How to Become a Journalist in India
Education path, top journalism colleges, types of journalism, skills, and salary guide for journalists in India
What Does a Journalist Do?
Journalists research, investigate, and report on events, issues, and stories for the public through print, broadcast, or digital media. It is one of the most dynamic and socially important careers.
Types of journalism roles: - Reporter/Correspondent: Covers beats (politics, crime, business, sports, science) for newspapers, TV, or digital media - Editor: Reviews, fact-checks, and publishes content; manages a publication's voice and standards - Photojournalist: Documents news events through photography - Broadcast Journalist: Presents news on TV or radio - Data Journalist: Uses data analysis and visualisation to tell stories - Investigative Journalist: Conducts in-depth investigations into corruption, public interest issues - Digital/Social Media Journalist: Content for online platforms, social media, podcasts
What journalism really requires: 1. Insatiable curiosity about the world 2. Strong writing and communication skills 3. Ability to work under tight deadlines 4. Ethical and factual rigour — accuracy above all 5. Resilience — journalism can be emotionally demanding
Journalism Courses and Degrees in India
Journalism education in India ranges from undergraduate to postgraduate:
Undergraduate programmes: 1. B.A. (Journalism and Mass Communication) — 3 years; most common path; offered by most universities 2. B.A. (Journalism) — specialised; offered at top institutes 3. B.A. (Mass Communication) — broader media studies 4. B.Sc. (Mass Communication) — newer; some technology focus 5. B.Journalism (B.J.) — specific programme at some universities
Postgraduate programmes: 1. M.A. (Journalism and Mass Communication) — 2 years; for deeper specialisation 2. M.J. (Master of Journalism) — 1–2 years 3. PG Diploma in Journalism — 1 year; popular at IIJ, IIMC, Symbiosis 4. PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism — TV news focus 5. M.A. (Mass Communication) — broad media studies
Top journalism institutes in India: - Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi — government; most prestigious - Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai — private; excellent industry connections - Manipal School of Communication, Manipal — well-known private institute - Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC), Pune - Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC), Mumbai - Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Delhi University - Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi - Chandigarh University, Amity University — large intakes
IIMC admission: Through IIMC entrance test for PG Diploma. Highly competitive — prepare GK, English, and media awareness.
Skills Every Journalist Needs in India
Journalism is a skills-based profession — these are what will make or break your career:
Core skills: 1. Writing: Clear, concise, compelling writing in English and/or a regional language. Practice daily — write articles, blog posts, commentary. 2. Reporting: Knowing how to identify a story, find sources, verify information, conduct interviews, and structure a news report. 3. Fact-checking: Never publish without verification. Understand the difference between a credible source and a rumour. 4. Photography and videography basics: Most journalists today need to produce multimedia content — photos and short videos. 5. Digital skills: Content management systems (WordPress), SEO basics, social media management, tools like Adobe Premiere (video editing). 6. Data and statistics: Ability to read and interpret data, government reports, and research — data journalism is a growing specialisation.
Language skills: - English journalism: Required for national media (The Hindu, TOI, NDTV, The Wire, Scroll, Mint) - Hindi journalism: Huge reach; Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, Zee News, Aaj Tak - Regional languages: Malayalam (Kerala), Tamil, Telugu, Bengali — huge vernacular media markets
Portfolio building: Start a blog or write for your college publication. Contribute to platforms like Youth Ki Awaaz, The Quint, Newslaundry student sections. Build a byline count before applying for jobs.
Types of Media Organisations to Work In
Indian journalism offers diverse employer types:
Print media: - National English newspapers: The Hindu, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express, Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times - Regional newspapers: Dainik Bhaskar (Hindi), Malayala Manorama (Malayalam), Ananda Bazar Patrika (Bengali), Eenadu (Telugu)
Broadcast media: - TV news channels: NDTV, Republic TV, Aaj Tak (Hindi), Times Now, India Today TV, News18 - Regional channels: Asianet (Kerala), Sun News (Tamil), ETV Telangana, Zee 24 Taas (Marathi) - Radio: All India Radio (AIR), private FM channels (largely entertainment)
Digital / online journalism (fastest growing): - The Wire, The Quint, Scroll.in, Newslaundry, Article14, The Print — independent online outlets - News divisions of tech companies (Google News, Yahoo News) - Social media journalism (YouTube news channels)
Government media: - Doordarshan and All India Radio (Prasar Bharati) - Press Information Bureau (PIB) — government communication role - Press Trust of India (PTI), United News of India (UNI) — news agencies
Freelance journalism: Many journalists supplement income or start careers through freelancing for multiple outlets. Building a network of editors is essential for successful freelancing.
Journalist Salary in India
Journalism salaries in India vary widely by outlet, city, and experience:
Entry-level (0–3 years): Small regional publication: ₹15,000–25,000/month (₹1.8–3 LPA) Digital news platforms (medium-sized): ₹25,000–40,000/month (₹3–4.8 LPA) National print/TV: ₹35,000–55,000/month (₹4.2–6.6 LPA)
Mid-career (5–10 years): Correspondent at national outlet: ₹8–15 LPA Editor at digital publication: ₹10–18 LPA Anchor / on-air correspondent: ₹12–25 LPA
Senior journalists: Bureau Chief / Senior Editor: ₹18–35 LPA Editor-in-Chief (major outlet): ₹50–1 crore+ LPA
Note on journalism economics: Many Indian media organisations pay modestly. Journalists supplement with book deals, freelancing, speaking engagements, and content consulting. Journalists who build a personal brand on social media or YouTube can earn significantly more.
International: Indian journalists at Reuters, AP, BBC India, Bloomberg earn international journalist rates — significantly higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Class 12 stream important for journalism in India?
No specific stream is mandatory for journalism. Arts/Humanities students commonly enter journalism, but students from Commerce and Science backgrounds are equally welcome. Some of the best Indian journalists have engineering or science backgrounds, which helps with technical, science, or business reporting. What matters: strong writing skills, language proficiency, and genuine interest in public affairs.
Is IIMC better than ACJ for journalism?
Both are top journalism institutions with different strengths. IIMC (New Delhi) is government-run, most prestigious for Hindi and regional language journalism, affordable fees, and strong alumni in legacy media. ACJ (Chennai) is private, known for digital and English journalism, strong industry connections especially in South India and international media. Both have strong placement records — the choice depends on your language focus and career goals.
Can I become a journalist without a journalism degree?
Yes — journalism has no mandatory degree requirement in India. Many successful Indian journalists come from other backgrounds (law, economics, science). What you need: strong writing portfolio, demonstrated interest through published work (blog, college publications, freelance articles), language skills, and a genuine passion for the field. However, a journalism degree helps with structured training, industry contacts, and internships.
Is digital journalism better than print journalism as a career?
Digital journalism is growing while print is declining. Digital outlets (The Wire, Scroll, The Quint, Newslaundry) are hiring, offer faster career progression, and are more receptive to new journalists. Print still offers prestige (The Hindu, TOI, Mint) and established salaries. The skills overlap significantly. Most journalists today work across both digital and print. Starting in digital media and building a multimedia portfolio is a smart current-day strategy.
How do I get my first journalism job in India?
To get your first journalism job: (1) Build a byline portfolio — contribute to college publications, digital platforms (Youth Ki Awaaz, Newslaundry), or start a focused blog, (2) Do internships at news organisations during college (most outlets take interns), (3) Develop a beat specialisation (politics, tech, environment, finance) — generalists compete with everyone; specialists stand out, (4) Network with journalists on Twitter/LinkedIn, (5) Apply to news agencies (PTI, ANI) for entry-level positions — they hire graduates and provide structured training.
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