The Indira Gandhi National Open University marked a major milestone recently as it conferred degrees on over 3.24 lakh learners during its 39th convocation ceremony in New Delhi, underscoring its scale as one of the world’s largest open universities.

Presided over by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan as chief guest, the ceremony also saw the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu as guest of honour. Degrees were awarded simultaneously across regional centres nationwide, reflecting the institution’s vast academic network.

In addition to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, PhDs and gold medals were presented to meritorious students by the dignitaries. The convocation was mirrored across multiple centres, with faculty members, academic officials, and students participating in large numbers.

Marking a parallel push towards digital expansion, the university inaugurated 17 Swayam Prabha studios across its regional centres. These facilities are aimed at boosting the production and broadcast of curriculum-based educational content, particularly benefiting learners in remote and underserved regions.

Further strengthening its outreach, the university launched the IGNOU Profile 2026 and unveiled a dedicated alumni portal. Designed to connect its vast alumni base—estimated at over 5.3 million—the platform seeks to foster networking and sustained engagement between graduates and the institution.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice President underscored IGNOU’s transformative role in widening access to education and driving social mobility. “IGNOU as an institution has played a profound role in educating, socially uplifting and contributing to the nation’s progress,” he said, adding that the university has evolved significantly over time.

In a defining remark, he noted, “IGNOU is no longer a ‘Distance Learning System’, but has become a ‘Closest Learning System’,” highlighting its growing relevance in an increasingly connected educational landscape.