IIMC Entrance Exam 2026: Application Form, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips

The IIMC Entrance Exam for 2026 is scheduled to take place online in the first week of March 2026. Administered at a university level, this exam offers admission to several Postgraduate Diploma Programs across different disciplines at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).

Until 2021, IIMC conducted its entrance exam for admission into all PG diploma courses. However, starting in 2022, admission to the PG Diploma in Language Journalism (English, Hindi, Radio & TV, Digital Media, and Advertising & Public Relations) is based on CUET-PG scores. Admission to some other disciplines continues to be based solely on the IIMC Entrance Exam.

Refer to the article for comprehensive information on IIMC Entrance 2026, covering details such as exam dates, exam pattern, application procedure, fees, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and more.

IIMC 2026 Highlights

The IIMC Entrance Exam is a national-level assessment conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to PG Diploma courses in Journalism, held annually in an online mode.

IIMC Entrance 2026 Exam Dates

The IIMC Entrance 2026 offers two paths for admission: through CUET (PG) and the traditional IIMC exam, each with distinct timelines and procedures for aspiring candidates.

Through CUET (PG):

Through the IIMC exam:

IIMC 2026 Application Form

The IIMC 2026 application process requires candidates to apply online, with separate timelines for CUET-PG and the traditional IIMC Entrance exam. Applicants must carefully adhere to specific guidelines regarding course selection, document uploads, and deadline adherence to ensure a smooth application experience.

• The IIMC 2026 application form must be filled out online; no offline mode will be available.
• CUET-PG application forms will be released in the fourth week of December 2025, while IIMC Entrance exam forms will be available from the first week of February 2026.
• Candidates can apply for only one course in Urdu, Marathi, Malayalam, or Odia.
• Ensure all personal, qualification, communication, and address details are accurately provided during form submission.
• The university does not offer a correction facility, so double-check all entered information for accuracy.
• Upload necessary documents like signatures and photographs as per the specified size and format requirements.
• The CUET-PG application deadline is till the second week of February 2026, whereas for the IIMC Entrance Exam, it is till the fourth week of February 2026.
• Retain a copy of the filled application form for future reference and correspondence.
• Follow guidelines strictly regarding document submission and form completion to avoid any discrepancies.
• For any queries or assistance, refer to the website or contact the designated helpdesk.

IIMC 2026 Application Fee

The application fee for IIMC 2026 must be paid online through methods such as credit card, debit card, UPI, NEFT, or Net Banking. The fee is non-refundable once paid.

For CUET PG:

For PG Diploma (Odia, Marathi, Malayalam & Urdu):

How to Apply for the IIMC 2026 Application Form?

• Visit the Website: Go to the official IIMC website (link provided above).
• Register: Create an account by registering on the website and providing the required basic details.
• Submit Application Fee: Pay the application fee online using the specified payment modes.
• Fill Application Form: Carefully fill out the application form by hand. You can choose to complete it in Odia, Marathi, Malayalam, or Urdu for one course only.
• Attach Photograph: Securely attach your latest photograph in the designated space on the application form.
• Review and Confirm: Verify all the entered details for accuracy and completeness.
• Take a hard copy: Print out the completed application form and keep it along with the fee receipt for future reference.

IIMC 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To apply for IIMC 2026, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria, which differ based on whether they are applying through CUET-PG or the IIMC Entrance Exam. Below are the detailed requirements for each pathway.

For CUET-PG:

• Educational Qualification: Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university or institution.
• Minimum Marks: Candidates need to have secured at least 50% of their undergraduate degree.
• Age Requirement: There is no age restriction for this exam.
• Final Year Students: Those in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply.

For IIMC Entrance:

• Citizenship: Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply.
• Age Criteria: General category candidates must not be older than 25 years as of 1st August 2026. Age relaxation is provided: 3 years for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
• Educational Qualification: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university or institution.
• Final Year Students: Students in the final year of their qualifying degree are also eligible to apply.

IIMC 2026 Exam Pattern

To effectively prepare for the IIMC 2026 exams, candidates should familiarize themselves with the specific exam patterns for both CUET-PG and the IIMC Entrance Exam. Detailed below are the formats and structures of each exam to guide your preparation.

For CUET-PG:

• Exam Mode: The exam will be conducted online (Computer Based Test) mode only.
• Shifts: The exam will be held in 2 shifts.
• Total Questions: There will be a total of 75 questions.
• Medium: The exam will be available in both English and Hindi.
• Marking Scheme: Candidates will receive 4 marks for each correct answer.
• Negative Marking: There will be a deduction of 1 mark for each incorrect response.

