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

Museum, Archival & Heritage PreservationInformation Technology & Software

Updated

At a glance

A digital archivist selects, digitises, describes and preserves records and heritage material so it stays usable online; many enter via a library, archives or history degree.

A digital archivist selects, digitises, describes and preserves records, manuscripts, photographs and born-digital material so that they stay accessible for research and public use. The job sits where history, library science and information technology meet, and it is growing as archives, museums and universities move their collections online.

It suits students who enjoy history, documents and detail but are also comfortable with scanners, spreadsheets, metadata standards and online databases. You do not need to be a programmer, but you do need patience with careful, repetitive checking work that protects the quality of every file.

Be realistic about the hard parts. Permanent posts are limited and often come through government, university or institutional recruitment, starting pay is modest compared with IT roles, and digital formats keep changing, so you will need to keep learning new tools throughout your career.

Minimum Qualification
Graduation in any stream (history or science helpful)
Typical Degree
MLIS, MA in Archives Management or PG Diploma
Expected Entry Salary
Around ₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh/annum (indicative)
Entry-level to Senior
₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh to ₹10 - ₹16 Lakh/annum
Job Demand Growth
Steady, rising with digitisation projects
Work Hours
Usually office hours; project deadlines can extend them
Places of Work
Archives, museums, libraries, universities, corporates

What Does a Digital Archivist Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Select records, photographs, maps and manuscripts for digitisation based on research value, condition and institutional policy

  • Scan or photograph items at the right resolution and colour settings, then check each file for quality

  • Describe items with metadata such as title, date, creator and subject using standards like Dublin Core and METS

  • Manage digital preservation: choose stable file formats, make backups, run checksums and plan migration to new formats

  • Ingest and organise born-digital records such as emails, databases and official files into digital repositories

  • Make collections searchable online and help researchers, students and the public find and use material

  • Apply copyright, privacy and access rules, including data protection requirements for personal records

Where They Work

Most digital archivists in India work in institutions that hold heritage or official records, such as the National Archives of India in Delhi, state archives, national and state museums, university and institutional libraries, and research institutes. IISER Pune advertised project archivist and digital technician posts in 2026, which shows these roles do appear in recruitment drives.

Private employers also hire for digital archiving work: corporate records and knowledge management teams, publishing houses, heritage consultancies, media archives, digital humanities projects and NGOs that digitise community or historical material. The Digital India programme reports more than 900 crore documents issued through its services, which shows how much government work now runs on digital records.

How to Become a Digital Archivist in India?

After Class 10

Choose a stream that keeps options open. Humanities gives you a base in history and sources, while Science or Commerce with computer science gives you a technology base. A strong interest in history and computers matters more than any single stream.

After Class 12

Take a three-year bachelor's degree in history, archaeology, English, or a computer-based course such as B.Sc or BCA. Start building digital skills early through spreadsheets, scanning projects and basic database or web courses.

Undergraduate

Complete a bachelor's degree in any subject, ideally history, archaeology or computer science. Some students then take a one-year Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS), which needs a graduation degree first.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

Take a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), an MA in Archives and Records Management, an MA in Museum Studies, or an MA in Digital Humanities. Pick a course with digitisation, metadata or digital preservation modules, and seek internships at archives, museums or university libraries.

Licence / Certification

No government licence is needed to work as a digital archivist. Short certificate courses in digitisation, metadata standards, digital preservation and repository software such as DSpace or Omeka strengthen your job applications.

First Job

Entry roles include digitisation assistant, project archivist, catalogue assistant or digital records assistant, often on fixed-term project contracts. Build a portfolio of digitisation and metadata work from internships to show employers.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Class 12 in any stream for BA or BLIS routes; Humanities (history, political science, languages) is a natural fit

  • Computer Science, Informatics or Mathematics at Class 12 helps with the technical side of digital archiving

  • Strong English is important for cataloguing and metadata work

  • Graduation in any discipline is usually needed for MLIS, MA Archives or PG diploma programmes

Minimum Qualification

  • Class 12 pass for undergraduate entry; cut-offs vary by college

  • Bachelor's degree in any stream for most postgraduate and diploma programmes

  • Many MLIS and archives courses typically ask for around 50% aggregate at graduation; check each university's rules

  • Basic computer skills (typing, spreadsheets, scanning and file management) are expected on joining; a formal coding degree is not required

Courses and Degrees for Digital Archivist

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • BA in History, Archaeology or English (3 years)
    • B.Sc or BCA in Computer Science or Information Technology (3 years)
    • Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) (1 year, after graduation)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) (2 years)
    • MA in Archives and Records Management (2 years)
    • MA in Museum Studies (2 years)
    • MA or M.Sc in Digital Humanities (2 years)
    Diplomas
    • PG Diploma in Archives and Records Management (1 year)
    • PG Diploma in Museology or Heritage Management (1 year)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Digitisation and digital imaging workshops (a few weeks to 3 months)
    • Metadata standards course covering Dublin Core, METS and MODS (around 1 to 3 months)
    • Digital preservation and repository software training, such as DSpace or Omeka (online, a few weeks)

Top Colleges for Digital Archivist

Government Institutes

  • College
    Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi
  • College
    University of Delhi
    Location
    Delhi
  • College
    Banaras Hindu University
    Location
    Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
  • College
    Jamia Millia Islamia
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi
  • College
    Savitribai Phule Pune University
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra

