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IGNOU: Pursuing a master's degree will now be easier and faster for students who have completed a four-year undergraduate (Honours) program. Under the University Grants Commission's (UGC) new system, a one-year master's degree can be pursued via online and distance learning modes following the four-year undergraduate course. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has become the first in the country to launch nine new master's degree programs under this framework, effective from 2026.

**Programs Launched in These Disciplines**
*   **Social Sciences:** One-year MA programs in Economics, Sociology, and History. These courses are designed for students who have completed the four-year UG Honours with Research track.
*   **Commerce:** One-year M.Com for those who have completed B.Com Honours.
*   **Journalism:** One-year MA in Journalism and Mass Communication.
*   **Humanities:** One-year MA programs in English, Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu.
*   For Humanities courses, separate tracks have been established for students who completed the 'four-year UG Honours with Research' and those who completed the 'four-year UG Honours' program.

**What Has Changed?**
Previously, the standard option after graduation was a two-year master's degree. This new system is a step towards making higher education more flexible, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to IGNOU, eligible students who have completed a four-year undergraduate program will be able to complete a master's degree in their respective subjects within one year.

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