IGNOU PGDBP Project (MBPP-001): Guidelines, Synopsis Format, Guide Eligibility and Submission

MBPP-001 is the project course (Course 8) of the IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Book Publishing (PGDBP). It carries 4 credits, which the manual puts at around 120 hours of work. The project lets you apply what you learnt in Courses 1 to 7 to one particular publishing context. It is the compulsory option; the alternative is the apprenticeship or training course MBPA-001. The work runs in two parts: a short proposal that the School of Humanities must approve, and then a project report based on it.

The MBPP-001 journey at a glance

Every PGDBP project moves through these seven steps. The green tag shows where HelpBooks supports you.

1. 1
   Choose a publishing topicAny aspect of publishing that needs a detailed analysis and study, narrow enough for about 120 hours.HelpBooks: 5–6 topic options for you
2. 2
   Write the proposal (around 750–800 words)Title, objectives, research questions, methodology and expected outcomes.HelpBooks: proposal drafted with you
3. 3
   Fill the proforma (Annexure 1)Enrolment number, study centre and regional centre code, contact details, title, signature and date.HelpBooks: proforma check
4. 4
   Send to the Programme Coordinator, PGDBPSchool of Humanities, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068, by post or as a soft copy by email with the filled proforma.HelpBooks: final check before sending
5. 5
   ApprovalYou are told whether the proposal is approved, or asked to resubmit with changes. After approval the title must not change.HelpBooks: revision support

6. 6
   Collect data and write the report (around 5000 words)Start writing only after enough data is collected and analysed with suitable methods.HelpBooks: full report support
7. 7
   Bind and send to the Registrar (SED)By Registered Post, with the approved proposal attached and “PGDBP” written clearly on the cover.HelpBooks: certificate and envelope check

MBPP-001 at a glance

Figures are based on the MBPP-001 project manual. IGNOU revises its guidelines from time to time, so check the latest version on ignou.ac.in before you begin.

Who can be your MBPP-001 guide?

The project manual does not set guide eligibility conditions. It says the proposal is approved by the concerned faculty of the School of Humanities. Check your programme guideline and your study centre for any rule on guidance, and keep every detail in the proposal consistent with what you send. HelpBooks mentors can check your situation against the latest guideline before you post anything.

Choosing a PGDBP project topic

A good MBPP-001 topic is tied to one publishing context and can be studied with the time you have. The manual itself lists suggested topics such as Covid and Indian publishing, STM books in regional languages, and school textbook publishing and NEP 2020. Some areas that work well:

• Editorial work: editing workflow or quality checks in a small publishing house
• Regional-language publishing: availability and production of books in a regional language
• Educational publishing: textbook production under NEP 2020
• Marketing and distribution: how readers in your city buy books, online and offline
• Digital publishing: e-books and audiobooks for a particular reader group

If you work in a publishing house, press or bookshop, a topic linked to your own workplace makes data collection far easier. This is also the first thing our mentors look at when they suggest topics.

MBPP-001 proposal format

The proposal is around 750 to 800 words and has five parts:

• Title of the project
• Objectives of the study
• Research questions
• Methodology to be adopted
• Expected outcomes

The proforma (Annexure 1) carries your enrolment number, name, study centre code, regional centre code, address, email and phone number, project title, signature, date and a list of enclosures. A report sent without prior approval of the proposal is not evaluated.

MBPP-001 project report structure

After approval, the report follows the approved proposal. It is around 5000 words and has these sections:

• Title
• Introduction
• Objectives of the study
• Research questions
• Methodology
• Research outcomes and findings
• References

The report is arranged as cover and title page, signed bona fide certificate, table of contents, chapters, and appendices if any. Type it on A4 paper in 12-point font with one and a half spacing, and bind it with a flexible cover. The bona fide certificate must state that the work is original and not submitted elsewhere, and the approved proposal must be attached.

Why MBPP-001 proposals and reports come back

• Report sent without an approved proposal, which means it is not evaluated
• Project title changed after approval
• Proforma incomplete, or not signed and dated
• Objectives that the methodology cannot answer
• Report that starts writing before enough data is collected and analysed
• Approved proposal or signed bona fide certificate missing from the bound report
• Copied text instead of original writing
• Report sent to the wrong office instead of the Registrar (SED)

If your proposal needs changes: the manual says you may be asked to resubmit with modifications. Revise it using the comments and send it again for approval before you write the report. Our mentors can rework a returned proposal using the evaluator’s comments.

How HelpBooks mentors PGDBP learners

Most learners who reach us have one of three problems: they cannot settle on a topic, their proposal has come back once, or they have approval but do not know how to turn data into a clear report. Our mentors stay with you through the whole MBPP-001 journey, from the first topic list to the day your result appears:

• 5–6 workable topic options based on your job, publishing house and city, to settle before you write
• Proposal drafted with you to the MBPP-001 five-part format, with the proforma checked line by line before you post it
• Help with revisions if the School of Humanities asks for changes
• After approval, support in building the full report on your approved proposal, with original writing, your own findings and a plagiarism check
• A final check of the certificate, attachments and envelope before you send it to the Registrar (SED)
• Support until your result is declared, including any changes asked of you

Starting MBPP-001 or stuck midway? WhatsApp us on 8800002552 with your stage, and we will tell you the next step. You can also read our step-by-step IGNOU project guide.

Common questions

Is MBPP-001 compulsory?
It is the compulsory project course of PGDBP, carrying 4 credits. The alternative is the apprenticeship or training course MBPA-001.

Can I change my title after approval?
No. Once the proposal is approved, the title must not be changed, and the report must match it.

How long should the report be?
The manual says around 5000 words, typed on A4 in 12-point font with one and a half spacing.

Is there a viva for MBPP-001?
The manual does not mention a viva. Know your own report well either way, and follow any notice from your Regional Centre.

Can HelpBooks help if I have already started?
Yes. Many learners come to us after a returned proposal or with approval in hand. Share what you have, and we pick up from that stage.

HelpBooks is an independent academic support service and is not affiliated with IGNOU. Rules on this page are summarised from the MBPP-001 project manual; always follow the latest official guideline and the instructions of your programme.