IGNOU Diploma Agricultural Cost Management: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Diploma in Agricultural Cost Management (DACM) is a one-year Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programme jointly developed by the School of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). The programme is designed to educate and train individuals in agricultural cost management, farm budgeting, agripreneurship, and supply chain management, with a total of 40 credits spread across 6 theory courses. The total programme fee is Rs. 6,200 (plus applicable registration and development fees), with a seat intake of approximately 95 students per session, and the programme is offered exclusively through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode in English medium. DACM is popular among progressive farmers, rural and urban youth, NGO workers, cooperative society members, and small entrepreneurs seeking to enhance farm profitability and cost efficiency.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently open. The last date to submit the application form (for non-certificate and non-semester-based programmes) is 30 March 2026. Students admitted in the January 2026 session will be eligible to appear in the December 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) for the first time.

Since DACM is offered exclusively in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, students study through self-learning print material and attend counselling sessions at designated Study Centres/Programme Study Centres (PSCs) across India. The programme is offered at study centres spread across multiple regional centres including Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Port Blair, Kohima, Bhubaneswar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi (Naraina, Noida), Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, Chandigarh, Jorhat, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Angul, Jodhpur, Bijapur, and others. Students are allotted a study centre based on their place of residence.

Key Points

  • DACM is jointly developed by IGNOU and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), making it a unique industry-academia collaboration in agricultural education.
  • The programme is specifically designed for progressive farmers, rural/urban youth, NGO functionaries, cooperative society members, and small/medium entrepreneurs.
  • Students can complete the programme in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years, offering flexibility for working professionals.
  • The medium of instruction is English only; no Hindi or regional language option is available.
  • Evaluation is based on Term-End Examination (70%) and Assignments (30%); students must score a minimum of 40% in each component individually and in aggregate.
  • The programme is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is at par with degrees/diplomas of all Indian universities.
  • Approximately 40 counselling sessions (2 hours each) are held at the allotted study centre, mostly on weekends.
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IGNOU Latest Updates and News

26 May, 2026 IGNOU Admission 2026 (Jul Session) is open for all ODL programs. Apply by Jul 15, 2026.

06 May, 2026 IGNOU has opened re-registration for the Jul 2026 session for all ODL and Online programs. Register now! The last date to apply @ignou.ac.in is Jun 30, 2026.

IGNOU DACM Fees

The DACM programme is one of the most affordable diploma programmes in agricultural management in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 6,200, payable as a lump sum at the time of admission. In addition to the programme fee, students are required to pay a one-time Registration Fee (Rs. 200) and a Development Fee (Rs. 200) at the time of admission. The examination fee is Rs. 200 per course (Rs. 1,200 for all 6 courses), payable at the time of submitting the examination form.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount (Rs.)
Programme Fee (Full Programme)6,200
Registration Fee (one-time)200
Development Fee (one-time)200
Examination Fee (per course x 6 courses)1,200
Total Fees (approx.)7,800
  • The Registration Fee of Rs. 200 is non-refundable.
  • If a student cancels admission after confirmation, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted.
  • No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
  • If a student opts for soft copy of study material, only the Registration Fee is deducted from the refund.
  • Late fee for examination form submission: Rs. 1,100 (applicable if submitted after the regular deadline).
  • No hostel facility is applicable for this ODL programme.
  • Fee can be paid online via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.

IGNOU DACM Admission 2026

Admissions to the DACM programme are open twice a year - January session and July session. For the January 2026 session, the admission portal is currently active and the last date for submission of the application form is 30 March 2026. Students admitted in the January session appear in the December TEE, while those admitted in the July session appear in the June TEE. The admission process is entirely online through the IGNOU Admission Portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

Important Dates

EventDate
January 2026 Session - Admission Portal OpenNovember 2025 (ongoing)
January 2026 Session - Last Date for Application Submission30 March 2026
June 2026 TEE - Exam Form Submission (without late fee)10 March 2026 to 10 April 2026
June 2026 TEE - Exam Form Submission (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)11 April 2026 to 24 April 2026
June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) Commencement1 June 2026
June 2026 TEE Last Date15 July 2026
July 2026 Session - Admission Portal Opens (tentative)July 2026
July 2026 Session - Last Date for Application (tentative)September/October 2026
December 2026 TEE (tentative)December 2026 - January 2027

Note: Students admitted in the January 2026 session will be eligible to appear in the December 2026 TEE for the first time. Students admitted in the July 2026 session will be eligible for the June 2027 TEE.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Class 12) or equivalent examination in any discipline from a recognised board.
  • There is no minimum age bar for admission to the DACM programme.
  • No prior knowledge of agriculture or cost accounting is required.

