ACJ Entrance Exam 2027: Registration Expected February, Syllabus, Exam Pattern and Eligibility

The ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 is the admission test conducted by the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, for its two postgraduate diploma programmes in journalism. ACJ is run by the Media Development Foundation under The Hindu Group, and it is widely regarded as one of India’s most respected journalism schools — its PG Diploma has been recognised by Cardiff University, Wales (UK), and it has a Bloomberg partnership for business journalism. The 2027 admission cycle has not been officially notified yet; based on past patterns, registration is expected to open in early 2027.

• Registration Opens: ACJ 2027 Phase 1 applications are expected to open in February-March 2027. In 2026, Phase 1 registration opened in the first week of March with an application deadline of April 6, 2026. Check asianmedia.org.in for official updates.
• Phase 1 Exam: The ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 Phase 1 is expected in the second week of April 2027. Last year it was held in April 2026 in online mode, testing English Language Skills (100 marks, 2 hours) and General Knowledge & Current Affairs (100 marks, 90 minutes) — total 200 marks, no negative marking.
• Multi-Phase Admissions: ACJ runs 3 admission phases — Phase 1 (April), Phase 2 (May), and Phase 3 (June 2027). Only about 25-30 seats are available per programme. Seats are filled on a rolling basis, so applying in Phase 1 gives you the best chance.
• Programmes and Fees: ACJ 2027 offers two 10-month PG Diploma programmes: Integrated Multimedia Journalism (INR 4,60,200 incl. GST) and ACJ-Bloomberg PG Diploma in Business & Financial Journalism (INR 7,08,000 incl. GST). A single application covers both.

What is ACJ Entrance Exam 2027?

The ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 is the institution-specific national-level admission test for the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), located in Taramani, Chennai. ACJ was founded in 1994 by the Indian Express Group as the Asian School of Journalism. In 2000, noted journalist Sashi Kumar relaunched it as the Asian College of Journalism, and it is now operated by the Media Development Foundation, a subsidiary of The Hindu Group.

The exam is conducted in online mode across three admission phases in a year. Candidates can appear from anywhere in India or abroad using an internet-connected device. The ACJ Entrance Exam tests English Language Skills and General Knowledge & Current Affairs for a total of 200 marks. Shortlisted candidates then appear for an online Personal Interview before the final admission offer.

ACJ’s PG Diploma in Journalism has been audited and recognised by Cardiff University, Wales (UK), as equivalent to its own standards — giving the diploma strong international credibility. Its Bloomberg tie-up for the Business & Financial Journalism programme places graduates directly at Bloomberg, Reuters, CNBC, Mint, and Business Standard, among other top media organisations.

ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 Important Dates

The ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 official notification has not been released as of September 2026. ACJ runs three admission phases per year. Based on the 2026 cycle, the expected schedule for ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 is given below. All 2027 dates are expected — you must check the official website for confirmed dates once the notification is out.

All dates below are expected based on the 2026 admission cycle. Official ACJ 2027 dates have not been announced yet. Visit asianmedia.org.in for confirmed updates.

Source: Asian College of Journalism — asianmedia.org.in

ACJ uses a rolling admissions model. The moment a phase’s seats are filled, the next phase opens. If Phase 1 seats are exhausted, ACJ continues admissions through Phase 2 and Phase 3. You should apply as early as possible to maximise your chances.

ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 Eligibility Criteria

The ACJ 2027 eligibility requirements are straightforward. You need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to apply for the ACJ Entrance Exam 2027. ACJ accepts candidates from all academic backgrounds — science, arts, commerce, engineering, or any other stream. There is no subject restriction.

Educational Qualification

• Minimum Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university is required.
• Final-Year Students: You can apply even if your undergraduate results are awaited. You must submit your final degree certificate before the programme begins if you receive an admission offer.
• No Subject Restriction: Candidates from any stream — arts, science, commerce, engineering, law, medicine — are eligible.

Age Limit

ACJ does not specify an upper age limit for the ACJ Entrance Exam 2027. Anyone who holds a bachelor’s degree or is in their final year can apply, regardless of age.

SC/ST Eligibility and Fee Exemption

• Candidates from SC and ST categories are exempt from the application fee.
• You must submit a valid community certificate at the time of application to claim this exemption.
• Note that ACJ is a private institution. The Indian government’s reservation policy for seat allocation does not apply. Seats are not reserved category-wise.

