IGNOU MADJ Production Portfolio (MDJP-005): Guidelines, Activities, Format and Submission

MDJP-005 is the Production Portfolio of the IGNOU MA in Development Journalism (MADJ) programme. It is a 6-credit elective of the second year, effective for the January 2025 batch onward, and the alternative to the MDJP-004 dissertation. You choose one of the two. Instead of a research report, you prepare a portfolio of journalism and communication work: you complete any 10 of 12 listed activities, each carrying 10 marks, for a total of 100.

The MDJP-005 journey at a glance

A portfolio has no synopsis stage in the manual. It moves through these steps. The green tag shows where HelpBooks supports you.

1. 1
   Choose MDJP-005 over MDJP-004Pick the portfolio if you prefer producing journalism pieces to writing a research dissertation.HelpBooks: help choosing the right course
2. 2
   Pick your 10 activitiesAny 10 of the 12 activities listed in the manual (see the table below).HelpBooks: activity and subject plan
3. 3
   Read the study materialThe manual asks you to read the material of all first-year and second-year theory courses.HelpBooks: briefing on what examiners expect

4. 4
   Produce the piecesOriginal, exploratory, and based on data analysis or field research, in English.HelpBooks: full portfolio support
5. 5
   Add the front pages and annexuresCover page, learner details sheet, certificate of originality, contents, introduction, references and appendices.HelpBooks: annexure checklist
6. 6
   Bind two typed hardbound copiesBlack cover with embossed lettering. You submit one and keep one.HelpBooks: formatting check
7. 7
   Send to the Student Evaluation DivisionWith a cover letter, to the Assistant Registrar (Project Section), SED, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068.HelpBooks: address and envelope check
8. 8
   Evaluation and resultSubmitted 1 January–30 June, it goes with the June results. Submitted 1 July–31 December, with the December results.HelpBooks: support till marks

MDJP-005 at a glance

Figures are based on the MDJP-005 project manual. The manual has small inconsistencies (for example in annexure labels and cover codes), so confirm doubtful points with the Programme Coordinator. IGNOU revises its guidelines from time to time, so check the latest manual before you begin.

Guide and proposal for MDJP-005

The MDJP-005 manual does not mention a guide, a supervisor eligibility list or a proposal that needs approval, unlike the MDJP-004 dissertation. It says there are no classes and no compulsory attendance, and that optional lectures are available through Gyan Darshan, Gyan Vani, Gyan Dhara and other online platforms. If your programme or study centre has told you otherwise, follow that instruction. HelpBooks mentors can check your situation against the latest manual before you start.

The 12 activities

You complete any 10 of these. Word counts are as given in the manual:

• Research-based news article or investigative report: 2 pieces, 500–700 words each
• Feature article: 2 pieces, 500–700 words each
• Opinion article: 2 pieces, 500–700 words each
• Review article: 2 pieces, 500–700 words each
• News script for radio and TV: one for TV and one for radio, minimum 60–90 seconds
• News script for print: 2 pieces, 3–4 columns
• News script for an online portal: 2 pieces, no length given
• Research article: 1 piece, 500–700 words
• Interview written in news format: 1 piece, 500–700 words
• Social campaign planning and design: minimum 2
• Case study: 1 piece, 500–700 words
• Survey questionnaire: 1, with a minimum of 20 questions

Choosing subjects for your pieces

The manual wants original work that is exploratory and based on data analysis or field research. A good piece is narrow, local, and backed by real people and facts. Some areas that work well:

• Health and sanitation: a local scheme, a clinic or a cleanliness drive and how it reaches people
• Education: a school or learning programme in your area and what changed
• Livelihood and agriculture: farmers, artisans or small traders and the support they get
• Environment: water, waste or tree-planting efforts in your town or village
• Governance: how a panchayat or municipal service works for ordinary people

Using one local theme across several activities, such as a feature, an interview, a case study and a survey on the same subject, keeps the portfolio connected and makes your field work easier. This is also the first thing our mentors look at when they plan a portfolio.

MDJP-005 portfolio structure and format

The manual lists these parts for the portfolio:

• Cover page and table of contents
• Introduction giving an overview of development journalism and the portfolio objectives
• The activities you chose
• References and appendices
• Index, list of figures and tables, and declaration sheets

It also carries a learner details sheet (programme code, study centre, enrolment number, contact details and signature) and a certificate of originality, in which you declare that the work is original, not copied or plagiarised, not generated using AI tools and not submitted before. Format: A4, printed on one side, 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri or Arial, 1.5 line spacing, 1.5-inch margins, left-aligned, page numbers at the top right, and APA citations.

Why MDJP-005 portfolios come back

• Fewer than 10 activities completed
• Pieces below or far above the word counts in the manual
• Copied, plagiarised or AI-generated content, which the originality certificate prohibits
• Pieces with no field research or data behind them
• Certificate of originality or learner details sheet missing or unsigned
• References not in APA style
• Wrong binding or cover format
• Portfolio sent to the wrong office instead of the Student Evaluation Division

If your portfolio is not cleared: check the evaluator’s result and follow the IGNOU notice for resubmission. Our mentors can rework weak pieces and prepare a fresh submission.

How HelpBooks mentors MADJ learners

Most learners who reach us have one of three problems: they cannot decide between the dissertation and the portfolio, they do not know which 10 activities to pick, or they have the material but not the time to write ten original pieces. Our mentors stay with you through the whole MDJP-005 journey, from the first activity plan to the day your marks appear:

• A clear plan of 10 activities with subjects based on your job, interests and city
• Help with the field work, interviews and survey questions behind your pieces
• Original writing for each piece to the manual’s word counts, with a plagiarism check
• The introduction, references, contents and annexures prepared in the manual’s format
• A final check of the binding, certificate and envelope before you send it to the Student Evaluation Division
• Support until your result is declared

Starting MDJP-005 or stuck midway? WhatsApp us on 8800002552 with your stage, and we will tell you the next step. You can also read our step-by-step IGNOU project guide.

Common questions

Do I have to do all 12 activities?
No. You complete any 10 of the 12 activities, and each carries 10 marks.

Is there a proposal or synopsis for MDJP-005?
The manual does not describe one. Check with your Programme Coordinator if you have been asked for it.

Can I use AI tools to write the pieces?
No. The certificate of originality states that the work is not generated using AI tools.

Is there a viva for MDJP-005?
The manual does not mention a viva. The portfolio is evaluated for 100 marks along with the term-end examination.

Can HelpBooks help if I have already started?
Yes. Many learners come to us with a few pieces ready or a plan in hand. Share what you have, and we pick up from that stage.

HelpBooks is an independent academic support service and is not affiliated with IGNOU. Rules on this page are summarised from the MDJP-005 project manual; always follow the latest official guideline and the instructions of your programme coordinators.