Career as a Reporter in India: Salary, Courses and How to Begin

Journalism, Publishing & Audio Media

Updated

At a glance

A reporter gathers facts, interviews people and writes or broadcasts news for newspapers, TV, radio or digital outlets; many enter through a BA or BJMC in journalism after Class 12.

A reporter researches, verifies and writes or broadcasts news stories for a newspaper, TV channel, radio station or digital news outlet. In India, many reporters start with a BA or BJMC in journalism or mass communication after Class 12, then build a portfolio through internships, campus media and freelance pieces.

The work moves fast. A reporter may spend the morning at a court hearing, the afternoon at a press conference and the evening filing a story, often with tight deadlines and irregular hours. Field reporting also means meeting people in difficult situations, so the job suits people who are curious, patient and comfortable being asked hard questions.

To begin, choose a journalism course that includes practical newsroom training and internships, and start writing or recording stories early. Course fees, entry marks and salaries vary by college, city and employer, so check each one before you decide.

Minimum Qualification
Class 12 pass; graduation preferred
Typical Degree
BA or BJMC in Journalism / Mass Communication
Expected Entry Salary
Around ₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh/annum (indicative)
Entry-level to Senior
Around ₹2.5 LPA to ₹10 LPA+ (indicative)
Job Demand Growth
Stable; digital and video roles growing
Work Hours
Irregular shifts, deadlines and field work
Places of Work
Newsrooms, field, studios, home or remote desks

What Does a Reporter Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Pitching story ideas to editors and deciding which stories to pursue

  • Researching background, reading reports and checking facts before writing

  • Finding and building contacts, sources and witnesses for a beat such as politics, crime, health or education

  • Interviewing people in person, over the phone or on video, and recording the conversations accurately

  • Attending press conferences, court hearings, public events and breaking news on location

  • Writing copy for print or web, or recording voice, video or live reports for TV, radio and social platforms

  • Working with editors, photographers and video teams, and responding to corrections or legal queries

Where They Work

Reporters work with national and regional newspapers, news TV channels, radio stations, news agencies and digital news websites. Public broadcasters such as Doordarshan and All India Radio also employ reporters and correspondents. Many outlets run both print and digital editions, so reporters often file stories for several platforms.

Some reporters are based in a city newsroom, while others are posted as district or state correspondents, or cover a specific beat from a field office. Freelance reporting is also common, especially for magazines, digital publications and documentary-style projects, but it usually needs a strong portfolio and steady sources of work.

How to Become a Reporter in India?

After Class 10

Choose any stream, but focus on strong English and your main Indian language. Read newspapers daily, join the school magazine or debate club, and practise writing short news reports and interviews.

After Class 12

Apply to a BA or BJMC in Journalism or Mass Communication. Many colleges admit students through Class 12 marks, university entrance tests such as CUET UG, or their own entrance exam. Check each course for practical newsroom training and internships.

Undergraduate

Complete a three-year degree while building a portfolio. Work on college media, take reporting and video courses, and do internships with local or regional newsrooms. Keep copies of your bylines, broadcast clips and online stories.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

A postgraduate degree or PG Diploma, such as the IIMC PG Diploma in Journalism, can strengthen your application for reporter roles. Consider a specialisation in print, broadcast, digital, data journalism or investigative reporting, depending on the outlets you want to join.

First Job

Start as a trainee reporter, sub-editor or digital reporter at a local, regional or national outlet. Build a beat, develop reliable sources and move up to senior reporter, correspondent or specialist roles over time. No government licence is needed to work as a reporter.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Most undergraduate journalism and mass communication courses accept students from any stream: Arts, Commerce or Science at Class 12

  • English is an important subject for almost all courses; proficiency in Hindi or another Indian language is valuable for regional and Hindi-language newsrooms

  • Some colleges ask for a minimum Class 12 percentage, and some entrance tests include a general awareness or English section

