IGNOU MAW-001 Assignment 2026-27
Animal Welfare Science and Ethics
Last updated by IGNOU: 29 Jul 2026. Guide written from the official PDF on 28 Oct 2026, 04:26 am.
| Course code | MAW-001 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Animal Welfare Science and Ethics |
| Programme | Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW)PGDAW |
| School | School of Extension and Development Studies |
| Assignment code | ASSIGNMENT - 1 |
| Session | July 2026 and January 2027 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Weightage | 30% |
| Last date (June exam) | 31 Mar 2027 |
| Last date (December exam) | 30 Sept 2027 |
| Medium | English |
About the MAW-001 assignment
The MAW-001 assignment covers the ethical, economic and ecological grounds for animal welfare, the development of welfare frameworks, and methods of assessing welfare. It also examines how social environments affect animals and how veterinarians handle welfare responsibilities alongside economic pressures.
The assignment contains five compulsory questions carrying 20 marks each, for a total of 100 marks. Each answer should be around 800 words. The assignment contributes 30% of the final grade, and only handwritten submissions are evaluated.
What the assignment asks
| Question | Marks | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 20 | Discuss the ethical, economic and ecological reasons for animal welfare through intensive farming and companion animal case studies. |
| Q2 | 20 | Explain the development from the Brambell Report and Five Freedoms to the Five Domains Model, focusing on the changed understanding of positive welfare. |
| Q3 | 20 | Compare resource-based, management-based and animal-based welfare indicators in farm audits for reliability, objectivity and limitations. |
| Q4 | 20 | Analyse the physiological and behavioural effects of disrupted social environments and propose evidence-based management and enrichment measures. |
| Q5 | 20 | Examine how veterinarians advocate for animal welfare while balancing ethical responsibilities and economic pressures in production settings. |
This is a summary of each question. Download the official PDF above for the exact questions and word limits.
How to write and submit it
- Submit the latest assignment available on the university website, regardless of your registration year or session.
- On the first page, include your name, full address, enrolment number, admission session, course code, course title and Regional Centre.
- Write in your own handwriting on both sides of plain or ruled A4 paper, leave margins, and securely tie or staple the pages separately for each course.
- Answer all five questions, identify each answer with its question number, and write around 800 words per answer.
- Organise answers logically with an introduction and conclusion, write neatly, and underline points you want to emphasise.
- Send the assignment by Speed Post to Prof. P.V.K. Sasidhar, Programme Coordinator–PGDAW, School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS), Block 15-F, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi–110068.
- Keep a scanned copy of your assignment until its marks appear in your grade card.
- Check the university website for any deadline extension.
Submission dates: 31 March 2027 (June term-end exam; July 2026 session); 30 September 2027 (December term-end exam; January 2027 session).
Frequently asked questions
Which sessions does the MAW-001 assignment cover?
It is for the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions of the Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare.
How many questions must I answer in MAW-001?
All five questions are compulsory. Each carries 20 marks, making a total of 100 marks.
What are the word limit and weightage for this assignment?
Each answer should be around 800 words. The assignment accounts for 30% of the final grade.
Can I submit a typed MAW-001 assignment?
No. The instructions state that only assignments written in the learner's own handwriting are evaluated.
What are the MAW-001 submission deadlines?
The listed deadlines are 31 March 2027 for the June term-end exam and 30 September 2027 for the December term-end exam. The PDF links these to the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions respectively.
Where should I send the assignment?
Send it by Speed Post to Prof. P.V.K. Sasidhar, Programme Coordinator–PGDAW, SOEDS, Block 15-F, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi–110068. Retain a scanned copy until the marks appear in your grade card.
Other IGNOU PGDAW assignments
All PGDAW assignments →Assignment details and PDFs come from IGNOU's official website; the guide is a summary of the official PDF. Always check the latest instructions and last dates on ignou.ac.in or with your Regional Centre before submitting.