IIMC invites applications for PhD admissions in Journalism and Mass Communication: Apply now

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication, a deemed-to-be university under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, has invited online applications for admission to the Ph.D. Programme (full-time and part-time) for the academic year 2025-26.

IIMC offers research scholars the opportunity to conduct in-depth studies in journalism, mass communication, digital media, strategic communication, media industry management, film studies, political communication, development communication, advertising, and public relations. The programme is designed to enhance knowledge and research capabilities in the field of media and communication.

Major Research Areas (Only prospective areas) include Media and Communication; Print and Electronic Media; Advertising & Public Relations; Corporate Communication and Brand Building; Strategic Communication; Media Industry Management; Journalism Studies; Political Communication; Digital Media; Cinema and Discourse; Data Journalism and Media Analytics; Development Communication; Government Communication; Health Communication; Visual Communication as well other areas of entire gamut of mass communication

Eligibility for Full-Time PhD Programme: Applicant should have completed one of the following

(i) A one-year/two-semester Master’s Degree Programme (after a four-year/eight semester Bachelor’s Degree) Programme in Journalism and Mass Communication and allied disciplines

(ii) A two-year/four-semester Master’s Degree Programme in Mass Communication/ Journalism and/or related field after a three-year Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Sciences and allied disciplines

(iii) Qualifications declared equivalent to the Master’s Degree in Media and Communication and allied disciplines by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a 10-point scale wherever the grading system is followed

(iv) An M.Phil. Programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in Journalism and Mass Communication and allied disciplines in a point scale wherever grading system is followed.

Those seeking admission after a four-year/eight-semester bachelor’s degree programme with research should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or a CGPA of 7.5 on a 10-point scale. Those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/Differently Abled, EWS and other categories shall be given relaxation in qualifying marks/grade for admission to the Programme as per the existing rules of the Government of India.

Eligibility for Part-Time PhD: The eligibility criteria for admission to the Part-Time Ph.D. Programme shall be the same as those prescribed for the Full-Time Ph.D. Programme. Additionally, applicants must be in regular/contractual employment and must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in regular/contractual mode in media and mass communication or allied industries. Coursework is mandatory for part-time Ph.D. candidates also. They will have to produce ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the appropriate authority in the organization where the he/she is employed, clearly stating that (i) The candidate is permitted to pursue studies on a Part-Time basis (ii) His/her official duties permit him/her to devote sufficient time to research (iii) If required, he/she will be relieved from the duty to complete the coursework.

UGC’s NET/JRF rules will be the base for admission. NET candidates declared eligible in three categories will be considered subject to validity of NET score (the marks obtained in the NET by the candidates in Categories 2 and 3 will be valid for a period of one year for admission to Ph.D. Programme). For Full-Time Ph.D. Programme, the candidate must have cleared UGC-NET in mass communication & journalism. There will be an entrance test for the Part-Time Ph.D. Programme. Full-time and part-time candidates applying with UGC NET qualification will be called for an interview directly, and part-time Ph.D. candidates without UGC NET qualification will need to take an entrance test to be conducted by IIMC. The selection process is given in the prospectus available at https://www.iimc.gov.in/ (Admissions).

Applications can be submitted online at this link latest by January 30, 2026.

The application fee is Rs. 2,500/- for general category candidates and Rs. 1,500/- for OBC/SC/ST/PwD/EWS categories to be paid online.

A brief write-up on the statement of purpose (500 words) and a research proposal on any one of the proposed area(s) of research in around 2000 words within the broad areas of Journalism & Mass Communication, as per the outline provided, have to be uploaded along with the application.

For any Admission-related query, one can contact at admissions@iimc.gov.in