Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), Prayagraj is a research-oriented doctoral programme offered in Regular Mode at the university campus under the School of Humanities. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, including mandatory Pre-Ph.D. coursework of 16 credits. The total course fee is Rs. 98,000, and admission is based on UGC-NET/JRF scores in Mass Communication and Journalism combined with an interview and synopsis presentation. The programme is popular among media professionals, journalists, communication researchers, and M.A. (Journalism and Mass Communication) graduates who wish to contribute original research to the evolving field of media studies, digital journalism, communication theory, and public relations. UPRTOU's open university background makes it particularly accessible to working media professionals seeking to pursue doctoral research.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are now closed. Interviews for Mass Communication were conducted between March 20 and March 25, 2026. The next admission cycle (2027-28) is expected to open tentatively in December 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website www.uprtou.ac.in for the upcoming session notification.

Key Points

The Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication is offered in Regular Mode at the UPRTOU campus in Prayagraj under the School of Humanities; employed candidates may register as Part-Time scholars with a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from their employer.
Admission is strictly merit-based: 70% weightage to UGC-NET/JRF scores in Mass Communication and Journalism and 30% to the interview and synopsis presentation.
Pre-Ph.D. coursework of 16 credits is compulsory for all admitted candidates (except M.Phil. holders with 55%+ marks).
Part-Time Ph.D. scholars must devote a minimum of 200 days with their research supervisor during the programme.
The programme is particularly suited for working journalists, media professionals, and communication educators who wish to pursue research while continuing their careers.
Research areas span print, broadcast, digital media, advertising, public relations, media law, communication theory, and development communication.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

UPRTOU Ph.D (Journalism & Mass Communication) Fees

The total fee for the Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at UPRTOU is Rs. 98,000 for the complete course duration (minimum 3 years). The annual programme fee of Rs. 20,000 is charged per year, while one-time charges include registration, Pre-Ph.D. coursework, pre-submission presentation, and thesis evaluation fees. The fee structure is highly affordable for media professionals and communication researchers.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)	Remarks
Ph.D. Programme Registration Fee	3,000	One-time, Non-refundable
Ph.D. Programme Fee	20,000 per annum	Per year (Refundable*)
Ph.D. Programme Fee (3 years total)	60,000	For minimum 3-year duration
Pre-Ph.D. Course Work Admission + Exam Fee	10,000	One-time (Refundable*)
Pre-Submission Presentation Fee	10,000	At time of thesis pre-submission viva, Non-refundable
Thesis Evaluation and Viva Voce Fee	15,000	At time of thesis submission, Non-refundable
Total Fees	98,000	For minimum 3-year duration

Application Processing Fee: Rs. 1,000 (General) / Rs. 500 (SC/ST) - Non-refundable; Rs. 1,500 (General with late fee) / Rs. 750 (SC/ST with late fee).
This is separate from the course fee.
*Refund Policy: 100% refund if withdrawal notice is received 15 or more days before the last date of admission; 90% if less than 15 days before; 80% if within 15 days after; 50% if within 30 days after; 0% if more than 30 days after the last date.
Re-Pre-Submission Presentation Fee (if required): Rs. 3,000 per attempt.
Pre-Ph.D. Course Work Back Paper Fee (if required): Rs. 2,000 per paper.
All fees are payable online via Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card only.
If the programme extends beyond 3 years, the annual programme fee of Rs. 20,000 is charged for each additional year.

UPRTOU Ph.D (Journalism & Mass Communication) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme at UPRTOU are conducted once a year, typically in the December-January cycle. The 2026-27 admission process has been completed, with interviews for Mass Communication held in March 2026. The next session (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar timeline, with applications likely opening in December 2027. Admission is based on a combined merit of UGC-NET/JRF scores in Mass Communication and Journalism and performance in the interview and synopsis presentation.

UPRTOU Admission Dates

Event	Date
Online Application Opens	December 2, 2026
Last Date for Application (without late fee)	December 23, 2026
Last Date for Application (with late fee)	December 30, 2026
Application Form Correction Period	December 31, 2026 - January 5, 2027
Declaration of Ph.D. Admission List	January 24, 2027
Date of Interview (Mass Communication)	March 20 - March 25, 2027
Document Verification and Interview	March 25, 2027

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1 Dates	Phase 2 Dates (Tentative)
Application Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2026	April 2027 (Tentative)
Admit Card Release	December 28, 2026	June 2027 (Tentative)
Exam Date	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027	June 2027 (Tentative)
Answer Key Release	January 14, 2027	July 2027 (Tentative)
Result Declaration	February 4, 2027	July 2027 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication or a related discipline (2 years/4 semesters after a 3-year Bachelor's, or 1 year/2 semesters after a 4-year Bachelor's) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS candidates).
Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree must have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate (70% for reserved categories).
Candidates holding an M.Phil. degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with at least 55% marks in aggregate are also eligible (50% for reserved categories).

