Employment Avenues In India Archaeological work is conducted by government owned Archaeological survey of India. With headquarters in Delhi this organization has archaeological departments in all the states of India. Since the work is extensive and there is a growing need for maintaining, investigating and reporting about the cultural heritage of India, it has been allocated to specialized in charges. e.g there is a special branch dealing with temples, another in epigraphs etc. People working is these departments are selected from the local population so that they are more familiar with the geophysical conditions, social and cultural influences of that region. Selection is made by the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions. Restorers and conservators work with museums, archaeological survey, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) or even as freelancers. Opportunities for employment are offered by the Historical Division of the Ministry of External Affairs for handling jobs in their Cultural Affairs Division. These are research positions for which educational qualifications are as follows: Researchers - Second Class M.A. in History/Pol. Science. Students of Modern History with knowledge of foreign language. Students with some study in the area of International Relations get preference. Narrators (people engaged in writing Military History) - Post Graduation in History and a Doctorate in the discipline. Research Assistants/Curator/Junior Research Officer and Senior Research Officer (in the Ministry of Defence) - Second class Post Graduate qualification. Besides employment opportunities offered by the Historical Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, the following also provide employment opportunities : -- Central Board of Film Censors, Film Division of Government of India -- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting -- Defence Services -- All India Handicrafts Board -- Ministry of Education -- Department of Tourism Archaeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi Job positions and Eligibility - Listed here are job positions and qualifications required for recruitment to major Government organisations Director General - Master’s Degree of a recognised university or equivalent in Indian History or Archaeology. Knowledge of Indian monuments and antiquities. 10 years’ experience in archaeology, excavation and 5 years’ experience in administration Additional Director General - Master’s Degree of a recognised university or equivalent in Indian History or Archaeology or Master’s Degree of a recognised University or equivalent in an Indian Classical language with Bachelor’s Degree with Indian History or Archaeology as an optional subject. Knowledge of Indian monuments and antiquities. 10 years’ experience in Archaeology, Excavation and 5 years’ Administrative experience. Joint Director General - Promotional position. Director (Archaeology) - Promotional position. Superintending Archaeologists - Second Class Master’s degree in Indian History/Archaeology with knowledge of Stone age archaeology/geology. Diploma in Archaeology from the Archaeological Survey of India with 3 years field experience or 5 years’ field experience in archaeology and knowledge of monuments and antiquities. Deputy Superintending Archaeologists - Second class Masters degree in Indian History/Archaeology/Sanskrit/Persian/Pali/Arabic/Anthropology with knowledge of stone age archaeology. Diploma in Archaeology from Archaeological Survey of India or 2 years’ research experience in Ancient or Medieval Indian History, Archaeology, Epigraphy and Museology. Assistant Superintending Archaeologists and Registering Officer - Second Class Master’s Degree in Indian History or Archaeology or Anthropology with knowledge of stone age Archaeology or Geology with knowledge of Pleistocene Geology of a recognised university or equivalent. Chief Epigraphist - Master’s Degree in Ancient Indian History with B.A. degree in Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu or Master’s degree in Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Tamil or Kanada or Telugu with B.A. degree with Ancient Indian History. Seven years’ experience in deciphering and editing inscription in different scripts and epigraphical research in a responsible post. Senior Epigraphical Assistant (Arabic and Persian Inscriptions) - Master’s Degree in Indian History with Arabic and Persian as one of the subjects at degree level or Master’s degree in Arabic or Persian with Indian History as one of the subjects at degree level. Two years’ experience in deciphering and editing inscription in Arabic or Persian. Technical Assistant - Master’s Degree in History with Ancient or Medieval Indian History or in both or in Archaeology or in Geology with knowledge of Pleistocene Geology or in Anthropology with knowledge of Archaeology. Technical Assistant (PreHistory) - Master’s Degree in History with Ancient or Medieval or in both or in Archaeology or in Geology with knowledge of Pleistocene Geology or in Archaeology with knowledge of stone age Archaeology. Epigraphical Assistant (Sanskrit Inscriptions) -M.A. in Indian History and B.A. with Sanskrit, Pali or Prakrit as one of the subjects or M.A. in Sanskrit, Pali or Prakrit and B.A. with Indian History as one of the subjects or oriental Diploma/title in Sanskrit, Pali or Prakrit, as equivalent to M.A. