Institutional Profile

In recent times, mass communication has emerged as a major area of activity that has a great impact on decision-making. Though a comparatively new academic discipline, it has rapidly acquired importance and has become a major attraction for students. The Information Technology revolution has significantly contributed to the expansion of mass media. It has also posed major challenges for students, teachers and practitioners of mass media. The rapidly changing technology is transforming the very complexion of the discipline in a manner unknown to any other area of academic activity. We have to respond to new challenges that have been thrown up as a result.

The Institute’s activities are centered on three central areas - teaching, training and research. At the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), we provide the basic skills and insights to the young men and women who will ultimately work in media institutions. We enable them to make a fruitful contribution to society. Our training programs are also tailored to meet the needs of the developing countries and this is what gives the IIMC and its alumni a different identity and character. At IIMC, we consider communication to be an input in development and are committed to serving society by dissemination of information.

Over the past three decades, the IIMC has expanded its academic activities and started a number of specialized courses to meet the very demanding requirements of the rapidly expanding media industry. The Institute also makes a concerted effort to upgrade and update its programmes in order to meet the challenges of the industry and academia. The course syllabus is accordingly reviewed every year to incorporate peripheral changes and suitable modifications. The Academic Council decides on the broad structure of the syllabus.

The IIMC Society, an autonomous body, registered under the Societies’ Registration Act (XXI) of 1860, runs the Institute. Funded by the Government of India, through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Institute has an Executive Council headed by a Chairperson with representatives of faculty and eminent media personalities as members.

Inaugurated on 17 August 1965 by the-then Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Indira Gandhi, the Institute started with a small staff including two consultants from UNESCO. In the first few years, the Institute organized training courses mainly for Central Information Service Officers and undertook research studies on a modest scale. In 1969, a major international training programme, the Post-graduate Diploma Course in Journalism for Developing Countries, for middle level working journalists from Afro-Asian countries, was started. A number of specialized short courses of durations ranging from one week to three months were subsequently started by the Institute to meet the training needs of communication professionals working in various media/publicity outfits of the central/state governments and public sector organizations.

Since the IIMC's training programs and comprehensive courses have made a mark, there have been demands to open more branches of the Institute. A branch was opened at Dhenkanal, Orissa, in 1993 to cater to the demands of the eastern region. The Post-graduate Diploma Course in Journalism (English) and Post-graduate Diploma Course in Journalism (Oriya) are being offered at the Dhenkanal branch and its alumni are well received by the profession.

In the past 39 years, the Institute has grown and is today a "Centre of Excellence" in the field of communication teaching, training and research. It provides knowledge and skills to young communicators in a variety of disciplines including print, photography, radio and television, as also development communication, communication research, advertising and public relations.

The Institute endeavors to contribute to the creation of an information infrastructure suitable, not only for India, but for all developing countries. Towards this end, it provides its expertise and consultancy services to other institutions, both in India and abroad. The Institute also provides training, research and consultancy services at the request of departments of Central and State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings, Universities and other academic institutions.

The Institute also collaborates with national and international agencies in conducting training, seminars and workshops as well as in undertaking joint research projects.

In its endeavor to fulfill its objectives, it conducts a number of post-graduate diploma courses in Print Journalism, Radio and TV Journalism and Advertising and Public Relations and a Diploma Course in Development Journalism for journalists from developing countries. It also conducts short courses addressed to the specific needs of the industry, government and public sector organizations.