How to become a Video Editor in India
वीडियो एडिटर
Cut raw footage into films, ads, YouTube videos, reels and news packages that hold the viewer’s attention.
- Streams
- Any stream
- Time it takes
- From a few months (skill courses) to 3–5 years (degree plus film school)
- Key exams
- JET
What you actually do
- Organise footage and assemble a rough cut from the script or brief
- Refine pacing, add music, graphics, colour and sound
- Export versions for TV, cinema, YouTube and social platforms
A day in the life
Syncing footage from yesterday’s shoot, building a rough cut, trimming it with the director’s notes, fixing audio levels and colour, and exporting a vertical version for Instagram.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: edit your own phone videos using free softwareabout 2 yr
- Class 11–12: any stream; no mandatory entrance exam for this careerabout 2 yr
- Any graduation, a mass media degree, or a diploma in film/video editingabout 3 yr
- Showreel and internships at production houses, channels or creators; FTII/SRFTI editing PG diploma via JET is optionalabout 6 mo
- First job: Assistant/Junior Editor at a production house, news channel, agency or with creatorsabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| JET (Joint Entrance Test, FTII and SRFTI) | Film and Television Institute of India | Once a year |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
Free or low-cost: free editing software, SWAYAM courses and government film institutes’ short courses
Private route
Private editing courses and media schools: roughly ₹30,000–3 lakh
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
Many editors start as assistants or freelancers; pay depends on speed, showreel and clients. We do not quote figures.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You enjoy making videos feel tight and engaging
- You can focus on detail for long stretches
- You like working with directors and creators
Maybe not, if…
- You dislike sitting at a computer for long hours
- You do not enjoy repeated revisions
Not sure yet? Take the Career Explorer quiz — 18 questions, answers stay on your device.
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Where are you now, and where do you want to be?
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Common questions
How do I become a Video Editor in India?
1. Class 9–10: edit your own phone videos using free software 2. Class 11–12: any stream; no mandatory entrance exam for this career 3. Any graduation, a mass media degree, or a diploma in film/video editing 4. Showreel and internships at production houses, channels or creators; FTII/SRFTI editing PG diploma via JET is optional 5. First job: Assistant/Junior Editor at a production house, news channel, agency or with creators
Which entrance exams lead to a career as a Video Editor?
JET (Joint Entrance Test, FTII and SRFTI) (Film and Television Institute of India). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a Video Editor?
Any stream.
How long does it take to become a Video Editor?
From a few months (skill courses) to 3–5 years (degree plus film school)
How much does it cost to become a Video Editor?
Government route: Free or low-cost: free editing software, SWAYAM courses and government film institutes’ short courses. Private route: Private editing courses and media schools: roughly ₹30,000–3 lakh. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of a Video Editor in India?
Many editors start as assistants or freelancers; pay depends on speed, showreel and clients. We do not quote figures.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Video Editor: path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Film and Television Institute of India · Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute · Skill India Digital Hub
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
JET (Joint Entrance Test, FTII and SRFTI) — Film and Television Institute of India
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