Historian
Studies past events through written records, artefacts, photographs, interviews, films and letters to explain how and why things changed.
Overview
A Historian studies past events using a wide range of sources such as written records, physical artifacts, photographs, interviews, films, letters and other primary source documents. They collect information from these sources to answer questions about what was happening in the past and why at a given time. They try to understand how and why things change over time. History can be divided into three major specialisations — archaeology, museology and archival studies.
Where they work
- Research firms
- Museums
- Universities
- Public sector firms or historical societies
- Media
- Publishing industry
Work environment
You are likely to spend most of your time in offices, classrooms, and libraries. Working hours are flexible. You may have to travel to distant cities or countries. You are expected to visit archives or historic sites for research.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You pay attention to details
- You are interested in understanding the past
- You have strong writing skills
- You have strong communication skills
Eligibility and education roadmap
Durations and minimum marks are as printed on the source card; please check the duration and eligibility of the course during enrolment.
- 1Certificate — Eligibility: Class 12 from a recognized board. Duration: 6 months to 1 year. Examples: Advanced Certificate in Ancient Indian History, Certificate in Historical Studies.
- 2Diploma — Eligibility: Class 12 with a minimum of 50% aggregate. Duration: 1 to 2 years. Examples: Diploma in Archaeology, Diploma in Museology.
- 3Undergraduate — Eligibility: Class 12 with a minimum of 50% aggregate. Duration: 3 years. Examples: B.A. in History, B.A. in Ancient History.
- 4Postgraduate — Eligibility: Bachelor's degree in History or a related field with at least 50% marks. Duration: 2 years. Examples: M.A. in History, M.A. in Ancient Indian History and Archaeology.
- 5Doctoral — Eligibility: Master's degree in History or a related discipline with a minimum of 55% marks. Duration: 3 to 5 years. Examples: Ph.D. in History, Ph.D. in Archaeology.
- 6Short-Term Courses — Certificate in Archival Studies.
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
This course is offered by the Department of History. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying.
Government institutes
- Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Bihar National College, Patna, Bihar
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi
- Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Umiya Arts and Commerce College for Girls, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Government Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya Post Graduate College, Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh
- Silver Jubilee Government Degree College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
- Government Degree College, Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- St. Xavier's College, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Madras Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Fergusson College, Pune, Maharashtra
- St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk, Rajasthan
- Andhra Loyola College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
- Wilson College, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
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
- 1Assistant Professor or Research Intern
- 2Historian
- 3Professor or Senior Historian
- 4Head of the Department
Expected income
₹30,000 – ₹40,000 per month or more
The figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Archaeologist
Studies human history and prehistoric cultures by excavating and exploring ancient art, relics, monuments and other remains.
Museologist
Organises and manages museums — looking after, displaying and developing collections, and conducting research.
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, described in the source as Associate Professor in History at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta. She did her graduation at Fergusson College and her post-graduation at JNU, and completed her PhD in the US. After working in the US for a few years she returned to India to join the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata. She has written books on the history of western India and received the Infosys Prize in 2020 for her work.
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 2, printed page 829 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://shorturl.at/iNJVn
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
This card is printed on page 829; the contents list gives 831. Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, listed under government institutes, is a privately managed college. Banasthali Vidyapith is printed as being in Jaipur; it is in Tonk district, Rajasthan. The card gives two growth routes — Assistant Professor → Historian → Professor, or Research Intern → Historian → Senior Historian → Head of the Department — combined step by step here.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.