IGNOU Handwritten vs Typed Assignment: Rules, Format and Common Mistakes

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) evaluates the students through Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs). It contributes significantly to the overall academic assessment. These assignments can be written either by hand or typed according to the program structure. The rules for both the IGNOU handwritten assignment and typed assignment are equally important since ignoring the rules results in losing marks.

This blog discusses the major rules, formats, facts and mistakes that IGNOU students must consider during preparation of their IGNOU assignment.

Rules For Handwritten Assignments

For the majority of IGNOU's Open Distance Learning (ODL) programmes, handwritten assignments remain the standard and accepted mode of submission. Students must adhere to the following rules:

• Neatness and Legibility- The IGNOU handwritten assignment must be written clearly so that the evaluator can read it without difficulty. Bad handwriting may result in loss of marks or rejection.

• Pen and Paper- Blue or black ballpoint ink must be used exclusively on A4 ruled sheets. It is essential that there should be a margin of 4 centimetres on the left-hand side to provide space for the evaluator's remarks. Coloured pens and pencils are strictly prohibited.

• No Printed Submissions- Printed or typed pages are not accepted in place of handwritten responses. Photocopies of completed assignments are also rejected outright.

• Bundle and Tag Properly- All assignments must be compiled together and submitted as a bundle to the respective IGNOU Study Centre. Each set must carry complete student details such as name, enrolment number, programme name and course code on the cover page.

Rules For Typed Assignments

Certain IGNOU programmes, particularly those offered through the online mode, permit typed assignment submissions. For students who select this type of submission, the following instructions need to be followed-

• Font and Spacing- Use Times New Roman, size 12, with 1.5 line spacing throughout the document.

• Margins- All four margins of the page should have a one-inch margin.

• File Format- Online submissions should be uploaded in the PDF or Word Document format (.docx) as per the programme specifications.

• Title Page- The first page should serve as the cover page and will contain the enrollment number of the student, name, course title, assignment code and date of submission.

• Relevant Content Only- Any assignment that is typed out must necessarily adhere to all guidelines of the course. Padding or unrelated content cannot be included.

• Submission Method- Depending on the course, typed assignments may be submitted through the IGNOU online portal or printed and submitted at the designated Study Centre.

Key Facts About IGNOU Handwritten Assignments

Important Note- For almost every IGNOU ODL course, the assignment must be handwritten on A4 ruled paper. Online-programme learners may upload a scanned PDF of their handwritten pages via the LMS. Always verify your specific programme's instructions before submission.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Students frequently lose marks due to avoidable errors. Some of them usually are-

• Submitting photocopies instead of original handwritten sheets is rejected.

• Skipping the cover page or providing incomplete details, such as a missing enrolment number or assignment code.

• Use of a pencil or coloured pens does not meet the guidelines of IGNOU.

• Not leaving enough space on the left-hand side margin for comments by the evaluator.

• Copying answers directly from the study material rather than writing them in your own words.

• Submitting after the deadline without prior approval from the Study Centre.

• Not retaining a copy of the submitted assignment makes it impossible to raise a grievance if it goes missing.

Conclusion

Submitting a well-structured and rule-compliant IGNOU assignment is just as important as the quality of answers written within it. Paying attention to presentation, assignment guidelines, submission deadlines, and answer quality can make a noticeable difference for students wondering about IGNOU assignment marks how to score.

FAQs

Can I submit a mix of handwritten and typed pages in the same IGNOU assignment?

No, the format of the submission should stay the same throughout the assignment. All pages should be handwritten if handwritten submissions are needed. Combining typed and handwritten pages may lead to rejection.

What if my IGNOU assignment is lost after submission?

Have a copy of your assignment and get a stamped acknowledgement receipt when submitting your assignment. This can be useful to show that your assignment was submitted within the deadline and will be useful for any grievances.

Can I submit my IGNOU assignment after the deadline?

Late submissions are not normally allowed. In case you miss the submission deadline, then you may have to resubmit the assignment in the subsequent session based on the programme guidelines and the validity of the assignment.