Vital Parts Each IGNOU Synopsis Should Have
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) places high value on the caliber of outline submissions. An effectively written synopsis is more than a formality—it is the roadmap for your entire research journey. To obtain approval from the supervisor and university evaluators, each proposal must include specific components in an organized order.
Missing any single key component can lead to rejection. This comprehensive guide examines all the must-have elements which all IGNOU synopsis must feature, with helpful strategies to guarantee excellence.
What Makes These Sections Essential?
All sections serves a distinct purpose in demonstrating your research readiness. Your outline is evaluated not just on topic relevance but also on organizational clarity. The university applies these elements to assess how well you grasp the project requirements.
A complete synopsis boosts the probability of acceptance significantly, because it demonstrates systematic approach, academic rigor, and commitment to quality.
The 15 Mandatory Elements
The following are all of components that should be included in each IGNOU synopsis, irrespective of discipline:
- Front Sheet
- Authenticity Statement
- Supervisor Approval
- Gratitude Note
- Table of Contents
- Tabular & Visual Index (if applicable)
- Background Chapter
- Research Justification
- Research Objectives
- Research Assumptions
- Review of Literature
- Methods & Tools
- Project Schedule
- List of Sources
- Supplementary Material (if any)
1. Cover Page – The Entry Point
This must be included. The title page sets the tone and needs to have:
- A precise topic name (within 12–18 words)
- Your full name
- Enrollment number
- Course title (such as MA Education, DNHE)
- Regional centre
- Mentor details
- Month and year of submission
- University emblem
Apply bold, uppercase title, middle alignment, and neat formatting.
2. Student Declaration
You need to affirm that the synopsis is your own, not plagiarized, and has not been submitted elsewhere.
A typical format:
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the project synopsis entitled "Research Topic" submitted to IGNOU for the (Degree) is my original work and has not been submitted in part or full elsewhere.Place: ________
Date: ________
Signature
Name
Enrollment No.
3. Mentor Approval
Your project guide must certify that they have reviewed the synopsis and consider it appropriate for presentation.
Mandatory format:
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the synopsis entitled "Project Title" has been prepared by Mr./Ms. Learner Name, Enrollment No. ID, under my guidance for the (Program) program of IGNOU.Place: ________
Date: ________
Sign
Guide Name
Designation
4. Thanks Note
State deep gratitude to those who contributed.
Model:
I am deeply grateful to my guide Dr./Mr./Ms. Guide Name for his/her constant support. I also thank the faculty at Regional Centre and my parents for their cooperation.
5. Table of Contents
Include each heading with corresponding pages.
| Content | Page |
|---|---|
| Student Declaration | i |
| Guide’s Certificate | ii |
| Acknowledgment | iii |
| Chapter 1: Introduction | 1 |
| References | 18 |
6. Data List
Include if your synopsis contains graphs.
- Table 1: Respondent Profile
- Figure 2.1: Research Framework
7. Opening Section
This sets the context. Must include:
- Background of the topic
- Why it matters now
- Research boundaries
- Document flow
Length: 2–3 sheets.
8. Rationale / Problem Statement
Clearly define the gap.
Answer:
- What is the problem?
- What are the implications?
- How will your study help?
Strengthen with reports.
9. Research Objectives
State 3–5 specific goals starting with verbs:
- To analyze
- To assess
- To study
Be specific like "see".
10. Research Assumptions
Only for empirical studies. Formulate in null (H0) and alternative (H1) language.
Model:
- H0: There is no significant difference...
- H1: There is a significant difference...
11. Previous Studies
Summarize 10–12 published research from the last 5–10 years.
Arrange by relevance. Highlight:
- What is known?
- Research gaps
- Your contribution
12. Methods Section
The pivotal section. Describe:
- Study nature (experimental)
- Population & sample
- Sampling method (random)
- Instruments (secondary data)
- Tool reliability & validity
- Data analysis plan (statistical tests)
- Consent
Defend every choice with reasoning.
13. Project Schedule
Show a practical bar timeline.
| Phase | Time | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background Study | 1 month | June 2025 | June 2025 |
| Questionnaire | 2 weeks | July 2025 | July 2025 |
| Data Collection | 2 months | July 2025 | Sept 2025 |
| Processing | 1 month | Sept 2025 | Oct 2025 |
| Drafting | 1.5 months | Oct 2025 | Nov 2025 |
14. Cited Works
Adopt university-recommended style — usually APA or Harvard.
List each citation systematically.
- Sharma, A. (2023). Rural Development. Oxford.
- Kumar, R. (2020). Research Methodology. Sage.
15. Annexures / Appendices
Include only when relevant:
- Questionnaire draft
- Interview guide
- Consent forms
- Pilot study data
Presentation Must-Haves
- Typeface: TNR, size 12
- One-and-a-half
- Standard margins
- Below
- Chapter titles bold
- Convert to PDF
Typical Mistakes to Steer Clear Of
- Missing guide signature
- Missing pagination
- Vague objectives
- Irrelevant citations
- Missing schedule
- Typos
- Overlength
Success Strategies
- Use IGNOU handbook
- Consult supervisor
- Check rigorously
- Check formatting
- Submit 7 days early
Final Thoughts
Incorporating every mandatory section is mandatory to gain acceptance. Every section plays a role to forming a complete submission that convinces authorities of your project potential.
Follow this checklist, and you’re likely to get clearance promptly, setting the stage for a high-quality thesis.
Length: around 2000 words