Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (PGJMC) at IGNOU is a one-year postgraduate diploma programme offered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode by the School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS). The programme spans a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years, carrying 40 credits, and covers both theoretical and practical aspects of journalism, media, and communication. The total programme fee is Rs. 12,500 plus a registration fee of Rs. 300, making it one of the most affordable PG-level journalism programmes in India. Admissions are open twice a year (January and July sessions), and the programme is available in English and Hindi mediums. It is widely popular among working media professionals, fresh graduates, and those seeking a formal qualification in journalism without attending regular classes.

Admission for the January 2026 session commenced on 17 December 2025, with the last date extended to 31 March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open tentatively in May 2026, based on the previous year's schedule. As of the current date (March 2026), the January 2026 session admission is in its final stage. Students who have already enrolled are required to submit assignments by 31 March 2026 for the June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE).

Since PGJMC is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode, it is accessible through IGNOU's vast network of Regional Centres and Study Centres across India. Key regional centres offering this programme include:

New Delhi (Headquarters)
Mumbai
Chennai
Kolkata
Hyderabad
Bengaluru
Ahmedabad
Bhopal
Patna
Lucknow
Jaipur
Chandigarh
Guwahati
Bhubaneswar
Thiruvananthapuram

And many more across all states and union territories. Students are assigned to the nearest Study Centre based on their region for counselling and practical sessions.

Key Points

PGJMC is offered by IGNOU's School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS) and is recognised by all AIU member institutions.
The programme includes practical components (Print, Audiovisual, and Digital Media practicals), making it industry-relevant.
After completing PGJMC, students can take lateral entry into the 2nd year of IGNOU's MA in Journalism and Mass Communication (MAJMC).
The programme is available in both English and Hindi mediums, making it accessible to a wider learner base.
No entrance exam is required; admission is based on eligibility criteria only.
Students can complete the programme at their own pace within a maximum of 3 years.
Term-End Examinations (TEE) are held twice a year in June and December.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU Latest Updates and News

02 Apr, 2026 IGNOU Registration (Jan 2026 Session) closed on Mar 30, 2026. The next admission cycle is expected to begin around May-Jun 2026 for the July session.

IGNOU PGJMC Fees

PGJMC at IGNOU is one of the most affordable postgraduate diploma programmes in journalism in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 12,500, payable in a single installment at the time of admission, along with a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300. Students opting for digital study material instead of printed material receive a 15% concession on the programme fee, bringing it down to approximately Rs. 10,625. SC/ST students may be eligible for fee exemption as per IGNOU's policy for the applicable session.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Programme Fee	12,500
Registration Fee	300
Total Fees	12,800

Registration fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable under all circumstances.
Students opting for digital/soft copy study material get a 15% discount on the programme fee (Rs. 12,500 x 85% = Rs. 10,625).
Examination fee: Rs. 200 per theory course per TEE (payable separately at the time of exam form submission).
SC/ST students may avail fee exemption on the programme fee (not on registration fee or exam fee) as per IGNOU's policy for the respective session. Employed SC/ST students or those availing other scholarships are not eligible.
Fee once paid is non-refundable except in cases of double payment, rejection of admission by the university, or withdrawal of the programme by the university.
Refund policy: Full refund (minus registration fee) if cancelled before admission confirmation; Rs. 500 deduction within 15 days of confirmation; Rs. 1,000 deduction within 16-90 days; no refund beyond 90 days.
No hostel facility is applicable as this is a distance learning programme.

IGNOU PGJMC Admission 2026

IGNOU PGJMC admissions are conducted twice a year under the January and July sessions. The admission process is entirely online through the IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in). The January 2026 session is currently in its final stage with the last date being 31 March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open tentatively in May 2026. No entrance examination is required for admission to this programme.

Important Dates

Event	Date
January 2026 Session Admission Opens	17 December 2025
Last Date for January 2026 Admission	31 March 2026
Assignment Submission Deadline (June TEE)	31 March 2026
Exam Form Submission (June TEE, without late fee)	By 10 April 2026
Term-End Examination (June 2026)	June 2026
July 2026 Session Admission Opens (Tentative)	May 2026
Last Date for July 2026 Admission (Tentative)	September 2026
Term-End Examination (December 2026)	December 2026

No specific entrance exam is required for PGJMC. The programme does not mandate any national-level exam for admission.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a UGC-recognised university or institution.
Basic proficiency in computer skills including MS Office and internet usage.
Good command of the English language (programme is offered in English and Hindi).

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Create a DEB ID (mandatory before starting the application) on the ABC/DigiLocker portal.
Register as a new user and fill in the online application form.
Upload scanned copies of required documents: educational certificates, photograph (below 100 KB), signature (below 100 KB), identity/address proof (below 200 KB), and category certificate (if applicable).
Pay the programme fee (Rs. 12,500) and registration fee (Rs. 300) online via credit card, debit card, or net banking.
Submit the form and save the payment confirmation.
Admission confirmation is sent via SMS and email to the registered mobile number and email ID.
Students are allotted a Study Centre based on their region for counselling and practical sessions.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 1 Reviews

The online Master's program in Journalism and Mass Communication is a two-year course designed to enhance employability in fields like communication, mass media, printed media, and content. It includes 8 subjects per year, with 2 practicals, annual exams, and one assignment per subject. The course is structured with a faculty-to-student ratio of 180:2, but communication with faculty varies in responsiveness. Although no placement services are offered due to the distance learning mode, the course still boosts job prospects by providing a master's degree.

