The Certificate in Arabic Language (CAL) is a 6-month Open Distance Learning (ODL) programme offered by the School of Foreign Languages at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. The programme carries 16 credits and is available in Arabic and English medium. With a total programme fee of Rs. 2,100 plus applicable registration and development fees, it is one of the most affordable Arabic language certificate programmes in India. The CAL programme is designed to acquaint beginners with the essential rudiments of Arabic language, systematically developing their ability to speak, write, and read Arabic with accuracy and confidence. The programme uses bilingual, self-learning materials that are simple, innovative, and learner-friendly. It is popular among students, professionals, and individuals interested in Arabic for religious, academic, diplomatic, or career purposes. The programme is available at an extensive network of study centres across India.
Admissions to the CAL programme are conducted twice a year - in the January session and the July session. For the January 2026 session, the last date for fresh admission has been extended to 30th March 2026. The July 2026 session admissions are expected to open in May 2026 with a tentative last date in August 2026. The programme is currently open for the January 2026 session.
Since this programme is offered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, students study through self-learning print materials. The programme is available at a large number of regional centres and study centres across India, including centres in Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Noida, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Vatakara, Visakhapatnam, and many more. Students should visit the official IGNOU Admission Portal to check the complete list of study centres offering CAL in their region.
Key Points
- The programme is designed for complete beginners with no prior knowledge of Arabic, making it accessible to anyone interested in learning the language.
- The curriculum covers 2 courses: Basics of Arabic (BAL-001) and Communication Skills (BAL-002), each carrying 8 credits.
- The programme is bilingual (Arabic and English), making it accessible to students who are not fluent in either language exclusively.
- The programme has a minimum duration of 6 months and a maximum duration of 2 years, offering flexibility to working professionals.
- Completing CAL makes students eligible for the Diploma in Arabic Language (DAL) programme at IGNOU, enabling a progressive learning pathway.
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