IIMC Launches PhD Programme in Journalism and Mass Communication

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) which is one of the most prestigious institutions for journalism and media studies in India, has taken a significant step in its academic journey with the launch of its first-ever Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in Journalism and Mass Communication.

IIMC was established in the year of 1965 under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, it has played a crucial role in shaping generations of media professionals. On 31st January 2024, IIMC was granted ‘Deemed to be University’ status under the ‘Distinct Category’ by the Ministry of Education, which enabled it to award degrees and expand its academic circumference. The introduction of the PhD programme marks a milestone in the institute’s transition, highlighting IIMC not only as an educational institution of training and learning but also as a centre for advanced research and scholarly engagement in the field of Journalism and Mass Communication studies.

According to official information, the PhD programme is being offered for the academic session of 2025–26 and will cover a wide range of research areas, including journalism, mass communication, digital media, strategic communication, media industry management, film studies, political communication, development communication, advertising, and public relations. For the first batch, IIMC is offering a maximum number of 22 seats, including 18 for full-time scholars and four for part-time scholars. IIMC is following reservation norms in admission as mandated under the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation of Seats) Act 2006. International scholars can also apply for admission. Admission to the full-time PhD programme will be mainly based on UGC-NET qualifications in Journalism and Mass Communication, and candidates without NET will have to appear for an entrance examination which will be conducted by IIMC, following an interview.

 The minimum duration of the programme is three years and the maximum is six years, with provisions for extension according to University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. IIMC has mentioned the fee structure of the PhD programme in their official prospectus, including academic fees, semester-wise tuition fees, thesis submission charges, and fees for other facilities such as libraries and labs. Although IIMC is not offering an institutional fellowship currently, candidates who have qualified UGC-JRF are eligible to receive fellowships as per UGC norms.

The admission process for the 2025–2026 batch follows a strict timeline. Online applications have already started from 1st January 2026, and the last date for submitting the application is 30th January 2026. The entrance test is scheduled for 15th February 2026, for the candidates who are required to take the entrance examination and the result is expected to be declared by 20th February. On 23rd February, the list of shortlisted candidates for interviews will be published and interviews are scheduled to start from 9th March. The final result is expected to be declared on 19th March, following the admission process between 23rd March to 27th March. The academic session is scheduled to start from 1st April 2026. All updates related to admissions and selection are there on the official IIMC website — http://www.iimc.gov.in

The launch of the PhD programme was formally marked with a plantation drive at the IIMC campus. As shared by IIMC on its official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle, Vice Chancellor Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, along with the Registrar, faculty members, and Regional Directors from various campuses, planted a Kovidar (Orchid) sapling named “Gyan Vriksha” to commemorate the occasion. Similar plantation activities also took place across IIMC’s regional campuses, with faculty and staff participating together. With the launch of the PhD programme, IIMC has entered a new phase in its academic journey, strengthening its role in advanced media research and higher education in India.