Other Eligibility Notes

• Nationality: Both Indian and international students can apply. ACJ has an international reputation and places graduates at global media organisations.
• Work Experience: Not mandatory for eligibility. However, relevant work experience or internships in media, writing, or communication can strengthen your Personal Interview performance.
• Language: Both sections of the ACJ entrance exam are in English. You need strong English reading and writing skills to clear the exam.

ACJ 2027 Application Form and Fee

The ACJ 2027 application form will be available online at the official website when the notification is released. The application process is simple and fully online. You can apply for both ACJ programmes with a single form and a single fee payment.

How to Fill the ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 Application Form

• Step 1 — Visit Official Website: Go to asianmedia.org.in and click on the admissions or application link. The application portal is at application.asianmedia.in.
• Step 2 — Register: Create an account using your email ID and mobile number. Use an active email address — all exam communication (admit card, result, interview call) comes via this email.
• Step 3 — Fill the Form: Enter your personal details, academic background, contact information, and choose the programme(s) you want to apply for.
• Step 4 — Upload Photograph: Upload a scanned passport-size photograph in the required format and size as specified in the application instructions.
• Step 5 — Pay the Application Fee: Pay INR 2,360 (inclusive of GST) online using net banking, debit card, or credit card. SC/ST candidates must upload a valid community certificate to get the fee waiver.
• Step 6 — Submit and Save Confirmation: Review all details carefully before submitting. Once submitted, save or print the confirmation for your records.

ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 Application Fee

You can also apply by downloading the application form from the website, filling it offline, and posting it to the ACJ admissions office along with a Demand Draft in favour of "Media Development Foundation", payable at Chennai. However, online application is faster and recommended.

Important: The application fee of INR 2,360 covers both ACJ programmes. You only pay once, even if you apply for both the Integrated Multimedia Journalism and the ACJ-Bloomberg programmes.

ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 Admit Card

The ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 admit card will be sent directly to your registered email ID. ACJ does not have a public admit card download portal unlike most national entrance exams. Your registered email address is the only channel through which ACJ communicates the admit card, exam details, result, and interview call.

How to Get the ACJ 2027 Admit Card

• Once your application is accepted, ACJ will send the admit card to your registered email ID a few days before the exam date.
• The admit card will include the exam date and time, your login credentials for the online exam, and instructions on technical setup.
• Check your inbox and spam/junk folder around the expected admit card date — ACJ emails sometimes land in spam.
• Based on the 2026 cycle, the admit card for each phase was sent within a week before the respective exam date.

Technical Requirements for the Online Exam

Since the ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 is conducted fully online, the admit card will also contain the technical requirements. Based on past cycles, you will need:

• A laptop or desktop computer with a stable internet connection.
• A working webcam for identity verification during the exam.
• A quiet room free from disturbance for the exam duration (up to 3.5 hours).
• The browser or exam platform as specified in the admit card instructions.

Use a valid and regularly checked email address in your application form. All admit card, result, and interview communication from ACJ comes via your registered email only — there is no public download portal.

If you do not receive the admit card within the expected window, contact ACJ admissions directly at admissionacj@gmail.com or call 91-44-22542842 / 91-44-22542843.

ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 Syllabus

ACJ does not publish an official, detailed syllabus for its entrance exam. The exam is designed to test general aptitude for journalism rather than specific textbook knowledge. Based on the exam pattern and analysis of past years, here is what you need to prepare for the ACJ Entrance Exam 2027.

Section I Syllabus: English Language Skills (100 Marks)

This section tests your command over written and analytical English. Candidates who read quality English newspapers daily tend to perform better here. Key topics include:

• English Grammar: Tenses, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, and sentence correction.
• Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, word meanings, idioms, phrases, and contextual usage.
• Reading Comprehension: Passages followed by MCQs testing understanding, inference, and interpretation. Passages are often from journalism, public affairs, or social commentary.
• Sentence Structure: Sentence rearrangement, error identification, fill-in-the-blanks, and sentence completion.
• Analytical and Writing Ability: Questions testing your ability to think logically, construct sentences clearly, and analyse arguments. This overlaps with the skill set journalists use daily.

