OSOU Distance Education Admission: OSOU (Odisha State Open University) is accepting applications for admission to all academic programs. The university has started accepting applications from 16 January 2026. OSOU admissions last date is 06 March 2026. The academic programs offered through distance education include undergraduate and postgraduate. These programs offer courses like MA Rural Development, MCom, MSc Cyber Security, BA Journalism and Mass Communication, and BBA.
The selection for postgraduate programs is based on the marks obtained in the national-level entrance exam of the respective course. However, admission to any undergraduate program is based on merit. The details of admission are made available on the OSOU’s official website @osou.ac.in. Students shall keep themselves updated by visiting the official portal regularly.
About OSOU Distance Education Admission
OSOU Univeristy was established in the year 10 June 2015. Odisha State Open University is a distance-learning state university. The university is located in Sambalpur, Odisha. Degree, Diplomas, and Certificates issued by the OSOU is recognized by the UGC-DEB. Additionally, other statutory bodies that recognize the university are BCI, NCI, NCTE, AICTE, and MCI. For the session 2026-27, OSOU offers 29 higher academic programs through distance mode, including 13 postgraduate courses, 11 bachelor courses, 4 diploma courses, and 1 certificate course.
OSOU Admission Updates
- OSOU Admission 2026 is now open for the January 2026 academic session for all UG, PG, Diploma, and Certificate courses, and the last date to apply is 06 March 2026. Source
OSOU Distance Education Highlights:
| University Name | Odisha State Open University |
| Mode of Education | Distance Education |
| Program Offered | Certificate, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Diploma |
| Application Process | Online |
| Established | 2015 |
| Type of Educational University | Distance Learning State University |
| Mode of Learning | Online |
| University website | @onlineadmission.osou.ac.in |
| Registration Fee | INR 500 |
OSOU Distance Education Admission 2026
OSOU offers admission to any distance learning programs through the online mode. Students have to fill out an online application form correctly to get enrolled in any desired program. One has to pay an online application fee of INR 500 before the final submission of the application form. The university accepts only online modes of payment, such as Credit Card/Debit Card and Internet Banking. No cash payment will be accepted by OSOU. The application fee, once paid, shall not be refunded. Along with the application fee, students must submit all required documents. Any errors will result in rejection of the application. Therefore, please check the application beforehand. For any admission-related queries, applicants have to visit the admission portal of Odisha State Open University.
Odisha State Open University Courses List
Odisha State Open University offers diploma, certificate, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses through various streams. Candidates have an option to choose disciplines like Journalism and Mass Communication, Sanskrit, Economics, Cyber Security, Banking and Insurance, Disaster Management, Rural Management, Media Management, Multimedia & Animation, etc. Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs usually last for 3 years and 2 years, respectively. Some of the OSOU distance education courses are mentioned below:
| UNDERGRADUATE | POSTGRADUATE |
| BA Journalism and Mass Communication | MSc Cyber Security |
| BCom | MA Journalism and Mass Communication |
| BBA | MA Sanskrit |
| BA Political Science | MCom |
| DIPLOMA | CERTIFICATE |
| Diploma in Banking and Insurance | Certificate in Communication Skills |
| Diploma in Computer Applications | Certificate in Digital Library |
| Diploma in Cyber Security | Certificate in Functional Sanskrit |
| Diploma in Disaster Management | Certificate in e-Commerce |
| Diploma in Entrepreneurship Development | Certificate in Geriatric Care |
OSOU Distance Education Application Procedure
A candidate who is looking forward to pursuing any course at Odisha State Open University has to fill out an online application form. Below are the steps that are required to be followed:
Step 1: Students who want to apply for courses should fill out the application form on the official OSOU website.
Step 2: It is recommended to read the prospectus provided by OSOU carefully.
Step 3: Register by creating a login ID using your email address, ID proof, name, and phone number.
Step 4: After registration, log in with your new applicant ID and password.
Step 5: The application form has different sections, such as personal details, documents, payment, and academic information.
Step 6: Fill out all the sections of the form correctly and carefully.
Step 7: Upload the required documents in the specified size, as per the instructions.
Step 8: Deposit the application payment using any available payment method.
Step 9: Review your application form and click the “Submit” button.
Step 10: Download a copy of your application form for future reference.
OSOU Distance Education Required Documents
Before submitting your application, upload all the important documents:
- Certificate of 10th standard
- Certificate of 12th standard
- UG-level certificate
- Passport-sized photographs
- Scanned signature
- Thumb impression
- Transfer Certificate
- Migration Certificate
- Caste certificate
- Date of Birth Certificate
OSOU UG Admission 2026
OSOU offers various UGC approved undergraduate programs through distance education. For the session 2026-27, students can choose to pursue courses like BA, BBA, and BCom. A variety of disciplines are covered through BA courses, which include Economics, English, Hindi, History, Odia, Political Science, Sanskrit, Journalism and Mass Communication, and Sociology. Students who have passed the higher secondary examination in any stream (arts, commerce, or science) with a minimum of 45% marks are eligible to enrol in any undergraduate program.
