Master of Arts [MA] {Lateral} (Journalism and Mass Communication)

The MA (Journalism and Mass Communication) Lateral Entry is a 1-year full-time, on-campus postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (DJMC) at Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur. Designed exclusively for students who have already completed a 1-year Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (PGDJMC) or an equivalent qualification, this course fast-tracks them to a full MA degree, covering advanced media theory, digital journalism, broadcast production, and integrated marketing communication. The programme carries a seat intake of 10 and charges an annual fee of Rs. 42,200, making it one of the most affordable lateral-entry media programmes in Uttar Pradesh. It is offered in full-time, regular (on-campus) mode, requiring students to attend classes at the CSJMU campus in Kanpur. The course is popular among working media professionals and diploma holders who wish to upgrade their qualification to a full postgraduate degree while leveraging their prior learning.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are upcoming. Based on the 2025-26 cycle, the university typically opens online registrations in June-July and closes them by August, with the batch commencing in August-September. The 2025-26 admission portal (admission.csjmu.ac.in) was active from June 2025 onwards. For 2026-27, the admission portal has been launched at csjmu.ac.in/admissions2627/ and specific dates for MAJMC Lateral Entry are yet to be announced officially.

Key Points

• This is a lateral entry programme exclusively for holders of a 1-year PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (PGDJMC) or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university/institute - it is NOT open to regular graduates.
• The programme is offered in full-time, on-campus mode at CSJMU's Kalyanpur campus, Kanpur.
• Only 10 seats are available, making it a highly selective programme with direct merit-based admission.
• The department houses a Dada Saheb Falke Audio-Video Lab, multimedia editing suites, a multi-dimensional television studio, photography labs, and a news portal - giving students hands-on industry-level exposure.
• Faculty members are all doctorate holders from various sectors of media studies, and the department regularly invites renowned media professionals for guest lectures.
• Successful completion of this programme makes students eligible for PhD admissions in Journalism and Mass Communication.
• Students who complete this course receive an MA degree equivalent to the regular 2-year MAJMC, recognised by UGC.

CSJMU MAJMC Lateral Fees

Programme Fees

Hostel Fees

• The total programme fee is Rs. 42,200 for the entire 1-year course (paid annually/once).
• An additional Rs. 200 towards library fee is included in the programme fee as noted by the department.
• Hostel facility is available on campus (optional, not mandatory for this course).
• Hostel fees for 2025-26 are as follows:
• Hostel fees include room rent, health insurance (Rs. 1,500), and management fee (Rs. 3,000).
• Mess/food charges are separate and payable to the mess contractor (approximately Rs. 2,500-3,000 per month based on previous year rates).
• Hostel allotment is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.
• Fee once paid is non-refundable as per university hostel rules.

CSJMU MAJMC Lateral Admission 2026

CSJMU MAJMC Lateral Entry Admission Dates

Entrance Exam Dates

• The 2026-27 admission dates for MAJMC Lateral Entry have not been officially announced yet.
• The above dates are based on the 2025-26 admission schedule.
• Candidates must regularly check csjmu.ac.in/admissions2627/ for official updates.
• Admission is direct, merit-based, with no entrance exam.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must hold a 1-year Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (PGDJMC) or an equivalent PG Diploma from a UGC-recognised university/institute.
• The official department page also states: "Any Post Graduate diploma from Journalism and Mass Communication / Equivalent from UGC recognised university/institute."
• Candidates who have appeared in the qualifying examination are also eligible to apply provisionally; admission is confirmed only upon submission of final marksheet/certificate.

Admission Process

• Register online at admission.csjmu.ac.in (WRN Direct Registration portal) during the admission window.
• Select the MAJMC Lateral Entry programme under the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
• Upload required documents: qualifying diploma marksheet, graduation certificate, character certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), migration certificate.
• Merit list is prepared based on marks in the qualifying PG Diploma examination.
• Shortlisted candidates must report to the DJMC department on the notified counselling date for document verification.
• Pay the programme fee of Rs. 42,200 online/offline to confirm admission.
• Admission Coordinator: Dr. Om Shankar Gupta (Mob: 8920939052) / Dr. Yogendra Kumar Pandey (Mob: 9026760033); Email: ijmc@csjmu.ac.in

CSJMU MAJMC Lateral Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

• The CSJMU Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is available from the 2025-26 session onwards.
• Students must be in the top 25 percentile of their programme and must not be receiving any other scholarship simultaneously.
• UP Post-Matric Scholarships are applicable only to students who are domicile residents of Uttar Pradesh.
• Students from other states are treated as General category and are not eligible for UP state scholarships.
• UP scholarship applications are typically accepted between July and December each year on the official portal scholarship.up.gov.in.
• The CSJMU Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is disbursed directly to the student's bank account after approval by the Vice Chancellor.