Section II Syllabus: General Knowledge & Current Affairs (100 Marks)

This section has a high emphasis on current affairs. Based on past analysis, current affairs (national and international) account for around 60-65 marks, while analytical thinking and problem-solving questions make up the remaining 35-40 marks. Key topics include:

• Current Affairs (National): Indian politics, government policies and schemes, economic developments, legal and constitutional issues, and social affairs from the past 6-12 months.
• Current Affairs (International): Global events, geopolitics, international organisations (UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO), foreign relations, and major international developments.
• Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Parliament, the judiciary, state governments, important amendments, and key institutions.
• Economy and Business: GDP, inflation, RBI policies, Union Budget, stock markets, trade, and key economic indicators. This area carries extra importance for candidates targeting the ACJ-Bloomberg programme.
• Science and Technology: Recent scientific achievements, space missions (ISRO, NASA), digital technology, AI, and healthcare breakthroughs.
• Media and Journalism: Press freedom rankings, new media trends, important journalism awards, digital journalism developments, and notable journalists. This is unique to the ACJ exam given its journalism focus.
• Sports: Major national and international sporting events, champions, venues, and records.
• Environment and Climate: Key environmental agreements, climate events, and sustainability developments.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving: Data interpretation, logical reasoning, and ability to draw inferences from information.

Recommended Study Material for ACJ Entrance Exam 2027

There are no officially prescribed textbooks for the ACJ entrance exam. Consistent newspaper reading for 6 months before the exam is the single most effective preparation strategy. Start with The Hindu for editorial depth and The Indian Express for analytical writing style.

ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 Result

The ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 result will not be published on a public portal. Instead, ACJ notifies shortlisted candidates directly via their registered email ID. There is no official rank list, merit list, or score display for the ACJ entrance exam.

How ACJ Communicates Results

• After each phase exam, ACJ evaluates the written test responses and shortlists candidates for the Personal Interview.
• Shortlisted candidates receive an email with the interview schedule within a few days of the exam.
• Candidates not shortlisted are typically notified via email as well, though with less urgency.
• Based on the 2026 cycle, Phase 1 results were communicated within 2-3 weeks of the exam date.
• If you are not shortlisted in Phase 1, you can reapply for Phase 2 or Phase 3 of ACJ Entrance Exam 2027.

After the Personal Interview

• Final admission offers are released on a rolling basis after each phase’s interview round.
• The offer letter is sent via email and specifies the programme, fee details, and the seat deposit deadline.
• You must pay the seat deposit of INR 1,00,000 within 7 days of receiving the offer to secure your seat. This amount is adjusted against the total programme fee.
• Candidates who decline the offer or miss the deposit deadline may lose their seat to the next candidate in line.

ACJ does not publish a public scoreboard or merit list. If you do not receive any email within 3-4 weeks after your exam date, contact ACJ admissions at admissionacj@gmail.com or call 91-44-22542842. Check your spam folder before writing in.

Courses and Fees at ACJ 2027

ACJ offers two postgraduate diploma programmes for the 2027 batch. Both are 10-month full-time residential programmes. A single ACJ Entrance Exam application and a single payment of INR 2,360 lets you apply for both programmes.

Source: ACJ Official Fees Page — asianmedia.org.in

PG Diploma in Integrated Multimedia Journalism

This programme trains you in all formats of modern journalism — print, digital, broadcast, and social media. You will work on live news stories, produce broadcast packages, write data-driven articles, and build a strong digital media portfolio during the 10 months. The programme is ideal if you want a broad, multimedia journalism career across print, digital, or television.

• Fee: INR 4,60,200 inclusive of GST @ 18%.
• Seats: approximately 25-30 per batch.
• Cardiff University, Wales, recognises this diploma as equivalent to its own PG Diploma standards — giving it international credibility.

ACJ-Bloomberg PG Diploma in Business & Financial Journalism

This is a specialised track designed with Bloomberg LP for candidates who want to work in financial and business journalism. It combines ACJ’s journalism training with Bloomberg’s proprietary content and tools. Graduates are placed at Bloomberg, Reuters, CNBC-TV18, Mint, Economic Times, Business Standard, Informist, and other top financial media organisations in India and globally.

• Fee: INR 7,08,000 inclusive of GST @ 18%.
• Seats: approximately 25-30 per batch.
• Candidates with a background in economics, finance, or business have an advantage for this programme in the Personal Interview stage.
• The ACJ-Bloomberg programme is one of very few journalism courses in India with a formal corporate media partnership of this scale.

Seat Deposit and Fee Payment

• Once you receive an admission offer, you must pay a seat deposit of INR 1,00,000 within 7 days to confirm your seat.
• This deposit is adjusted against the total programme fee — it is not an additional charge.
• If you do not pay the deposit within 7 days, your seat may be offered to the next candidate in line.

How Many Students Apply for ACJ Entrance Exam?

