How Hard Is The MA In Philosophy From IGNOU?

How Tough is IGNOU MAPY?

The difficulty level of IGNOU MAPY depends on your reading habits and your ability to explain the philosophical ideas in your own words.

Students often find it difficult:

• Abstract ideas
• Philosophical vocabulary – technical
• Long and deep study sessions
• Comparing various philosophers
• Philosophy and philosophical argumentation
• producing critical rather than descriptive answers
• Schools, thinkers and theories: a remembrance
• Supervised twelve elective courses in two years

IGNOU MAPY Course Pattern

The IGNOU MA Philosophy programme is of 64 credits. It consists of 16 mandatory courses (16 credits) and 48 optional courses (48 credits).

In the first year students select six electives and in the second year a further six electives. The programme can be completed within the time frame prescribed by IGNOU under the applicable admission rules.

The two compulsory core courses are

• MPY-001 : Philosophy of India
• MPY-002: Philosophy of the West

Electives can include:

• logical reasoning
• Morality
• Theory of knowledge
• Ontology
• Philosophy of religion
• Science philosophy
• Mind philosophy
• Political and social philosophy,
• Gandhism •
• Philosophy of Dalit
• Philosophy of technologies
• Methodological Approach
• Thesis / Project work

The subjects offered are vast so students can choose according to their convenience but choosing too many difficult electives together can increase the IGNOU MA Philosophy Workload.

Which Subjects Are Generally Harder?

Confirm Admission confirmation

After submitting the application, check for the confirmation of the IGNOU admission.

Verify:

• Code de programme MAPY
• Admission Period
• Regional center
• Learning Support Centre
• Courses Registered
• Fee payment status

Print confirmation page and receipt of payment. Why don't you check your registered subjects first before you start prepping from an old course list.

Secure Your ID Card and Enrolment Number

The Enrolment Number is needed for assignments, re-registration, examination forms, hall tickets, results and student services.

Store it in:

• Your cell phone
• E-mail account
• Admission record (printed)
• Local Document folder

Download IGNOU ID Card and check your name, photograph, programme code and enrolment number.

Study the Programme Guide Thoroughly

The program guide explains the course structure, credit requirements, choices of electives and the evaluation process for the IGNOU MAPY.

Verify:

• First year courses (required and elective)
• Core and elective courses for the second year
• Instructions for assignment
• Term End Examination Pattern
• Rules for re-registration
• Option dissertation
• Programme length

Don't take an elective because you think it's easy. Review course descriptions and choose subjects that align with your interests and academic goals.

Download Study Material for IGNOU Philosophy

The best source of preparation for the IGNOU MAPY Exam should be the official study material. Arrange it course-wise and block-wise.

Adopt this reading method:

1. Read the objectives of the unit.
2. Find the main philosophical problem.
3. Write down the philosopher’s main argument.
4. Separate the important words.
5. Compare the argument with other thinkers.
6. Make a brief summary.
7. Develop some possible exam questions.
8. Revise the unit in one week’s time.

While IGNOU Galaxy can be used for general student guidance and updates, it is essential to keep in mind that official IGNOU materials should be the primary academic source.

Hand In Assignments On Time

The MAPY evaluation process is based largely on assignments. The MPY-001 assignment, as it stands now, has five questions, all of which demand explanatory and analytical answers. This shows that the students are required to understand the material, and not just give one line answers.

IGNOU Solved Assignments helps the learners to comprehend the structure of the answers. IGNOU Handwritten Assignments may help in writing. They are intended for reference purposes only.

For tougher philosophy assignments:

• Clearly define the concept.
• Restate the philosopher’s argument.
• Identify and define key terms.
• Include criticism or comparison where appropriate.
• Use headings for long answers
• Write a balanced conclusion.
• Do not reproduce entire paragraphs.

Understand IGNOU MA Philosophy Exam

The IGNOU MA Philosophy Exam generally features long answers of analytical type. There was a paper for MPY-001 in June 2025 with 100 marks and 3 hours duration. It was five questions with answers, major questions requiring answers of about 500 words.

Students will practise:

• Writing clear intro's
• Argument explanations in steps
• Comparison of philosophical positions
• Case studies
• Give critical feedback
• Making conclusions in the time allowed

Make IGNOU MAPY Study Plan

A practical weekly plan might be:

• Monday: Read new unit.
• Tuesday: Take down short notes.
• Wednesday – Review philosophical terms.
• Thursday: Compare/contrast two theorists/theories.
• Friday: Long answer.
• - Saturday: Homework.
• Sunday: Go over previous units.

Study for 60-90 minutes focused on most days. Philosophy requires time to think, so reading several blocks of text at once is less productive than studying one argument thoroughly.

Solve Old Question Papers

Previous papers help the students to get an idea about the pattern of questions and length of answers expected.

Follow these steps :

1. Download papers for correct course code.
2. Prepare questions according to syllabus units.
3. Look for themes that come up often.
4. Prepare outlines of answers topic-wise;
5. Notes on above mentioned books are as follows:
6. Write an entire paper in three hours.

Do not simply ask the same question over and over. A familiar philosopher can be challenged by another concept or critical perspective.

Keep track of important dates and complete the exam form

Keep a calendar of:

• Re-enlisting
• Turning in assignments
• Submission of Examination form
• Hall-ticket issuance
• TEE in June or December
• Submit dissertation if selected
• Updates for results and grade cards

Submission of assignment(s) does not automatically register you for Term-End Examination. Fill the examination form individually and select the course codes registered only.

Project or Dissertation Work

MPYP-001 is available as an elective dissertation/project course. Not all MAPY students are required to do this.

Useful for students who are interested in research or a future PhD. It includes selection of topic, preparation of synopsis, supervision, research and submission of final report.

For general guidance on organisation of synopsis and report, IGNOU Projects can be consulted. The dissertation itself must meet official requirements and be original.

How to Clear IGNOU MA Philosophy

• Start with the required courses.
• * Make a glossary of philosophical terms.
• Learn arguments, not paragraphs to memorise.
• Answer long answers every week.
• Use examples to demonstrate abstract ideas.
• Compare philosophers where appropriate.
• Complete and submit assignments on time.
• Attempt official previous papers.
• Revise each course a minimum of twice.
• Try to answer all the questions in the exam.

Errors to Steer Clear Of

• Philosophy treated as a matter of personal opinion only
• Learning by heart without understanding the argument
• Biographies instead of philosophical analysis
• Disregards complex terminology
• Choosing electives randomly from the syllabus
• Copying work from other students
• Generating duplicate questions only
• Long introductions
• Initiating exam preparation too late
• ignoring course registration & deadlines

Common Questions

Last Tips for New IGNOU Students

First, understand the meaning of basic terms, such as knowledge, reality, truth, ethics, self, freedom, and causation. These ideas you see again and again in different courses.

Don’t expect every unit to be clear on the first read. Philosophy often requires repeated reading, note-taking and discussion. Before you learn technical expressions, focus on describing the argument in plain language.