Students can take a minimum of 3 years to complete their UG program; however, the maximum time offered to the candidates is 5 years. OSOU admission 2026-27 fees for UG programs range between INR 5K to 11 K.
OSOU PG Admission 2026
Students who want to pursue any postgraduate level programs at OSOU can choose to apply for MA, MCom, and MSc. These courses cover multiple specialisations like Economics, English, Hindi, History, Odia, Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Rural Development, Sanskrit, Sociology, etc. The postgraduate program at OSOU can be completed in 2 years. The maximum duration offered to candidates is 4 years.
A graduate degree in any relevant specialisation with a minimum 50% marks. The average fee structure for PG programs is INR 7000 to INR 14400. An application fee of INR 500 needs to be paid while getting registered.
OSOU Distance Education Admission Fees
The admission fee for all programs such as undergraduate, diploma, certificate, and postgraduate courses may vary depending on the specializations. Payment of all programs at the OSOU shall be made online through several payment gateways such as Card Payment, Net Banking, UPI, RTGS, NEFT, etc. Students are allowed to change from one program to another, free of cost within one month from the date of confirmation of their admission subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria of the program. The one who belong to the ST/SC category are eligible to apply for fee concession under the Government of Odisha norms. OSOU distance education course fee varies between INR 3200-14400.
| COURSES | ANNUAL FEES |
| MA Public Administration | INR 7500 |
| MCom | INR 6900 |
| MA (Journalism and Mass Communication) | INR 5900 |
| BBA | INR 3900 |
| BA Sociology | INR 3900 |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications | INR 9000 |
| Certificate in Geriatric Care | INR 2500 |
| Diploma in Accounting | INR 4000 |
OSOU Distance Education Entrance Exam
Odisha State Open University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs for the academic session 2026-27. Applicants who want to take admission have to qualify for all the basic eligibility criteria. OSOU does not accept any entrance exam. Instead, admission is granted to candidates on the basis of merit in the last qualifying examination. For admission to undergraduate programs, students have to complete their 10+2 grade with passing marks specified by the university. However, those applying for PG programs have to hold a bachelor’s degree in the relevant stream.
OSOU Distance Education ABC ID
Odisha State Open University offers admission to those candidates who already have an ABC ID. Students who have not created an ABC ID are advised to generate the ABC ID before applying for any course at the university. ABC ID is an initiative that was started by the NEP 2020 guidelines. This ID stores the academic credits scored by the candidate. Along with the ABC ID, applicants have to create a DEB ID. To generate an ABC ID applicants need to follow some of the simple steps:
Step 1: Visit the DigiLocker portal. Existing users can log in by clicking on the ‘Sign In’ button, and new users can click on the ‘Sign Up’ button to create a new account and sign in.
Step 2: Use your username and password or Aadhaar number and mobile number to log in.
Step 3: After logging in, click on ‘Search Documents’.
Step 4: Under ‘Education and Learning’, click on ‘Academic Bank of Credits’.
Step 5: Next. select ‘APAAR/ABC ID Card’.
Step 6: Enter the details such as your name, gender, date of birth, admission year, institution name, Identity Value, etc.
Step 7: After filling out all the required details and ticking the consent box, you need to click on the ‘Get Document’ button.
Top UGC DEB Approved Universities in India
OSOU Distance Education FAQ
Q1: How can I take admission in courses offered by the Odisha State Open University?
Ans: The Admission to OSOU for any distance learning courses is offered based on the marks scored in the last qualifying examination.
Q2: What are the courses currently offered through the postgraduate programs by the Odisha State Open University?
Ans: Some of the postgraduate courses offered at the OSOU are MA, MCom, and MSc. The specializations offered at the university are Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Rural Development, Sanskrit, Sociology, etc.
Q3: Is there any age restriction in joining courses offered by Odisha State Open University?
Ans: There is no age restriction set by the OSOU to take admission to any distance learning courses.
Q4: Is there any other fee to be paid other than the programme fee for all courses at OSOU?
Ans: Yes, students need to pay additional fees like examination fees, library fees, laboratory fees, study material fees, etc.
Q5: What is the minimum and maximum duration of a UG program at Odisha State Open University?
Ans: Students who have enrolled in any undergraduate program can complete the course in 3 years. However, the maximum duration required to complete the same is 6 years.
Q: Is Odisha State Open University a Government or private University?
Ans: OSOU is a state government open univeristy, established by an Act of the government of Odisha.
OSOU Distance Education Contact Details
- Address: G.M. University Campus, Sambalpur-768004 Odisha, India
- Official Website: https://www.osou.ac.in
- EMAIL: info@osou.ac.in
- TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1800-34567-58
Some Other Distance Education University
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- Madras University Distance Education
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- Kakatiya University Distance Education
- Calicut University Distance Education
Note: Dates are Tentative and are subject to change. Visit the University’s official website for more information regarding admission.
