MAANY – Master of Arts (Anthropology): IGNOU Syllabus, Fees & Notes
Master of Arts (Anthropology)
Study people through biological, social, cultural and archaeological perspectives. MAANY combines foundational concepts with research methods, specialist electives, practical work and a dissertation.
Official sources checked: 6 October 2026 · Independent student guide
MAANY at a glance
Master of Arts (Anthropology) is a postgraduate degree programme offered by IGNOU through Open and Distance Learning. The programme code is MAANY; individual papers have their own course codes in the syllabus below.
School: School of Social Sciences (SOSS)
Medium: English & Hindi*
Duration: 2–4 years
Credits: 80
Source: July 2026 Common Prospectus, section 3.24 and summary fee table. Medium differs from the programme webpage; confirm your session’s available medium.
Eligibility, duration & fees
Who can apply?
Bachelor’s degree or a higher degree from a recognised university, as listed in the July 2026 prospectus.
What is the programme fee?
The listed tuition is ₹9,500 per year. The standard programme tuition works out to ₹19,000 for two years. This excludes examination fees and any applicable registration, development or other charges; bridge-course charges may apply to MCA_NEW entrants.
The published completion window is 2–4 years. Choose MAANY on the admission portal and check the selected mode, medium and supporting-document requirements.
Source: July 2026 Common Prospectus, section 3.24 and summary fee table. Medium differs from the programme webpage; confirm your session’s available medium.
MAANY syllabus & course structure
The tables list the published programme structure. Course codes are shown in a consistent hyphenated format; the prospectus sometimes prints the same codes with spaces or without leading zeroes.
Semester 1 · all compulsory · 20 credits
| Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAN-101 | Introducing Anthropology | 4 |
| MAN-102 | Physical/Biological Anthropology | 4 |
| MAN-103 | Social and Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
| MAN-104 | Archaeological Anthropology | 4 |
| MAN-105 | Tribes in India | 4 |
Semester 2 · all compulsory · 20 credits
| Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAN-106 | Applied Dimensions in Anthropology | 4 |
| MAN-107 | Environmental Anthropology | 4 |
| MAN-108 | Research Methods in Anthropology-I | 4 |
| MAN-109 | Research Methods in Anthropology-II | 4 |
| MAN-110 | Epidemiology and Public Health | 4 |
Semester 3 · Group A · choose two
| Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MANE-101 | Human Genetics | 4 |
| MANE-102 | Human Growth and Development | 4 |
| MANE-103 | Physiological Anthropology | 4 |
| MANE-104 | Forensic Anthropology | 4 |
Semester 3 · Group B · choose two
| Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MANE-105 | Ethnography | 4 |
| MANE-106 | Ethnographic Training | 4 |
| MANE-107 | Urban Anthropology | 4 |
| MANE-108 | Visual Anthropology | 4 |
Semester 3 · interdisciplinary pool · choose one
| Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MPA-033 | Introduction to Disaster Management | 4 |
| MED-008 | Globalisation, Environment and Development | 4 |
Semester 4 · compulsory · 16 credits
| Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MANL-101 | Practical in Physical/Biological Anthropology | 8 |
| MANP-101 | Dissertation | 8 |
Semester 4 · interdisciplinary pool · choose one
| Code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MGS-109 | Gender, Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion | 4 |
| MED-002 | Sustainable Development: Issues and Challenges | 4 |
Source: July 2026 Common Prospectus, section 3.24 and summary fee table. Medium differs from the programme webpage; confirm your session’s available medium.
Blocks, units & detailed syllabus
This is the programme-level course list. For the complete block and unit contents, open the official programme guide and the study material for each paper. Use the table of contents in the material matching your enrolled code; a similar title from an older curriculum may have a different structure.
Study material, assignments & examinations
Use the official study material first
Start with the registered course codes in your student record. Search the official eGyanKosh repository by those codes, check the title and work through the material systematically. Keep a list of concepts you need to discuss with your academic counsellor. Supplementary notes can help revision, but should be checked against the prescribed material.
Assignment preparation
The official MAN-101 January 2026 booklet states that course assignments are compulsory and must be submitted before the related term-end examination. Follow your Regional Centre or study centre’s submission method, retain a copy and obtain an acknowledgement. This booklet is session-specific; use the assignment set matching your own admission cycle.
Reference: MAN-101 January 2026 assignment booklet. This is a session-specific example, not a universal deadline.
Assessment & passing requirements
A single assessment percentage is not stated here because a programme-specific current rule was not independently confirmed for all components. Check your programme guide and the instructions for each registered paper, practical or project. Do not assume that a theory-course pass also completes a separately assessed component.
Examination checklist
- Check registration validity and whether you meet the examination eligibility conditions.
- Use the current examination notification, form and date sheet for your session.
- Confirm that the hall ticket shows the correct course codes and centre.
- For practicals, seminars and viva, follow the separate instructions issued by your centre.
- After results, check each required component in your grade card and keep submission receipts until all marks appear.
Project, practical & fieldwork requirements
MANL-101 and MANP-101 are compulsory 8-credit courses in semester 4. MANE-106 is a separate 4-credit project-type elective in semester 3 and does not replace the dissertation. Use the MAANY manuals for fieldwork, ethical consent, supervisor approval, practical records and assessment; do not apply the older MAAN course structure automatically.
Source: July 2026 Common Prospectus, section 3.24 and summary fee table. Medium differs from the programme webpage; confirm your session’s available medium.
A practical study approach
The suggestions below are revision advice, not additional IGNOU requirements.
Keep a concepts notebook
Define each term in your own words and add an example. Distinguish biological explanations from social and cultural explanations.
Build research skills gradually
Practise writing an observation note and a small interview schedule. For real research, obtain consent and protect personal information.
Map your electives before registration
Check the two elective groups separately. Reserve time for practical work and dissertation planning rather than treating semester 4 as theory-only study.
Build a simple weekly routine
Choose a small reading target, write a one-page summary and test yourself without looking at the notes. Keep assignment preparation separate from last-minute exam revision. At the end of the week, review weak areas and decide which questions to raise with your counsellor.
Useful IGNOU links
- MAANY official programme page — programme details and linked resources.
- July 2026 Common Prospectus — published programme structure, eligibility and fees.
- ODL admission portal — check session availability and admission requirements.
- IGNOU student portal — student account and registration information.
- eGyanKosh — search for official self-learning material.
- IGNOU official website — latest assignment, examination and student-service links.
Frequently asked questions
Is MAANY the same course code as MAAN?
MAANY is the code in the July 2026 prospectus and the supplied course list. Use the structure for your enrolled code; older MAAN materials may follow a different curriculum.
How many credits are in MAANY?
The July 2026 prospectus lists 80 credits, with 20 credits in each of four semesters.
Does MANE-106 replace MANP-101?
No. MANE-106 is an elective project-type course, while MANP-101 is the compulsory fourth-semester dissertation.
What is the MAANY fee?
The July 2026 prospectus lists ₹9,500 per year, or ₹19,000 for two years. Confirm the live admission fee before paying.