Indira Gandhi National Open University conducts Term-End Examinations for students enrolled in its Open and Distance Learning and online programmes. When filling out the examination form, students must carefully select their preferred examination centre because the allotted centre determines where they appear for their examinations.
Sometimes, students need to change their examination centre because of relocation, work commitments, medical circumstances, or other unavoidable reasons. However, IGNOU follows specific procedures and deadlines for processing these requests. A change is not automatic, and approval depends on the university’s instructions and the availability of seats at the requested centre.
For students appearing in the December 2026 Term-End Examination, it is especially important to understand the latest update before submitting a request.
IGNOU Exam Centre Change 2026: Latest Update
IGNOU’s regional-centre notice for the December 2026 TEE stated that students who had already submitted their examination forms could request a change through the Regional Centre Samarth Portal under the jurisdiction where they submitted their forms.
The stated deadline for submitting change requests was 30 September 2026. As of 16 October 2026, this deadline has passed.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination session | December 2026 TEE |
| Request facility | Regional Centre Samarth Portal, as specified in the notice |
| Last date stated for centre-change requests | 30 September 2026 |
| Current position | Published deadline has passed |
| Approval | Subject to consideration by the Regional Centre and seat availability |
| Important condition | Submitting a request does not guarantee approval |
Students who still need to change their centre should contact their Regional Centre immediately and ask whether any exceptional assistance is possible. Do not assume that the request facility remains open.
Can You Change Your IGNOU Exam Centre in 2026?
The answer depends on the examination session, the applicable notification, and whether the university is accepting change requests.
For the December 2026 TEE, the regional-centre notice provided a limited window for submitting centre-change requests. Since that deadline has passed, students should not rely on the usual procedure as if it were still open.
If you need a change because of an unavoidable circumstance, contact the Regional Centre responsible for your examination form. Explain your situation and ask whether any exception or alternative arrangement is permitted.
For future examination sessions, students should check the relevant examination notification because the procedure and deadlines may differ.
How to Apply for IGNOU Exam Centre Change
The following steps explain the procedure announced for the December 2026 examination session. The published deadline has passed, so students should first confirm whether their Regional Centre can still consider their case.
Step 1: Contact Your Regional Centre
Contact the Regional Centre under whose jurisdiction you submitted your Term-End Examination form. Explain why you need to change the examination centre and ask whether a request can still be considered.
Step 2: Prepare a Written Application
Write a clear request explaining the reason for the change. Include your enrolment number, programme name, examination session, currently selected centre, and preferred alternative centre.
Keep the explanation factual and concise. If the reason involves an unavoidable circumstance, ask the Regional Centre whether supporting evidence is required.
Step 3: Attach the Required Documents
The December 2026 regional-centre notice specified the following documents:
- A written request explaining the reason for changing the examination centre.
- A self-attested copy of the IGNOU Identity Card.
- A copy of the previously submitted examination form.
Keep copies of everything you submit. The Regional Centre may ask for additional information depending on the circumstances.
Step 4: Follow the Regional Centre’s Submission Instructions
The notice specified the Regional Centre Samarth Portal for processing requests. Contact your Regional Centre to confirm whether the facility is still available and whether any alternative submission method is permitted.
Do not assume that sending an email or visiting an office automatically counts as an accepted application.
Step 5: Wait for Confirmation
The Regional Centre may consider a request subject to seat availability at the proposed examination centre. Submission alone does not confirm that your centre has been changed.
Wait for official confirmation before making any travel arrangements based on a different centre.
Documents Required for IGNOU Exam Centre Change
Students should prepare the documents specified in the relevant notification.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Written application | Explains why the change is required |
| IGNOU Identity Card copy | Helps verify the student’s identity and enrolment |
| Submitted examination form | Identifies the examination session and selected centre |
| Supporting evidence, if requested | May help explain an exceptional circumstance |
Make sure that your enrolment number, programme details, and examination session are accurate across the application and supporting documents.
Reasons for Requesting an IGNOU Exam Centre Change
Students may need a different examination centre for several reasons. Whether a request can be accepted depends on the university’s rules and the circumstances of the case.
Change of Residence
A student who has relocated to another city may find it difficult to reach the originally selected centre. Explain the relocation and ask the Regional Centre whether a change can be considered.
Medical Circumstances
A medical condition or unexpected health-related situation may make travel to the original centre difficult. Ask the university whether supporting medical documentation is required.
Employment or Work Commitments
Working professionals may face changes in their work location or responsibilities. They should explain the situation clearly, while understanding that work commitments do not automatically guarantee approval.
Family or Emergency Situations
Unexpected family circumstances may affect a student’s ability to travel. Provide a clear explanation and follow the Regional Centre’s instructions.
The university may decline a request if it cannot accommodate the change under the applicable rules or if the requested centre has no available seats.
