Established by the West Bengal Act XIX of 1997, the Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU), was set up with an objective to spread higher education throughout the state and “reach the unreached” with quality education in the open distance learning (ODL) mode.

NSOU is the sole state open university of West Bengal and the largest one in India recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Distance Education Council (DEC) of India. In 2006, the University received the Excellence in Distance Education Award (EDEA) for institutional achievement conferred by Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver, Canada. The University is also a member of the Association of India Universities (AIU), New Delhi, The Association of Asian Open University (AAOU), Malaysia and The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), United Kingdom.


With nearly 2,50,000 students enrolled, NSOU has achieved a mega-university status. The university provides higher education through the distance learning mode in the language of the state, i.e. Bengali, and makes education affordable to the disadvantaged.

Netaji Subhas Open University offers various programmes like undergraduate (three years), postgraduate (two years), postgraduate diploma (one year), diploma (one year), certificate (six months) and vocational programmes (six months, one year and two years). At present, the University conducts 77 courses. There are two-second degree programmes. These include bachelor's in library science (BLIS, one year) and B Ed (special education) for two years.

Recently, three Village Knowledge Centres (VKC) have been set up at the Shanti Devi Vidyaniketan, Plassey, Nadia, Nari Siksha Samiti, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, and at the Anjali Social Welfare Research Foundation, Panskura, Purba Medinipur, in collaboration with non-government organisations for providing free computer and internet access to students.

Alumni Speak

From Howrah to a five-figure salary: Hailing from a poor family in Howrah, Ashis K Halder always had the will power to work hard and excel in every sphere of life. Soon after completing Class 12, he decided to take up a job to support his family. From 1986 to 1993, he worked in a non-banking financial institute as a field supervisor and gained experience in funding machinery and consumer durables. While earning to make ends meet was important, so was the need to educate himself further. It was then that he decided to enrol in a B.Com course offered by the Netaji Subhas Open University. “I would work during weekdays and attend classes conducted by the university over the weekends. The teachers were extremely helpful and would help out even late at night,” Halder says, adding “they understood that you needed to work as well as study and one could approach them anytime one wanted.” Asked if a distance learning qualification can be a handicap in procuring a good job, he says, “Job prospects are as bright as for those with regular degrees in related fields. Even a distance learning qualification is a valid degree. It ultimately depends on the capability and the will power of the student.”

Interestingly, Halder got his first big break after completing his B.Com from the university. It was in 1993 that he got an interview call for a job as an area accountant with a leading fertilisers firm. He was later promoted as the logistics officer with the responsibility to monitor 19 districts in the state. He is currently working as an officer, internal audit for the same company and earning a five-figure salary.

As told to Vandana Ramnani

Tagged in MAT MAT test pattern MAT exam AIMA MAT exam structure

Like us on :