Journalism and Media

What you need to know

1. 1
   Media covers news (print, TV, radio, digital), advertising and PR, film and video, and content and social media work.
2. 2
   You can enter from any stream: most colleges take Class 12 in any subject, and IIMC takes graduates in any discipline.
3. 3
   The main routes are a BJMC or BA Journalism after Class 12 (often through CUET), then a PG diploma or MA, such as IIMC through CUET-PG.
4. 4
   Skills and a portfolio matter as much as the degree. Starting pay is low, and fake "press card" sellers are common.

Official sources

• iimc.gov.inIIMC (Indian Institute of Mass Communication)↗
• cuet.nta.nic.inNTA: CUET (UG)↗

Inside this branch

• Every year: the calendar
• The jobs2 more
• After Class 123 more
• After graduation2 more
• Film, TV and free courses2 more
• Government media jobs2 more
• Honest pay1 more
• Safety and the law1 more
• For girls1 more
• Avoid scams1 more

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   CUET (UG) for BA courses at central universities: usually in May; DU and other counselling follows in the summer.
2. 2
   Jamia MCRC and private colleges: applications usually between February and April, with their own tests and interviews.
3. 3
   CUET (PG) for IIMC: usually in March; IIMC e-counselling usually runs in May and June.
4. 4
   Exact dates change every year: always check the official website before you apply.

Official sources

• cuet.nta.nic.inNTA: CUET (UG)↗
• iimc.admissions.nic.inIIMC e-counselling↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  Prasar Bharati vacanciesReal job titles: copy editor, correspondent, news reader, anchor.
  Free
• Official
  Network of Women in Media, IndiaWorking journalists' network and resources.
  Free
• Official
  SWAYAMFree courses to try media subjects before choosing.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Kinds of work
• The ladder

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   News: reporter, sub-editor or copy editor, anchor or news reader, photojournalist, video editor, data journalist.
2. 2
   Communication: public relations and corporate communication, advertising, radio jockey, content writing and social media, documentaries.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Usually: intern or trainee → reporter or sub-editor → senior reporter or senior editor → editor. In TV, anchors usually start as reporters or producers.
2. 2
   Writing well in your own language is a real strength: Hindi and regional news is a big market.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 6

• Official
  NTA: CUET (UG)Entrance for central university BA courses.
  Free
• Official
  Delhi School of Journalism5-year integrated course through CUET; exit after 3 years possible.
  Free
• Official
  Makhanlal Chaturvedi UniversityJournalism university with campuses in Bhopal, Rewa, Khandwa and Datia.
  Free
• Official
  Kushabhau Thakre University, RaipurBA and MA in mass communication.
  Free
• Official
  Haridev Joshi University, JaipurBA-JMC, MA and PG diplomas.
  Free
• Official
  Symbiosis SET eligibilityBA Mass Communication through SET (private).
  Free

Inside this branch

• Central universities (CUET)
• Journalism universities
• Private colleges

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   BA (Hons) Journalism at Delhi University colleges and the 5-year Delhi School of Journalism programme are filled through CUET (UG). Choose CUET papers that match your Class 12 subjects.

Official sources

• cuet.nta.nic.inNTA: CUET (UG)↗
• dsj.du.ac.inDelhi School of Journalism (DU)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapAfter Class 12: all choices→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   State journalism universities teach mostly in Hindi: Makhanlal Chaturvedi (Bhopal and other campuses), Kushabhau Thakre (Raipur) and Haridev Joshi (Jaipur). They offer BA and MA courses; check each one's notice for the admission method.

Official sources

• mcu.ac.inMakhanlal Chaturvedi Journalism University, Bhopal↗
• ktujm.ac.inKushabhau Thakre Journalism University, Raipur↗
• hju.ac.inHaridev Joshi Journalism University, Jaipur↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Many private colleges run BJMC or BA Mass Communication, e.g. Symbiosis through SET (Class 12 with 50%, any board). Fees are much higher: compare before you pay.

Official sources

• set-test.orgSymbiosis SET: eligibility↗
• Vaidaani roadmapArts and Humanities careers→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 7

• Official
  IIMCCampuses, courses and notices.
  Free
• Official
  IIMC admission notice (PDF)CUET (PG) paper, eligibility, age limits, seats.
  Free
• Official
  IIMC e-counsellingSeat allotment after CUET (PG).
  Free
• Official
  IIMC language journalism coursesOdia, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu, admitted separately.
  Free
• Official
  Jamia AJK MCRC FAQCourses, seats and test pattern.
  Free
• Official
  Asian College of JournalismPrivate PG diplomas, Chennai.
  Free
• Official
  Xavier Institute of CommunicationsPrivate PG programmes, Mumbai.
  Free

Inside this branch

• IIMC
• Jamia MCRC and others

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   IIMC is a deemed university with campuses in Delhi, Dhenkanal, Aizawl, Amravati, Jammu and Kottayam.
2. 2
   Its PG Diplomas (English, Hindi, Radio and TV Journalism, Advertising and PR) and MAs are filled only through CUET (PG), Mass Communication and Journalism paper. Any graduate can apply.
3. 3
   PG Diplomas have an age limit (25 for General, 28 for OBC, 30 for SC, ST and PwD); the MAs have none. Odia, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu journalism have separate admission.

Official sources

• iimc.gov.inIIMC: admission notice (PDF)↗
• iimc.gov.inIIMC: Odia, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu journalism↗
• iimc.admissions.nic.inIIMC e-counselling↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Jamia's AJK MCRC runs its own entrance (written test, interview and portfolio) for MA Mass Communication and other courses; any graduate with 50% can apply.
2. 2
   Well-known private options include the Asian College of Journalism (Chennai) and XIC (Mumbai); fees and tests are their own (reported).

