IGNOU MSW-015 Assignment 2026-27
Basics 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-015 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Basics 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-015 assignment
The MSW-015 assignment covers counselling processes, approaches, ethics, supervision and professional skills. It also explores supportive psychotherapy, play therapy, couple and family counselling, listening, legal issues and confidentiality.
There are five compulsory questions with internal choices, and each question carries equal marks. Questions 1 and 2 have a maximum of 600 words each. Question 3 requires two answers of about 300 words each, Question 4 requires four of about 150 words each, and Question 5 requires five short notes of about 100 words each.
What the assignment asks
| Question | Marks | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | 20 | Explain the counselling process through examples, or describe supportive psychotherapy and its techniques. |
| Question 2 | 20 | Discuss ethical issues in multicultural counselling practice, or explain different counselling models with examples. |
| Question 3 (any two) | 10 per part | Choose two topics covering counselling essentials, supervision, counselling goals, and the scope and objectives of play therapy. |
| Question 4 (any four) | 5 per part | Choose four topics covering couple or marital counselling steps, listening barriers, legal implications, differences between counselling and psychotherapy, the importance of listening, and counsellor skills. |
| Question 5 (any five) | 4 per part | Write five short notes from follow-up, informed concern, person-centred therapy, assessment, termination, family counselling, confidentiality and Gestalt counselling. |
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
- Handwrite your assignment and sign it before submitting it.
- Submit the completed assignment to your Study Centre by the applicable deadline.
- Base your answers on IGNOU study materials and express them in your own words rather than copying from books.
- Read the relevant units, prepare a draft, make corrections and then prepare the final version.
- Begin every answer on a fresh page.
- Organise long and medium answers with an introduction, subheadings, a main discussion and a conclusion.
- Leave one line between paragraphs.
- Attempt all five questions, following the internal choices and word limits specified for each.
Submission dates: 31 March 2027 (June term-end exam); 30 September 2026 (December term-end exam). These are the official listing dates; dates can differ by session, and the PDF gives a different January-session deadline.
Frequently asked questions
What are the maximum marks and weightage for the MSW-015 assignment?
The assignment is worth 100 marks and contributes 30% to the overall course grade.
How many questions must I answer in MSW-015?
You must attempt all five main questions. Choose one alternative each in Questions 1 and 2, two parts in Question 3, four parts in Question 4 and five short-note topics in Question 5.
What are the word limits for the MSW-015 assignment?
Questions 1 and 2 must not exceed 600 words each. Each selected answer in Question 3 should be about 300 words, each in Question 4 about 150 words, and each short note in Question 5 about 100 words.
Does the MSW-015 assignment need to be handwritten?
Yes. The PDF requires handwritten, signed responses submitted to the Study Centre.
What are the MSW-015 assignment submission deadlines?
The official 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 instead lists 30 September 2027 for the January 2027 session.
Which session and languages does the official listing cover?
The listing covers July 2026 and January 2027, with English and Hindi available. Although the PDF cover says 2025–2026, its submission schedule names the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions.
Other IGNOU PGDCOUN assignments
- MSW-012: Introduction to Life Characteristics and Challenges
- MSW-013: Introduction to Psychological Basis of Counselling
- MSW-014: Relevance of Social Case Work in 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.