Career as an Archivist in India: Salary, Courses and How to Begin

Museum, Archival & Heritage PreservationPublic Policy, Government & Civic Tech

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At a glance

An archivist selects, preserves, catalogues and makes records, manuscripts and digital archives available for use; in India most enter with a history or library science degree.

An archivist is a professional who looks after records that have lasting value, such as government files, manuscripts, photographs, maps and digital archives. The archivist decides what to keep, organises and describes it so people can find it, and protects it for future use.

Archivists work in national and state archives, university and corporate archives, museums, libraries and government record offices. Most people enter with a bachelor's degree in history or library science and then build skills through a postgraduate course or diploma in archives and records management.

This is a steady, detail-oriented career for people who enjoy history, research and careful organisation. Pay at entry level is modest, and progress depends on postgraduate qualifications, experience with digital records and, in government, competitive recruitment exams.

Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's degree (any stream, history preferred)
Typical Degree
BA History or B.Lib.I.Sc, then MA or MLIS
Expected Entry Salary
Around ₹3 - ₹5 Lakh/year (indicative)
Entry-level to Senior
Around ₹3 Lakh to ₹15 Lakh/year (indicative)
Job Demand Growth
Steady, niche demand; growing with digitisation
Work Hours
Usually office hours; longer near project deadlines
Places of Work
Archives, libraries, museums, universities, government

What Does an Archivist Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Assess records and decide which ones have long-term value to keep and which can be disposed of under official rules

  • Accession and arrange new material, sorting files and manuscripts in a logical order that reflects how they were created

  • Catalogue and describe collections using standard metadata so researchers and officials can find items easily

  • Handle fragile documents safely and monitor storage conditions such as temperature, humidity and pests

  • Help researchers, officials and the public use the collection, including answering reference queries and supervising reading room visits

  • Scan, digitise and index records, and plan the storage and backup of digital archives

  • Prepare exhibitions, finding aids and publications that make the collection known to people outside the institution

Where They Work

In India, archivists work mainly in the National Archives of India in New Delhi, state archives departments, and the record offices of government ministries, courts and legislatures. Many are also employed in university libraries and archives, the archives of museums and heritage institutions, and research institutes.

Some private companies, banks and business houses maintain their own corporate archives, and non-profits and heritage trusts hire archivists for community and digitisation projects. Jobs are fewer than in teaching or banking, so people often combine archival work with research, documentation or museum roles.

How to Become an Archivist in India?

After Class 10

Choose any stream in Class 11, but humanities or arts subjects such as history, political science, English or a language give a useful foundation for archival work.

After Class 12

Take admission in a bachelor's degree in history, political science or another humanities subject. Some students also consider a BA with a language or a general degree, then move to library science later.

Undergraduate

Complete a three-year BA, preferably with History as a core subject. Many archivists then take a one-year Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B.Lib.I.Sc) to learn cataloguing and information management.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

Take an MA in History, a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), or a postgraduate diploma in archives and records management or museology. Choose a course that includes practical archival training, internships and digital records modules.

Licence / Certification

No single licence is needed to practise in India. Short certifications in digital preservation, metadata standards or records management add to your profile, and government posts may require passing a recruitment exam.

First Job

Apply for archives assistant or assistant archivist posts in state and national archives, university archives, museums and corporate records teams. Internships and volunteer work with a local archive can help you get your first role.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Class 12 in any stream is accepted for a bachelor's degree, but Humanities or Arts with History, Political Science, English or a regional language is the most common and useful route.

  • For BA History, a pass in Class 12 in any stream is typically sufficient, though some colleges set a minimum percentage (often around 45% to 50%, to be verified for each college).

  • For postgraduate courses in library science or archives, a graduation degree in any subject is typically required, and a B.Lib.I.Sc or a relevant degree is preferred for MLIS.

Minimum Qualification

  • Most archivist jobs in India ask for a bachelor's degree in any subject, with history, library science or archival studies preferred.

  • Senior and government archivist posts usually require a master's degree in history, library science, archives or a related field, plus experience or a recognised diploma in archives management.

  • Specific eligibility, age limits and percentage requirements differ by university and employer, so check the official notification for each post or course.

Courses and Degrees for Archivist

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • BA in History (3 years)
    • BA in Political Science or another humanities subject with history papers (3 years)
    • Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B.Lib.I.Sc) (1 year, after a graduation degree)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • MA in History (2 years)
    • Master of Library and Information Science (M.Lib.I.Sc) (1 to 2 years)
    • MA or MSc in Archival Studies or Museology, where offered (2 years)
    Diplomas
    • Postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management (about 1 year; check current availability)
    • Diploma in Museology or Museum Studies (about 1 year)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Digitisation and digital preservation workshops (a few days to a few weeks)
    • Metadata and cataloguing standards courses (a few weeks to a few months)
    • Records management certificate courses (about 3 to 6 months)

Entrance Exams for Archivist

  • Exam
    Common University Entrance Test - Postgraduate (CUET-PG)
    Level
    National (postgraduate)
    Held
    Once a year, conducted by the National Testing Agency
    For Course
    MA History and other postgraduate humanities programmes at participating central universities