For IIMC Entrance Exam:

• Duration: Candidates will have 3 hours to complete the exam.
• Type of Questions: The exam will include short and long descriptive questions as well as objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• Total Marks: The question paper will be worth 100 marks.

IIMC 2026 Syllabus

Below is a table detailing some of the topics covered in the IIMC Syllabus 2026 for both the IIMC Entrance Exam and CUET (PG).

IIMC 2026 Preparation Tips

Preparing effectively for the IIMC Entrance 2026 requires strategic planning and dedication. Here are eight key tips to enhance your preparation for this competitive exam.

1. Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the complete syllabus and exam pattern to know what topics to focus on.
2. Create a Study Schedule: Develop a well-structured timetable allocating sufficient time to cover each subject and revise regularly.
3. Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Solve past years’ question papers and sample tests to understand the exam format and improve time management skills.
4. Take Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level, identify strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your study plan accordingly.
5. Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Keep abreast of current events, especially those related to media, politics, economy, and social issues.
6. Improve Language Skills: Enhance your language proficiency, especially in English and any regional language required for translation tasks.
7. Focus on Descriptive Writing: Practice writing essays and long-answer questions to improve your descriptive writing skills.
8. Stay Healthy: Maintain a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, and exercise regularly to stay physically and mentally fit during the preparation period.

IIMC 2026 Admit Card

The IIMC Admit Card 2026 will be available online on the official website, issued by the authority. Candidates can download their admit cards for both the IIMC entrance exam and CUET-PG starting from the first week of March 2026.

Candidates are required to present their hall tickets during the examination. The hall tickets will contain essential details such as the candidate’s name, registration number, date of birth, exam date, time, venue, and other important instructions for the exam day.

IIMC 2026 Result

Following the announcement of the IIMC Result 2026, candidates qualifying for document verification, Personal Interviews, or Group Discussion will be notified. Results for both the CUET-PG and the IIMC entrance exam will be declared separately in the third week of March 2026.

Candidates can check their results for the IIMC Entrance 2026 online mode on the official website. Based on their exam scores, a merit list of selected candidates will be prepared. Applicants need to retain a copy of their results until all admission procedures are concluded.

IIMC 2026 Merit List

After announcing the results, the authority will publish a merit list based on candidates’ scores in the entrance examinations. Shortlisted candidates will then be required to fill out a counselling form where they can indicate their preferences for program and centre placement.

Candidates provisionally admitted to each course and campus will be listed based on a category-wise merit list. Seat allocation will be determined by merit-cum-preference. Candidates can check their names in the merit list through the online mode provided by the authority.

IIMC 2026 Cut-Off

The IIMC Cut-Off 2026 will be published online on the official website. The authority will release a cut-off list indicating the opening and closing ranks. Candidates can access this information after the declaration of results.

The IIMC Cut-Off 2026 will be released separately for different categories and campuses. Candidates must achieve at least the minimum cut-off marks in the entrance exam to qualify for admission to their preferred course and campus.

IIMC 2026 Reservation Criteria

According to Government policy, the IIMC Reservation Criteria for 2026 allocates specific percentages of seats to various categories, ensuring equitable opportunities in admissions.

IIMC 2026 Counselling/ Admission

The IIMC Counselling 2026 will be conducted through several stages, including registration, Group Discussion (GD) & Personal Interview (PI) rounds, choice filling and locking, seat allotment, and document verification. Applicants who have completed registration and paid the fee will need to submit their preferences for institutes and courses based on their order of preference during the counselling process.

Seats will be allocated to candidates based on their All India Rank (AIR), the preferences they have filled, and the reservation criteria. After allocation, candidates will be required to download the “Provisional Allotment Letter” and indicate their willingness to either float (wait for a better option) or freeze (accept the current allotment).

Candidates who accept their allotted seats will need to pay the seat acceptance fee and undergo document verification for uploaded documents. All eligible candidates who have paid the acceptance fee must report in person to the allotted institute to complete the admission process.

Documents required for counselling include:

• IIMC/ CUET-PG Admit Card
• IIMC/ CUET-PG Result
• Class 10th or equivalent exam certificate
• Class 12th marksheet
• Multiple recent photographs
• Transfer/ Migration certificate (if applicable)
• Character certificate
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD)
• Graduation Degree certificate (if applicable)

IIMC 2026 FAQs

Sunil Kushwaha

As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.