Private Institutes

  • College
    Lovely Professional University
    Location
    Phagwara, Punjab

Skills Required to Become a Digital Archivist

Technical Skills

  • Metadata standards (Dublin Core, METS, MODS)
  • Digitisation and scanning, including image resolution and colour management
  • Digital preservation: file formats, backups and checksums
  • Digital asset and repository software (DSpace, Omeka, Archivematica)
  • Spreadsheets and basic database handling
  • Image editing and OCR tools for text recognition
  • Awareness of data protection rules such as the DPDP Act

Soft Skills

  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Curiosity about history and culture
  • Clear written communication for descriptions and guides
  • Patience with repetitive, careful work
  • Discretion and ethical handling of sensitive records
  • Teamwork with librarians, historians and IT staff

Digital Archivist Salary in India

0 - 2 years

Entry Level

₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Digitisation Assistant, Project Archivist, Catalogue Assistant
  • Scanning, indexing, metadata entry and quality checks under a senior archivist

3 - 7 years

Mid Level

₹5 - ₹9 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Digital Archivist, Digital Preservation Officer, Metadata Librarian
  • Managing digitisation projects, choosing standards and supervising assistants

8+ years

Senior Level

₹10 - ₹16 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Senior Digital Archivist, Head of Digital Collections, Digital Asset Manager
  • Setting digital preservation policy, budgets, vendor relations and institutional strategy

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Digital Archivist

Selects, digitises, describes and preserves collections for an archive, museum or library.

Digital Preservation Officer

Plans file formats, backups and migration so digital records stay usable for decades.

Metadata Librarian

Creates and maintains catalogue records and metadata standards for digital collections.

Records Manager

Manages official and corporate records, including retention rules and digital storage.

Digital Asset Manager

Organises images, video and documents for media companies, publishers and brands.

Digital Humanities Research Assistant

Supports university projects that turn historical texts and images into searchable datasets.

Heritage Digitisation Consultant

Advises museums, religious trusts or private collectors on digitisation projects and standards.

Scope and Future of Digital Archivist in India

Demand grows as institutions digitise. The Digital India programme, run by MeitY, reports more than 900 crore documents issued through its services, so government records are increasingly born digital and need long-term management. Universities and research institutes are also building digital repositories, and IISER Pune's March 2026 walk-in notice for project archivist and digital technician posts shows these roles are being advertised.

Digital humanities, the field that uses computing to study history, literature and culture, links directly to digital archiving work. Career guides on digital humanities and library science published in 2026 point to rising interest, though most roles remain within institutions and project-based contracts rather than large private hiring. Digital India has also run DPDP Act readiness workshops, a sign that data protection rules will shape how personal records are digitised and shared.

Overseas options exist in countries such as the UK, US, Australia, Singapore and the Gulf, where national libraries, universities and museums hire digital archivists. Overseas roles usually need a recognised master's degree, relevant experience and work authorisation, so check each country's requirements early. In India, the strongest path is to combine an archives or library qualification with proven digitisation and metadata skills.

Is Digital Archivist
the Right Career for You?

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

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

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Digital Archivist: Frequently Asked Questions

Is digital archivist a good career in India?

It can be a good career for students who enjoy history and technology and are happy with steady, detail-focused work. Demand is rising as archives, museums and universities digitise collections and as government services move online. The trade-offs are that permanent posts are limited, many jobs come through institutional recruitment or project contracts, and starting pay is usually lower than in IT. Long-term prospects improve with an MLIS or archives qualification plus proven digitisation and metadata experience.

Which course should I do after Class 12 to become a digital archivist?

There is no single required course. Many students start with a BA in History, Archaeology or English, or a B.Sc or BCA in computer science, and then take a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or an MA in Archives and Records Management. A Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) is another route, but it usually needs a graduation degree first. Choose a programme that includes digitisation, metadata or digital preservation modules.

Can I become a digital archivist with a history degree?

Yes. A history degree gives you research skills, knowledge of sources and an understanding of how records are created and used, which are central to archival work. To move into digital archiving, add technical skills: scanning, spreadsheets, metadata standards such as Dublin Core, and repository software. A postgraduate course in archives or digital humanities, or a short certificate in digitisation, can close that gap and strengthen your application.

What is the difference between a librarian, an archivist and a digital archivist?

A librarian manages published books, journals and information resources for readers. An archivist preserves and describes original records, such as government files, letters and institutional documents, which are unique and kept for long periods. A digital archivist does similar work for digital material: digitising physical records, describing digital objects with metadata, and keeping born-digital files usable over time. The roles overlap, and many professionals move between them.

How much does a digital archivist earn in India?

Entry-level digital archivists typically earn around ₹2.5 to ₹4 lakh a year, mid-level roles around ₹5 to ₹9 lakh, and senior posts can reach roughly ₹10 to ₹16 lakh. Pay varies by employer: government and institutional posts follow set pay scales, while private firms, consultancies and project contracts differ. These figures are indicative and should be checked against current job listings before you plan around them.

Do I need coding skills to become a digital archivist?

Coding is not essential for most digital archivist jobs. You do need comfort with computers: file management, spreadsheets, scanning and image editing, and the ability to learn repository software and metadata standards. Basic knowledge of databases, XML or simple scripting helps with larger projects and is valuable for career growth. Many professionals build these skills through short online courses while they work.

Where do digital archivists work in India?

Digital archivists work in national and state archives, museums, university and research libraries, institutional repositories at IITs and IISERs, corporate records departments, publishers, media archives and heritage NGOs. Government digital programmes also hire people for digital record work. Many roles are project-based, so it helps to watch recruitment notices from archives, museums and research institutes regularly.

Sources and Further Reading

Official and published pages this guide was researched from (facts last checked ). Fees, dates and cut-offs change every year, so confirm them on the official websites.

  1. Digital India: MeitY, Government of Indiadigitalindia.gov.in

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