While pursuing your MBA from Indira Gandhi National Open University, you may find the synopsis approval part slightly unclear.
Typically, learners have the same doubts:
- Where should the synopsis be submitted?
- How long will IGNOU take to approve it?
- What happens if it is returned or rejected?
- Is a supervisor signature compulsory?
- Is submitting online sufficient?
Let’s unpack the steps one by one so you can move ahead confidently.
What Is the MBA Synopsis in IGNOU
Before we talk about approval, it helps to be clear about what you’re submitting.
Your synopsis is a brief project proposal. It states your topic, objectives, methodology, and what outcomes you expect. In short, it tells the university what you plan to do in your final MBA project.
It’s not the complete project. It’s the outline and direction.
Without approval, you cannot proceed to write and submit the final project report.
Step 1: Prepare the Synopsis as per the Latest Guidelines
Approval begins with how well you prepare the document.
Follow the current IGNOU MBA synopsis instructions—older formats from previous batches can cause delays.
Make sure your synopsis contains these sections:
- Title page with required details
- Introduction
- Statement of the problem
- Objectives of the study
- Review of literature
- Research methodology
- Expected outcomes
- Chapter plan
- Bibliography
Even small format issues can slow down the approval process.
To avoid surprises, confirm the current guidelines from the official IGNOU site.
Step 2: Take Supervisor Review and Signature
Don’t skip this—many students face rejection here.
IGNOU expects your synopsis to be checked and signed by an eligible project guide before submission.
Also, make sure the supervisor meets IGNOU’s eligibility criteria—every teacher or trainer cannot be a project guide.
Work with your supervisor on corrections, make the changes, and then obtain the proper signature for submission.
Without supervisor approval, the submission is considered incomplete.
A lot of rejections happen simply because students don’t follow the guide-approval step properly.
Step 3: Submit the Synopsis (Online/Offline/Regional Centre)
The submission route can change, so follow current IGNOU instructions closely.
Usually, you’ll submit in one of these ways:
- Using the IGNOU project submission portal (online)
- Or by submitting at the regional centre, if required
Do not rely on what older batches did; rules and portals can change.
If online submission is needed, keep clear scanned copies of all signed documents ready.
After submission, save your acknowledgement/receipt carefully for future reference.
Step 4: Academic Review by IGNOU
After submission, IGNOU assigns experts to evaluate your synopsis.
The evaluators usually check:
- Whether supervisor eligibility/details are valid
- Whether the format follows the latest guidelines
- Whether the objectives are clear and achievable
- Whether the methodology is practical and appropriate
- Whether the topic matches your MBA specialization
Evaluation takes time because it includes verification and academic review.
Students often get nervous here, but this is a standard review-and-verify stage.
Step 5: Outcome—Approval or Modifications
If your synopsis is clear and properly structured, it is usually approved.
You may get confirmation through the portal status or an official communication.
If issues are found, the synopsis can be rejected or returned for modification.
Some common reasons are:
- An unrealistic sample size or plan
- Objectives that are unclear
- A vague or overly broad topic
- Improper formatting
- Missing supervisor details
- Mismatch between specialization and topic
If it gets rejected, don’t panic. MBA project guidance IGNOU means changes are required before approval.
How Much Time Does Synopsis Approval Take
There isn’t a fixed timeline for every student.
In many cases, it can take a few weeks depending on the submission cycle and workload.
Avoid repeated follow-ups unless the waiting time has clearly crossed a normal window.
A little patience is part of the process.
After Approval: Next Steps
Once approved, you can start working on the full MBA project report.
While preparing the final report, stay aligned with the approved topic and objectives.
Avoid changing the topic without formal approval from IGNOU.
Follow the chapter plan and structure you committed to in the approved synopsis.
Practical Tips to Avoid Rejection
- Keep the topic specific and aligned with your MBA specialization.
- Write 3–5 clear objectives.
- Use a realistic methodology (sample size, tools, timeline).
- Use simple, clear language.
- Implement supervisor feedback properly.
- Follow the official format strictly.
Most issues happen because students rush the synopsis and submit without checking details.
When your synopsis is clear, structured, and practical, approval becomes much smoother.
Conclusion
Overall, the process is straightforward once you follow the steps in order.
Do it step by step: prepare, get the supervisor’s sign-off, submit correctly, and wait for review.
Because IGNOU handles a very large number of MBA projects each year, they focus on clarity, structure, and academic intent.
Following these basics significantly increases the probability of getting approved on the first try.
If you want, I can also convert this into a simple checklist you can use before submitting your synopsis.