Career as a Records Manager in India: Duties, Qualifications and How to Begin

Museum, Archival & Heritage Preservation Public Policy, Government & Civic Tech

Updated 9 Nov 2026

At a glance

A records manager plans how an organisation creates, stores, retrieves and disposes of its records, from government files to corporate contracts, under retention rules.

A records manager runs the system that controls how an organisation's records are created, filed, kept, found and finally archived or destroyed. It is an office-based job in government offices, companies and institutions, and it grows in importance as paper and digital records build up.

Public records in India are covered by the Public Records Act, 1993, and access to them is governed by the Public Records Rules, 1997, so records managers in government need to know these rules. The National Archives of India in New Delhi holds public records from 1748 onwards, which shows how long important records can be kept and why good management matters.

The job suits people who are careful, organised and comfortable with rules and digital tools. Entry is usually through a graduate degree, often followed by a course in records, archives or information management.

Minimum Qualification: Graduation (typically)
Typical Degree: Bachelor's degree plus records or archives course
Expected Entry Salary: Varies by employer and sector
Entry-level to Senior: Rises with experience and seniority
Job Demand Growth: Steady; growing with digital records
Work Hours: Typically standard office hours
Places of Work: Government offices, companies, institutions

What Does a Records Manager Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Design and maintain the classification and filing system so records can be found quickly.
Set retention schedules that state how long each type of record must be kept.
Oversee the transfer of inactive records to off-site storage or an archive.
Arrange approved disposal or destruction of records whose retention period has ended.
Control access to sensitive records and handle requests to view them under the applicable rules.
Manage paper and digital record systems, including scanning, file naming and backups.
Train staff on how to create, store and dispose of records correctly.

Where They Work

In government, records managers work in ministries, departments and offices whose records fall under the Public Records Act, 1993. Records of many central government bodies are eventually held by the National Archives of India in New Delhi, which is the custodian of public records from 1748 onwards.

In the private sector and in institutions, records managers work in companies, banks, hospitals, universities and non-profit organisations. There they manage contracts, personnel files, financial records and compliance documents. The type of employer and the rules that apply shape much of the day-to-day work.

How to Become a Records Manager in India?

After Class 12

Any stream can lead to this career. Choose a degree subject you can enjoy and complete, such as History, Commerce, Political Science or Science.

Undergraduate

Complete a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Subjects like history, political science, commerce or English are useful background for reading official documents.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

Many employers prefer a postgraduate qualification or a specialised course in records management, archives or library and information science.

Licence / Certification

Short certificate courses in records or document management build practical skills. A separate licence is typically not required. Check that any course you choose is recognised before enrolling.

First Job

Entry roles are often records assistant, filing or documentation officer posts. With experience and proof of handling records systems, you can move up to records manager.

Legal, Governance & Regulatory

Compliance Officer

Legal, Governance & Regulatory

Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

No single school stream is mandatory; Arts, Commerce and Science students can all enter the field.
Helpful Class 12 subjects include English, History, Political Science, Commerce and Computer Science.

Minimum Qualification

A bachelor's degree from a recognised university is typically required for records manager roles.
Employers set their own minimum marks; a fixed minimum percentage has not been confirmed for this role.
Government posts follow their own recruitment rules and eligibility notices, which should be checked for each vacancy.

Courses and Degrees for Records Manager

Undergraduate Degrees	Postgraduate Degrees	Diplomas	Certifications & Short-term Courses
Bachelor's degree in any discipline such as Arts, Commerce or Science (3 years, typically)	Master's in History or Archival Studies (2 years, typically) Master's in Library and Information Science (2 years, typically)	Postgraduate diploma in archives or records management (1 year, typically)	Certificate course in records management (a few months, typically) Document and records management training, in person or online (duration varies)

Undergraduate Degrees
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline such as Arts, Commerce or Science (3 years, typically)
Postgraduate Degrees
- Master's in History or Archival Studies (2 years, typically)
- Master's in Library and Information Science (2 years, typically)
Diplomas
- Postgraduate diploma in archives or records management (1 year, typically)
Certifications & Short-term Courses
- Certificate course in records management (a few months, typically)
- Document and records management training, in person or online (duration varies)

Skills Required to Become a Records Manager

Technical Skills

Records classification and indexing
Retention schedule design and application
Electronic document and records management systems
Scanning and digitisation practices
Metadata and file naming conventions
Rules on access to records and privacy
Basic spreadsheet and database use

Soft Skills

Attention to detail
Organisation and planning
Discretion with confidential records
Clear communication and staff training
Patience with audits and routine checks

Typical job titles: Records Manager, Head of Records or Information Governance Lead
Work: setting policy for the whole organisation, leading teams and advising on compliance

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Records Manager

Runs the records system for a department, company or institution.

Records Officer

Handles day-to-day filing, retrieval and retention checks for records.

Archivist

Preserves records with lasting value and makes them available for research.

Compliance Officer

Checks that record-keeping meets legal and regulatory requirements.

Data Protection Officer

Oversees how personal data held in records is stored, accessed and disposed of.

Digital Archivist

Manages born-digital records such as emails, scanned files and online forms.

Scope and Future of Records Manager in India

Every government office and organisation that keeps records needs someone to manage them, so the work is steady rather than tied to one industry. Demand is also shaped by digital records: emails, scanned files and online forms need the same retention and access control as paper files.

The Public Records Act, 1993 and the Public Records Rules, 1997 set the framework for public records in India. The National Archives of India holds public records from 1748 onwards and makes them searchable through its Abhilekh-Patal portal and Research Room, which shows the long-term value of good records management.

Records and information management is practised in many countries, and skills in archival standards and digital records can transfer abroad. Visa, licensing and recognition rules differ by country, so check them carefully before planning a move.

Is Records Manager
the Right Career for You?

Records Manager 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?

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