The total tuition fee for the program is Rs. 24,000, split into Rs. 12,000 per year. An additional examination fee of Rs. 200 per subject results in an annual exam fee of Rs. 1,600. Including the Rs. 1,500 application fee, the overall cost for the program is Rs. 27,200.

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IGNOU PGJMC Scholarships 2026

IGNOU PGJMC students can avail of several scholarship and fee support schemes. The university encourages students from economically weaker sections and reserved categories to apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal. SC/ST students may also benefit from IGNOU's own fee exemption scheme for eligible sessions.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / Scheme	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Central Govt.)	SC category students	Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance; apply at scholarships.gov.in
Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Central Govt.)	ST category students	Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance; apply at scholarships.gov.in
IGNOU Fee Exemption for SC/ST Students	SC/ST students (unemployed, not availing other scholarships, parental income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year)	Full programme fee exemption (Rs. 12,500)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	Various categories (OBC, Minority, EWS, Differently Abled, etc.)	Varies by scheme; apply at scholarships.gov.in
Vidya Lakshmi Portal (Education Loan)	All students	Education loan facilitation through 40+ banks

SC/ST fee exemption is available for one programme only and is reviewed each admission cycle. Employed SC/ST students or those availing other scholarships are not eligible.
Students must submit an income certificate issued by an authorised government agency at the time of admission to avail fee exemption.
Registration fee (Rs. 300), examination fee, and other charges are not covered under the fee exemption scheme.
Application deadlines for NSP scholarships are typically between October and December each year; students should check scholarships.gov.in for the latest dates.
Education loans can be explored through the Vidya Lakshmi Portal (vidyalakshmi.co.in).

IGNOU PGJMC FAQs

Ques. Is IGNOU PGJMC valid and recognised? Will employers accept it?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU is a UGC-recognised Central University and its degrees and diplomas are recognised by all AIU member institutions and are at par with qualifications from conventional universities. The PGJMC degree is accepted by media organisations, government bodies, and private employers across India. Many working journalists and media professionals have upgraded their qualifications through this programme.

Ques. Can I do PGJMC while working full-time? How much time does it require per week?

Ans. Yes, PGJMC is specifically designed for working professionals. Since it is a distance learning programme, there are no mandatory daily classes. You need to study self-learning material at your own pace, attend a few counselling sessions at your assigned Study Centre, complete assignments, and appear for Term-End Examinations in June or December. On average, 8-10 hours of self-study per week is sufficient to complete the programme in one year.

Ques. What is the difference between the old PGJMC (Rs. 4,200) and the new PGJMC (Rs. 12,500)?

Ans. IGNOU revised the PGJMC programme with an updated curriculum, new course codes (MJM series), and enhanced practical components including digital media practicals. The revised programme carries 40 credits and has a fee of Rs. 12,500. The old PGJMC (PGJMC-OLD) had a fee of Rs. 4,200 and is no longer available for fresh admissions. Students who completed the old PGJMC may still be completing their programme under the old structure.

Ques. After completing PGJMC, can I directly get admission to the 2nd year of MAJMC?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU allows lateral entry into the 2nd year of MA in Journalism and Mass Communication (MAJMC) for students who have successfully completed PGJMC. This is a significant advantage as it saves one year of study time for those who wish to pursue a full Master's degree in journalism.

Ques. Are there any practical sessions for PGJMC? Do I need to attend them in person?

Ans. Yes, PGJMC has practical components: Practical: Print (MJML-220), Practical: Audiovisual (MJML-221), and Practical: Digital Media (MJML-023). Students need to choose any two practicals. Attendance at practical sessions is compulsory and these are conducted at designated Study Centres or institutions. The schedule is provided by the assigned Learner Support Centre.

Ques. What happens if I miss the assignment submission deadline? Can I still appear for the TEE?

Ans. No. Submission of assignments is compulsory and a student will not be allowed to appear in the Term-End Examination for a course if the assignment for that course has not been submitted by the due date. The assignment submission deadline for the June TEE is 30 April (or as notified), and for the December TEE it is 31 October. Students are strongly advised to submit assignments well before the deadline.

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PG Diploma, Journalism and Mass Communication

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2025(Enrolled 2022)

IGNOU - Your one stop for distance education

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There were even practical subjects, so despite being at home, practical learning was also made conducive with the assignments shared and we got to get a hands on experience of things like they are in mass media.
The subject matter was detailed and descriptive. The scope for learning was quite wide considering it was all online.

Fees and Financial Aid:

I pursued masters in Journalism and Mass Communication and it was a 2-year course. The application form was for 1500. The fees for both the year was Rs. 12,000 each. The fee has been same for quite some time now. Apart from this, the university also charges examination fee of Rs. 200 for each course we appeared for . There were total 8 subjects each year including practical's. The exam fee was 1600 for each year. Adding all this, the total fee for 2 years was 27,200.

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