IIMC launches first-ever PhD programme to advance media research

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), recently designated a Deemed University, has formally launched its inaugural PhD programme on Jan 1, 2026, marking a significant expansion into advanced research and academic scholarship.

For six decades, IIMC has been at the forefront of journalism and media education in India, and the introduction of a doctoral programme represents a shift from professional training toward deeper research that addresses the country’s evolving media landscape.

The move comes amid rapid changes in communication technologies, media consumption, and public discourse.

The online application process for the 2025-26 academic year opened on Jan 1 and will continue until Jan 30, 2026.

The institute has established a two-track system for applicants, candidates qualified in UGC-NET will be directly called for interviews, while part-time candidates without NET qualification must appear for an entrance exam on Feb 15, 2026.

The list of selected candidates will be announced on Feb 23, with interviews beginning March 9. The process concludes on March 27, with coursework scheduled to start April 1, 2026.

At the launch of the PhD portal, Vice-Chancellor Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur said, “The objective of this PhD programme is to make a real contribution to research for a developing India.”

She emphasized the importance of socially relevant and unconventional research that goes beyond routine academic work and addresses issues critical to society and nation-building.

To mark the occasion, Dr Paliwal Gaur planted a ‘Kovidar’ sapling, symbolizing the “Tree of Knowledge,” at IIMC’s New Delhi campus.

The new programme aims to cultivate long-form academic research across rapidly expanding fields, including journalism and mass communication, digital media, political and strategic communication, media industry management, development communication, film studies, and advertising and public relations.

The programme encourages interdisciplinary research that links media studies with technology, governance, society, and market systems.

For IIMC alumni, many of whom are prominent figures in Indian media, the launch of a PhD programme represents a milestone, positioning the institute among institutions that not only train media professionals but also produce scholars capable of analyzing trends in news, information flow, and public communication.

With admissions now open, IIMC is preparing a new generation of researchers to explore and shape India’s media ecosystem in the years ahead.