ADBU Ph.D Mass Communication: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. The Ph.D. programme at ADBU is officially classified as full-time. However, working professionals can apply provided they submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the time of the interview. Many media professionals and journalism faculty from colleges in Northeast India pursue this programme while continuing their work, as the research-oriented nature of the programme allows for flexible engagement after the mandatory one-semester coursework. The coursework semester requires regular physical attendance on campus, so candidates should plan for a period of leave or proximity to the Tapesia Campus during this phase. After coursework, the research phase can be managed with periodic supervisor meetings and campus visits.

Ans. The UGC-NET subject for Mass Communication is "Mass Communication and Journalism" (Paper Code 48). Candidates who qualify UGC-NET in this subject are exempted from ADBU's written entrance test for Ph.D. admission. Additionally, qualifying UGC-NET with JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) entitles candidates to a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 (JRF) or Rs. 42,000 (SRF after two years), which significantly reduces the financial burden of the programme. All candidates, regardless of NET status, must attend the personal interview and present a research proposal. Qualifying NET-JRF is strongly recommended for candidates planning to pursue Ph.D. in Mass Communication as it provides both financial support and academic recognition.

Ans. The Department of Mass Communication at ADBU offers a particularly rich research environment for scholars interested in the media landscape of Northeast India. Highly relevant research areas include: Tribal and Folk Media (documenting and analysing indigenous communication traditions of Northeast India); Development Communication (role of media in social development, health communication, and rural outreach); Digital Media and New Media (social media, mobile journalism, and digital transformation of regional media); Media, Religion and Culture (intersection of media with the diverse religious and cultural traditions of the Northeast); and Broadcast Media and Television Production (regional language broadcasting and its social impact). Scholars are encouraged to frame research proposals that address the unique media challenges and opportunities of the Northeast Indian context.

Ans. ADBU offers Ph.D. in Mass Communication, which is a broader discipline encompassing journalism, advertising, public relations, digital media, broadcast media, development communication, and media studies. A Ph.D. in Journalism, by contrast, would focus specifically on news reporting, editorial practices, and journalistic ethics. At ADBU, the Mass Communication Ph.D. allows scholars to specialise in journalism as one of several research areas within the broader field. This makes it more versatile for candidates with diverse media backgrounds, whether in print journalism, television, digital media, advertising, or public relations. The research proposal submitted at the interview should clearly define the specific area of focus within Mass Communication.

Ans. As per ADBU's Ph.D. regulations, research scholars must have at least two research publications co-authored with their supervisor in Scopus Indexed, Web of Science, or peer-reviewed journals with ADBU affiliation before submitting the thesis. For Mass Communication scholars, relevant indexed journals include those in Media Studies, Communication Research, Journalism Studies, Digital Journalism, and South Asian Media Studies. Scholars are advised to identify target journals early in their research programme in consultation with their supervisor, as the publication process in humanities and social science journals can take 12-18 months from submission to acceptance. ICSSR-recognised journals are also considered peer-reviewed and may be acceptable depending on the supervisor's guidance.

Ans. Yes, the Department of Mass Communication at ADBU was established with a focus on providing students with practical, hands-on training in media and communication studies. The department has production facilities that support practical learning in television production, broadcast media, and digital media. For Ph.D. scholars whose research involves production-based or practice-based methodologies (such as documentary filmmaking, digital storytelling, or broadcast journalism research), these facilities can be utilised in consultation with the supervisor. The department's practical orientation, combined with its location in Guwahati, the media hub of Northeast India, provides scholars with access to regional media organisations, journalists, and communication practitioners for fieldwork and primary research.