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Why Mass Communication & Journalism is a Smart Choice for NET
- This subject bridges theory and practice—media studies, journalism, visual communication, media management, and research.
- It is highly relevant in today’s digital & media-centric world, which makes exam questions dynamic and current.
- If you prepare using the exact syllabus + mock tests, your chances of clearing Paper II improve substantially.
UGC NET Mass Communication & Journalism: Updated Syllabus (2025)
The syllabus is organized into ten units as per the current revision. Below is a clear breakdown (based on Testbook’s version).
Unit 1: Introduction to Journalism & Mass Communication
- Definition, evolution & scope of journalism and mass communication
- Growth of print & electronic media in India; landmarks in Indian media
- Media criticism, media literacy, Press Council, media education
- Normative theories, models of communication, sociocultural and philosophical approaches
- Indian traditions of communication (ancient to modern)
Unit 2: Communication for Development & Social Change
- Concepts and definitions of development communication
- Role of media in social change, modernization, public sphere
- NGOs, CSR, state & non-state actors in development communication
- Key reformers and social influencers (e.g. Raja Rammohan Roy, Gandhi, Ambedkar)
Unit 3: Reporting & Editing
- News values, structure, reporting techniques (print, radio, TV, digital)
- Writing, translation, transcreation, style & language
- Editing, headline writing, layout, presentation in multiple media
- Ethical issues in journalism, niche reporting, influence of technology
Unit 4: Advertising & Marketing Communication
- Advertising: definition, evolution, ethics, models
- Brand building, client-agency relationships, creative strategy
- Media planning & budgeting, campaign design, market research
Unit 5: Public Relations & Corporate Communication
- Definition, scope & functions of PR & corporate communication
- PR in government, private, NGOs; PR tools & techniques
- Crisis communication, audits, ethics in PR, international PR
Unit 6: Media Laws & Ethics
- Constitutional provisions (freedom of speech, etc.), relevant acts & statutes (IPC, Official Secrets Act, RTI, Cyber Laws)
- Defamation, obscenity laws, censorship, sedition, privileges
- Regulatory bodies: Press Council, IPR, ASCI, media codes, cyber regulation
Unit 7: Media Management & Production
- Basics of media management, organizational structure, media economics
- Production techniques in print, radio, TV, digital media
- Commerce of media in liberalization period
Unit 8: ICT & Media
- Role of ICT, computer-mediated communication, digitisation
- Social media, web media, mobile media, ethics in digital communication
- E-governance, animation, online platforms
Unit 9: Film & Visual Communication
- Film theory, visual analysis, aesthetics, Indian cinema, directors
- Television analysis, visuals in media, genre studies
- Comparative global cinema movements
Unit 10: Communication Research
- Research design, methods (quantitative, qualitative), measurement & sampling
- Data collection tools (surveys, case studies, digital tools)
- Analysis techniques (parametric, non-parametric), ethical issues, report writing
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
- Paper I: 50 MCQs (common to all subjects) — 100 marks
- Paper II (Mass Communication & Journalism): 100 MCQs — 200 marks
- Duration: 3 hours total
- Marking: +2 for each correct answer; no negative marking
PYQ Trends & Strategic Insights
- Media Laws & Ethics (Unit 6): frequently tested—statutes, cases, constitutional articles.
- Digital / ICT & Media (Unit 8): increasing weightage recently, especially social media, internet law.
- Communication Research (Unit 10): both theoretical and data-based questions appear regularly.
- Film & Visual Communication (Unit 9) and Reporting/Editing (Unit 3) also see good representation.
- Past papers from 2015 to 2024 help identify repeated topics and question difficulty patterns.
How ANSS ACADEMY Mock Tests Elevate Your Preparation
- Mock test series aligned with the updated syllabus — all ten units.
- PYQ-based mock sets to get you used to recurring question types.
- Full-length timed mocks simulating real exam conditions.
- Detailed analysis reports — unit-wise strengths, errors, time management.
- Focused sessions on tricky units like media law, film theory, digital media.
Study Strategy (Unit-Wise Focus)
- Start early with Units 1, 6, 10 — these are conceptual and foundational.
- Interleave Reporting, Advertising, PR with practice assignments (writing, editing).
- Use case studies for media laws and PR units.
- For ICT, Film & Visual Communication, watch sample works & analyze visuals.
- Take mock tests at regular intervals, review errors, and iterate.
