Objective
The course is designed to upgrade the skills of journalists from the news agencies, print and electronic media. The course will run through classroom lectures and practical training in the following core modules.

The following are the core modules of the course:

1. Introduction to Communication

• Communication and Development
• Role of Mass Media in Developing Countries
• News exchange arrangements : bilateral, regional, multilateral and Non-aligned News Agencies Pool
• New information technologies.

2. Reporting and Editing

• Reporting I
• Reporting II practical
• Editing - Concepts and Process
• Editing -Practical
• Interviews, feature, opinions and other Journalistic writings
• Layout,Design and Production

3. Economic Journalism

• National Economic Development and Globalisation
• Co-operation among Developing Countries
• International financial and monetary institutions
• Bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements and WTO.
• Economic Indicators and Price Indices
• National Budget and Public Finance

4. Media Freedom, Laws and Ethics

• Media freedom
• Media Laws
• Media Ethics
• Human Rights

Eligibility
1. Graduation in any discipline with minimum five years experience in Journalism/ Mass Communication.
2. Ability to comprehend, converse and write in English.
3. Age below 40 years on the date of application.

Number of Seats
1. There are 30 seats in each course. Normally, one nominee is admitted from one country under TCS of Colombo Plan or ITEC or SCAAP or Aid to Sri Lanka, Nepal etc., scholarship schemes.
2. Five seats are reserved for self finance candidates. The fee is 8000 US dollars for the course.
3. The self finance candidate will have to bear the expenses on air ticket themselves.

Last Date to Apply
Admission to the First Course closes on October 30, every year and the Second Course on May 30, every year. Completed applications duly recommended by the office of the Indian Mission in applicant's country, should reach the Institute on or before that date. An advance copy of the application may be sent to the Institute directly.

Application Form
Application Forms for admission to the course may be obtained from the office of the Indian Mission in applicant's country as indicated below:

Medium of Instruction and Examination
Medium of instruction and examination is in English.

Scholarship Schemes
Broadly, scholarship schemes of Government of India provide for :
1. Travel by economy class air fare from home country to India and back (to and fro air ticket along with excess baggage coupon is provided by the Indian Mission in applicant's country)
2. Monthly living allowance
3. Expenses on study tours
4. Book allowance
5. Medical expenses

Attendance
Minimum 75% attendance is necessary for a trainee to become eligible to sit in the examination . Attendance to the extent of 10 per cent can be condoned if the shortfall is due to reasons beyond the control of the trainee.

Hostel
All the trainees admitted to the course will be provided accommodation in a hostel. All trainees have to deposit Rs. 500/- as Hostel security fee which will be returned after completion of course.

Library Facilities
The library is open from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. (Monday through Friday). It is closed on holidays. During the examination period it is, however, kept open on Saturdays. Each trainee is entitled for two tickets to borrow books. A caution money of Rs. 1000 will have to be deposited by each trainee to be able to borrow books from library. Books will be issued for a period of seven days. If a trainee loses a library book he/she must pay its price.

Identity Card
Identity Cards are issued to the trainees soon after enrollment. The card must be returned at the end of the course. On loss or mutilation a second Identity Card is issued on payment of the prescribed charge.

Discipline
Trainees will strictly observe the rules and regulations of the Institute regarding evaluation system, minimum standards of academic performance, discipline, attendance etc. required for satisfactory completion study programme. The Institute reserves the right to rusticate a trainee from the course if his/her performance or conduct is found unsatisfactory.

Eligibility for Diploma
To be eligible for the award of a diploma, every trainee will have to appear in the first and second semester examinations and secure a minimum of 40% marks in each subject.

Information for Prospective Trainees

1. In case a candidate is selected for admission to the course he/she will be informed of the selection as early as possible.
2. The trainee on arrival in New Delhi Airport should use the prepaid taxi service available there and reach the Institute on his/her own.
3. The taxi will charge approximately Rs. 200/- from Airport to IIMC and the amount will be reimbursed to the trainees.
4. If any trainee elects to stay in a Hotel/Motel/Guest House on arrival in India, no reimbursements of any expenses on this account will be made. The trainee should bring along with him/her the following :
   1. Ten copies of recent passport size photograph for use at the Institute, in foreigners' registration office and on other occasions,
   2. Background material of home country such as books, brochures, pamphlets, features and press clippings having information on latest developments.
   3. Sample newspapers and magazines as well as updated surveys reports, if any, reflecting the state of mass media in his/her country, (The material under (b) and (c) will be useful for media (country) presentation and various other class room assignments or seminars).
5. He/She may wish to bring at least one set of national dress for formal occasions during stay in India.
6. Candidate selected for this course is advised to bring along an International Tele-Communication authority card so that he/she could file news stories from India to his/her news organisation back home and can function as correspondent based in India for the period.