Admission Process

  • Visit the IGNOU Admission Portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and click on New Registration.
  • Fill in the online application form with personal, educational, and programme details.
  • Upload scanned copies of photograph (less than 100 KB), signature (less than 100 KB), educational qualification certificate (less than 200 KB), and category certificate if applicable (less than 200 KB).
  • Pay the programme fee, registration fee, and development fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
  • Keep the APAAR ID ready before starting the application process.
  • After confirmation of admission, study material will be dispatched by registered post or made available at the allotted study centre.
  • Students are allotted a study centre/Programme Study Centre (PSC) based on their place of residence.
  • Attend the Induction Programme organised by the study centre after enrolment.
  • Submit assignments to the study centre within the stipulated time frame.
  • Fill the online examination form on the IGNOU Student Portal (Samarth Platform) within the prescribed dates to appear in the TEE.

IGNOU DACM Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students, including those enrolled in the DACM programme, are eligible for a range of government scholarships. Students from SC, ST, OBC, EBC, and PwD categories can apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission. The university actively encourages eligible students to avail these scholarships to reduce the financial burden of education.

Available Scholarships

ScholarshipEligibilityAmount/BenefitApplication Portal
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC StudentsSC category studentsFull tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowancescholarships.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST StudentsST category studentsFull tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowancescholarships.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC StudentsOBC category students (family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum)Tuition fee reimbursement (subject to state limits)scholarships.gov.in
Central Sector Scholarship (EBC)Economically Backward Class studentsFinancial assistance towards feesscholarships.gov.in
Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (PwD)Students with benchmark disabilitiesFinancial assistancescholarships.gov.in
  • Students must apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal after their admission is confirmed by IGNOU.
  • Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria may vary by state; students should check their respective state scholarship portals as well.
  • IGNOU does not offer its own institutional scholarship for the DACM programme; all scholarships are government-funded.
  • Application deadlines for scholarships vary; students should check the National Scholarship Portal regularly for updates.

IGNOU DACM Placement 2026

Dedicated placement data exclusive to the DACM programme is not publicly available, as this is an ODL diploma programme primarily targeting working professionals, farmers, and rural entrepreneurs rather than fresh graduates seeking campus placements. However, the programme opens up several career and livelihood opportunities for its graduates.

Graduates of the DACM programme can pursue careers and opportunities in the following areas:

Career Opportunities

Career/Opportunity AreaDetails
Farm ManagementManaging own or others' farms with improved cost efficiency and profitability
Agricultural ConsultancyProviding cost management and financial advisory services to farmers and FPOs
AgripreneurshipSetting up agri-based micro and small enterprises, agri startups
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)Working as managers or executives in FPOs and cooperatives
NGO and Extension WorkWorking with NGOs, government extension agencies, and rural development organisations
Agricultural Supply ChainRoles in agri supply chain management, logistics, and value chain operations
Government SchemesLeveraging knowledge to access and implement government agricultural schemes

IGNOU DACM FAQs

Ques. Is the DACM programme recognised by the government and other universities?

Ans. Yes, the DACM diploma awarded by IGNOU is fully recognised. IGNOU is a Central University established by an Act of Parliament, and its degrees and diplomas are recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and are at par with qualifications from all Indian universities/deemed universities, as per UGC Circular No. F1-52/2000 (CPP-II) dated 5 May 2004.

Ques. Can I pursue DACM along with a full-time job or another course?

Ans. Yes, DACM is specifically designed for working professionals, farmers, and entrepreneurs. Since it is an ODL programme, you study at your own pace using self-learning material. Counselling sessions are mostly held on weekends, making it convenient to pursue alongside a job or another course. However, IGNOU's rules on simultaneous enrolment in two programmes should be checked before applying.

Ques. Is the DACM programme available in Hindi medium?

Ans. No. The DACM programme is currently offered in English medium only. There is no Hindi or regional language option available for this programme.

Ques. What happens if I cannot complete the programme in 1 year?

Ans. The DACM programme allows a maximum completion period of 3 years from the date of admission. If you are unable to complete all courses within 1 year, you can appear in subsequent Term-End Examinations (June or December) within the 3-year window. After 3 years, re-admission may be required.

Ques. Do I need to visit the IGNOU campus in New Delhi for any purpose?

Ans. No, you do not need to visit the IGNOU main campus. All academic activities - counselling, assignment submission, and examinations - are conducted at the study centre/Programme Study Centre allotted to you based on your place of residence. Administrative queries can be addressed to your Regional Centre.

Ques. What is the difference between the programme fee of Rs. 6,200 and the Rs. 6,500 mentioned on some portals?

Ans. The official programme fee for DACM as per the IGNOU Programme Guide is Rs. 6,200. The Rs. 6,500 figure mentioned on some portals includes the Registration Fee (Rs. 200) and Development Fee (Rs. 200) in addition to the base programme fee, or may reflect an older fee structure. Always refer to the official IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in) for the most current fee details at the time of admission.

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