MUMBAI: The Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, has commenced a five month Diploma Course in Urdu Journalism intended to promote the proficiency of working journalists in Urdu language newspapers and the capabilities of media professionals in the Urdu language. 

The initiative to launch the course had been taken after Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari had detailed discussions with working journalists and editors of Urdu language newspapers at the All India Conference of Urdu Editors. During the discussions, the representatives of the Urdu newspapers had requested the Minister to initiate skill and capacity building measures through short term courses in the medium.

The course currently initiated by the Institute is non residential. It focuses on contemporary trends and practices in the field of journalism, use of technology, copy-writing and writing for TV. The course aims at capacity building and enhancing the skills of practitioners of Urdu journalism. 

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication invited applications on 16 September 2013 by placing advertisements in leading Hindi and Urdu newspapers. The entrance exam for the Urdu Journalism Course was held on 20th Oct. 2013. Interviews were held on 9 November. 2013. The course commenced on 2nd Dec. 2013 with 8 students, 12 candidates had appeared for the Entrance Examination and out of them 11 had been shortlisted for the interview. The course is expected to be completed by April 2014.