Freelance Senior Journalist

Organisation: Mission Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Work Mode: Remote / Mumbai / Surat

Engagement Type: Freelance

Experience Required: 3–5+ years

Annual Remuneration: ₹7,20,000–₹9,60,000

Remuneration will depend on relevant experience, portfolio quality, publication record, subject expertise, availability, and the agreed scope of work. There is no remuneration bar for an exceptionally qualified candidate.

About the Role

Mission Aatmanirbhar Bharat is looking for an accomplished Freelance Senior Journalist who can transform research, events, policy discussions, ideas, interviews, and knowledge resources into credible and engaging stories for leading Indian media platforms.

This role is for a journalist who understands how meaningful public narratives are developed—not merely how articles are written.

The selected qualified will independently research, interview, write, edit, and deliver publication-ready stories aligned with professional editorial standards.

Key Responsibilities

Write press notes, media releases, newspaper articles, and feature stories.

Develop editorials, opinion pieces, and thought-leadership articles.

Cover events and prepare accurate post-event stories.

Create public-interest, nation-building, and social-impact narratives.

Develop content for print, television, and digital-media platforms.

Write leadership profiles, interviews, and institutional stories.

Convert complex research, policy discussions, and technical subjects into reader-friendly narratives.

Conduct background research, interviews, fact-checking, and source verification.

Develop compelling headlines, story angles, introductions, and editorial structures.

Revise drafts based on editorial feedback.

Coordinate professionally with editors, reporters, and media organisations.

Maintain accuracy, balance, originality, appropriate attribution, and ethical standards.

Manage multiple assignments and meet strict deadlines.

Support transparent and ethical media outreach, where required.

Must-Have Qualifications

Applicants must have

At least 3–5 years of relevant journalism, editorial, or media-writing experience.

A strong portfolio of published articles, editorials, features, or earned-media coverage.

Excellent English writing, editing, grammar, and proofreading skills.

Robust headline writing, story framing, and editorial presentation abilities.

Experience simplifying complex research, policy, or public-interest subjects.

A sound understanding of newsroom formats, editorial standards, and national public discourse.

The ability to produce persuasive, fact-based content without making it promotional.

Experience independently researching, interviewing, drafting, and revising stories.

Knowledge of fact-checking, sourcing, attribution, and ethical journalism practices.

The ability to manage multiple assignments and meet strict deadlines.

The ability to clearly identify personal contributions to submitted portfolio pieces.

Applicants must submit links or copies of at least one or two published articles, editorials, or earned-media coverages.



Applications without relevant published work may not be shortlisted.

Preferred Qualifications The following qualifications are desirable but not mandatory:

Experience writing for NGOs, brands, government bodies, UN agencies, public institutions, creators, public figures, or social-impact initiatives.

Published work in recognised national or regional media.

Experience contributing to or securing coverage in publications or channels such as The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, Business Standard, Mint, India Today, NDTV, CNN-News18, or News18.

Experience writing about public policy, governance, entrepreneurship, education, development, or nation-building.

Experience conducting interviews with senior leaders, experts, or public figures.

Familiarity with print, television, and digital-media requirements.

Qualified relationships with editors, reporters, or newsroom decision-makers.

Fluency in Hindi or additional Indian languages.

Availability to attend occasional events, interviews, or meetings.

Professional media relationships are an advantage, but all editorial engagement and outreach must follow transparent and ethical practices.

Compensation and Benefits

Annual freelance remuneration of ₹7,20,000–₹9,60,000.

Flexible remote-working arrangement.

Option to work from Mumbai or Surat.

Exposure to research-led, public-interest, and social-impact assignments.

Opportunities to cover events, institutions, leaders, and national initiatives.

High ownership of research, writing, and editorial execution.

Opportunities to build a diverse portfolio of publication-ready work.

Scope for continued engagement based on performance, editorial quality, and organisational requirements.

As this is a freelance engagement, statutory employee benefits may not apply unless specifically included in the final written agreement.

The payment schedule, assignment volume, deadlines, travel reimbursement, and other engagement terms will be discussed with shortlisted applicants and confirmed before onboarding.

Success Measures

Performance may be evaluated based on:

Accuracy and credibility of reporting.

Quality of research and fact verification.

Strength of story angles, headlines, and narrative structure.

Editorial clarity, originality, and readability.

Ability to simplify complex subjects.

Timely delivery of assignments.

Responsiveness to editorial feedback.

Quality and relevance of publication-ready work.

Adherence to ethical journalism and attribution standards.

Contribution to credible media coverage and meaningful public conversations.

Application Requirements

Please email the following to [email protected]:





Updated résumé

Writing portfolio

Links or copies of published articles and media coverage

Names of publications or platforms featuring your work

Expected freelance remuneration

Current location and availability A short note explaining your suitability for the role

Email subject: Application – Freelance Senior Journalist For each portfolio item, please mention:

Publication or platform

Story title and publication date

Published link, where available

Your exact contribution

Whether you researched, interviewed, drafted, edited, or placed the story

Relevant results or reach, where available

Confidential work may be anonymised, provided your contribution and results can still be reasonably verified.

Hiring Process The hiring process will begin with a résumé and writing-portfolio review.

Shortlisted applicants may then be invited for:

An initial screening conversation A detailed portfolio and editorial-experience discussion A writing, editing, research, or story-framing assessment, where required A final discussion covering assignments, deadlines, remuneration, and engagement terms

Reference, publication, or experience verification, where applicable

Candidates may be asked to explain the research process, editorial approach, sources, and personal contribution behind selected portfolio pieces.

Only shortlisted applicants may be contacted. The process may be adjusted depending on application volume and assignment requirements.

Equal Opportunity

Mission Aatmanirbhar Bharat follows a fair, respectful, and merit-based selection process.

Applicants will be assessed based on writing quality, editorial judgement, relevant experience, integrity, portfolio strength, and demonstrated outcomes.

Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Privacy

Information submitted during the application process will be used only for recruitment, candidate evaluation, reference or publication verification, and engagement-related communication.

Application materials may be reviewed by authorised team members and relevant hiring stakeholders. Applicant information will not be sold or used for unrelated marketing purposes.

Applicants should not submit sensitive information that is unnecessary during the initial application stage, including government identification numbers, banking details, passwords, or financial-account information.

Application records may be retained for a reasonable period for recruitment, compliance, and consideration for relevant future opportunities.

Applicants may request correction or deletion of their information by contacting [email protected], subject to legitimate legal or operational retention requirements.

Important Notice

Mission Aatmanirbhar Bharat does not require applicants to make any payment to apply, participate in the hiring process, or receive an engagement offer.

Applicants should report any suspicious communication claiming otherwise.

Convert knowledge into narratives—and narratives into meaningful national conversations.

📌 Freelance Senior Journalist (Surat)
🏢 Mission 2030 | Aatmnirbhar Bharat
📍 Surat