Official sources

• jmi.ac.inJamia AJK MCRC: courses and entrance↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 5

• Official
  FTII PuneFilm and TV courses and short courses.
  Free
• Official
  SRFTI KolkataPG programmes in cinema and digital media.
  Free
• Official
  SWAYAMFree courses; certificate exam is paid.
  Free
• Official
  DataLEADSFact-checking and media-literacy training (check cost).
  Free
• Official
  PIB Fact CheckSee how false claims about the government are checked.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Film and TV schools
• Learn free and build a portfolio

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   FTII (Pune) and SRFTI (Kolkata) teach direction, cinematography, editing, sound and TV through their own entrance test, mostly after graduation. FTII also runs short courses.

Official sources

• ftii.ac.inFTII Pune: film and TV courses↗
• srfti.ac.inSRFTI Kolkata↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   SWAYAM has free media courses (the certificate exam is paid).
2. 2
   Start now: write for your school or college magazine, run a blog or local news page, learn to shoot and edit on a phone, and practise checking facts. Editors look at your work, not only your marks.

Official sources

• swayam.gov.inSWAYAM: free online courses↗
• factcheck.pib.gov.inPIB Fact Check↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  IIMC: IIS officer recruitmentUPSC and SSC routes into the Indian Information Service.
  Free
• Official
  Prasar Bharati vacanciesDoordarshan and Akashvani posts.
  Free
• Official
  PIB accreditation portalFor experienced Delhi-based journalists.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Indian Information Service
• Other routes

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   IIS Group A officers come mainly through the UPSC Civil Services exam; Group B posts are filled through UPSC and SSC exams. They work in PIB, DD News, Akashvani News and other ministry media units.

Official sources

• iimc.gov.inIIMC: how Indian Information Service officers are recruited↗
• Vaidaani roadmapUPSC in depth→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan and Akashvani) advertises posts like copy editor, correspondent and news reader, mostly on contract.
2. 2
   States hire public relations officers (often APRO) through their service commissions, usually needing a journalism or PR qualification.

Official sources

• prasarbharati.gov.inPrasar Bharati (DD and Akashvani) vacancies↗
• Vaidaani roadmapGovernment jobs→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Article
  WageIndicator: journalists' pay in IndiaReported pay ranges.
  Free
• Official
  National Scholarship PortalCentral and state scholarships for college students.
  Free
• Official
  IIMC freeshipsMerit-cum-means fee help.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The money

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Freshers often start at about ₹15,000–30,000 a month (reported), lower at small and regional outlets. Many internships pay little or nothing.
2. 2
   Job cuts have hit newsrooms in recent years (reported), so build more than one skill: writing, video, data or design. PR and corporate communication often pay more.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 4

• Official
  Press Council: complaintsPrint media only.
  Free
• Official
  NBDSA complaint guideTV news complaints (member channels).
  Free
• Official
  RSF: IndiaPress-freedom ranking and context.
  Free
• Official
  CPJ: IndiaAttacks on and jailing of journalists.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What to know

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   India ranks low on world press-freedom indexes (RSF) and journalists have been attacked and jailed (reported). Local reporters face the most risk.
2. 2
   False and damaging reporting can lead to a defamation case, criminal or civil. Check facts, keep notes and recordings, and get the other side's version.
3. 3
   Complaints about newspapers go to the Press Council (print only); about TV news, to the channel and then NBDSA.

Official sources

• rsf.orgRSF: press freedom in India↗
• presscouncil.nic.inPress Council of India: complaints↗
• nbdanewdelhi.comNBDSA: complaints about TV news↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  SHe-BoxWorkplace sexual harassment complaints.
  Free
• Official
  NWMISafe-newsroom guidelines, chapters, fellowship.
  Free
• Official
  IIMC freeships and scholarshipsIncludes a scholarship for a woman student of Hindi journalism.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What to know

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Every workplace with 10 or more staff must have an Internal Committee for harassment complaints (POSH Act); you can also complain on SHe-Box.
2. 2
   The Network of Women in Media, India shares safe-newsroom guidelines and support. IIMC offers freeships, and one named scholarship is for a woman student of Hindi journalism.

Official sources

• shebox.wcd.gov.inSHe-Box: workplace harassment complaints↗
• nwmindia.orgNetwork of Women in Media, India↗
• iimc.gov.inIIMC: freeships and scholarships↗
• Vaidaani roadmapFor girls: every scheme→
• Vaidaani roadmapScholarships for every stage→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 4

• Official
  PIB accreditation rules (PDF)Who can get central accreditation: not freshers.
  Free
• Official
  UGCCheck recognised and fake universities before paying.
  Free
• Official
  PIB Fact CheckCheck fake notices and claims.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report fraud.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Red flags

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   "Buy a press card" or "become a reporter for a fee": a real press card is an ID from your employer. Central (PIB) accreditation needs 5 years of full-time work, so freshers cannot get one.
2. 2
   Police have arrested fake "reporters" and YouTube "channels" for extortion (reported). Using a fake press ID is a crime.
3. 3
   "Become a TV anchor in 3 months" academies charging lakhs: check the institute is recognised (UGC list) before paying. Lost money? Call 1930.

Official sources

• static.pib.gov.inPIB accreditation rules: FAQ (PDF)↗
• ugc.gov.inUGC: check recognised and fake universities↗
• cybercrime.gov.inCyber crime portal (helpline 1930)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us