IGNOU MAJMC Admission July 2026 Session: Lateral Entry Scheme for MAJMC 1st Year Passed & PGJMC Completed Students | Eligibility, Credits, And Course Deficiency Rules Explained

Some say, man proposes, God disposes! But some say, where there is a will, there is a way. But what I would want to use here is Paulo Coelho’s quote:

“When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.”

Now, if you are wondering why I am saying this… it is because, just like hundreds and thousands of other students who have big dreams in their twinkling eyes but couldn’t see them fulfilled, I too sailed the same boat.

There was a time when, forget MA or postgraduation, I couldn’t even dream of completing my graduation due to unforeseen circumstances. But as you are already aware how determined and focused I have been throughout my life, my study-related challenges and obstacles didn’t hinder my aim.

Eventually, not only did I complete my graduation and postgraduation, but I also did it with flying colours, successfully completing my MA in Political Science with first-class marks and later pursuing my dream MA in Journalism course (both from IGNOU).

So, all I can say is that if you love education and really want to complete MAJMC, even if you had to stop it midway for some reason, IGNOU is now giving you a second chance to do it.

Interesting, Isn’t It?

For any journalism student, completing a distance journalism and mass communication course is nothing more than a chimera. The more you think you know about the course, practical portfolio submission rules, viva, project, and deadlines, the more confused you become.

For this very reason, it pains me to see so many students leave the course midway just to avoid encountering these issues or overcoming these challenges.

Some students succeed in clearing the MAJMC 1st year and securing the PGJMC from IGNOU, while many others simply drop out and fail to receive even the diploma.

It’s evident that if you don’t complete your synopsis and project in the 2nd year, the MAJMC degree remains out of your reach. Likewise, if you don’t submit your production portfolios in the 1st year (MJML120 and MJML121) and attend the viva when your Regional Centre (RC) organises it, you may not receive your PGJMC diploma.

IGNOU MAJMC Course Structure

In the IGNOU MAJMC 1st year, all 8 courses and papers are compulsory, out of which 2 papers are practicals. This means there is a viva for these two practical papers, but no theory examination like the other 6 papers.

Similarly, in the MAJMC 2nd year, you have 6 theory papers, 1 practical paper (also called the Research Methodology Practical or Synopsis), and 1 main project dissertation (MJMP120). Again, all 8 courses in the 2nd year are compulsory and must be successfully completed in order to obtain the MAJMC degree.

IGNOU’s MAJMC New Lateral Entry Scheme: What the July 2026 Prospectus Says

Just to help these students, I recently saw the IGNOU PROSPECTUS JULY-2026, which clearly mentions that students who completed their PGJMC (Revised course) and others who completed MAJMC 1st year with either 32 credits or 36 credits will now be eligible to take admission into IGNOU MAJMC 2nd year through lateral entry.

#10) Financial issues. MAJMC (though considerably lower than other university courses) from IGNOU still requires around 30k for two years, which can be substantial for many families. So, due to a paucity of funds, these students leave the course midway and pursue any other vocation for their livelihood.

#9) Job-related issues and not being able to manage job and study simultaneously: Some candidates, including those from well-to-do families, often encounter issues like not getting office leave during exams or facing the dual stress of managing office work during the daytime and studying IGNOU books at night, which might take a heavy toll on their health.

#8) Missing out on deadlines: Though flexible, every student in IGNOU should regularly check the IGNOU website and their regional centre website for time-to-time announcements of important dates. Many students fail to fill out the exam form before the Term-End Examination and miss the deadlines, which subsequently makes them ineligible to appear in the next exam. Obviously, if they miss two or three exams this way, they might run out of the maximum attempts that IGNOU offers, which is 6 attempts or 4 years, whichever is exhausted earlier.

#7) Some students successfully complete their theory exams but often get confused about practicals and end up missing the submission of their production portfolios on time, which leads to them becoming ineligible for the PGJMC diploma or the successful completion of the MAJMC 1st year.

#6) Some students don’t follow the rules and processes, which could again make them ineligible. Or even if they submit the portfolio or synopsis, they might miss a rule or two, which again keeps these copies from going for evaluation.

#5) So, the main doubts revolve around the Production Portfolios of MJML120 & MJML121. The rule is simple. You have to submit your production portfolio during the normal assignment submission time. But you must attach the exam fee receipt showing that you have paid the fees for both these courses for the forthcoming exam.

