THE STATUS OF INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY IN CENTRAL ASSAM: A STUDY ON ITS PRESENCE, PERFORMANCE, AND CHALLENGES

This paper examines the status of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in Central Assam, focusing on its reach, infrastructure, enrollment patterns, academic programs, and challenges faced by its study centers. As a key player in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in India, IGNOU has played a crucial role in democratizing higher education. In Central Assam, which includes the districts of Nagaon, Morigaon, Hojai, Dima Hasao, East Karbi Anglong, and West Kasrbi Anglong, IGNOU’s study centers contribute significantly to expanding educational access, especially for underserved populations. The paper aims to present a balanced evaluation of IGNOU’s performance and relevance in this region.