INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MASS COMMUNICATION, NEW DELHI

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, continues to be the premier institution for journalism and mass communication in India. Established in 1965 and recently granted the status of a Deemed-to-be University, IIMC operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

• Campus Location: Situated within the lush green JNU New Campus, New Delhi.
• Accreditation: Deemed University status (Category I).
• Flagship Courses: PG Diploma in English Journalism, Hindi Journalism, and Advertising & Public Relations.
• Global Recognition: Known as a 'Center of Excellence' in the field of communication training and research in South Asia.
• Industry Connectivity: Located in the heart of India's media hub, providing unparalleled access to national news agencies, television networks, and digital media houses.

For the 2026 academic session, IIMC New Delhi offers specialized post-graduate diploma programmes that are highly industry-aligned. The most sought-after programmes include:

• PG Diploma in English Journalism: Focuses on print, digital, and agency reporting.
• PG Diploma in Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR): A premier course for those aiming for corporate communication and creative agencies.
• PG Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism (RTV): Emphasizes broadcast news production, anchoring, and technical skills.
• PG Diploma in Hindi Journalism: Leading the vernacular media education space in India.
• PG Diploma in Digital Media: A relatively new but highly popular course focusing on social media management, SEO, and content strategy.

Admission to IIMC for 2026 is primarily conducted through the CUET (PG) examination. The process is streamlined to ensure merit-based selection.

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final year students are also eligible to apply.

Student feedback for IIMC New Delhi consistently highlights the rigorous academic environment and the immense networking opportunities. Common themes in reviews include:

• Faculty Expertise: Students appreciate that many instructors are working professionals or veterans from the media industry.
• Networking: Being in New Delhi, students frequently attend events at the Press Club of India and interact with top editors.
• Infrastructure: While the campus is smaller compared to JNU, the specialized labs and studios are state-of-the-art.
• Placement Pressure: Reviews often mention the high-intensity environment during the 'Placement Week,' which is both challenging and rewarding.

The 2026 cutoffs are determined by the CUET PG scores. While the exact marks vary yearly, the expected percentile cutoffs for the General category are as follows:

• PG Diploma in Advertising & PR: 98-99 percentile
• PG Diploma in English Journalism: 95-97 percentile
• PG Diploma in Radio & TV Journalism: 96-98 percentile
• PG Diploma in Hindi Journalism: 92-95 percentile

Reservation policies as per Government of India norms (OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD) are strictly followed during the allotment process.

IIMC has maintained its dominance in national rankings for over a decade. In 2026, it continues to hold top positions:

• India Today: Ranked #1 for Mass Communication.
• The Week: Ranked #1 among government media institutes.
• Outlook ICare: Ranked #1 for Journalism education in India.
• Global Recognition: Recognized by UNESCO as a model journalism education center.

The 2025 placement season saw a robust turnout from both traditional and digital media giants. IIMC New Delhi maintains a dedicated placement cell.

• Average Package: INR 5.5 LPA - 7.5 LPA.
• Highest Package: INR 18 LPA (International/Digital Media roles).
• Top Recruiters: PTI (Press Trust of India), ANI, Reuters, Zee News, Network18, Times Group, Adfactors PR, and various Government of India ministries.
• Roles Offered: Sub-editor, Reporter, PR Executive, Social Media Manager, and Content Strategist.

IIMC offers several merit-cum-means scholarships to support deserving students:

• Ratan Tata Scholarship: Awarded to meritorious students based on their performance in the first semester.
• IIMC Alumni Association Scholarships: Provided to students from economically weaker sections.
• Post-Matric Scholarships: Available for SC/ST/OBC students as per Central Government schemes.
• Fee Waivers: Limited fee concessions are available for students with exceptional academic records and documented financial need.

While all courses are prestigious, the following are the most popular based on application volume:

• PG Diploma in Advertising & Public Relations: Known for its high corporate placement rates.
• PG Diploma in Radio & TV Journalism: Popular for its hands-on training in the 'Apna Radio' community station and TV studios.
• PG Diploma in Digital Media: Rapidly growing in popularity due to the shift towards online news and marketing.

The fee structure for the 2026 academic year is approximately as follows (subject to minor revisions):

Fees are usually paid in two installments. Hostel and mess charges are additional.

When comparing IIMC New Delhi with other top institutes like AJK MCRC (Jamia Millia Islamia) or XIC (Xavier Institute of Communications), several factors stand out:

• IIMC vs Jamia: IIMC is better for hard journalism and PR, while Jamia is world-renowned for film production and documentary making.
• IIMC vs XIC: IIMC offers a government-backed credential and lower fees compared to the private XIC Mumbai, though XIC has a strong foothold in the Mumbai advertising industry.
• IIMC vs ACJ (Chennai): ACJ is highly regarded for its intensive print journalism focus, but IIMC's location in the national capital gives it a significant edge for political and diplomatic reporting.

The application process is entirely online through the NTA/CUET portal:

1. Register on the CUET PG official website.
2. Select 'Indian Institute of Mass Communication' and the specific PG Diploma codes.
3. Upload required documents (Photo, Signature, Category Certificate).
4. Pay the application fee via online gateway.
5. Appear for the CUET PG exam.
6. Participate in the IIMC-specific centralized counseling based on the merit list.

IIMC New Delhi provides specialized infrastructure tailored for media training:

• Library: One of the largest collections of mass communication literature in Delhi.
• TV Studios: Fully equipped digital studios for news production and anchoring.
• Radio Studio: Home to 'Apna Radio 96.9 FM', where students produce live content.
• IT Labs: High-speed labs with latest editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro and QuarkXPress.
• Hostels: Separate hostels for boys and girls (limited capacity, allotted on merit).

The institute is divided into specialized departments to facilitate focused learning:

• Department of Journalism (English/Hindi/Regional).
• Department of Advertising & Public Relations.
• Department of Radio & TV Journalism.
• Department of Communication Research.
• Department of Publications.

For students who cannot join the full-time diploma, several online certifications are recommended to build a media portfolio:

• Google News Initiative: Digital Journalism certifications.
• Coursera: Specialized tracks in Digital Marketing and SEO.
• HubSpot Academy: Content Marketing and PR certifications.
• LinkedIn Learning: Video Editing and Data Journalism basics.

The faculty at IIMC is a blend of distinguished academicians and industry veterans. Many professors have over 20 years of experience in organizations like Doordarshan, AIR, and leading national dailies. Guest lectures by senior editors from NDTV, India Today, and The Hindu are a regular feature of the curriculum.

IIMC New Delhi has started offering short-term online and hybrid certificate courses in:

• Social Media Writing and Marketing.
• Data Journalism.
• Science and Health Communication.
• Strategic Communication for Government Officials.

The alumni network of IIMC is its greatest strength, with former students occupying top positions in global media:

• Ravish Kumar: Renowned Journalist and Magsaysay Award winner.
• Deepak Chaurasia: Senior TV Journalist.
• Neelesh Misra: Storyteller and Founder of Gaon Connection.
• Zaka Jacob: Managing Editor, CNN-News18.
• Chitra Tripathi: Senior Anchor, Aaj Tak.