  • Postgraduate programmes such as MA or PG Diploma in Journalism usually require a graduation degree in any discipline

Minimum Qualification

  • Class 12 pass from a recognised board for undergraduate journalism courses; many colleges set a minimum percentage, typically around 45-50% (check each college)

  • Graduation in any discipline for PG Diploma and MA courses in journalism or mass communication

  • Graduation is generally preferred by newsrooms, and a strong portfolio of published or broadcast work can matter as much as the degree when applying for entry-level roles

Courses and Degrees for Reporter

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • BA (Hons) Journalism and Mass Communication (3 years)
    • BJMC - Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (3 years)
    • BA Mass Communication (3 years)
    • Integrated or dual-degree journalism programmes (around 5 years; check the structure at each college)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • MA Journalism and Mass Communication (2 years)
    • MJMC - Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (2 years)
    • MA in Digital Journalism or New Media (2 years, where offered)
    Diplomas
    • PG Diploma in Journalism (1 year), such as the IIMC PG Diploma in Journalism
    • PG Diploma in Print or Broadcast Journalism (about 1 year, where offered)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Data Journalism course (a few months, online or in-person)
    • Mobile Video Reporting and Editing course (a few weeks to a few months)
    • Media Law and Ethics short course (a few weeks, useful for RTI and defamation basics)

Entrance Exams for Reporter

  • Exam
    CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test)
    Level
    Undergraduate
    Held
    Annually, by NTA
    For Course
    BA and other undergraduate journalism or mass communication programmes at participating central universities
    Website
    cuet.nta.nic.in
  • Exam
    IIMC Entrance Test
    Level
    Postgraduate and Diploma
    Held
    Annually
    For Course
    PG Diploma in Journalism and other postgraduate programmes at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication
    Website
    iimc.gov.in
  • Exam
    Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET)
    Level
    Undergraduate
    Held
    Annually
    For Course
    BA and other undergraduate media and communication programmes at Symbiosis institutes
    Website
    set-test.org
  • Exam
    Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Examination
    Level
    Undergraduate
    Held
    Annually
    For Course
    BA (Hons) Mass Communication and related programmes at Jamia Millia Islamia
    Website
    jmi.ac.in

Top Colleges for Reporter

Government Institutes

  • College
    Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi
    Website
    iimc.gov.in
  • College
    Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication
    Location
    Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
    Website
    mcu.ac.in
  • College
    Jamia Millia Islamia (Mass Communication Research Centre)
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi
    Website
    jmi.ac.in

Private Institutes

  • College
    Symbiosis School for Media and Communication, Symbiosis International University
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra
    Website
    symbiosis.ac.in
  • College
    Xavier Institute of Communications, St. Xavier's College
    Location
    Mumbai, Maharashtra
    Website
    xaviers.edu
  • College
    Lovely Professional University
    Location
    Phagwara, Punjab
    Website
    lpu.in
  • College
    Christ University, Department of Media Studies
    Location
    Bengaluru, Karnataka
    Website
    christuniversity.in

Skills Required to Become a Reporter

Technical Skills

  • News writing and reporting for print and web
  • Interviewing and source development
  • Research and fact-checking
  • Video shooting and basic editing on mobile or desktop
  • Audio recording and editing for radio or podcasts
  • Social media and digital publishing tools
  • Content management systems used in newsrooms
  • Basics of media law and ethics, including defamation and RTI

Soft Skills

  • Curiosity and questioning
  • Clear communication in writing and speech
  • Speed and deadline management
  • Ethical judgement and fairness
  • Resilience under pressure
  • Teamwork with editors and camera crews

Reporter Salary in India

0-2 years

Entry Level

Around ₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh/annum

  • Trainee Reporter, Sub-Editor, Junior Correspondent, Digital Reporter
  • Covering local stories, press releases, events and assigned beats under supervision

3-7 years

Mid Level

Around ₹4 - ₹8 Lakh/annum

  • Reporter, Correspondent, Beat Reporter, Video Journalist
  • Owning a beat, developing sources, filing investigative or feature stories and handling field assignments independently

8+ years

Senior Level

Around ₹10 Lakh/annum and above

  • Senior Correspondent, Bureau Chief, Investigative Reporter, Special Correspondent
  • Leading coverage, mentoring junior reporters, managing bureaus and shaping editorial priorities

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Trainee Reporter

Learns newsroom basics by covering local stories, events and press briefings under supervision.

