How to become a Digital Marketing Manager — your road, class by class

A digital marketing manager runs a brand's online marketing — search engine advertising, search engine optimisation, social media and email marketing — to raise its online visibility and bring in leads and sales. [3]

A normal working day

• Plan campaigns and budgets across search, social media and email.
• Write or approve posts, ads and landing pages.
• Read the numbers — clicks, leads, sales — and change what is not working.
• Check that every paid post is clearly marked as an ad.

Pay

Digital marketing pay is set by private employers and is not officially published, so we print no figure.

Main routes

Time and cost

Skill India 'Digital Marketing Manager'

840 hours · NSQF Level 6 · qualification valid 5 years from Feb 2022 [3]

CUET (UG) test

Up to 5 of 37 tests · 50 MCQs, 60 minutes each [1]

Course and college fees vary widely and are not fixed nationally, so we print no figure.

Hidden challenges

• Endorsements must disclose any 'material connection' — money, free products, trips, discounts, gifts, even family or work ties — with words like 'advertisement', 'sponsored' or 'paid promotion'. [4]
• Endorsers must not promote a product they have not used or checked; misleading advertisements in any form are prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 and the 2022 guidelines. [4]
• The skill list moves fast — even the Skill India qualification for this job is due for review on 23 Feb 2027. [3]

Who should not choose it

• You dislike numbers — campaigns are judged by data every day.
• You want the same work every year — platforms and rules keep changing.
• You want a government job with a fixed recruitment exam.

1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

   Write, design, observe

   • Digital marketing covers search engine advertising, search engine optimisation, social media marketing and email marketing. [3]
   • Practise writing short posts and studying why some ads work — and keep your English strong.

   Doubt What does a digital marketing manager do?

   Manages a brand's online marketing — search engine advertising, search engine optimisation, social media and email — to raise visibility and bring in leads and sales. [3]

   Next: Notice the ads you see online and ask why they were made that way.

   Doubt Can a student post paid promotions for brands on Instagram?

   If you get money, free products or any other benefit, you must clearly say so using words like 'advertisement', 'sponsored' or 'paid promotion', as the government's Endorsement Know-hows require. [4]

   Next: Never hide a paid post among hashtags.

2. You are here Class 10

   Any stream works

   • IIM Indore's IPM rules for 2026-31 set no minimum Class 10 or 12 percentage; CUET (UG) lets you choose up to 5 tests. [2] [1]

   Stream / subjects: Any stream. Commerce or Maths helps with budgets and analytics.

   Doubt Which stream is best for digital marketing?

   There is no fixed stream. CUET (UG) lets you choose up to 5 of 37 tests for your degree, and IIM Indore's IPM sets no minimum percentage in its 2026-31 rules. [1] [2]

   Next: Choose subjects you can score well in, and keep English strong.

   Doubt Do I need a high percentage for IIM Indore's IPM?

   IIM Indore's admission procedure for the 2026-31 batch sets no minimum Class 10 or Class 12 percentage; selection is on the aptitude test and a personal interview. [2]

   Next: Prepare for the test and interview instead.

3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

   CUET or IPMAT

   • IPMAT Indore has three 40-minute sections — Quantitative Ability (MCQ), Quantitative Ability (short answer) and Verbal Ability; +4 / −1, no minus in short answers. [2]
   • CUET (UG): +5 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong one. [1]

   Exams that open here

   • IPMAT Indore 2026 — 4 May 2026 [2]
   • CUET (UG) 2026 — 11–31 May 2026 (bulletin schedule) [1]

   Money help at this stage

   Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (PM-USP CSSS)

   Doubt What is IPMAT?

   IIM Indore's own aptitude test for its 5-year Integrated Programme in Management. Selection is on the test plus a personal interview; missing either means you are not considered. [2]

   Next: Read the IPMAT guide for dates and sections.

   Doubt What is the age limit for IIM Indore's IPM?

   For the 2026-31 batch you had to be born on or after 1 August 2006, with 5 years' relaxation for SC, ST and PwD candidates. [2]

   Next: Check the age rule in the next admission procedure.

   Doubt Is there negative marking in CUET (UG)?

   Yes. Each test has 50 MCQs in 60 minutes, with +5 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong one. [1]

   Next: Answer only what you can reason out.

4. You are here In college

   In college: skills and proof of work

   • Skill India's 'Digital Marketing Manager' qualification is 840 hours long and counts a graduate in digital marketing / social media with 1 year's experience as eligible. [3]

   Doubt Is there a government-recognised digital marketing qualification?

