ACJ & XIC Journalism Entrance Guide 2025
Asian College of Journalism (Chennai) + Xavier Institute of Communications (Mumbai)
Exam at a glance
Conducting body
ACJ (Asian College of Journalism, Chennai) & XIC (Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai)
Total marks
ACJ: Written test + interview (total varies); XIC: 100 marks written + interview
Duration
ACJ: 2 hours written; XIC: 1.5 hours written
Mode
Written test at respective campus; some online application rounds
Frequency
Once per year (ACJ: January–February applications; XIC: December–January applications)
Eligibility
Any graduate (any discipline, any university) with minimum 50% aggregate; final-year undergraduates eligible to apply
Total applicants
ACJ: ~3,000–5,000 per year; XIC: ~2,000–3,500 per year
Accepting institutions
ACJ — single campus, Chennai; XIC — single campus, Mumbai (Dhobi Talao)
Exam sections — what each tests
Current Affairs & General Knowledge
Objective40 MCQ / short answers40 marksEnglish Writing & Language
LanguageComprehension + language usage30 marksJournalism Knowledge & Media Aptitude
Aptitude20 MCQ20 marksEssay / Feature Writing
Written1 essay or feature pitch10 marksTop colleges and admission patterns
Asian College of Journalism (ACJ)
Taramani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
PG Diploma in Journalism (Print & Television specialisation tracks) — 11 months
Affiliated with The Hindu Group; international faculty and visiting practitioners; investigative journalism, data journalism, and multimedia production facilities; Asia's most internationally connected journalism programme; alumni at The Hindu, Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, The Print, Quint, Scroll; fees ~Rs 4–5 lakh for the full programme
Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC)
Dhobi Talao, Mumbai, Maharashtra
PG Diploma in Journalism, Mass Communication, Advertising & PR — 1 year
Oldest private journalism school in Mumbai; run by the Jesuit (Society of Jesus) educational tradition; strong practical training (XIC has its own radio station and print lab); alumni across Times of India, NDTV, India TV, Hindustan Times, Zee News; strong advertising and PR stream comparable to IIMC; fees ~Rs 2–3 lakh
Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC)
Pune, Maharashtra
MBA in Media Management, PG Diploma in Mass Communication — 2 years (MBA)
SNAP exam for admission (standard Symbiosis exam); strong management + media combination for students targeting media business rather than ground journalism; corporate communications, OTT content strategy, and media marketing roles; fees Rs 5–8 lakh/year
Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad (MICA)
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
PGDM-C (Communications Management) — 2 years
India's only management school focused exclusively on communications; MICAT exam (unique test of creativity and communication); strong advertising, brand strategy, and digital marketing placement; alumni at Ogilvy, FCB, Wunderman Thompson, Unilever, P&G marketing teams; the best choice for students targeting advertising and brand communications management
Preparation timeline
Phase 1 — Reading Foundation (2–3 months)
2–3 monthsNewspaper reading + journalism knowledge foundation
- ✓The Hindu + Indian Express daily reading (at least editorial page and Page 1 complete)
- ✓Read "The Elements of Journalism" by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel (key journalism philosophy text)
- ✓Media tracking: follow MediaNama, The Hoot, Newslaundry for Indian media industry analysis
- ✓Start a current affairs notebook: 3–5 events per day with your analysis of the news angle
- ✓Watch ACJ and XIC alumni talks on YouTube to understand what these schools value
Phase 2 — Writing Practice + Aptitude (6–8 weeks)
6–8 weeksEssay + précis practice + media aptitude study
- ✓Write 1 essay per week (600 words) on current affairs; share with a mentor for feedback
- ✓Practise précis writing: 5 précis from The Hindu editorials (reduce 400 words to 130 words accurately)
- ✓Media aptitude: study Press Council of India, RSF Press Freedom Report India, history of ACJ and XIC
- ✓Journalism concepts: study inverted pyramid, news values (timeliness, proximity, impact), AP style basics
- ✓Story pitching: develop 5 story ideas in 200 words each (for ACJ interview/application)
Phase 3 — Mock + Portfolio + Interview Prep (4 weeks)
4 weeksFinal preparation + interview readiness
- ✓2 full mock written tests (using past paper format for ACJ and XIC separately)
- ✓Compile a writing portfolio: 3–5 articles (published or quality unpublished) to present at interview
- ✓Interview prep: be ready to name 5 journalists whose work you respect and articulate why specifically
- ✓Current affairs final revision: compile 20-page capsule — major events, media industry news, press laws
- ✓Application essays: ACJ application asks "Why journalism?" — write a genuine 300-word response
Career paths in journalism & mass communication
Print & Digital Journalism (Reporter / Feature Writer)
Rs 3.5–7 LPA (entry at national publication)
ACJ and XIC alumni are prominent at The Hindu, Indian Express, Times of India, Scroll.in, The Wire, The Print. ACJ graduates are especially strong in investigative journalism — their rigorous 11-month curriculum includes data journalism, document analysis, and source-building skills that distinguish them in any newsroom. Senior correspondents at national publications: Rs 12–25 LPA by year 5–8.