What If the IGNOU Exam Centre Change Deadline Has Passed?
For December 2026, the stated deadline of 30 September 2026 has already passed. Students should take the following steps if they still require a change.
Contact the Regional Centre immediately. Explain your situation and ask whether any exceptional request can still be considered.
Keep your documents ready. Prepare the written application, IGNOU Identity Card copy, and examination form copy so you can respond promptly if instructed.
Do not assume approval. Unless you receive official confirmation, continue to treat the centre shown on your examination records as the applicable centre.
Check your hall ticket. Verify the examination centre, address, paper dates, and reporting instructions once your hall ticket is available.
Avoid travelling to an unapproved centre. A request or email is not proof that the centre has been changed. Follow the centre details officially confirmed by IGNOU.
If the Regional Centre cannot approve a change, ask whether any other officially permitted arrangement exists for your circumstances.
How to Check Your IGNOU Exam Centre
Students should verify their examination centre through their official examination records and hall ticket.
- Visit the official IGNOU website.
- Open the relevant examination or hall-ticket section when it is available.
- Enter the requested enrolment or examination details.
- Download the hall ticket if it has been released.
- Check the examination centre name, address, course codes, and examination dates.
- Contact the university if the information appears incorrect or the hall ticket is unavailable.
The hall ticket is an important document for examination entry. Students should carry the required hall ticket and valid IGNOU Identity Card according to the university’s instructions.
Important Tips Before Requesting an Exam Centre Change
Students can avoid many problems by checking their examination details carefully.
- Select the examination centre carefully when filling out the examination form.
- Review the examination form before submitting it.
- Check the current notification for the permitted centre-change process.
- Submit a request within the official deadline whenever the facility is available.
- Keep copies of the examination form, identity card, and correspondence.
- Do not make travel arrangements based on an unapproved change.
- Follow the centre details and instructions provided by the university.
For upcoming examination sessions, check the new notification rather than assuming the previous session’s rules will remain unchanged.
IGNOU Exam Centre Change: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some students assume that an examination centre can be changed at any time. This may not be correct. IGNOU can impose specific deadlines and procedures, and requests may be restricted once examination arrangements have been finalised.
Avoid submitting incomplete documents, choosing an alternative centre without checking availability, or assuming that a Regional Centre has approved a request simply because it has received it.
Students should also distinguish between changing their study centre and changing their examination centre. These are different matters and may follow separate procedures.
Conclusion
The IGNOU exam centre change process depends on the applicable examination-session notification. For the December 2026 Term-End Examination, the regional-centre notice specified a request deadline of 30 September 2026, which has now passed.
Students who still need a centre change should contact their Regional Centre promptly, explain their circumstances, and ask whether any exceptional assistance is possible. Prepare the written request, self-attested IGNOU Identity Card copy, and previously submitted examination form.
Most importantly, do not assume that your examination centre has changed until IGNOU confirms it. Check your hall ticket and follow the official examination instructions to avoid problems on the day of your examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I change my IGNOU exam centre in 2026?
It depends on the examination session and the university’s current rules. For the December 2026 TEE, the announced centre-change deadline was 30 September 2026, which has passed.
2. What was the last date to change the IGNOU exam centre for December 2026?
The regional-centre notice stated 30 September 2026 as the deadline for submitting centre-change requests through the Regional Centre Samarth Portal.
3. How do I apply for an IGNOU exam centre change?
Under the announced procedure, students had to submit a written request, a self-attested IGNOU Identity Card copy, and a copy of the submitted examination form through the prescribed Regional Centre process.
4. Can I request an exam centre change after the deadline?
You can contact your Regional Centre and explain your circumstances, but you should not assume that a late request will be accepted. Ask whether any exceptional assistance is possible.
5. Which documents are required for IGNOU exam centre change?
The December 2026 notice specified a written request stating the reason, a self-attested copy of the IGNOU Identity Card, and a copy of the previously submitted examination form.
6. Is approval guaranteed after submitting the request?
No. The regional-centre notice states that requests may be considered subject to seat availability at the requested centre. Submission does not guarantee approval.
7. Can I change my exam centre because I have moved to another city?
You can explain the relocation to your Regional Centre and ask whether a change is possible under the applicable rules. Approval is not automatic.
8. How can I confirm whether my exam centre has changed?
Check your official examination records and hall ticket, and wait for confirmation from IGNOU. Do not rely solely on an unacknowledged request or email.
9. What should I do if my exam centre change request is not approved?
Contact your Regional Centre to understand the decision and whether any alternative arrangement is permitted. Unless IGNOU confirms a change, follow the officially allotted examination centre.
10. Where can I get help with an IGNOU exam centre issue?
Contact your Regional Centre or the Student Evaluation Division through the university’s official contact information. Keep your enrolment number, examination form, and relevant documents ready when making an enquiry.
