ICSE Class 9 Syllabus 2028 Mass Media and Communication

ICSE
INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION
EXAMINATION
YEAR 2028

MASS MEDIA
&
COMMUNICATION
(90)

Developed by:
Research, Development and Curriculum Division (RDCD)
CISCE

January 2026
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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MISSION STATEMENT

The Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations is committed to serving the nation's
children, through high quality educational
endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting
introspective living, by creating exciting learning
opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.

ETHOS OF CISCE

Trust and fair play.
Minimum monitoring.
Allowing schools to evolve their own niche.
Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
and practices.
Diversity and plurality - the basic strength for
evolution of ideas.
Schools to motivate pupils towards the
cultivation of:
Excellence - The Indian and Global
experience.
Values - Spiritual and cultural - to be the bedrock
of the educational experience.
Schools to have an 'Indian Ethos', strong roots in
the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.

MASS MEDIA & COMMUNICATION (90)

Aims:
1. To develop an understanding about the evolution of Mass Media and Communication.
2. To introduce the concepts, processes, terms and trends related to the field of Mass Media and Communication.
3. To provide exposure to various and diverse forms of Mass Media and Communication.
4. To create an awareness about the ethical practices to be followed while using Social Media.
5. To enhance the development of skills related to the use of various types of Media.

CLASS IX
There will be one written paper of two hours duration carrying 100 marks and Internal Assessment of 100 marks.

THEORY – 100 Marks
1. Communication
(i) Understanding Communication
General definition of communication.
Definition given by Keith Davis, John Adair and Louis Allen.
(ii) Evolution of Human Communication
A brief understanding of the following with examples: Petroglyphs, Pictograms, Ideograms, writing,
audio-visual, digital communication, internet-based communication systems.
(iii) Elements of Communication
A brief understanding of the following with examples: sender, message, medium, receiver, feedback.
(iv) Process of Communication
A brief understanding of Encoding and Decoding.
(v) Functions of Communication
A brief understanding of how communication helps to ‘inform’, ‘educate’, ‘entertain’ and ‘integrate’.
(vi) Forms of Communication
A brief understanding of verbal (oral and written) and non-verbal, formal and informal communication
with examples.

2. Mass Media
(i) Definition of Mass Media
(ii) Timeline
A brief understanding of the following: Block Printing, Printing Press, Newspapers, Gramophones,
Cinema, Radio, Camera (pin hole & digital), Television, Internet and New Media.
(iii) Types of Mass Media
A brief understanding of the features and functions of: print media, radio, television, cinema, internet

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3. Print Media
(i) A brief history
A brief history of print media: stone carving, Chinese wood blocks, Johannes Gutenberg and first
newspaper.
(ii) Types of Print Media
A brief understanding of the features and functions of the following: Newspapers, Magazines, Books,
Journals, Leaflets, Brochures, Flyers & Posters.
(iii) Types of Newspapers
Types of newspapers based on:
(a) frequency: dailies, weeklies, annuals, divided - annuals.
(b) geographical distribution: local, regional, national and international.
(c) versions: print, online, e-paper.

4. Radio as a Medium of Broadcasting
(i) Radio Broadcasting in India – AIR.
Establishment of AIR, Role of radio broadcasting in World War II, radio broadcasting in post-
independence India, emergence of private radio in India.
(ii) Characteristics of Radio
A brief understanding of the characteristics of radio such as: audio medium, wireless medium,
inexpensive, simple to use, wide reach, mobility, and live medium.
(iii) Radio Equipment
Transmitter and receiver; Radio frequency: AM (Amplitude Modulation) & FM (Frequency Modulation);
Satellite Radio: definition and impact.
(iv) Types of Radio Broadcasting
A brief understanding of Public, Private and Community radio broadcasting.
(v) Online and Amateur Radio (HAM Radio).
Definition and impact.

5. Introduction to Advertising
(i) Definition
(ii) Functions of Advertising
A brief understanding of each: Building brand image, creating consumer awareness and demand,
increase in sales, promotion of competition in the market, maximising of profits.
(iii) Models of Advertising
A basic understanding of the following: AIDA (Attention Interest Desire and Action) and DAGMAR
(Defining Advertising Goals for Measured Advertising Results).
(iv) Principles of Advertising
A brief understanding of creativity, research, consistency, duration and frequency of campaign,
simplicity, ethical, Unique Selling Point (USP).

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6. Internet
(i) A brief history of the Internet.
Timeline: Information theory, WAN, Packet switching, ARPANET, TCP/IP, World Wide Web (brief
understanding only).
(ii) Internet, Intranet and World Wide Web (www).
Meaning and distinction.
(iii) Internet utilities
A brief understanding, with examples, of the following: Web Browsing, Electronic Mail, Online
Broadcasting, Social networking, Gaming, Blogging, File Transfer protocols (FTP), Online banking, E-
commerce, Video conferencing and Digital marketing.

(iv) Artificial Intelligence (AI):
An overview of the following:
a) Positive Impacts:
(enhanced content creation, personalised media experiences, improved accuracy and fact-checking,
faster news delivery, enhanced audience engagement, accessibility and inclusivity, better data
analytics, creative innovation in entertainment, efficient content moderation, reduced production
costs)
b) Negative Impacts:
(spread of misinformation and deepfakes, loss of jobs in media industries, privacy and data security
concerns, creation of filter bubbles and echo chambers, biased algorithms influencing content,
reduced human creativity and authenticity, manipulative targeted advertising, overdependence on
automation, ethical and copyright issues, decline in traditional journalism standards)

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT – 100 Marks
Candidates will be required to do a minimum of four assignments during the year, as assigned by the teacher.
Suggested list of Assignments:
• Write and enact a one act play including 6 to 8 actors. The theme of the play should revolve around current
values or social trends. Props and costumes must be used.
• Place yourself in the role of a Radio Jockey and select a well-known personality of your choice to interview
from your locality, city, state or based on your area of interest. Prepare a set of 10-15 questions and conduct
a 20minutes interview.
• Design a poster advertising your school canteen (or a nearby restaurant, should the school not have a canteen).
• Group Work: Act as a sales representative and try to sell a product or service to the rest of the class/school.
You can use coupons to act as a form of currency.
• Design the front page of a newspaper, taking into consideration eye movement along the page, weight
distribution, importance of the news items and advertisements.
• Develop an eight-page magazine covering the various events that took place over the last school year.

Please note that the above suggestions are indicative; any other assignment is acceptable, provided they align
with the given syllabus.

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