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

Journalism, Publishing & Audio Media

Updated

At a glance

A sub editor checks, edits, fact-checks and headlines news stories before publication, fitting them to the page or screen. Many enter with a graduate degree and an editing test.

A sub editor is the newsroom professional who checks, edits and headlines stories before they are published. Sub editors work behind reporters, correcting copy, verifying facts, fitting text to the space available and writing the headlines and captions readers see first.

The role suits people who enjoy the English language, notice small errors and stay calm as a deadline approaches. Most newspapers, magazines and news websites expect a graduate with strong written English, and many train new recruits on the job.

This guide covers what a sub editor does, the degrees and courses that lead there, the entry route, typical pay ranges, the skills employers look for and the outlook for the role in India.

Minimum Qualification
Graduation in any stream (English preferred)
Typical Degree
BA English, BA Journalism and Mass Communication
Expected Entry Salary
Around ₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh/annum
Entry-level to Senior
Around ₹2.5 - ₹15 Lakh/annum
Job Demand Growth
Steady; digital newsroom roles growing
Work Hours
Shift-based; nights and weekends common
Places of Work
Newspapers, magazines, news portals, publishers

What Does a Sub Editor Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Reads reporters' copy and checks it for accuracy, clarity, grammar and spelling.

  • Edits copy to follow the publication's house style and to fit the space available on the page or screen.

  • Checks facts, names, figures and quotes, and flags legal or ethical concerns to senior editors.

  • Writes headlines, subheadings, captions and standfirsts that suit the layout.

  • Works with designers and page makers on layout, photographs and graphics.

  • Handles last-minute changes with reporters and desk heads as deadlines approach.

  • Proofreads final pages or web articles before publication and processes corrections.

Where They Work

Sub editors work mainly in newsrooms: national and regional newspapers, in English and in Indian languages, along with news magazines and their digital editions. Many daily newspapers run evening and night desks because they print overnight.

Other employers include digital news portals, news agencies, broadcasters' websites, and book and educational publishers, where the same skills are used to edit manuscripts and long-form content.

How to Become a Sub Editor in India?

After Class 12

Most degrees accept any Class 12 stream. Arts or humanities gives good reading and writing practice, and BA Journalism courses are offered after Class 12 at several universities.

Undergraduate

Take a BA in English, a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication, or a similar degree. Edit the college magazine or newsletter, write for campus media and read a daily newspaper critically.

Postgraduate and Specialisation (optional)

An MA in English or Journalism, or a PG diploma in journalism, can help you enter national newsrooms or specialist desks. Check each institute's eligibility before applying.

Internships and Portfolio

Intern on a news desk or with a digital publication. Build a folder of edited pieces and sample headlines, and learn a house style guide. If you aim for an Indian-language desk, practise editing in that language.

First Job

Apply as a trainee or sub editor. Recruitment often includes a written editing test covering copy correction, headline writing and a fact check, followed by an interview. Early roles are usually shift-based.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • No single stream is compulsory. Class 12 in Arts, Humanities, Commerce or Science is accepted for most degrees.

  • Strong English at school level is essential, since editing depends on accurate grammar and clear writing.

  • Colleges set their own minimum aggregate marks for admission, so check each institute's notice for the current requirement.

Minimum Qualification

  • Graduation in any discipline is the usual minimum for a sub editor post. Many employers prefer graduates in English, journalism or mass communication.

  • Newspapers and portals that publish in Hindi or other Indian languages expect native-level reading and writing in that language and often run a language test.

  • Some employers also ask for a journalism diploma or prior internship experience, so read each job notice carefully.

Courses and Degrees for Sub Editor

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • BA in English Literature (3 years)
    • BA in Journalism and Mass Communication (3 years)
    • Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) (3 years)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • MA in English (2 years)
    • MA in Journalism and Mass Communication (2 years)
    Diplomas
    • PG Diploma in Journalism (typically 1 year)
    • Diploma in Print Journalism (around 6 months to 1 year)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Copy editing and proofreading course (a few weeks to 3 months)
    • Online course in digital news editing and SEO basics (a few weeks)
    • Short course in newsroom writing and media law (varies by provider)

Entrance Exams for Sub Editor

  • Exam
    IIMC Entrance Test
    Level
    Postgraduate
    Held
    Typically once a year; check the current notice
    For Course
    PG Diploma in Journalism (various specialisations)
  • Exam
    Institution-specific entrance tests
    Level
    Undergraduate
    Held
    Varies by university; usually once a year
    For Course
    BA Journalism and Mass Communication

Top Colleges for Sub Editor

Government Institutes

  • College
    Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi
  • College
    Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication
    Location
    Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
  • College
    Jamia Millia Islamia
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi

Private Institutes

  • College
    Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra
  • College
    Christ University
    Location
    Bengaluru, Karnataka
  • College
    Lovely Professional University
    Location
    Phagwara, Punjab
  • College
    Shoolini University
    Location
    Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Skills Required to Become a Sub Editor

