Top Institutes for Photography and Cinematography in India 2025: Fees, Courses Offered, Duration

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Updated on Jun 19, 2025 16:55 IST

If you are passionate about photography or want to bring your ideas to life as a photographer or a cinematographer, then our blog is just for you. Explore the top institutes for photography and cinematography in India and make the right call about choosing the most suitable institute as per your professional aspirations and passion.

If you are an avid photographer or want to translate your ideas into fruition as a photographer or cinematographer, then our blog is just the place to be. Go through this top list of institutes that offer photography and cinematography courses in India and make the right decision to choose the best institute according to your professional goals and passion.

India has a plenty of top institutes that can convert your creative passion into a career. Whether it involves shooting the rare tiger or serving as a camera assistant in films or learning lighting, there is a course and college for every interest. Right from weekend courses to full-fledged degree courses, this blog outlines some of the best institutions that offer excellent training, on-field exposure, and industry experience in photography and cinematography.

Table of contents

Best Institutes for Photography and Cinematography in India
1. Delhi College of Photography
2. RK Films & Media Academy (RKFMA)
3. Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment (RSACE)
4. M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute
5. Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT)
6. Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) School of Photography & Cinematography (BVSP)
7. A.J.K. Mass Communication Research Centre (AJK MCRC)
8. Light & Life Academy (LLA), Ooty
9. Symbiosis School of Visual Arts and Photography (SSVAP), Pune
10. NRAI School of Mass Communication, Delhi

Best Institutes for Photography and Cinematography in India

Following is the list of best institutes for photography and cinematography in India, along with the photography and cinematography courses provided by them -

	Institute Name	Courses Offered	Duration
1	Delhi College of Photography	Intensive Beginners Photography Foundation Programme Certificate in Advanced Photography Certificate in Photography Certificate in Fine Art Photography Certificate in Nature and Wildlife Photography Intensive Beginners Photography Foundation 1 Programme for Executives Foundation Course on Film Making Diploma in Photography	Short-term courses: 2 - 8 weeks Diploma: 1 year
2	RK Films & Media Academy (RKFMA)	Diploma in Professional Photography Diploma in Filmmaking, Direction and TV Production Still Digital Photography & Lighting Course Using Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator Diploma in Camera & Lighting	3 - 12 months
3	Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment (RSACE)	Advance Certificate in Film Making [Part Time] Certificate in Cinematography Photography	1 - 11 months
4	Tamil Nadu Government MGR Film and Television Institute	BVA in Cinematography BVA in Film Editing BVA in Digital Intermediate	4 years
5	Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT)	Diploma in Still Photography PG Diploma in Post Production PG Diploma in Film Making PG Diploma in Film and TV Production Direction Diploma in Post-Production Diploma in Cinematography Diploma in Filmmaking PG Diploma in Cinematography B.Sc in Cinema (Specialisation in Cinematography) M.Sc in Cinema (Specialisation in Cinematography)	Diploma: 1 year PG Diploma: 1 year UG courses: 4 years PG courses: 2 years
6	Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) School of Photography & Cinematography (BVSP)	B.A. in Photography and Cinematography B.A. in Commercial Photography & Moving Images B.A. in Filmmaking (Cinematography) Basic Wedding Photography and Cinematography Professional Food Photography Certificate in Professional Fashion Photography M.A. in Cinematography M.A. in Commercial Photography & Moving Images Diploma in Cinematography Diploma in Commercial Photography	Certificate: 15 days Diploma: 1 -2 years UG courses: 3 years PG courses: 2 years
7	AJK Mass Communication Research Centre (AJK MCRC)	PG Diploma in Still Photography and Visual Communication M.A. in Visual Effects and Animation	PG Diploma: 1 -2 years PG courses: 2 years
8	Light & Life Academy (LLA), Ooty	PG Diploma in Professional Photography and Digital Production PG Diploma in Documentary and Corporate Filmmaking	6 months to 1 year
9	Symbiosis School of Visual Arts and Photography (SSVAP), Pune	BA In Visual Arts And Photography	3 years
10	NRAI School of Mass Communication, Delhi	Digital Film Making Course Still Photography Course Certificate Program in Video Editing	Short-term courses 15 - 30 days Certificate programs: 6 months

1. Delhi College of Photography

Details	Information
Location	Kingsway Camp, near North Campus, Delhi
Ownership	Private
Fees	Varies by course (Short-term & long-term)
Eligibility	Class 12 pass; no stream restriction
Placement & Career Support	Career assistance is available based on students’ skills and portfolios
USPs	Offers both short-term and long-term photography courses with specialization options. Well-equipped infrastructure including B&W darkroom, lighting studios, and iMac labs. Industry-focused training with practical exposure in commercial and fashion photography

2. RK Films & Media Academy (RKFMA)

Details	Information
Location	Mandi House area, New Delhi (main campus)
Ownership	Private
Fees	Varies by course duration and type
Eligibility	Open to all; basic educational qualification preferred
Placement & Career Support	Placement support in the Bollywood and regional film industries
USPs	Offers diploma and certificate courses in photography, filmmaking, journalism, and more. Photography training available in regular and weekend modes. Faculty includes experienced media professionals and industry experts.

3. Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment (RSACE)

Details	Information
Location	Kalina Campus, University of Mumbai, Mumbai
Ownership	Private (Affiliated with University of Mumbai)
Fees	Approx. INR 2.5–4 lakhs per year (varies by program)
Eligibility	Class 12 pass (admission as per Mumbai University guidelines)
Placement & Career Support	100% placement assistance Media and entertainment industry exposure
USPs	Practical-focused learning with 70–75% on-set training. Programs in direction, cinematography, sound, VFX, and editing.

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4. M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute

Details	Information
Location	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Ownership	Government
Fees	INR 15,000 per year (fee waived for SC/ST and differently-abled candidates)
Eligibility	Diploma in relevant fields Minimum 40% marks (pass marks for SC/ST) Age limits: 24 years (General), 26 years (SC/ST)
Placement & Career Support	No official data availble, but graduates are placed in the Tamil and other regional film industries
USPs	The oldest government film institute Advanced tech training Category-wise fee exemption Tamil Nadu government affiliation

5. Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT)

Details	Information
Location	Noida (main campus), with others across India
Ownership	Private
Fees	Varies widely by course (estimated INR 1–4 lakhs per year, depending on program)
Eligibility	Varies by course; generally Class 12 for UG, graduation for PG courses
Placement & Career Support	900+ placements, global opportunities, celebrity-led interactions
USPs	Offers over 90 creative programs, including cinema, fashion, music, journalism, and more. International exposure through a global student base and celebrity interactions. Multiple campuses with modern facilities and NAAC-recognized university affiliation.

6. Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) School of Photography & Cinematography (BVSP)

Details	Information
Location	Pune, Maharashtra
Ownership	Private (Deemed-to-be University)
Fees	INR 3,85,875 – INR 4,41,000 (depending on program)
Eligibility	UG: 10+2 pass (any stream); PG: Graduation in any stream; Diploma: SSC 10th
Placement & Career Support	Strong industry focus; practical readiness helps students secure work
USPs	NEP 2020-approved B.A. and M.A. programs. State-of-the-art studios and editing labs with industry-standard gear. Affiliated with Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed University), NAAC A++.

7. A.J.K. Mass Communication Research Centre (AJK MCRC)

Details	Information
Location	New Delhi
Ownership	Public (Central University - Jamia Millia Islamia)
Fees	INR 74,020 for PG Diploma program
Eligibility	Graduation in any stream with a minimum 50% marks (10+2+3 format)
Placement & Career Support	Employment opportunities are offered in media fields, such as photography, radio, television production, and copywriting. Placement Rate: 65%
USPs	UGC-recognised media centre under Jamia Millia Islamia. International academic collaborations with York University, Sciences Po, and others. Known for award-winning UGC educational programs.

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8. Light & Life Academy (LLA), Ooty

Details	Information
Location	Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Ownership	Private
Fees	INR 7.2 lakhs + 18% GST for Photography; INR 3.75 lakhs + 18% GST for Filmmaking
Eligibility	Graduate (15 years of formal education) or equivalent work experience
USPs	First-of-its-kind photography institute with immersive, hands-on training. Industry-standard studios and practical shooting experience. Admission through portfolio and interview only—no written test. Scenic and purpose-built campus designed for creative learning.

9. Symbiosis School of Visual Arts and Photography (SSVAP), Pune

Details	Information
Location	Pune, Maharashtra
Ownership	Private (Deemed University)
Fees	INR 4,40,000 per year
Eligibility	12th pass in any stream
Placement & Career Support	Offers opportunities for internships with reputed names like Incredible India & Lalit Kala Academy.
USPs	Part of Symbiosis International University (NAAC A++). 100% practical training with professional photography equipment. Portfolio-based admission with creative interaction.

10. NRAI School of Mass Communication, Delhi

Details	Information
Location	New Delhi
Ownership	Private
Fees	INR 18,000–INR 30,000 for short-term weekend courses
Eligibility	Open to all
Placement & Career Support	Acknowledged by BBC, NDTV, and Doordarshan; placement assistance available
USPs	Flexible weekend and short-term courses in photography and filmmaking. Practical, studio-based training with real-time project exposure. Placement support with media houses like NDTV, BBC, and Doordarshan

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