IGNOU MSW-013 Assignment 2026-27
Introduction to Psychological Basis of Counselling
Last updated by IGNOU: 03 Aug 2026. Guide written from the official PDF on 26 Oct 2026, 04:25 pm.
| Course code | MSW-013 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Introduction to Psychological Basis of Counselling |
| Programme | Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work Counselling (PGDCOUN)PGDCOUN, MSWC |
| School | School of Social Work |
| Session | July 2026 and January 2027 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Weightage | 30% |
| Last date (June exam) | 31 Mar 2027 |
| Last date (December exam) | 30 Sept 2026 |
| Medium | English, Hindi |
About the MSW-013 assignment
The MSW-013 assignment covers psychology and its applications, personality, psychosocial development, substance abuse and social work interventions. It also includes psychological methods, mental health conditions, group dynamics and key psychological concepts.
There are five compulsory questions worth 20 marks each, with internal choices. Questions 1 and 2 have a 600-word limit each. Question 3 requires two answers of about 300 words each; Question 4 requires four of about 150 words each; Question 5 requires five short notes of about 100 words each.
What the assignment asks
| Question | Marks | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 20 | Choose between explaining psychology, its branches and applications, or discussing personality and the five-factor model. |
| Q2 | 20 | Choose between examining professional social work in substance abuse management and explaining Erickson's psychosocial development theory. |
| Q3 (any two) | 10 each | Select two topics covering descriptive psychological methods, social work in dementia care, childhood psychiatric disorders, or group dynamics and its components. |
| Q4 (any four) | 5 each | Select four topics covering Id, Ego and Superego, ABC personality theory, psychodynamic theories, personality disorder classification, causes of mood disorders, or the therapeutic triad. |
| Q5 (any five) | 4 each | Write five short notes chosen from autism, post-traumatic disorder, health psychology, habit disorders, positive reinforcement, structuralism, stress and prejudice. |
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
- Write the assignment by hand, sign it and submit it to your Study Centre on time.
- Attempt all five main questions while following the choices within each question.
- Keep each answer to Questions 1 and 2 within 600 words.
- For Questions 3, 4 and 5, follow the respective lengths of about 300, 150 and 100 words per selected answer.
- Begin every answer on a fresh page and leave one blank line between paragraphs.
- Organise long and medium answers with an introduction, subheadings, a main discussion and a conclusion.
- Use IGNOU study materials as the basis for your answers, write in your own words and avoid copying from books.
- Read the relevant units, discuss them with peers and academic counsellors, and revise a draft before preparing the final submission.
Submission dates: 31 March 2027 (June term-end exam); 30 September 2026 (December term-end exam).
Frequently asked questions
Which session is the MSW-013 assignment listed for?
The official listing specifies July 2026 and January 2027. The PDF cover carries an assignment-year label of 2025–2026, but its submission schedule refers to the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions.
What are the submission deadlines for MSW-013?
The current listing gives 31 March 2027 for the June term-end exam and 30 September 2026 for the December term-end exam. Dates can differ by session; the PDF separately gives 30 September 2027 for the January 2027 session. The dates shown here follow the listing.
How many questions must I answer in MSW-013?
All five main questions are compulsory. Choose one alternative each in Questions 1 and 2, any two parts in Question 3, any four in Question 4 and any five in Question 5.
What are the marks and assignment weightage?
The assignment carries 100 marks, with each main question worth 20 marks. It contributes 30% to the overall course grade.
What are the word limits for the MSW-013 assignment?
Questions 1 and 2 must not exceed 600 words each. Each selected answer in Question 3 should be about 300 words, in Question 4 about 150 words and in Question 5 about 100 words.
Does the MSW-013 assignment need to be handwritten?
Yes. The PDF requires handwritten, signed assignments to be submitted to the Study Centre.
Other IGNOU PGDCOUN assignments
- MSW-012: Introduction to Life Characteristics and Challenges
- MSW-014: Relevance of Social Case Work in Counselling
- MSW-015: Basics of Counselling
- MSW-016: Fields of Counselling
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.