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Indian History. Epigraphical Assistant (Dravidian Inscriptions) - M.A. in Indian History and B.A. with a Dravidian Language as one of the subjects; or M.A. in a Dravidian language and B.A. with Indian History as one of the subjects; or Oriental Diploma/title in a Dravidian language as equivalent to M.A. and B.A. with Indian History as one of the subjects. Epigraphical Assistant (Persian and Arabic Inscriptions) - M.A. in Indian History and B.A. with Arabic or Persian language; or M.A. in Arabic of Persian and B.A. with Indian History; or Oriental Diploma/title in Arabic/Persian equivalent to M.A. and B.A. with Indian History. Curator - Master’s degree in History with Ancient or Medieval Indian History or in Archaeology or in Geology with knowledge of Pleistocene Geology or in Anthropology with knowledge of stone age Archaeology. Indian Council of Historical Research, 35, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi 110001 Director - At least Second Class M.A. in History or allied subjects Ph.D. or research publication of equivalent standard. 10 years’ experience in teaching or guiding research Published work of high standard is required. Editor-cum-Project Officer - Second Class M.A. in History or allied subjects, Ph.D. or research publication of equivalent status. 5 years’ experience in teaching or guiding research is required. Senior Professional - Second Class M.A. in History or allied subjects Degree in Library Science, 5 years’ experience in Library/Documentation work is required. Publication Officer - Good Master’s Degree in History/allied subjects with Experience of publication and production work. Junior Professional - Second Class M.A. in History or allied subjects. Degree/Diploma in Library Science, two years’ experience in Library or Documentation work is required. Research Officer - M.A. in History or allied subjects at least 2nd class 3 years’ experience in teaching/research. Senior Research Assistant - Second Class M.A. in History or allied subjects. Technical Assistant - At least Second Class graduate in History/Political Science. National Archives of India, Janpath, New Delhi - 11001 Director of Archives - Second Class Master’s Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognised University or equivalent. Knowledge of Archival Science and experience of administering an archives office in a higher supervisory post. Adequate experience of undertaking and conducting and guiding research work of post-graduate standard is required. Deputy Director of Archives - Second Class Master’s or equivalent degree in Modern Indian History/Persian/Physics/Chemistry or a recognised University. Knowledge of Archival Science. Experience of Administration in responsible supervisory capacity. Assistant Director of Archives (Records & Publication) - Second Class Master’s Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognised University or equivalent. Knowledge of Archival Science. Assistant Director of Archives (Oriental Records) and Keeper of Records, Bhopal - Second Class Master’s Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognized University or equivalent. Adequate knowledge of Persian Shikestan Script. Knowledge of Archival Science. Experience in conducting Research in the modern period of Indian History Publication of merit to his credit. Archivist (General) - Second Class Master’s Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognised University or equivalent. About 2 years’ experience of research or teaching in Modern History and/or teaching of Modern History to University classes or about 2 years’ experience or work in a Government Records Office. Archivist (Oriental Records) - Second Class Master’s Degree in Modern History of a recognised University or equivalent. Adequate knowledge of Persian Shikestah script. Assistant Archivist (Grade I General) - Master’s Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognised University or equivalent. Experience of research and teaching in college or University. Assistant Archivist (Grade I Oriental Records) - Master’s Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognised University or equivalent. Assistant Archivist Grade II (General) - Master’s Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognised University or equivalent. Assistant Archivist Grade II (Oriental Records) - Master’s Degree in Modern Indian History of a recognised University or equivalent Knowledge of Persian, Shikestah script. National Museum, New Delhi Director - Master’s Degree of a recognised University or equivalent in Indian History or Archaeology or Anthropology or Sanskrit or Pali or Fine Arts or a combination 10 years’ experience in a Museum and 5 years, administrative experience Knowledge of Indian antiquities, Archaeology excavation, museum and publications; Indian arts and decorative arts. Assistant Director - Master’s Degree of a recognised University or equivalent in Indian History or Archaeology or Anthropology or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Persian or Arabic or Fine Arts. 5 years experience in a Museum and 3 years administrative experience. Research experience and knowledge of Indian Antiquities Museum and Publications. Keeper (Archaeology) - Master’s Degree in Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Persian or Arabic or Archaeology. Diploma in Museology and 5 years experience in Museum or 7 years’ experience in a Museum Research experience with evidence of published research work. Field experience and practical training in Archaeology. Keeper (Lecturing & Education) - Master’s Degree in Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Persian or Archaeology or Art History. Diploma in Museology with 5 years’ experience in a Museum or 7 years’ experience in a Museum. Experience in teaching, planning and organising of educational work in Museum. Research experience of published research work on Museum