/50 in viva-voce.
What is the project submission deadline for the August 2026 Term-End Examinations?
Students appearing for the Term End Examination August 2026 must submit their project report on or before 23 October 2026.
Sources
Written from the official TNOU pages and documents below, as read on 2 October 2026.
- Tamil Nadu Open University tnou.ac.in
- Tamil Nadu Open University tnou.ac.in/…/admissionprocedure.php
- Online Admission tnouportal.in/…/OnlineadmissionHomeAY2026.aspx
- School of Social Sciences tnou.ac.in/…/SchoolSocial.php
- School of Science tnou.ac.in/…/SchoolScience.php
- School of Library and Information Science tnou.ac.in/…/SchoolLibrary.php
- Programme Coordinators tnou.ac.in/…/poay2023.pdf
- MCA/M.SC Project Guidelines tnou.ac.in/…/MCA-MSC-Project-Guidelines.pdf