   Yes. 'Digital Marketing Manager' is an NSQF Level 6 qualification from the Media and Entertainment Skills Council, approved by NCVET in February 2022: 840 hours (355 theory, 485 practical). [3]

   Next: Look for training providers that teach this qualification.

   Doubt Is there a starting-level skill qualification?

   The Level 6 qualification lists 'Social Media Manager at NSQF Level 5' with two years' experience as one entry route. [3]

   Next: Start with social media work and build experience.

   Doubt Do influencers need to disclose free products?

   Yes. A 'material connection' includes free products, discounts, gifts, trips and hotel stays, not just money, and it must be clearly disclosed. [4]

   Next: Keep a written note of every brand deal.

   Doubt Can I do the Level 6 Digital Marketing Manager course while in college?

   Not usually. Its entry rule asks for a postgraduate degree, or a graduate degree with 1 to 3 years of relevant experience, or a 3-year diploma with 3 years of experience. [3]

   Next: Build experience through internships first.

5. You are here Graduated

   First job and the rules of the trade

   • Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements came into force on 9 June 2022 under the Consumer Protection Act 2019. [4]

   Doubt Do I need an MBA for digital marketing?

   No official rule requires one. The Skill India qualification accepts a postgraduate with no experience, or a graduate with 1–3 years' experience. [3]

   Next: Build a portfolio of real campaigns.

   Doubt What happens if an ad I run is misleading?

   Misleading advertisement in any form, format or medium is prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, and the 2022 guidelines set duties for advertisers, agencies and endorsers. [4]

   Next: Check every claim in an ad before it goes live.

   Doubt How long is the Digital Marketing Manager course?

   840 hours in all — 355 hours of classroom theory and 485 hours of practical work. [3]

   Next: Plan it alongside a job or internship.

6. You are here Working / switching career

   Switching from another job

   • A 3-year diploma after Class 12 plus 3 years' relevant experience also qualifies for the Level 6 course. [3]

   Doubt I have a diploma, not a degree. Can I become a digital marketing manager?

   Yes. The Skill India qualification accepts a 3-year diploma after Class 12 with 3 years of relevant experience. [3]

   Next: Count your relevant experience and pick a training provider.

CUET (UG) / IPMAT → degree → NSQF Level 6 · NTA · IIM Indore · Media and Entertainment Skills Council

CUET (UG)

50 MCQs · 60 minutes · +5 / −1 [1]

IPMAT Indore

3 sections × 40 minutes · +4 / −1 [2]

NSQF course

840 hours · Level 6 [3]

Stage table source [1] [2] [3]

Open the full exam guide

• National route: the Consumer Protection Act's endorsement rules and the Skill India qualification apply in every state. [4] [3]

National route applies. This career follows the same rules in every state and UT.

1. NTA — CUET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin (opens in a new tab) NTA's role, universities make their own merit lists, up to 5 of 37 tests, 50 MCQs in 60 minutes, +5 / −1, exam window 11–31 May 2026 · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
2. IIM Indore — Admission Procedure for IPM 2026-31 Batch (Domestic Applicants) (opens in a new tab) test on 4 May 2026, sections and marking, test + interview selection, age rule, no minimum percentage · Last checked 15 Oct 2026
3. NCVET National Qualification Register — Qualification file: Digital Marketing Manager (NSQF Level 6, MESC, 2022/ME/MESC/05446 V2.0) (opens in a new tab) job description, entry qualifications and experience, 840 hours (355 theory, 485 practical), NSQC approval 24 Feb 2022, 5-year validity, review date 23 Feb 2027 · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
4. PIB (Ministry of Consumer Affairs) — 'Centre releases endorsement guidelines for Celebs and Social Media Influencers' (20 Jan 2023), with link to Endorsement Know-hows! (opens in a new tab) material connection disclosure, words to use, no endorsing unused products, Consumer Protection Act 2019, misleading-ads guidelines of 9 Jun 2022 · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
5. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
6. Ministry of Education — PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships guidelines (2022-23 onwards), copy hosted by NIT Kurukshetra (opens in a new tab) 80th percentile, ₹4.5 lakh income, regular degree only, no other scholarship, ₹12,000 / ₹20,000 rates, renewal rules · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
7. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment — Post Matric Scholarship for SC students, guidelines 2020-21 to 2025-26 (copy hosted by Goa Social Welfare) (opens in a new tab) ₹2.5 lakh income limit, fees + academic allowance, no pre-payment of fees, CA/ICWA/CS students covered · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

Read more: all sources

Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.