The End of My PGJMC Journey at Indira Gandhi National Open University | A Farewell to the Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication | 39th IGNOU Convocation | Original PG Diploma Certificate Received in 2026

Exactly, you heard it right. So, I missed out on attending Indira Gandhi National Open University’s coveted 39th Convocation held earlier this month. Actually, it was not my mistake. I scored well in my PG Diploma course and successfully graduated with first class and distinction marks.

But the university informed the successful students through its official circular that only a handful of students (of course, those who paid the original degree certificate fees and are on the convocation invitee list) should attend it.

What Happened After IGNOU 39th Convocation 2026

After the convocation, I went to the RC and submitted all necessary documents and applied for my original degree certificate.

No, I did not need to pay anything extra for it, as I had already paid Rs. 600 online for the same a couple of months back. Now, the fun part is that my PGJMC original (diploma) certificate is in my hands, and I collected it offline from the RC, but alas, there was no convocation black cap on top of my head.

Nor did I see the rush of students running helter-skelter out of joy or the pandemonium that most students attending the convocation experience, because, just like me, they too sail in the same boat, as most attend it for the first time in their lives.

What’s Next After My PGJMC | PGDJMC

Anyway, my sole purpose in writing this post is to let you know that my official journey with the IGNOU PGJMC course is over. However, I will continue to help journalism students in whatever way I can.

Now, in a nutshell, I can say this course was never just another “academic program.” It was a vocational course and one that I have treasured since my childhood. I can say with certainty that if I boarded a time machine and went back 10 years, my decision would be the same.

I am, was, and always will be passionate about books, writing, creativity, journalism, poetry, media, and storytelling. I do not know what other activities or niches I may be missing here, but the sheer joy of doing something on your own and bringing words to life is something that has always felt different to me and often acts as oxygen for me.

Remembering My PGJMC Journey (Final Leg)

With these words, I am signing off. So, a once cherished dream that I wanted to fulfil a long time ago has now been achieved after so many years. But it is better late than never. I want to thank IGNOU for giving me a platform to realise and accomplish my long-cherished dream. However, my mom is no more, with whom I should have shared this news.

My PGJMC journey was both sweet and sour, with moments of fun, surprise, and shock in between.

The first shock was when I could not achieve 70+ marks in any of my Term End Examination papers, even though I wrote all the answers well, often exceeding the stipulated word count.

Then I missed my practical exams in the first year as I could not submit my portfolio (you can call it practical files for courses that end with “L,” such as MJML-20/MJML121 and MJML-21/MJML-120) during the assignment submission session.

This resulted not only in an endless email loop between RC Patna and IGNOU HQ, but I also had to pay Rs. 1000 extra in exam fees in the next semester and faced a six-month delay in my session.

In Conclusion

Eventually, I appeared for my practical exams, performed well in the viva, and successfully completed my PGJMC diploma course with first class and distinction marks.

Basically, this one-year PG Diploma course took one year and six months in my case. But eventually, I successfully completed it with good marks, and that is what ultimately matters.

So, all is well that ends well.❤️

(Note: The featured image has been edited, and all confidential details have been concealed to protect privacy.)

The image copyright is held by the author of this article and the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this image, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.