Staff Reporter

Covers a regular beat for a newspaper, channel or website and files stories daily.

Correspondent

Reports from a city, state or foreign location for a national or regional outlet.

Field or Video Journalist

Shoots, reports and edits short video stories, often on a mobile device for digital platforms.

Investigative Reporter

Works on long-term, in-depth stories that require document research, source protection and legal checks.

Digital News Producer

Plans, publishes and updates stories for websites, apps and social media channels.

Sub-Editor

Edits, checks and headlines reporters' copy before publication, often on night or early-morning shifts.

News Anchor or Presenter

Presents news bulletins on television, radio or online channels, usually after building reporting experience.

Scope and Future of Reporter in India

Demand for reporters continues across print, television, radio and digital news. Many fresh reporters find openings with regional-language outlets, digital-first publishers, news agencies and public broadcasters such as Doordarshan and All India Radio. Competition for jobs at large national desks is intense, so a strong portfolio and a clear beat matter.

Growth is strongest in digital reporting, video and mobile journalism, data-driven stories, podcasts and investigative work that combines research with multimedia. Course guides published in 2026 cover integrated journalism programmes and the recruiters that hire their graduates, so check current recruiter lists before choosing a college.

Some reporters later work with international outlets or wire services, usually after years of experience and a strong body of published work. Visa and work-permit rules vary by country, so check them early if you plan to work abroad.

Is Reporter
the Right Career for You?

Reporter can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

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Reporter: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a reporter after Class 12?

Yes. You can join a BA or BJMC in Journalism or Mass Communication after Class 12, usually through marks, CUET UG or the college's own entrance test. Most newsrooms still prefer a graduate, so plan to finish the degree and build a portfolio through internships and campus media while you study.

Is a journalism degree compulsory to become a reporter?

No law requires a journalism degree to report news. Many reporters have degrees in other subjects. A journalism course helps because it teaches reporting, writing, ethics and media law, and it often includes internships that lead to a first job. Your portfolio and writing skills will matter a great deal.

What is the difference between a BJMC and a BA in Journalism?

Course names and syllabi differ between universities, so there is no single answer. Check whether the course includes practical newsroom work, video or audio production, internships and media law. Look at the faculty, the labs or studios available, and the recent placement or internship record.

How much does a reporter earn in India?

Entry-level reporters typically earn around ₹2.5 to ₹4 lakh a year, depending on the outlet, city and skills. Mid-level reporters may earn around ₹4 to ₹8 lakh, and senior correspondents or bureau chiefs can earn around ₹10 lakh or more. Pay varies widely between national, regional and digital outlets.

Do I need to be fluent in English to become a reporter?

English is important for national and English-language outlets, but many reporters work in Hindi or other Indian languages for regional newspapers, channels and digital platforms. Strong writing and reporting skills in at least one language matter most. Knowing English and an Indian language well can widen your options.

Is reporting a safe job?

Field reporting can involve crowds, protests, court proceedings and hostile situations, so it carries real risks. Reporters should ask prospective employers about safety guidance, legal support and training before joining. Many outlets have protocols for coverage in risky situations, and reporters should follow them.

Can I work as a freelance reporter as a fresher?

Yes, freelance reporting is possible, especially for digital publications, magazines and independent projects. It usually works best after you have a portfolio of published stories and some contacts. Freelancers should also understand contracts, payment terms and their own legal responsibilities for the stories they file.

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