MEDIA, COMMUNICATION AND THE ARTS
Radio Jockey (RJ)
Hosts radio shows, talks to listeners and presents music, news and entertainment.
Any stream; strong speaking skills matter most After Class 12 Private sector
Facts checked 29/10/2026
Is this for me?
People in this work enjoy
- Talking to people and making them laugh or feel heard
- Quick thinking when a call or a plan goes wrong on air
- Following music, news and trends, and sharing them in your own style
It may not suit you if you dislike
- Early-morning, late-night or weekend shifts
- Pay and job security can be uncertain at the start
- Being judged on your voice and personality, and needing to keep reinventing your show
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Any Class 12 stream works. Clear speech, good reading and writing in Hindi and English (or your regional language), and comfort talking to strangers matter more than any one subject combination.
- First degree
- No fixed degree is required. A bachelor's in mass communication, journalism or any subject is common. Many RJs also take a short RJ course or a one-year PG diploma in radio or journalism.
- Entrance exams
- No single national exam for RJ work. For IIMC Delhi's one-year PG Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism, you need a bachelor's degree and an entrance test (reported: CUET-PG or IIMC's own test; check the IIMC notice for the year you apply).
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
Open to every streamAny stream; strong speaking skills matter most.Check your subjects against every career
What the work is like
Hosting shows live or pre-recorded, talking to listeners on air and on phone, introducing songs, reading news or updates, running contests and interviews, and writing scripts. Many RJs also do events, social media posts and voice work.
A day in the work
A typical day for a morning-show RJ may start before dawn with a briefing on news, traffic and trending songs. You then go on air for several hours, talking to callers, reading contests and introducing tracks. After the show you may record promos, write scripts for the next day or attend a station event.
The path, step by step
- Class 10–12Any stream is fine. Read aloud daily, take part in school debates, dramatics, elocution and the school radio or announcement team, and get used to speaking in front of people.
- After Class 12Take a bachelor's degree in mass communication, journalism or another subject. Mass communication courses give you the most practice in radio, writing and production. (reported — check with the official body)
- Optional, after graduationA PG Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism at IIMC Delhi is one of the best-known government options. It takes one year, and the fee page lists a total of ₹1,68,500 for 2025–26 (check the latest year's notice). (reported — check with the official body)
- During studyBuild a short demo reel with your best audio clips. Seek internships or part-time work at a community radio station, a local FM station or a production house. (reported — check with the official body)
- Hiring stageAudition at FM stations. Private FM stations set their own process, usually a voice test, a live reading or a mock show, and then a trial period. There is no fixed exam or government selection. (reported — check with the official body)
- Early careerStart as a contract or trainee RJ, often on a small station or a city-based show. Many RJs move to bigger stations, national shows, events or podcasts as they gain experience. (reported — check with the official body)
Ways in
- Degree, then auditionComplete a bachelor's degree (mass communication or any subject), build a demo reel through college radio or internships, then audition at FM stations.
- Short RJ course or PG diplomaTake a short RJ training course or a one-year PG diploma in radio and TV journalism, then audition. Check each institute's fee page and accreditation before you join; the fees vary widely.
Time and money
| Stage | Time | Government college or body | Private college | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 11–12 (any stream) | 2 years | Your school's fees | Your school's fees | — |
| Bachelor's degree (mass communication or any subject) | 3 years | Check the college's fee page | Check the college's fee page | Scholarship details not confirmed; check the college's fee page |
| Optional: IIMC Delhi one-year PG Diploma in Radio & TV Journalism | 1 year | Tuition ₹1,60,000; total ₹1,68,500 with library and welfare fees (IIMC fee page, 2025–26) | PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication: ₹35,000 per semester plus ₹2,500 per semester exam fee (institute page, 2026–27); not a dedicated RJ course | No official scholarship or stipend found; check the college's fee page |
| Entrance test for IIMC PG Diploma: CUET (PG) 2026 exam fee | 1 day exam | General ₹1,400; Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL ₹1,200; SC/ST/third gender ₹1,100; PwBD ₹1,000 (NTA, 2026) | — | Check the notice for fee waivers; no 2027 figure found yet |
| Demo reel, internship or part-time work at radio or production house | 6–12 months | Check the notice | Check the notice | Unpaid or paid terms not stated on the page; check each station |
| Audition at FM stations, then trial period, then contract or trainee RJ | Varies by station | Free to audition; no government selection | Free to audition; station sets its own process | Paid by the station; no official stipend or pay figure found |
Total timeAbout 3–4 years after Class 12 for a degree and audition route; about 4–5 years with the optional PG diploma
Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.
Good to knowRadio jockey is not a licensed profession and there is no paid government training; the IIMC PG diploma costs ₹1,68,500 in total (2025–26), and other fees need checking.
Fees from: IIMC Delhi: fee structure for all PG Diploma courses · IIMC: tuition fee for all PG Diploma courses · IIMC Prospectus 2025-26/27 (PDF) · CUET (PG) 2026 fee information (PDF, government-hosted) · PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication, institute course page. Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.
What people earn
Earnings vary a great deal. Trainees and small-city RJs usually earn much less than established voices on national or metro stations, and pay depends on the station, the show and your track record.
Myth and fact
Myth: You need a film-star voice to become an RJ.
Fact: A pleasant, clear voice helps, but station managers mostly look for natural speech, good timing, quick thinking and the ability to keep listeners company. Practice and a good demo matter more than a 'perfect' voice.
Try it now
- Class 7–9Read a short news article aloud in Hindi or English for 10 minutes a day, then listen back to your recording and check your pace and clarity.Open link ↗
- Class 10–12Join your school's debate, elocution or radio/announcement team, and host one short class or assembly segment this month.
- College or afterVolunteer at a community radio station or college radio club and record one 5-minute show segment for your demo reel. Free online communication courses are also listed on SWAYAM.Open link ↗
Good to know
- Radio jockey is not a statutory profession. No council or government body licenses RJs, so there is no registration to renew.
- Private FM stations and community radio stations hire on their own rules. Sound and speaking tests, a demo reel and contract terms differ from station to station.
- Work often includes evening, night and weekend shows, and live shows leave little room for mistakes.
- I could not check official hiring data, FM station policies or short RJ course fees. Treat the numbers here as the latest I could confirm; check current notices before you decide.