IGNOU MA Economics Project (MECP-201 / MECP-202): Proposal, Report and Viva

IGNOU MA Economics Project (MECP-201/202) Guide 2026

Updated 11 November 2026 · Checked against IGNOU’s MECP-201 Project-Work Guide (October 2024) · 12 min read

IGNOU BuddyBy IGNOU Buddy Team · Checked against IGNOU’s official documents

What is the IGNOU MA Economics project?

In Semester 4 of IGNOU’s MA Economics (MAEC), project work is an optional course. Groups B (Energy and Environmental Economics) and C (Insurance and Finance) take MECP-201 (6 credits); Groups A (Data Analytics) and D (Social Policy) take MECP-202 (4 credits). Your 4–5 page proposal goes to the Programme Coordinator, MA (Economics), at IGNOU HQ. The 15,000–20,000 word report goes to the Registrar (SED) with a CD. The report carries 70% and an online viva 30%.

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Key takeaways
  • Your specialisation group decides the code: B or C → MECP-201 (6 credits); A or D → MECP-202 (4 credits).
  • Your study centre coordinator assigns a supervisor from the academic counsellors; researchers at research institutions are also eligible.
  • The proposal (4–5 pages) goes to the Programme Coordinator, MA (Economics), SOSS, IGNOU, not the Regional Centre.
  • Report: 15,000–20,000 words (50–60 pages), in English or Hindi, one hard copy plus a CD to the Registrar (SED).
  • Pass: 28/70 in the report and 12/30 in the viva, which is held online by IGNOU HQ.
6 / 4
credits (201 / 202)
4–5
proposal pages
15–20k
words
70 + 30
report + viva

At a glance

FactDetail
Project codeMECP-201 (6 credits, Groups B and C) or MECP-202 (4 credits, Groups A and D)
Proposal4–5 pages to the Programme Coordinator, MA (Economics), SOSS, IGNOU HQ
Report15,000–20,000 words (50–60 pages), English or Hindi, hard copy plus CD
MarksReport 70 + viva 30 (online)
Pass rule28/70 and 12/30 separately
December 2026 deadline30 Nov 2026, 11:59 PM on OPMS (fee on Samarth by 30 Nov 2026)

Last checked 11 November 2026 against the official documents listed under Sources.

Table of contents 9 sections
  1. Which code
  2. Steps
  3. Marks
  4. Topic ideas
  5. Submit for December 2026
  6. Check status and result
  7. हिंदी में संक्षेप
  8. Get expert guidance
  9. FAQs

MECP-201 or MECP-202?

Short answer: It depends on your specialisation group in Semester 4.

GroupSpecialisationProject codeCredits
AData AnalyticsMECP-2024
BEnergy and Environmental EconomicsMECP-2016
CInsurance and FinanceMECP-2016
DSocial PolicyMECP-2024

Older MA Economics (MEC) batches used MECP-001 and later MECP-101; check your course list.

MA Economics project step by step

  1. Opt for the projectAs an optional course in Semester 4.
  2. Get a supervisorThrough your study centre coordinator; the supervisor signs the proposal’s cover page (Annexure A).
  3. Write a 4–5 page proposalWith the supervisor’s help.
  4. Send it to IGNOU HQThe Programme Coordinator, MA (Economics), School of Social Sciences, Tagore Bhavan, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068, with the proforma and the supervisor’s bio-data.
  5. Start only after approvalA report without an approved proposal is not evaluated.
  6. Submit the reportOne hard copy plus a CD with the soft copy to the Registrar SED, Block 12, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068, with the declaration (Annexure C).

How the MA Economics project is marked

Short answer: Report 70%, viva 30% (online, conducted by the Economics Discipline at HQ). You need 28/70 and 12/30 separately.

Report criterionWeight
Clarity of topic10%
Language, coherence, style10%
Clarity of objectives15%
Methodology20%
Analysis and interpretation25%
Conclusions / inferences10%
References10%
Have I passed? Marks check
You need 40% in each part separately: at least 28/70 and 12/30.
  • If you score below 40% in a component, redo the work using the evaluator’s comments, attach Annexures B and C and a demand draft of ₹1,000 in favour of IGNOU, payable at New Delhi, and resend it to the Registrar SED.

IGNOU MA Economics project topic ideas

Energy and environment (MECP-201)
  • Household LPG use after Ujjwala in [district]
  • Rooftop solar adoption costs and benefits
  • Air pollution and health spending in [city]
Insurance and finance (MECP-201)
  • Crop insurance (PMFBY) claims experience of farmers
  • Financial inclusion through Jan Dhan accounts
  • Health insurance and out-of-pocket spending
Data analytics and social policy (MECP-202)
  • MGNREGA employment trends in a state, from public data
  • Determinants of female labour force participation (PLFS)
  • Mid-day meal and school attendance

How to submit your MA Economics project for December 2026

Short answer: Pay the project fee in your Samarth login, then upload your report as one PDF on IGNOU’s OPMS portal by 30 November 2026, 11:59 PM. IGNOU says no further extension will be given.

  1. Check you are eligibleYour registration must be valid and not time-barred. If you already passed the project, don’t resubmit; if you failed, you may resubmit.
  2. Pay the fee on Samarth by 30 November 2026The upload link in OPMS appears only after the fee is paid in your IGNOU Samarth Portal login.
  3. Arrange the report in IGNOU’s orderWhere applicable: the approved original proposal proforma, synopsis, guide’s bio-data, and the Certificate of Originality signed and dated by you and your guide.
  4. Scan it as one PDF per coursePages clear, not blurred, in the right order, with the same orientation throughout.
  5. Upload on OPMS with your Samarth loginSeparate uploads: guide’s signed bio-data (max 5 MB), approval of the synopsis (max 5 MB), synopsis (max 10 MB), and the complete report with declarations (max 40 MB).
  6. Keep your recordsSave the fee receipt and every uploaded file. Don’t post a hard copy after uploading. Reports sent by e-mail aren’t accepted.

