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NSOU MSW 2026: Eligibility, Fee, Duration and Syllabus

Updated 3 October 2026 Programmes 5 min read

Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU) offers a Master of Social Work (MSW) program through distance learning. For the July 2026 admission session, online applications and fee payments concluded by 29 September 2026. All applicants must obtain and verify a mandatory DEB ID by 05 October 2026 to complete their admission formalities. The program is structured in parts, with recent schedules indicating a two-year duration.

Key facts

Program Name Master of Social Work (MSW/PGSW)
Admission Session July 2026
Application System Access End Date 25 September 2026 (06:00 P.M.)
Online Fee Payment Deadline 29 September 2026 (04:00 P.M.)
Mandatory DEB ID Verification Deadline 05 October 2026 (04:00 P.M.)
Estimated Duration At least 2 years (Part-I and Part-II)
Official NSOU page on pg.wbnsouadmissions.com: apply for PG & BLIS admission
The official NSOU page on pg.wbnsouadmissions.com — apply for PG & BLIS admission. Screenshot taken 3 October 2026; click to open it.

Admission Process and Important Dates for MSW (July 2026 Session)

Admission to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program for the Academic Year 2026-2027 (Session July 2026) was conducted through an online application system. The application process involved online submission of forms, document uploading, and fee payment. Printing of provisional enrollment certificates and Self-Learning Materials (SLMs) tokens will be available after the admission process concludes.

Key Admission Dates for MSW (July 2026 Session)

Particulars Dates
Online Application System Availability 25.07.2026 (10:00 A.M.) to 25.09.2026 (06:00 P.M.)
Document Uploading 25.07.2026 (10:00 A.M.) to 26.09.2026 (06:00 P.M.)
Re-send for Review of Application by Applicants (if required) 25.07.2026 (10:00 A.M.) to 27.09.2025 (06:00 P.M.)
Online Fees Payment 25.07.2026 (10:00 A.M.) to 29.09.2026 (04:00 P.M.)
Off-line Fees Payment through Indian Bank Challan 27.07.2026 to 29.09.2026 (Banking hours)
Printing of Provisional Enrollment Certificate & Token of SLMs 09.10.2026 (10:00 A.M.) to 12.10.2026 (09:00 P.M.)

Mandatory DEB ID for ODL Programs

As per directives from UGC-DEB, obtaining a DEB ID is mandatory for all applicants pursuing programs under the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Applicants are required to get their DEB ID from the UGC-DEB portal (deb.ugc.ac.in/StudentDEBId).

After payment of fees, applicants for MSW must provide their DEB ID and verify it through the PG admission portal. Providing and verifying the DEB ID is a mandatory step to complete the admission formalities. The university will reject applications if the DEB ID is not provided and verified by 05 October 2026 (04:00 P.M.).

MSW Program Duration

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at NSOU is structured into multiple parts or years. Recent schedules indicate the existence of MSW Part-I and MSW Part-II, suggesting a program duration of at least two years.

For example, a workshop on Field Work (Paper-VIII) was organized for MSW Part-I learners (January & July 2025 Batch), and PCP schedules were released for MSW 2nd Year (January 2024 Batch).

MSW Syllabus Overview

The MSW program includes various papers covering different aspects of social work. Based on recent Professional Counselling Programme (PCP) schedules and workshop notices, specific papers include:

Study materials for MSW Paper-10 are also available.

  • Paper-VIII: Field Work (for MSW Part-I)
  • Paper-X (P-10)
  • Paper-XIV (for MSW Part-II)
  • Paper-XV (for MSW Part-II)

Recent PCP and Workshop Schedules for MSW Learners

Professional Counselling Programmes (PCP) for MSW Part-II (January 2024 Batch) for Paper XIV and XV commenced on 06 September 2026 and are scheduled on subsequent Sundays until 11 October 2026. Sessions run from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and 1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. These PCPs are held at various centres including Burdwan Raj College, Cooch Behar College, and Basanti Devi College.

A workshop on Field Work (Paper-VIII) for MSW Part-I learners (Batch: January & July 2025) at Jalpaiguri Regional Centre, NSOU, is scheduled for 08 October 2026, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Eligibility Criteria for MSW

NSOU has not published the specific eligibility criteria for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program for the July 2026 admission session on its website as of 03 October 2026. Applicants are generally expected to meet the university’s general postgraduate admission requirements.

MSW Program Fees

NSOU has not published the specific fee amount for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program for the July 2026 admission session on its website as of 03 October 2026. The admission portal mentions online and offline fee payment options, but the fee structure itself is not detailed in the provided sources.

Official documents (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

When was the last date to apply for MSW for the July 2026 session?

The online application system for MSW for the July 2026 session was available until 25 September 2026 (06:00 P.M.). The last date for online fee payment was 29 September 2026 (04:00 P.M.).

Is a DEB ID mandatory for MSW admission at NSOU?

Yes, obtaining and verifying a DEB ID is mandatory for all Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs, including MSW, as per UGC-DEB directives. The deadline for providing and verifying the DEB ID for the July 2026 session is 05 October 2026 (04:00 P.M.).

Where can I find the MSW syllabus details?

The provided sources mention specific papers like Paper-VIII (Field Work), Paper-X, Paper-XIV, and Paper-XV. For a complete syllabus, you would typically refer to the university’s prospectus or academic regulations, which are not fully detailed in the provided sources for MSW 2026.

What is the duration of the NSOU MSW program?

Based on references to MSW Part-I and MSW 2nd Year in recent schedules, the program is structured to be at least two years in duration.

Has NSOU published the MSW program fees for 2026?

As of 03 October 2026, the specific fee amount for the MSW program for the July 2026 admission session has not been published in the provided sources.

Are there any workshops for MSW students?

Yes, a workshop on Field Work (Paper-VIII) for MSW Part-I (January & July 2025 Batch) is scheduled for 08 October 2026 at Jalpaiguri Regional Centre, NSOU.

Sources

Written from the official NSOU pages and documents below, as read on 3 October 2026.