IGNOU Assignment Paper Format 2026: Front Page, Paper Size, Margins, and Handwriting Rules

IGNOU assignments are not evaluated on content alone. The physical format of your answer sheet is checked before the evaluator reads a single answer. A missing enrolment number, the wrong paper size, or a typed submission can cause your assignment to be returned or rejected outright. The University publishes specific formatting instructions in every assignment booklet and repeats them across Regional Centre notices, but learners often discover these rules only after making a mistake.

This guide consolidates the IGNOU assignment paper format requirements into one reference: what to write on the first page, which paper to use, how much margin to leave, whether typing is allowed, and how to package the assignment for offline or online submission.

What the IGNOU Assignment Paper Format Covers

The format requirements fall into four categories:

Identification. The first page must carry your enrolment number, name, address, course details, study centre, and date of submission in prescribed positions.

Physical materials. IGNOU specifies the paper size, margin width, ink colour, and binding method.

Handwriting. Most programmes require handwritten answers. Typed or printed assignments are not accepted.

Packaging. The question paper, I Card copy, and acknowledgement receipt must be attached in the correct order. Online submissions follow a separate PDF and file naming format.

The First Page: What Goes Where

The first page of every IGNOU assignment follows a three-position layout. Each position has a specific purpose.

Top right corner: Enrolment number, name, full address, signature, and date of submission. This is the evaluator's primary identification reference.

Top left corner: Programme title, course code, and course title. Some programmes also require the regional centre code and study centre name here.

Centre of the top portion: Course title, assignment number, and study centre name written in capital letters. Some assignment booklets also require the cycle of admission and programme code in this position.

Not every programme requires every field. The safest approach is to check your specific assignment booklet's instructions page. However, the three-position structure is consistent across programmes. If your booklet does not specify a field, include it anyway. Extra identifying information does not cause rejection. Missing identifying information does.

Front Page Template You Can Copy

The following template reflects the standard format used across most IGNOU programmes. Adapt the fields to match your assignment booklet's exact instructions.

[TOP LEFT CORNER]

PROGRAMME TITLE:

COURSE CODE:

COURSE TITLE:

 

[TOP RIGHT CORNER]

ENROLMENT NO.:

NAME:

ADDRESS:

SIGNATURE:

DATE:

 

[CENTRE, IN CAPITAL LETTERS]

COURSE TITLE:

ASSIGNMENT NO.:

STUDY CENTRE:

Write the template on the first page of your answer sheet in blue or black ink. Do not type it. Do not use a separate printed cover page unless your Regional Centre specifically provides one and instructs you to use it. The format goes directly on the first page of the answer sheet.

Some Regional Centres require an additional Assignment Submission Cover Page as a separate document. This is different from the first-page format. The cover page is a printed sheet that you fill in and attach on top of your handwritten answers. If your Study Centre provides this cover page, fill it in addition to the first-page format. If it does not, the first-page format alone is sufficient.

Paper Size and Margin Rules

IGNOU accepts either foolscap size paper or A4 size paper, depending on the programme and Regional Centre. The two sizes are not interchangeable for every programme, so check your assignment booklet before purchasing paper.

Foolscap paper measures approximately 8.5 by 13.5 inches. Older IGNOU assignment booklets specify foolscap size. Some Regional Centres still require it for certain programmes.

A4 paper measures 8.27 by 11.69 inches. Most current IGNOU assignment booklets specify A4 size, and many Regional Centres prefer it for uniformity and easier scanning. A4 is the safer choice if your booklet does not specify a size.

Avoid very thin paper. Use standard 70 to 80 GSM writing paper. Thin paper tears easily during tying and scanning.

Margin rules vary slightly between programmes but follow a consistent pattern:

Source	Left margin	Top margin	Bottom margin	Right margin
Standard assignment booklet	4 cm	4 cm	4 cm	Not specified
Some DMOP booklets	3 cm	3 cm	3 cm	Not specified
RC Port Blair guideline	Left only	None required	None required	None required

The most widely cited rule is a 4 cm margin on the top, bottom, and left of the answer sheet. This margin gives the evaluator space for comments and marks. If your booklet specifies 3 cm, follow the booklet. If it does not specify, use 4 cm.

Write on both sides of the page. Leaving the reverse side blank wastes paper and is not required.

Handwriting and Ink Requirements

Every IGNOU assignment booklet reviewed for this guide states the same rule: assignments must be handwritten. Typed or printed assignments are not accepted.

This rule applies to all theory courses across all programmes. There is no option to type your answers unless your Programme Coordinator has granted a specific exception, which is rare. If you have a disability that affects handwriting, contact your Regional Centre before the submission deadline to ask about accommodations.

Ink requirements:

• Use blue or black ink only.

• Do not use red ink. Red is reserved for evaluator comments.

• Do not use coloured gel pens, glitter pens, or decorative ink.

• Use a single pen throughout the assignment. Switching ink colours midway looks careless.

Handwriting quality: Write neatly and legibly. The evaluator is reading dozens of assignments. Illegible handwriting slows evaluation and may cause marks to be missed. If your handwriting is naturally difficult to read, write slightly larger and leave more space between lines.

Page Numbering and Page Tying

Every page of your assignment must be numbered. Write the page number at the bottom centre of each page.

Some Regional Centres also require your enrolment number and course code at the top or bottom of every page. The Rajkot Regional Centre, for example, instructs learners to write enrolment number and course code in the header or footer of each page. Check your Regional Centre's notice for this requirement.

