Film and Television Institute of India Deemed to be University

Key Highlights

• Established in Pune in 1960 on the former Prabhat Studio premises
• Granted deemed-to-be-university status on 22 April 2025
• Public autonomous institution under India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• Specializes exclusively in film, television and allied media

Student Life & Environment

Student life is closely tied to film production, screenings and collaboration. The official prospectus describes regular screenings of Indian and international cinema selected in relation to the curriculum. Radio FTII provides another creative outlet through community-oriented programming, including interviews, lectures and conversations with filmmakers and alumni. The institute also publishes Lensight, an English-language journal about film and television craft and practice, with a Hindi edition intended to broaden access to this discussion. Campus amenities include a playground used for football and cricket, a basketball court, swimming pool and gym. The Prabhat Museum preserves costumes, props, equipment, posters, stills and documents connected with the historic studio. The library provides students with book and reference lending, an intranet catalogue and access to audiovisual materials. Hostel rooms include basic furniture and internet access, with shared or room-level bathroom arrangements depending on the building. However, FTII explicitly states that accommodation is subject to availability, so admission should not be treated as a housing guarantee. Students operate the mess on a cost-sharing basis. Scholarships may be available under institute rules, through central or state schemes, or from external donors, but applicants should verify eligibility and award conditions rather than assume funding.

Location & Surroundings

FTII occupies the former Prabhat Studio premises near Hanuman Tekdi in Pune, Maharashtra. The institute describes the campus as being in the heart of the city, giving students an urban setting while preserving a tangible connection to Indian cinema history. The Prabhat Museum and surviving studio context are especially relevant to the institution’s specialist identity. Pune is a major educational and cultural centre with universities, national institutes, research organizations and a large student population. Its cultural calendar includes theatre, music, visual arts and film events, including the Pune International Film Festival. That broader setting can complement formal study for students interested in performance, writing and moving-image culture. The city lies on the Deccan Plateau and has a monsoon climate. Students relocating to Pune should plan for seasonal heavy rain and compare campus housing with private accommodation before enrolling, since hostel places are not guaranteed. The official prospectus requires candidates to arrange their own travel, lodging and meals when attending the entrance examination; applicants should therefore budget separately for selection-stage visits as well as any eventual relocation.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For the 2025–26 cycle, the published first-semester charge for each MFA specialization was INR 109,574. This combined INR 46,885 in tuition with INR 62,689 in hostel rent, deposits and other charges. Each remaining semester was listed at INR 66,292, comprising INR 46,884 tuition and INR 19,408 in hostel and other charges. These figures include several one-time refundable or deposit items and should not be interpreted as tuition alone. The one-year television postgraduate certificate courses carried a published total charge of INR 165,847, including INR 99,395 tuition and INR 66,452 for hostel rent, deposits and other charges. Mess costs are separate and shared by students, while hostel allocation remains subject to availability. Eligible Economically Weaker Section students could apply for a 30% freeship on tuition and hostel rent under the stated 2025–26 policy. Renewal was not automatic and depended on a fresh application, academic progress, attendance and discipline. Other institute, government and donor-supported scholarships may exist, but award amounts were not specified in the prospectus. FTII’s preparation is occupation-specific and project-based. Students work in production teams, complete specialization exercises and, in relevant programs, create final or thesis films. The Film Research Office helps select student work for festival and award submissions. No current official placement rate, salary data or employer list was verified, so applicants should assess departmental portfolios, graduate credits and professional networks directly rather than assume a conventional campus-placement pipeline.