What the first page must show (OPMS)

  • Title of the project report
  • Your name
  • Programme code
  • Enrolment number as on your ID card (not the control number)
  • Regional Centre code
  • Course code(s)
If your guideline says something different

The MECP-201 guide describes sending one hard copy with a CD to the Registrar SED, Block 12, IGNOU. For December 2026, IGNOU’s OPMS notice asks for online upload and says not to send a hard copy after submitting. If your Regional Centre has given a different written instruction for your programme, follow your Regional Centre.

Queries: project-related, projects@ignou.ac.in; technical upload problems, preexamcs@ignou.ac.in or your Regional Centre. IGNOU opens a new submission window every June and December cycle, and we update this section each cycle.

How to check your MA Economics project status and result

Short answer: Open IGNOU’s Assignment/Project/Practical status page, enter your enrolment number and programme code, and submit. A status shows only after marks have been sent on by the evaluating centre; the final result appears on your grade card.

  • Status not showing yet? That is normal until evaluation is complete and marks are sent on.
  • Viva: Conducted online by the Economics Discipline at IGNOU HQ (for example over Google Meet or WhatsApp).
  • Marks not updated after the result? Write to projects@ignou.ac.in with your enrolment number, programme code, course code and submission details (OPMS screenshot or PR number).
  • Synopsis approval status: your Regional Centre (or the office you sent it to) sends the approval letter. Ask them if nothing arrives within the stated time.

हिंदी में: IGNOU MA Economics प्रोजेक्ट कैसे बनाएं और जमा करें

  • कोड MECP-201 (6 क्रेडिट) या MECP-202 (4 क्रेडिट); यह आपके स्पेशलाइज़ेशन ग्रुप पर निर्भर है।
  • प्रपोज़ल (4–5 पेज) प्रोग्राम कोऑर्डिनेटर, MA (Economics), IGNOU मुख्यालय को भेजें।
  • रिपोर्ट 15,000–20,000 शब्द, हिंदी या अंग्रेज़ी में लिख सकते हैं।
  • रिपोर्ट 70 + ऑनलाइन वाइवा 30; पास होने के लिए 28/70 और 12/30।

Get expert guidance for your MA Economics project

Short answer: Tell us your programme and where you’re stuck. An IGNOU Buddy project expert first understands your requirement and stage, then guides you from topic selection to viva.

Where are you right now? Tap to message an expert on WhatsApp:

Choosing a topicShortlist topics you can finishGuide and proformaCheck eligibility, fill forms rightWriting the synopsisStructure, objectives, methodData and analysisTools, sampling, statisticsReport formatChapters, binding, checklistViva preparationLikely questions, mock runSynopsis not approvedUnderstand comments, fix, resubmit
  1. Share your programme, code and stage
  2. Talk to an expert, who understands what you need
  3. Get guidance and feedback at each step until you submit

✓ You write and submit your own work, as IGNOU requires. We don’t sell ready-made reports or promise approval.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IGNOU MA Economics project code?
MECP-201 (6 credits) for Groups B and C, or MECP-202 (4 credits) for Groups A and D, in Semester 4 of MAEC.
Where do I send the MA Economics project proposal?
To the Programme Coordinator, MA (Economics), School of Social Sciences, Tagore Bhavan, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068.
How long is the MA Economics project report?
Between 15,000 and 20,000 words, about 50 to 60 pages, in English or Hindi.
What are the passing marks for the MAEC project?
At least 28 out of 70 in the report and 12 out of 30 in the viva, separately.
Is the MA Economics project viva online?
Yes. The guide says the Economics Discipline at HQ conducts it in electronic mode, such as WhatsApp or Google Meet.
What is the last date to submit the IGNOU MA Economics project for December 2026?
For the December 2026 term-end exam, IGNOU’s OPMS portal accepts project reports until 30 November 2026, 11:59 PM, and the project fee must be paid on the Samarth Portal by 30 November 2026. IGNOU says no further extension will be given.
How do I submit the IGNOU MA Economics project online?
Pay the project fee in your Samarth login, then log in to IGNOU’s Online Project Management System (OPMS) with the same Samarth login and upload the report as one PDF, along with the guide’s bio-data, the synopsis approval and the synopsis as separate files.
How do I pay the IGNOU project fee?
Online, through your own IGNOU Samarth Portal account. For December 2026, the last date for the project, internship and practical course fee is 30 November 2026. The OPMS upload link opens only after the fee is paid.
How can I check my IGNOU MA Economics project status?
Use IGNOU’s Assignment/Project/Practical marks status page on isms.ignou.ac.in with your enrolment number and programme code. It shows marks only after they are sent on after evaluation; the final result appears on your grade card.
Can I download a sample IGNOU MA Economics project report?
IGNOU publishes the official guideline with the proforma, certificate and format; use that as your template. A sample made by someone else can show layout only. Copying it is treated as unfair means, so write your own report.
What should be on the front page of an IGNOU project?
For online submission, IGNOU’s OPMS asks for the project title, your name, programme code, enrolment number (as on your ID card), Regional Centre code and course code on the first page. Your programme guideline may add the guide’s name and other details.
Does IGNOU Buddy write my project for me?
No. IGNOU Buddy offers project guidance: an expert understands your requirement and stage, then helps you choose a topic, follow IGNOU’s guidelines, plan your method and prepare for the viva. You write and submit your own work, as IGNOU requires. We don’t sell ready-made reports or promise approval.

Sources (opened 10–11 November 2026)

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