It means if you have paid the exam fees for the June Term-End Exam in March/April but couldn’t submit the portfolio, then you have to submit the portfolio and the exam fee receipt again in September for the December Term-End Exam.

IGNOU, or in fact any other university, doesn’t provide the facility of carrying over exam fees from one exam to another. Students must be clear about this. If they don’t pay the exam fees for the production portfolios for the current exam session, then their copies won’t be evaluated and they won’t be called for the viva either.

#4) The next big confusion is MJML-122. It is also called Research Methodology Practical or Synopsis. Here, you have to complete a list of activities as mentioned in the MJML122 guide. Along with that, you have to attach an exam fee receipt showing that you have paid the fees for this course for the forthcoming exam.

Moreover, along with the list of activities, you have to attach the approval letter, duly filled in by you. So, basically, MJML122 is your synopsis, and based on whatever you write here, you will have to incorporate those points into your final project.

#3) Many students don’t know where to submit what. It’s simple. As far as possible, you should submit your practical files (MJML120, MJML121, & MJML122) at your study centre. But if they don’t agree, then you may submit them directly at your regional centre, but of course before the deadline.

To make things simple, I would rather suggest every candidate submit their practical files at the time of submitting assignments, but submit them at the project section or at a specified counter, if available for that purpose.

#2) Now, we have come to the project section. Again, many students have confusion over it. So, the main thing is that project submission can be made either online or offline, but you can’t choose both. Likewise, you can’t submit project MJMP120 without getting an approval letter from your RC.

The letter must be attached with MJMP120 along with the CV of a project supervisor (which you have to arrange), the declaration form, and the certificate (to be signed by you and your supervisor). And like other practical files, you must have paid the exam fees for the project for the current session, as I mentioned in regard to the other practical exams.

#1) One more major point. Since MJML122 is now handled by the RC and MJMP120 by the Head Office in Delhi, you can’t submit both in the same session. Yes, instead of 2 years, MAJMC has now become a sort of 2.5-year programme at least as of now. But we can’t do anything about it. Maybe in later years it may again shift back to 2 years.

So, your MJML122 viva will be held first. Then you will get the approval letter, which you have to attach with your project at the time of final submission, either online or by sending it through Speed Post to the Delhi Office.

What the MAJMC Lateral Entry Scheme Means for You

Here’s the reality: those who completed their PGJMC with either 32 credits or 36 credits now have a golden chance to dip into the MAJMC 2nd year course and complete it successfully. The only thing you have to keep in mind about this lateral entry scheme is the additional subjects. Yes, exactly, you heard that right.

In order to become eligible for MAJMC 2nd year, you have to undertake a few more additional subjects so that your 1st year course credits become 40. As in recent times, IGNOU is almost making sure that all its PG courses are of 40 credits as per NEP 2020 guidelines.

So, if you took 32 credits in the first year of MAJMC, or if your PGJMC degree shows the same, then you need to complete two additional courses worth 8 credits to make up your credit deficiency.

Likewise, if you completed MAJMC 1st year with 36 credits, then you need to do another 4-credit course to make it worth 40 credits.

Overall, MAJMC is now an 80-credit program, and in order to complete it successfully, you should have either 40 credits in the first year, or you must add those credits later by studying a single or a couple of additional courses, as per your final credits acquired status.

Additional Courses You’ll Need to Complete the Credit Gap for MAJMC

Interestingly, the additional courses are MNM-34: Mobile Journalism (4 credits) and MNM-36: Digital Media Literacy (4 credits). Either way, both are interesting subjects, and you will get to know a lot of new things surrounding mobile journalism and digital media.

Conclusion

So what are you waiting for? Go and fill out the IGNOU admission form and apply for fresh admission to IGNOU MAJMC this July 2026 session. I wish you all the best in life and your future endeavors.

(By: Atish Home Chowdhury)

Please note: This article is only meant for students who took admission to the IGNOU MAJMC programme during the Jan 2023 to July 2024 session.

Students who took admission in 2025 or later may have the option to choose any two Production Portfolio practical papers out of the three available. They may also choose an internship instead of the Practical Research Methodology course, and a Research Portfolio instead of the main dissertation.

Since IGNOU may revise its programme structure from time to time, make sure you refer to the latest prospectus before making any career-related or academic decision.