CSJMU MAJMC Lateral Placement 2026

Placement Details

CSJMU MAJMC Lateral FAQs

Ques. I have completed PGDJMC from CSJMU itself. Am I directly eligible for MAJMC Lateral Entry, or do I need to apply separately?

Ans. Yes, you are eligible. The MAJMC Lateral Entry programme at CSJMU is specifically designed for students who have completed a 1-year PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (PGDJMC) or an equivalent diploma from any UGC-recognised university. Since CSJMU's own PGDJMC is a recognised 1-year PG Diploma, you qualify directly. You will need to apply through the university's online admission portal (admission.csjmu.ac.in) during the admission window, submit your PGDJMC marksheet and other documents, and secure a place based on merit. There is no separate entrance exam.

Ques. Is the MA degree awarded after MAJMC Lateral Entry equivalent to the regular 2-year MAJMC degree? Will it be recognised for government jobs and PhD admissions?

Ans. Yes, the MA degree awarded upon completion of the MAJMC Lateral Entry programme is a full-fledged Master of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, equivalent to the regular 2-year MAJMC. It is recognised by UGC and is valid for government job applications, NET/JRF eligibility, and PhD admissions. The department's own page confirms that this course "ensures the eligibility of the student for examinations seeking post-graduation," which includes competitive exams and doctoral programmes.

Ques. The batch size is only 10 seats. How competitive is the admission process, and what is the typical merit cutoff?

Ans. With only 10 seats available, the MAJMC Lateral Entry is indeed competitive. Admission is based on merit in the qualifying PG Diploma examination. Since the programme attracts candidates who have already completed a PGDJMC (typically with strong academic backgrounds), the effective cutoff tends to be high. Historically, candidates with 60% and above in their PG Diploma have secured admission, though this varies year to year. It is advisable to apply early and ensure all documents are in order, as the department may also conduct a brief interaction/document verification before finalising the merit list.

Ques. What kind of practical facilities and industry exposure does the DJMC department offer to MAJMC Lateral Entry students?

Ans. The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at CSJMU is well-equipped with industry-level infrastructure. Students have access to the Dada Saheb Falke Audio-Video Lab, a multi-dimensional television studio with editing suites, photography labs, computer labs with media software, and a live news portal and YouTube channel run by the department. The department regularly invites media professionals from organisations like Doordarshan, NDTV, and print media houses for guest lectures and workshops. Practical activities include TV news production, radio programme production, anchoring, photo editing, graphic designing, and web page designing - giving lateral entry students hands-on experience to complement their prior diploma training.

Ques. Can I pursue this course while working part-time, given that it is a 1-year programme?

Ans. The MAJMC Lateral Entry at CSJMU is a full-time, on-campus programme. Students are required to attend regular classes at the CSJMU campus in Kanpur. The university mandates a minimum of 75% attendance for scholarship eligibility, and attendance requirements are strictly enforced for all campus programmes. Therefore, pursuing this course alongside a full-time job is not feasible. However, given that it is only a 1-year programme, many students take a short career break to complete it and then return to the industry with an upgraded MA qualification.

Ques. Are hostel facilities available for MAJMC Lateral Entry students, and how do I apply for a hostel seat?

Ans. Yes, hostel facilities are available on the CSJMU campus for both boys and girls. The campus has six hostels with a total capacity of 1,114 seats. Hostel allotment is subject to availability and is not guaranteed, especially for short-duration programmes like the 1-year lateral entry course. To apply, students must log in to the Samarth portal (csjmu.samarth.edu.in) after securing admission and submit a hostel application along with required documents including an undertaking by the student, an undertaking by parents, and an anti-ragging declaration (all on Rs. 10 stamp paper). Hostel fees for 2025-26 range from Rs. 20,620 to Rs. 36,370 per year depending on the hostel and room type, exclusive of mess charges.