or other educational subjects. Keeper (Central Asian Antiquities) - Master’ Degree in Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Archaeology. Diploma in Museology and 5 years’ experience in a Museum or 7 years’ experience in a Museum Research experience with evidence of published research work on CA with sound knowledge of Sanskrit Field experience and practical training in Archaeology. Keeper (Publication) - Master’s Degree in Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Persian or Arabic or Archaeology and/or Indian History and Art History. Practical training and experience in publication work, including layout, typography, printing process, ordering blocks, etc. proof-reading 3 years experience in editing art or Archaeology Publications. Some Scholarly competence and experience with research experience and publications in a field included in a Museum collections. Keeper (Public Relations) - Master’s Degree of a recognised University or equivalent in one or more of the following: Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Persian or Arabic or Archaeology or Art History or Anthropology. Diploma in Museology and 5 years’ experience in a Museum or 7 years experience in a Museum of standing or a comparable institution. Keeper (Numismatics and Epigraphy) - Master’s Degree or recognised University or equivalent in Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Persian or Arabic with special knowledge of coins and epigraphy. Diploma in Museology and 5 years experience in a museum of standing or a comparable institution. Keeper (Manuscripts) - Master’s degree of a recognised University or equivalent in Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Persian or Arabic with special knowledge of epigraphy, manuscripts and calligraphy. Diploma in Museology and 5 year’s experience in a museum of standing or a comparable institution. Deputy Keeper (Pre-Historic Archaeology) - Master’s degree in Geology or Anthropology or Ancient Indian History with knowledge or Stone age Archaeology. Diploma in Museology and 3 years experience in a Museum or 5 years experience in a Museum. Field experience and Practical training in Pre-Historic Archaeology. Deputy Keeper (Decorative Art) - Master’s degree in Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Persian or Archaeology or Art History Diploma in Museology and 3 years’ experience in a Museum or 5 years’ experience in a Museum. Research experience of published research work. Deputy Keeper (Pre-Colombian and Western Art) - Master’s degree in Indian History and Culture/History of Art Diploma in Museology and 3 years’ experience in a Museum or 5 years’ experience in a Museum. Research experience of published research work Knowledge of Pre-Colombian and Western Art and Culture. Senior Librarian - Degree of a recognised University or equivalent in History or Art or Anthropology. Diploma in Library Science of a recognised University or Institution or 5 years’ experience in a Library preferably a museum library Senior Museum Lecturer - Master’s Degree in History with knowledge of Indian antiquities. Diploma in Museology and 2 years’ experience in a Museum or 4 years’ experience in a Museum. Senior Technical Assistant (Archaeology) - Master’s Degree in Indian History or Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Arabic or Archaeology or other allied subjects. Diploma in Museology and 2 years’ experience in a Museum or 4 years’ experience in a Museum. Technical Assistant - Master’s or Honour’s degree in Indian History/History of Art/Archaeology/Ancient Indian History and Culture/Anthropology/Sanskrit/Pali Persian/Arabic. Museum Lecturer - Master’s or Honours degree in Archaeology/Indian History/History or Art/Ancient Indian History and Culture. Ability to speak on Indian Art and Hindi and English. Assistant Librarian - Degree of a recognised university or equivalent in History or Art or Anthropology. Diploma in Library Science of a recognised University or Institution or 5 years’ experience in a Library preferably in a museum library or one year’s experience in a library of good standing preferably Museum Library. Archival work is sedentary and quiet. It involves attention to detail meticulousness and can be tedious. The job often is done alone and at times with a couple of assistants. There is little contact with the public. During exhibitions archivists may be called upon to respond to public enquiries and the press. Work Environment
Conservation work is carried on in laboratories or workshops. Some work of restorations is carried on at the site. In the laboratory the environment is clean but work goes on with many types of chemicals. Time is spent in art galleries, museums and architectural sites. Work involves sitting or standing depending on the work.
Personal Characteristics
Archaeologists, archivists and curators have one thing in common - they all enjoy knowledge for its own sake and work for passing it on to others. They have deep interest in the past and are curious to find out more than the obvious. Archaeologists work outdoors hence should be able to take physical stress to work in conditions which may not be comfortable.
Museum Curators must be resourceful, systematic, artistic with managerial qualities, Curators must be able to assimilate and analyse information. Logical thinking, art appreciation and creativity are required characteristics. Accuracy and keen observation are valuable qualities for an archivist, curator and archaeologist.
Conservators need patience, hand skills, and good colour vision. Scientific acumen is needed to understand materials, cause of deterioration etc. They need to work as part of a team.
