2011 saw the Indira Gandhi Open University recognise Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research (MAHER), an institute for distance learning. Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is home to the Institute.

Four graduate and five undergraduate courses are available at MAHER-IDE. The Institute also provides four PG Diploma courses and three diploma courses. Every postgraduate and undergraduate programme has its own areas of expertise. While PG courses last two years, most UG courses last three years. Both the Diploma and PG Diploma programmes last for a full year.

• Applicants for any course may register online or offline for it by paying a small registration fee of Rs. 100.
• To apply, candidates must have received at least a passing grade on the qualifying exam.
• While 10+2 is sufficient for admission to other courses, a bachelor's degree is required for postgraduate studies.
• All courses, with the exception of MBA and MCA, have merit-based admissions.
  Applicants for MBA and MCA programmes need to pass the AICTE CMAT exam. A three-hour online exam is the CMAT.
• A 5% relaxation is granted to reserved candidates on the overall qualifying examination aggregate. The Tamil Nadu State Government's reservation policies are adhered to by the Institute.

MAHER University, Institute Of Distance Education Fees & Eligibility

MAHER, IDE UG Admission

Merit in the qualifying exam determines admission to MAHER, IDE's undergraduate programmes. The candidate must meet the minimum eligibility requirements by passing the relevant stream's 10+2/HSCE with the required minimum marks. If the candidate meets the requirements, lateral entry into the second year is also an option for B.C.A.

Merit-based admissions will take place at the admission centres that the university has announced. Candidates must bring certified copies of their qualifying test results for submission in order to be considered for spot admission. Candidates will be admitted to the course after receiving the spot admission centre coordinator's seal.

Candidates must first obtain the Prospectus and Application form in order to apply. They can mail this, along with the required paperwork and fees, to the Director of IDE. Applicants may also apply online, but they must use a demand draft to pay their fees. The IDE office must receive the application.

• For consideration, candidates must have finished their 10+2/HSCE.
• In order to be eligible for B.C.A., B.Sc. CS, and B.Sc. Mathematics, candidates must have studied mathematics in 10+2.
• To be admitted to UG courses, candidates must be at least 17 years old.
  Admission to undergraduate programmes is solely determined by merit.

MAHER, IDE PG Admission

For the majority of its courses, the Institute of Distance Education bases admissions decisions solely on merit. In order to enrol in other courses, candidates might need to pass the relevant entrance exam. To be eligible for admission, candidates must hold a degree in the relevant field.

The Institute uses the same process for merit-based admission as it does for undergraduate courses. Candidates must show up in person with the required paperwork in order to be admitted on the spot. Candidates for M.B.A. and M.C.A. programmes must pass the AICTE-organized CMAT exam. CMAT is a national online exam for management courses that is administered by the government.

The application procedure for PG and UG courses in IDE is the same. Applicants have the option of applying offline or online. Candidates must mail the completed form to IDE within the allotted time frame, along with any required documentation, if they are sending by postal mail. On MAHER University's official website, applicants can apply online. Fees must be paid by Demand Draft or Challan for both options.

• To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from the relevant field.
• For postgraduate courses, the minimum age requirement is twenty years old on or before December 31st.
• Applicants for programmes such as M.C.A. and M.Sc. need to have completed their 10+2 mathematics coursework.
• Reserved categories are permitted a 5% relaxation in the qualifying examination's minimum aggregate.
• To be admitted, candidates for the M.C.A. and M.B.A. must both pass the CMAT.

MAHER, IDE Application Process

The Institute of Distance Education accepts applications both online and offline. For applications that run offline,

• Candidates must pay a small fee to the university in order to obtain the prospectus and application form.
• Applicants must submit the completed form to the Director, IDE along with the necessary paperwork.
• Candidates must include the completed form and the payment receipt.

For online application

• Go to MAHER, IDE's official website.
• Before applying, candidates must carefully read the instructions.
• 'Distance Education' will open.
• Get the application by downloading it.
• Forward the form to IDE with additional information.

The required fees (tuition, application, and any other fees specified by the university) must be paid by the candidates using a demand draft or challan. The form needs to be attached with the payment receipt. The same payment method applies to both offline and online applications.

Documents that must be enclosed:

1. Statement of Marks of the qualifying examinations
2. Degree/Provisional Certificate (if applicable)
3. Filled in Identity Card
4. One passport size photo duly attested
5. Receipt of payment