The Asian College of Journalism runs a small but highly competitive batch. With only around 25-30 seats per programme (about 50-60 total seats across both programmes per year), ACJ is one of the most selective journalism schools in India. ACJ does not publicly release annual application numbers or registration statistics.

Why ACJ is Highly Competitive

• The small batch size means even a high written test score does not guarantee admission — the Personal Interview is a critical second filter.
• The ACJ-Bloomberg programme attracts candidates with economics, finance, and business backgrounds in addition to journalism aspirants, making its applicant pool particularly competitive.
• ACJ runs 3 phases per year, allowing more candidates to try across the cycle. But as each phase fills seats, the remaining seats get fewer — early applicants have a structural advantage.
• ACJ’s reputation and alumni network — across The Hindu, NDTV, Bloomberg, Reuters, BBC, Business Standard, and others — makes it a top destination for journalism aspirants, keeping applications consistently strong.

Who Applies for ACJ Entrance Exam?

• Fresh graduates from humanities and social science backgrounds form the largest group of applicants.
• Candidates with engineering, science, or commerce backgrounds apply in growing numbers, especially for the ACJ-Bloomberg programme.
• Working professionals who want to switch to journalism also apply — the ACJ entrance exam has no age bar.
• International applicants from South and Southeast Asia apply for both programmes, reflecting ACJ’s regional reputation.

The competition for the ACJ Entrance Exam is driven by quality rather than volume. You will compete against articulate, well-read graduates from some of India’s top universities. A strong current affairs preparation and good English skills are what separate shortlisted candidates from the rest.

How to Prepare for ACJ Entrance Exam 2027

Preparing for the ACJ Entrance Exam 2027 requires consistent effort over 4-6 months. Since there is no fixed prescribed syllabus, the best strategy is to build strong English language skills and keep yourself thoroughly updated on current affairs. Here is a preparation plan that will help you score well in both sections.

Preparation Strategy for Section I: English Language Skills

• Read quality English newspapers daily: The Hindu editorial page is ideal. It exposes you to high-quality sentence construction, complex vocabulary in context, and analytical writing — exactly what Section I tests.
• Revise English grammar fundamentals: Use Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar to revise tenses, sentence correction, articles, and prepositions. Focus especially on common error identification patterns.
• Build vocabulary actively: Keep a vocabulary notebook. Learn 10-15 new words daily from your newspaper reading. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis is a reliable resource.
• Practise reading comprehension: Read long-form articles and practise summarising their argument in 2-3 sentences. This builds both comprehension speed and analytical ability for MCQ passages.
• Write regularly: Write 200-word opinion pieces on current news topics 3-4 times a week. This directly sharpens your analytical thinking and prepares you for the Personal Interview as well.

Preparation Strategy for Section II: General Knowledge & Current Affairs

• Start newspaper reading 6 months before the exam: Current affairs in the ACJ exam cover events from the past 6-12 months. The sooner you start, the more ground you cover without cramming.
• Read The Hindu and Business Standard daily: The Hindu for national and international affairs; Business Standard for economy, markets, and business news relevant to the ACJ-Bloomberg programme.
• Keep a monthly current affairs notes file: At the end of each month, make brief notes of the top 20-30 events. This revision shortcut saves you weeks of re-reading before the exam.
• Study Indian polity basics: Constitutional provisions, Parliament, important government schemes, and significant Supreme Court judgements are regularly tested.
• Follow media news specifically: Press freedom reports, digital journalism developments, and important journalism awards are relevant because ACJ tests awareness of the journalism world.
• Practise with timed mock GK tests: The 90-minute time limit for Section II requires both knowledge and pace. Practise GK MCQ sets under timed conditions to build speed.

Personal Interview Preparation Tips

• Prepare a clear, specific answer for "Why do you want to be a journalist?" and "Why ACJ specifically?" Generic answers are easily spotted by experienced interviewers.
• Follow 3-4 ongoing major news stories closely — national politics, economy, environment, or a social issue — and be ready to discuss them in depth.
• Read about ACJ’s alumni and their work at organisations like The Hindu, NDTV, BBC, and Bloomberg. Showing genuine awareness of the institution makes a strong impression.
• For the ACJ-Bloomberg programme, prepare an overview of current financial news — RBI rate decisions, stock market trends, and major corporate stories.
• Practise speaking your thoughts aloud in English for 10-15 minutes a day. Clear articulation under interview pressure comes with practice.

6-Month Preparation Timeline for ACJ Entrance Exam 2027