Indian Army has a standing and functional Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) since 1999 for provision of educational facilities through open and distance learning to Army personnel under IGNOU Army Educational Project (IAEP). The MoU was signed between Director General of Military Training, Indian Army and Registrar, IGNOU on 24 May 1999 in presence of Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Training & Coord) and Vice Chancellor, IGNOU.

Aim. The aim of IGNOU–Army Education Project (IAEP) is empowerment and enhancement of educational qualifications by provision of quality education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode for personnel associated with Indian Army in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

Scope. IAEP will provide distance educational facilities to entire Indian Army with nation-wide coverage and at all places globally where units of Indian Army or its personnel are deployed on Military duties on directions of the Government of India. The scope of IAEP will cover the following categories of individuals:-

• Serving personnel of Indian Army at all ranks.

• Recruits and Officer Cadets under training at Regimental Training Centres and Pre Commissioning Training Academies (IMA, OTAs and NDA).

• Ex-Servicemen of Indian Army of all ranks.

• War Widows, Veer Naris and their dependants.

• Defence Civil Employees paid out of Defence Estimates.

• Dependents and wards of Serving Personnel, Ex-Servicemen and Defence Civil Employees.

Directorate General of Military Training/ MT – 15, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army) is the Controlling Dte for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in the Indian Army and provides a single window interface with IGNOU.

The project commenced with 05 Regional Centres and only 11 courses being offered to Army personnel, which grew to 16 courses in 2000 and to 24 in 2004. The biggest milestone of the Project came in 2007 where a number of measures were taken to strengthen the distance education in the Indian Army:

• Sixth IAEP Regional Centre at Jaipur was added.

• The scope of IAEP was extended to cover ex-servicemen and dependants of serving personnel.

• All courses offered by IGNOU were available under IAEP.

• Army Educational Corps instructors were made eligible to enrol for B Ed course based on professional military teaching experience.

In the long journey of 14 years, the project has grown leaps and bounds and on this day Indian Army has 06 IAEP Regional Centres and 26 IAEP Study Centres. The project has been successful in educating over 21,000 serving personnel posted to remotest areas.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

IGNOU is world’s largest University disseminating Open and Distance Learning (ODL). This Central University was established by an Act of parliament in 1985 to achieve the following objectives:-

• Democratising higher education by taking it to the doorsteps of the learners.

• Providing access to high quality education to all those who seek it irrespective of age, region, religion and gender.

• Offering need based academic programmes by giving professional and vocational orientation to the courses.

• Promoting and developing distance education in India.

• Setting and maintaining standards in distance education in the country as an apex body.

Salient Features. IGNOU offers plethora of cost effective programmes with flexible admission rules and is supported by a nationwide student support services network, with on the spot delivery of study material to students having the largest network of learning support system.

Programme Methodology. The methodology of IGNOU is distinct where it is more learner oriented and the learner is in active participant in the pedagogical (teaching and learning) process. The university follows a multimedia approach for instructions, which comprises :-

• Self instructional written material for both theory and practical components is supplied to the learners for every course.

• Audio-Visual Material Aids. The learning package contains audio and visual CDs which have been produced by the university for better clarification and enhancement of understanding of the course material given to the learners.

• Counselling Sessions. Counselling sessions are held as per schedule at the host institutions where study centres are located to facilitate the learning process.

• Tele conferences are conducted via satellite through imperative Gyan Darshan Channel, as well as, on ‘Edusat’ Channel from the university studios.

• Practical/ Project Work. Some programmes have Practical/ Project Work component also. Practical are held at designated institutions for which schedule is provided by the study centres. For Project Work, comprehensive project guide, in the form of a booklet, is provided alongwith the study material.