The prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), operating as a Deemed to be University under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has officially commenced the admission process for its Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme for the upcoming academic session 2025-26. Aspiring researchers can now submit their applications online through the institute's official portal.
Programme Details and Seat Matrix
The IIMC PhD programme is designed to foster advanced research in a wide spectrum of media and communication disciplines. Candidates can pursue their doctoral studies in Full-Time or Part-Time mode. The research areas encompass journalism, mass communication, digital media, advertising, public relations, strategic and political communication, film studies, and development communication.
The institute is offering a total of 22 seats for the session. Out of these, 18 seats are allocated for Full-Time scholars, and 4 seats are reserved for those opting for the Part-Time mode. Reservation policies of the Central Government will be applicable for candidates from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories. Additionally, supernumerary seats are available for international scholars as per the institute's regulations.
Eligibility Criteria and Selection Process
The eligibility requirements differ slightly for the two modes of study. For the Full-Time PhD, applicants must possess a Master’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communication or allied fields with a minimum of 55% marks. Alternatively, candidates with a four-year Bachelor’s degree that includes a research component and at least 75% marks are also eligible. Crucially, all Full-Time applicants must have a valid University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) qualification in Mass Communication and Journalism.
For the Part-Time PhD, candidates must meet the same academic qualifications. However, they must also be currently employed and have a minimum of three years of professional experience in media, communication, or related fields. A mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their current employer is required at the time of application.
The selection process is streamlined for UGC NET qualifiers. Full-Time candidates with a valid UGC NET score will be directly called for an interview; there is no separate entrance exam for them. Their final merit will be calculated with 70% weightage given to the UGC NET percentile and 30% to the interview performance.
For Part-Time candidates, the process includes an offline entrance examination to be held at IIMC, Delhi. Those who have cleared UGC NET are exempted from this written test. Shortlisted candidates will then face an interview. The final merit for Part-Time admissions will be based 70% on the entrance exam (or UGC NET score) and 30% on the interview.
Important Dates and Application Procedure
Prospective applicants must carefully note the following schedule for the IIMC PhD admissions 2025-26 cycle:
- Opening of online application: January 1, 2026
- Last date to apply: January 30, 2026
- Entrance exam for Part-Time candidates: February 15, 2026
- Interview shortlist release: February 23, 2026
- Interview process begins: March 9, 2026
- Final result declaration: March 19, 2026
- Admission and document verification: March 23 to 27, 2026
- Coursework commencement: April 1, 2026
Candidates are advised that any changes to this schedule will be updated on the official IIMC website: www.iimc.gov.in.
The application fee is set at ₹2,500 for the General category and ₹1,500 for OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD candidates. International applicants need to pay a fee of $100. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid online.
To apply, candidates need to visit the IIMC website, register for PhD admissions 2025-26, and fill out the online form. Required documents for upload include academic mark sheets, UGC NET scorecard, category certificate (if applicable), a 500-word Statement of Purpose, a detailed 2000-word Research Proposal, and an NOC for Part-Time applicants.
This announcement opens a significant opportunity for media professionals and academics to engage in high-level research at one of India's premier communication institutes. Interested individuals should begin preparing their applications and research proposals to meet the impending deadline.