Broadcast Journalism (Producer / Reporter)
Rs 3–6 LPA (associate producer / reporter)
XIC Mumbai's proximity to Mumbai's TV industry gives XIC graduates strong broadcast placement (NDTV, Zee News, India Today TV, CNN-News18). ACJ's multimedia production facilities prepare students for convergent journalism. Senior producer roles: Rs 15–30 LPA. Anchor roles at national channels: Rs 20–50 LPA for well-known faces.
Communications & PR (Agency / Corporate)
Rs 4–8 LPA (PR executive / account manager)
Both ACJ and XIC have strong communications and PR streams. MICA alumni dominate the advertising and brand strategy sector at higher salaries. XIC advertising & PR graduates join Ogilvy, Weber Shandwick, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, and corporate communications teams. Senior communications roles: Rs 20–40 LPA by year 7–10.
International Journalism / Development Communication
USD 30,000–50,000/year (international media organisations)
ACJ's international curriculum and faculty give graduates a credible pathway to international media organisations: Reuters, AFP, BBC Hindi, Al Jazeera English, Voice of America. Development communication (NGO sector, UN agencies, UNICEF, WHO communications teams) is a growing career for journalism graduates with strong writing and public affairs knowledge. ACJ alumni have the highest international placement among Indian journalism schools.
Common mistakes that cost you a seat
Not researching the specific school's curriculum and values before the interview — ACJ interviewers ask why ACJ specifically (not just why journalism); XIC interviewers may test your knowledge of Catholic social teaching and social justice values that underpin their approach; generic answers signal a lack of genuine interest in the institution
Preparing only for IIMC and treating ACJ/XIC as backup — ACJ and XIC have different question formats and interview styles than IIMC; ACJ values analytical writing (précis, story pitching), while XIC values ethical reasoning and community service orientation; treating them as identical exams leads to underperformance
Having no reading history when asked — ACJ and XIC interviewers routinely ask "What book about journalism have you read recently?" or "Which journalist's work do you follow?"; answers like "I read the newspaper" or "I don't read books" are disqualifying; prepare specific, genuine answers with real titles and real journalists
Underestimating the fees-to-outcomes calculation — ACJ costs Rs 4–5 lakh (single year) vs IIMC's Rs 50,000–60,000; while ACJ is excellent, candidates who can secure IIMC admission should strongly prefer IIMC for the brand, the fees, and the alumni network unless ACJ's specific curriculum (international focus, data journalism) is uniquely valuable for their career goals
Frequently asked questions
Is ACJ or XIC better than IIMC?
IIMC New Delhi > ACJ = XIC in overall industry credibility, alumni network size, and brand recognition. However, ACJ is arguably the best journalism school in India for students wanting international careers or investigative journalism training — its international faculty, Reuters collaboration, and rigorous curriculum are genuinely superior in those specific areas. XIC is the strongest choice for students targeting Mumbai's media industry specifically. The fee difference is significant: IIMC costs ~Rs 50,000 for the year vs ACJ's Rs 4–5 lakh and XIC's Rs 2–3 lakh. IIMC + low fees is typically the better value unless you have a specific reason to prefer ACJ/XIC's curriculum.
What is the ACJ admission process?
ACJ's admission process is: (1) online application with writing samples and a personal statement; (2) written test (current affairs, English, media knowledge, essay); (3) personal interview with ACJ faculty. ACJ places significant weight on the personal statement and interview — they want to understand why you want to be a journalist, what stories you want to tell, and whether you have the intellectual curiosity and ethical commitment the profession requires. The written test filters for basic competence; the interview filters for genuine journalism aptitude.
Can I work in journalism without a professional degree?
Yes — several major Indian journalists are non-journalism graduates who entered the field through writing, blogging, or non-traditional paths. However, journalism degrees from IIMC, ACJ, or XIC significantly accelerate career entry, provide structured skill training (shorthand, reporting, production), and open newsroom doors that are difficult to access otherwise. In 2025, digital journalism has lowered the barrier to entry (you can start a newsletter or YouTube channel), but for careers at established newsrooms (The Hindu, NDTV, Reuters), a journalism degree from a recognised institution remains a strong credential.
What is the fee structure at XIC Mumbai?
XIC fees are approximately Rs 1.5–2.5 lakh for the full PG Diploma programme (11 months), making it significantly more affordable than ACJ (Rs 4–5 lakh) while offering comparable Mumbai-market placement. XIC's Jesuit institution subsidises education as part of its social mission. Additionally, XIC offers merit scholarships and need-based financial assistance. The Dhobi Talao campus location in south Mumbai provides direct access to the journalism and advertising industry networks in India's media capital.
Get coached by someone who has cleared ACJ or XIC
Graduates targeting premium private journalism education with international exposure; students who could not secure IIMC seats and want equivalent private training; aspiring journalists in South and West India seeking strong regional placement networks; students interested in investigative journalism and international media partnerships.