Particulars of Scholarship Scheme
Allowances
Each trainee will be sponsored under TCS of Colombo Plan or ITEC or SCAAP or Aid to Sri Lanka, Nepal Plan, etc. scholarship schemes. Under these schemes trainees will be entitled to a living allowance of Rs. 8,000 (under category - B) per month. In addition, they will also be entitled to the following : Reimbursement of expenses on books upto Rs. 1000 Reimbursement of medical expenses (actual).

Living Allowance
Living allowance is admissible from the date of arrival in India upto the date of the first available flight after the Convocation/completion of the course, or the actual date of departure, whichever is earlier. The allowance will be paid every month in advance on the 2nd working day of the month. In the last month the allowance will be paid in advance only in part. The balance of the allowance will be paid after the confirmation of the first available flight after the Convocation/completion of the course.

Expenses on Books
The trainees may give a list of books, which he/she would like to have, to the Course Director and upon his recommendations the Library will purchase and supply the books to the trainees. The reimbursement on this account will be limited to Rs. 1000.

Medical Expenses
The trainees are entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses on actual basis according to the rules. The Institute has engaged consulting Doctors (a male and a female) for the convenience of trainees.

Return Journey Ticket
As per instructions of the Government of India the trainees will be required to deposit, as soon as they arrive, the return journey ticket with the Institute. About a month ahead of Convocation/completion of the course, the Institute will assist the trainees in booking the return journey. The tickets will however be retained at the Institute and handed over to the trainees three days before Convocation/completion of the course.

Excess Baggage
Normally, the Indian Missions would have issued to the nominee(s) the excess baggage coupon along with return air ticket. If any nominee does not have such coupon he/she may take a letter in this regard from Indian Mission in his/her country and inform the Institute. It will assist him/her in getting such coupon. However in no case the Institute will make any payment towards excess baggage.

Study Tour
As a part of the course the trainees may be taken on study tours to places of development projects by the Institute.

Hostel Rules for Foreign Trainees
Lodging
All the trainees admitted to the course will be provided accommodation in a hostel and Room rent will be borne by Ministry of External Affairs. In case of overstay after completion of the course, a rent @ Rs. 100/- per day will be charged.

Boarding
The hostel mess is compulsory and each trainee will have to pay for the food that he/she consumes.

Maintenance
Every trainee will be responsible for the care of the hostel property and shall be charged for any damages thereof.

In the event of loss of the room key, the occupant should pay a fine of Rs. 50. The trainees should not write anything on the walls and doors and extend their cooperation in maintaining the hostel clean and tidy. They should switch off the lights, fans and water taps when not in use.

The Hostel Warden/Course Director has the right and power to visit the Hostel and the rooms as and when he/she wants to do so.

They should allow the staff of the Institute and other authorised workers to have access to their rooms at all reasonable hours for inspection of electricity, water supply, sanitary fittings, furniture etc. and to carry out such normal repairs as may be considered necessary for the maintenance of the hostel building. They are also requested to help the Institute authorities by reporting any damage or fault in water, electricity, sanitary and other fittings etc.

General Rules
With a view to facilitate effective utilisation of the hostel facilities, trainees may be required to shift their rooms at any time during their stay.

The trainees are expected to be in the Hostel on all days after 9.00 p.m. except holidays or the days preceding the holidays when they can remain out upto 11.00 p.m. To stay out later than 9.00 p.m. on week days and 11.00 p.m. on holidays prior written permission from the Hostel Warden/Course Director is a must.

Those who are desirous to leave the hostel temporarily on medical grounds or for personal or professional reasons should take written permission from the Hostel Warden/Course Director and leave the contact address with the Hostel Warden Consumption of alcohol or drugs in any form and gambling and other undesirable activities are strictly prohibited in the hostel.

No cooking is allowed in the rooms. No pet animal/bird shall be allowed in the room.

No trainee is permitted to engage any person for service of any kind, personal or otherwise.

No guests are allowed to stay in the hostel rooms.

Visiting hours for non-residents are from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. only.

Guests should make entries and sign in the Visitor's Register provided at the main gate of the hostel.

All trainees are expected to clear their dues and get a clearance certificate from the Hostel Warden/Course Director to this effect before leaving the hostel.

Medical Facilities
The trainees may avail of the consultation services of the Institute's doctor. If trainee falls sick he/she should report immediately to the Assistant on Special Duty or the Hostel Warden. Consultation from the doctor is free, and the cost of treatment will be reimbursed according to the provisions in the scholarship schemes.

Any incidence of infectious disease must immediately be reported and all precautions should be taken to prevent the disease.

Disciplinary Action
A trainee who violates the hostel rules is liable for disciplinary action, including expulsion from the hostel and the matter will be reported to the sponsors.

A Hostel Committee consisting of the following will decide about disciplinary action and look into grievances of the trainees : 1 Course Director 2 Hostel Warden 3 Registrar

Change of Rules
The Institute reserves the right to change any or all of the above rules without prior notice.