Admission Process

Only UGC-NET/JRF or equivalent exam qualified candidates in Mass Communication and Journalism are eligible to apply.
Candidates must apply online at www.uprtou.ac.in within the notified application window.
Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview, where they must present a tentative research synopsis via PowerPoint before the interview board of the School of Humanities.
Merit list is prepared on 100 points: 70 points for NET/JRF scores and 30 points for interview/synopsis presentation.
Reservation rules of the Uttar Pradesh Government are followed (vertical and horizontal reservation under 100-point roster rule).
Selected candidates must deposit the Pre-Ph.D. course work fee within the prescribed period and the programme fee within 6 weeks of approval of research title and supervisor.
In case of a tie, preference is given to the candidate with higher PG marks; if still tied, the older candidate gets priority.

UPRTOU Ph.D (Journalism & Mass Communication) Scholarships 2026

UPRTOU does not offer institution-specific scholarships for Ph.D. students. However, doctoral researchers in Journalism and Mass Communication at UPRTOU can avail themselves of various government-funded fellowships and scholarships. The UGC-JRF fellowship in Mass Communication and Journalism is the most significant financial support available for JRF-qualified candidates. State and central government scholarship schemes are also accessible to eligible students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Offered By	Amount	Eligibility
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	University Grants Commission (UGC)	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (thereafter)	UGC-NET JRF qualified candidates in Mass Communication and Journalism
UGC Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)	University Grants Commission (UGC)	Rs. 42,000/month	Upgrade from JRF after 2 years, based on assessment
UP Government Post-Matric Scholarship	Government of Uttar Pradesh	Varies (covers tuition and maintenance)	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students enrolled in recognised universities
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC)	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF level)	SC students pursuing Ph.D.
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Ministry of Minority Affairs	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF level)	Minority community students pursuing Ph.D.

UGC JRF/SRF fellowships are awarded only to candidates who qualify the JRF category in UGC-NET; NET-only qualifiers are not entitled to the fellowship.
UP Government scholarships are applied for through the official UP Scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in).
NFSC and MANF applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to revision by the respective awarding bodies.

UPRTOU Ph.D (Journalism & Mass Communication) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at UPRTOU suitable for working journalists and media professionals?

Ans. Yes, the programme is particularly well-suited for working journalists, media professionals, and communication educators. Employed candidates can register as Part-Time Ph.D. scholars by submitting a No Objection Certificate from their employer. Part-Time scholars must devote a minimum of 200 days with their supervisor during the research period, making it feasible for media professionals to pursue doctoral research alongside their careers.

Ques. Which UGC-NET paper should I qualify for Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at UPRTOU?

Ans. Candidates must qualify UGC-NET in Mass Communication and Journalism (Paper Code: Mass Communication and Journalism) to be eligible for Ph.D. admission at UPRTOU. The NET/JRF score forms 70% of the admission merit. JRF-qualified candidates are also eligible for the monthly UGC fellowship.

Ques. What research areas can I explore under Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at UPRTOU?

Ans. The programme covers diverse research areas including print journalism, broadcast journalism, digital and online media, social media and new media studies, media law and ethics, advertising and public relations, development communication, health communication, political communication, media and gender studies, and communication theory. The specific research topic is finalised in consultation with the assigned supervisor.

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at UPRTOU offered in distance mode?

Ans. No. The Ph.D. is offered in Regular Mode at the UPRTOU campus in Prayagraj. While UPRTOU offers many UG/PG programmes in distance mode (including M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication), the Ph.D. is a campus-based research programme. Employed candidates may register as Part-Time scholars with a NoC from their employer.

Ques. What is the minimum qualification required for Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at UPRTOU?

Ans. Candidates must hold an M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication or an equivalent Master's degree with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) and must have qualified UGC-NET in Mass Communication and Journalism. M.Phil. holders in the subject with 55%+ marks are also eligible.

Ques. What is the career scope after completing Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication from UPRTOU?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication from UPRTOU opens doors to academic positions such as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor in journalism and mass communication departments (UGC-NET is also required for teaching positions). Other career avenues include senior research roles in media organisations, think tanks, policy research bodies, and international communication organisations. The degree also enhances credibility for editorial leadership and media consultancy roles.