Tying the pages: Use simple cotton thread to tie the pages together. Do not use:

• Spiral binding

• Plastic comb binding

• Stapler alone

• Plastic covers

• Plastic sticks

• Fancy folders

The Port Blair Regional Centre explicitly warns that binding, spiral binding, plastic covers, and plastic sticks "may reduce your scores significantly." The evaluator needs to open and read your assignment easily. Cotton thread tie is the standard.

Leave at least four lines of blank space between each answer. This separates your responses visually and gives the evaluator room to write comments.

What to Attach: Question Paper and I Card

Every assignment submission should include three components in this order:

1. Front page with identification details (as described above)

2. Photocopy of the question paper for that assignment

3. Photocopy of your IGNOU I Card

The question paper must be a printed or photocopied copy downloaded from the official IGNOU assignment portal. Do not handwrite the questions.

The I Card copy goes immediately after the front page, before the question paper and response. Some Regional Centres require the I Card copy only for online submissions, but attaching it for offline submissions as well is standard practice and prevents identification issues.

If you are submitting multiple courses, prepare separate files. Each course's assignment gets its own front page, its own question paper copy, and its own I Card copy. Do not combine multiple courses into one file.

Offline Submission Format

For offline submission, submit your handwritten assignment directly at your allotted Study Centre. Do not send it to the Regional Centre or to a different Study Centre.

When you submit, obtain an acknowledgement receipt. This receipt is your proof of submission. Keep it safe until your assignment marks appear on your Grade Card. If your marks do not appear within nine months, you will need this receipt to follow up with the Regional Centre.

Keep a photocopy of every assignment before submitting. If your original is lost or damaged, you will have a record of what you submitted.

Online Submission Format: PDF and File Naming

If your Study Centre accepts online submission, follow these rules:

Scan the handwritten assignment. The scan must be clear and legible. Do not scan in black and white if the original has colour highlights or diagrams. Scan at a minimum of 200 DPI.

Save as a single PDF per course. If your assignment has five questions, scan all five responses into one PDF file. Do not create separate PDF files for each question.

File size limit: The PDF should not exceed 10 MB.

File naming formula: The file name should start with your enrolment number followed by the course code. No spaces, no special characters.

Examples:

• Enrolment number 2564879528, Course MEG1 → 2564879528MEG1.pdf

• Enrolment number 123456789, Course MCS011 → 123456789MCS011.PDF

Some Regional Centres use a slightly different format: CourseCode_EnrollmentNumber_Name.pdf. Check your Study Centre's specific instructions before uploading.

Do not submit both offline and online. Duplicate submission creates evaluation problems and may delay your marks.

Common Format Mistakes That Lead to Rejection

The following format errors appear repeatedly in Regional Centre notices:

Typing the assignment. Typed submissions are rejected without evaluation. Handwrite every answer.

Using the wrong paper size. If your booklet specifies foolscap and you submit A4, or vice versa, your assignment may be returned.

Missing the first-page details. An assignment without enrolment number or course code cannot be matched to your record.

Using plastic binding. Spiral binding and plastic covers interfere with evaluation and may reduce your marks.

Submitting without the question paper. The evaluator needs the question paper to verify that you answered the correct questions.

Submitting to the wrong Study Centre. Assignments submitted to a Study Centre other than your allotted one are not evaluated.

Forgetting page numbers. Unnumbered pages can get mixed up during evaluation.

Using red ink. Red ink is for evaluator comments only.

Pre-Submission Format Checklist

Before you submit, verify every item on this list:

• Assignment is handwritten, not typed

• Paper size matches your assignment booklet's requirement

• 4 cm margin on top, bottom, and left (or the margin specified in your booklet)

• First page carries enrolment number, name, address, course code, course title, study centre, and date in the correct positions

• Every page is numbered at the bottom centre

• At least four lines of space between each answer

• Blue or black ink only

• Question paper photocopy attached

• I Card photocopy attached

• Pages tied with cotton thread, not bound or stapled

• Photocopy of the full assignment retained for your records

• Acknowledgement receipt obtained (offline submission)

• PDF is a single file per course, under 10 MB (online submission)

• PDF file named with enrolment number and course code (online submission)

FAQs

Can I type my IGNOU assignment?

No. IGNOU requires handwritten assignments for all theory courses. Typed or printed assignments are not accepted and will be returned without evaluation.

What paper size should I use for IGNOU assignments?

Either foolscap size or A4 size, depending on your programme and Regional Centre. Most current assignment booklets specify A4. Check your assignment booklet's instructions page before purchasing paper.

What margin should I leave on an IGNOU assignment?

The standard requirement is a 4 cm margin on the top, bottom, and left of the answer sheet. Some programmes specify 3 cm. Check your assignment booklet for the exact margin.

Do I need to attach the question paper with my assignment?

Yes. Attach a printed or photocopied copy of the assignment question paper. Do not handwrite the questions.

Where do I write my enrolment number on the IGNOU assignment?

Write it in the top right corner of the first page, along with your name, address, signature, and date. Some Regional Centres also require it on every page.

Can I use a stapler to bind my IGNOU assignment?

Use cotton thread to tie the pages. Stapler alone is not sufficient. Do not use spiral binding, plastic covers, or plastic sticks.

How should I name the PDF file for online submission?

Start with your enrolment number followed by the course code. No spaces. Example: 2564879528MEG1.pdf. Some Regional Centres use the format CourseCode_EnrollmentNumber_Name.pdf. Check your Study Centre's instructions.

What happens if I submit my assignment in the wrong format?

Your assignment may be returned unevaluated, or you may be asked to resubmit in the correct format. In some cases, marks may be deducted for format violations such as plastic binding.

Do I need to attach my I Card with the assignment?

Most Regional Centres require a photocopy of your IGNOU I Card attached after the front page. Check your Study Centre's guidelines for the exact requirement.