Archivist
Assembles, catalogues, preserves and manages valuable collections of historical information.
Overview
Archivists are responsible for assembling, cataloguing, preserving and managing valuable collections of historical information. Archivists work with a wide variety of public and private sector organisations, and, once qualified, may move between a variety of organisations, roles and specialisations. Archivists are information experts specifically educated to keep source data and assist individuals in obtaining it. Paper documents, photos, videos, and computer data are all handled by archivists.
Where they work
- Government agencies
- Private authorities
- Commercial business groups
- Libraries
- Educational institutes
- Religious authorities
- Museums
- Historical conservatories
Work environment
Organizations usually work for 5 to 6 days a week and 8 to 9 hours everyday. This may vary from organization to organization. Shift system may be available. Overtime may be required.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have good analytical skills
- You have good communication skills
- You have an eye for details
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in Humanities.
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in any of the Social Sciences or Library Science
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree, followed by Master's in the allied subject
Alternative route 3
- 1Pursue Diploma in Archives and Records Management.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
You can do your graduation and post graduation from any of the UGC recognised colleges in India. Diploma, P.G. Diploma and Certificate courses in Archives and Records Management are offered at the institutes below. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- School of Archival Studies, National Archives of India, New Delhi
- Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- The Gandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed to be University, Chinnalapatti, Tamil Nadu
- Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Pondicherry University, Puducherry
- Maharshi Dayanand Saraswathi University, Ajmer, Rajasthan
- Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Helper
- 2Archivist
- 3Head Archivist
Related careers to explore
Art Historian
Researches and interprets art across history — curator, teacher, critic or advisor.
Publisher
Liaises with media and publishing houses to get an author's work published, and may edit it too.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Arts, Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to researching.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Prachi Deshpande — An Indian historian and an Associate Professor in the History Department at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata. She completed her undergraduate studies at Fergusson College and her postgraduate studies at JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University). She earned her Ph.D. from the United States. After working in the U.S. for several years, she returned to India to join the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata. She specializes in the history of Western India and has written several significant books on this topic. Her work has made notable contributions to the fields of history and social sciences, and in recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Infosys Prize in 2020.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 57 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3KEFdjy
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The card prints one unlabelled institute list (all seven are government or government-aided bodies) rather than a government/private split; it also places Pondicherry University in Tamil Nadu — Puducherry is a separate union territory, and the location is corrected here.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.