IGNOU Programme Code and Course Code are the first concepts every IGNOU student must understand to correctly identify textbooks, assignments, and examinations.
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Why Understanding IGNOU Book Structure Is Important
IGNOU designs its study material in a block and unit format to support self-learning. Assignments and examination questions are framed by referring to specific units within each block. Students who understand this structure can plan their studies better, locate answers accurately, and avoid skipping important syllabus areas.
Last Updated: January 2026
Many new IGNOU students face confusion immediately after admission because they do not clearly understand what a programme code is, what a course code is, how IGNOU textbooks are structured, and from where the correct study material should be downloaded.
Understanding the IGNOU Programme Code and Course Code is essential because all academic activities such as downloading study material, submitting assignments, and appearing for examinations are based on course codes, not programme names. Students who do not understand this difference often download incorrect books or prepare the wrong syllabus.
This lack of understanding often leads to common mistakes such as downloading the wrong books, missing important blocks or units, writing assignments for incorrect courses, or delaying studies while waiting for printed material.
This guide is designed to help IGNOU students clearly understand the complete academic structure, including the difference between programme code and course code, how IGNOU study material (textbooks) is organised into blocks and units, and the correct step-by-step method to download textbooks from the official eGyanKosh portal.
By reading this post, students will be able to confidently identify their correct study material, organise their textbooks properly, and begin their academic preparation without confusion or delay.
IGNOU Programme Code and Course Code: Basic Academic Identification
The IGNOU Programme Code and Course Code system is used by the university to identify a student’s programme and individual subjects accurately. Every IGNOU student must clearly understand this identification structure before downloading study material, submitting assignments, or preparing for examinations.
🔴 Master’s Degree
Programme Code: MEG
Programme Title: Master of Arts (English)
Course Code: MEG-01
Course Title: British Poetry
Study material is always downloaded using the course code (MEG-01), not the programme code.
🔵 Bachelor’s Degree
Programme Code: BAG
Programme Title: Bachelor of Arts (General)
Course Code: BEVAE-181
Course Title: Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course on Environmental Studies
🟠 Post Graduate Diploma
Programme Code: PGDCA
Programme Title: Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications
Course Code: MCS-011
Course Title: Problem Solving and Programming
🟡 Diploma
Programme Code: DNHE
Programme Title: Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education
Course Code: DNHE-01
Course Title: Nutrition for the Community
🟢 Certificate
Programme Code: CIT
Programme Title: Certificate in Information Technology
Course Code: CIT-01
Course Title: Fundamentals of Computer Systems
📘 IGNOU Textbook Structure
Programme → Course → Blocks → Units
Example: MEG-01 (British Poetry)
Block 1: Chaucer to Renaissance Poetry
- Unit 1: Geoffrey Chaucer
- Unit 2: Edmund Spenser
- Unit 3: Renaissance Lyric Poetry
Block 2: Metaphysical Poetry
- Unit 4: John Donne
- Unit 5: George Herbert
- Unit 6: Andrew Marvell
Block 3: Restoration and Eighteenth Century Poetry
- Unit 7: Dryden and Pope
- Unit 8: Neo-Classical Poetry
Block 4: Romantic Poetry
- Unit 9: William Wordsworth
- Unit 10: S.T. Coleridge
- Unit 11: P.B. Shelley
- Unit 12: John Keats
A clear understanding of IGNOU Programme Code and Course Code is required before using eGyanKosh, as textbooks are uploaded and organised strictly according to course codes.
📥 How to Download IGNOU Textbooks from eGyanKosh
(Official IGNOU Digital Library – Step by Step)
eGyanKosh is the official digital repository of IGNOU where all self-learning material (textbooks) is provided in PDF format.
Official eGyanKosh: https://egyankosh.ac.in
Official IGNOU Website: https://www.ignou.ac.in
Step 1: Open eGyanKosh
Visit https://egyankosh.ac.in
Step 2: Use the Search Bar
Use the search bar available on the homepage.
Step 3: Enter Your Course Code and Select The Course in Results
Always search using COURSE CODE only.
- BEVAE-181
- BEGC-101
- MEG-01
- MCS-011
- DNHE-01
- CIT-01
Do NOT search using programme codes: BAG, MEG, BCA
Step 4: Open Block Wise Self Learning Material
Open each block
Step 5: Open Blocks & Download PDFs
Open each block and download all PDFs.
Step 5: Open Blocks & Download PDFs
Open each block and download all Final PDFs.
Step 7: Organise Your Files
IGNOU Study Material
└── Course Code
├── Block 1
├── Block 2
├── Block 3
└── Block 4
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I search by programme code or course code on eGyanKosh?
Students must always search using the course code.
Are eGyanKosh PDFs valid for IGNOU exams?
Yes. eGyanKosh provides official IGNOU study material.
What if I did not receive printed books?
Students must immediately download digital textbooks from eGyanKosh.