Technical Skills

  • Copy editing and proofreading in English
  • Headline, subheadline and caption writing
  • Fact-checking and source verification
  • House style guide and grammar standards
  • Page-fit sense: word counts, columns and layout basics
  • Newsroom content management systems
  • Editing for online news, including SEO-friendly headlines

Soft Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Calm under deadline pressure
  • News judgement
  • Teamwork with reporters and designers
  • Clear communication
  • Ethical and legal awareness

Sub Editor Salary in India

0 - 2 years

Entry Level

around ₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Trainee Sub Editor, Sub Editor
  • Checking and correcting copy, writing headlines and captions under supervision, learning the house style

3 - 6 years

Mid Level

around ₹4 - ₹8 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Sub Editor, Senior Sub Editor
  • Editing complex stories, running a page or section, mentoring trainees and working night desks

7+ years

Senior Level

around ₹8 - ₹15 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Chief Sub Editor, Desk Editor, News Editor
  • Owning the quality of a desk or edition, setting editing standards and deciding what runs and when

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Trainee Sub Editor

Entry-level role where you learn copy editing, headline writing and house style under close supervision.

Sub Editor

Checks and edits reporters' copy, fact-checks stories and writes headlines for print or digital editions.

Senior Sub Editor

Handles the most sensitive or complex stories and guides junior sub editors on quality and speed.

Chief Sub Editor

Leads a copy desk, sets priorities for the shift and signs off the final quality of pages or web stories.

News Editor

Plans the day's coverage, assigns stories to reporters and decides which stories are ready for the desk.

Digital Editor

Manages online publishing, including headlines, metadata, search performance and quick updates for news portals.

Scope and Future of Sub Editor in India

Demand for sub editors depends on how many publications need accurate, well-edited content. Print newspapers and magazines still run copy desks across India, and digital news portals publish through the day and night, which keeps demand for careful, fast editing steady.

Growth is most visible in digital-first newsrooms, Indian-language news, business reporting and specialist publishing. Sub editors who can work on screen, understand search and analytics, and edit in more than one language often have a wider choice of roles. Fact-checking and verification skills are also valued in many newsrooms because of the volume of misinformation online.

Overseas, English-language newsrooms and publishers hire sub editors, but overseas roles usually need a work visa, a strong portfolio and sometimes local qualifications. Government information offices and public-sector publications also employ editorial staff, usually through formal recruitment notices.

Is Sub Editor
the Right Career for You?

Sub Editor 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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Sub Editor: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a sub editor and a reporter?

A reporter gathers information, interviews people and writes the first version of a story. A sub editor works on the copy after it is filed, checking facts, correcting language, fitting the text to the space and writing the headline and captions. Reporters find the story; sub editors make sure it is accurate, clear and ready to publish. Many sub editors begin as reporters or trainees, but the skills differ.

Can I become a sub editor with a BA in English literature?

Yes. A BA in English literature is one of the most common routes into the role. Employers look for a strong command of grammar, clear writing and an eye for detail, which a literature degree builds well. A journalism certificate, a PG diploma or an internship on a news desk will improve your chances, and so will a portfolio of edited pieces and sample headlines.

Is a journalism degree compulsory to become a sub editor?

No. A journalism or mass communication degree is helpful but not compulsory. Many newsrooms hire graduates from any discipline who pass an editing test. A journalism degree or diploma gives structured practice in news writing, media law and ethics, and it can help you get a first interview at some organisations. Always check the job notice for the exact requirement.

What is the salary of a sub editor in India?

Pay varies by employer, city, language and experience. As a rough guide, entry-level sub editors earn around ₹2.5 to ₹4 lakh a year, mid-level editors around ₹4 to ₹8 lakh, and senior desk heads around ₹8 to ₹15 lakh. These are indicative ranges, so compare them with current job listings before you plan your finances.

Do sub editors have to work night shifts?

Often, yes. Daily newspapers print overnight, so many sub editors work evening or night desks, and weekend shifts are common. Digital news sites may run round-the-clock desks too. Shift patterns depend on the publication, so ask about the roster during interviews. Some magazine and book publishing roles are more regular daytime jobs.

Can I work as a sub editor in an Indian language?

Yes. Many newspapers and news portals in Hindi and other Indian languages hire sub editors for regional desks. You will need native-level reading and writing in that language, and employers usually set a language editing test. Good English is often useful too, for translation or cross-desk work. Regional-language journalism courses can also help you enter these roles.

How is a sub editor different from a copy editor?

The titles overlap, and some organisations use them interchangeably. Broadly, a copy editor focuses on language, grammar and style, often for books, magazines or websites. A sub editor in a newsroom also fits stories to a page or screen, writes headlines and captions, and checks facts under deadline pressure. Read the job description to see which mix of tasks applies.

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