Top Colleges for Archivist

Government Institutes

  • College
    Jawaharlal Nehru University
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi
  • College
    University of Delhi
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi
  • College
    Banaras Hindu University
    Location
    Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
  • College
    Aligarh Muslim University
    Location
    Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
  • College
    Indira Gandhi National Open University
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi (distance learning across India)
  • College
    Osmania University
    Location
    Hyderabad, Telangana

Private Institutes

  • College
    Amity University
    Location
    Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Skills Required to Become an Archivist

Technical Skills

  • Archival arrangement and description (ISAD(G) and similar standards)
  • Cataloguing and metadata (Dublin Core, MARC or similar)
  • Records management and retention schedules
  • Digitisation, scanning and file formats for long-term storage
  • Preservation and conservation basics for paper and photographic material
  • Database and spreadsheet handling for finding aids
  • Research skills in primary sources and palaeography (reading old handwriting)

Soft Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Patience for long, careful work
  • Clear written communication for finding aids and reports
  • Helpfulness with researchers and the public
  • Discretion when handling confidential or sensitive records
  • Teamwork across departments

Archivist Salary in India

0 to 3 years

Entry Level

₹3 - ₹5 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Archives Assistant, Assistant Archivist, Documentation Assistant
  • Work: Accessioning, listing, cataloguing and preservation support under supervision

4 to 8 years

Mid Level

₹5 - ₹9 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Archivist, Records Officer, Digital Archivist
  • Work: Managing collections, appraisal decisions, digitisation projects and supervising assistants

9+ years

Senior Level

₹9 - ₹15 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Chief Archivist, Head of Archives, Deputy Director (Archives)
  • Work: Setting archival policy, leading institutional archives, managing grant-funded projects and training staff

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Archives Assistant

Supports the archivist with accessioning, listing and handling records, often the first step into the profession.

Records Manager

Manages an organisation's current and semi-current records, retention rules and compliance with official record-keeping norms.

Digital Archivist

Preserves and makes accessible born-digital and digitised collections, including file formats, metadata and storage.

Manuscript Curator

Looks after rare manuscripts, letters and private papers, and prepares them for research and display.

Museum Archivist

Documents the collections, exhibitions and institutional history of a museum or heritage site.

Corporate Archivist

Maintains the historical and legal records of a company, such as board papers, contracts and brand history.

Oral History Researcher

Records, transcribes and archives interviews with people to preserve local and community memory.

Scope and Future of Archivist in India

Demand for archivists in India is steady but limited. Most openings come from government archives, universities, museums and large organisations that must keep records for legal, administrative or historical reasons. The move to digital government records, e-governance and digitised collections is creating new work in digital preservation, metadata and records management, so candidates who combine archival training with digital skills have better prospects.

Growth is likely in heritage digitisation projects, museum modernisation, legal and corporate record management, and documentation of local and regional history. Public access to government information and the need for trusted, well-organised digital records also support the role. Government recruitment for archives is less frequent than for teaching or banking, so timing and competition for posts can be uncertain.

Archivists trained in India may find work abroad, especially in countries with large national and university archives. Overseas posts usually require recognised qualifications, often a postgraduate degree in archives or information management, and sometimes further professional certification. Requirements and recognition vary by country, so check with the relevant archives or licensing body before applying.

Is Archivist
the Right Career for You?

Archivist can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

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Personality

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Work Preferences

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Archivist: Frequently Asked Questions

Is archivist a good career in India?

Archivist is a stable, meaningful career for people who enjoy history, research and careful organisation. Openings are limited compared with mainstream careers, and starting pay is modest. Prospects improve with a postgraduate qualification, skills in digital records and experience in a recognised archive, museum or library.

Can I become an archivist after BA?

Yes. A BA in history, political science or another humanities subject is a common starting point. Most people then take a postgraduate qualification such as an MA in History, an MLIS or a postgraduate diploma in archives and records management. Many entry-level archive assistant jobs accept a bachelor's degree, but a postgraduate course makes it much easier to become an archivist.

Do I need a history degree to be an archivist?

A history degree is helpful but not always required. Library science, political science, English and other humanities subjects also lead to archival work. What matters most is understanding how records are created and used, along with training in archival arrangement, cataloguing and preservation, which you can get through a postgraduate diploma or short courses.

What is the difference between an archivist and a librarian?

A librarian mainly manages published books, journals and information for borrowing and reference. An archivist manages unique, original records such as government files, manuscripts and photographs, which have historical or legal value. Archivists decide what to keep, arrange materials in their original order and describe them in finding aids. Both roles use cataloguing skills, but archival work is more about context and provenance.

Are there government jobs for archivists in India?

Yes. Government archives, including the National Archives of India and state archives departments, recruit archivists and archive assistants. Posts are filled through notifications and recruitment exams, and openings are not frequent. Watch the official websites of these archives and public service commissions, and check each notification for the exact qualifications and age limits.

Do archivists work with digital records?

Yes, and this is a growing part of the job. Digital archivists select, preserve and describe born-digital records and digitised collections. They manage file formats, metadata, storage and backups so that records remain readable over time. Basic skills in scanning, databases and digital preservation standards are increasingly expected for new archivists.

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