Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday allocated INR 500 million to the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), considering its impressive work and future targets. The Union Budget 2009-10 proposals said that IGNOU, which has been in the forefront of distance education, has been provided an allocation of INR 900 million that also includes INR .400 million for grants to state open universities.
The allocated fund of INR 500 million will be used 'for implementation of various approved schemes in IGNOU itself.' IGNOU is the world's largest open university, with over 300 courses catering to more than two million students in India and abroad through distance education. Last week, the varsity started 100 community colleges to bring a 'learning revolution' among under-privileged students across the country.