Top Library Information Science Courses in India : Ranking, Cut-off, Duration, Career Scope, Admission, Fee
Library and Information Science (LIS) is a field of study that teaches how to collect, organize, manage, preserve, and share information and knowledge resources.
It is not only about books, but also about digital libraries, databases, archives, and information technology.
👉 In short: LIS = Library Management + Information Technology + Research Skills.
🔹 What are Library Information Science Courses?
These are academic programs that prepare students to work as librarians, information managers, archivists, knowledge officers, and digital resource managers.
They include:
Theoretical study → Library science, classification, cataloguing, reference services.
Practical skills → Digital libraries, e-resources, research databases, IT tools.
🔹 Types of LIS Courses in India
Certificate / Diploma Courses
Certificate in Library Science (CLS)
Diploma in Library & Information Science (DLIS)
Duration: 6 months – 1 year
Undergraduate Level
B.Lib.I.Sc. (Bachelor of Library & Information Science) → 1 year (after graduation)
BA/BSc in Library Science (rare in India)
Postgraduate Level
M.Lib.I.Sc. (Master of Library & Information Science) → 1 year (after B.Lib.I.Sc.)
Integrated BLIS + MLIS (some universities offer 2 years combined)
Doctoral & Research
MPhil in Library Science
PhD in Library & Information Science
🔹 Eligibility
Diploma/Certificate → 12th pass (any stream).
B.Lib.I.Sc. → Graduate in any discipline (BA/BSc/BCom).
M.Lib.I.Sc. → B.Lib.I.Sc. or equivalent degree.
🔹 Career Scope in LIS
Traditional Roles
Librarian (school, college, university, public libraries)
Cataloguer, Archivist, Curator
Modern Roles
Digital Librarian
Information Scientist
Knowledge Manager (in MNCs, corporate libraries)
Research/Documentation Officer
Metadata Specialist
Job Sectors
Schools, Colleges, Universities
Government & Public Libraries
Research Institutes (ICMR, CSIR, DRDO, etc.)
IT Companies (Knowledge Management)
International Organizations (UNESCO, WHO)
🔹 Salary Range
Freshers: ₹2.5 – 4 LPA
Experienced (with M.Lib.I.Sc./PhD): ₹5 – 12 LPA
Abroad: Higher demand for digital librarians & knowledge managers
✅ In short:
Library & Information Science courses train students in managing books, digital resources, and information systems. They blend library management and IT skills, leading to careers as librarians, information scientists, digital knowledge managers, and archivists.
Top LIS Courses and Institutions in India
1. B.Lib.I.Sc. (Bachelor of Library & Information Science) — UG Level
Leading Colleges (2025):
Jadavpur University, Kolkata
Course Fee: ₹7,200
Admission: Entrance exam; 60 seats
Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi
Fee: ₹22,875
Admission via CUET-UG + counselling
University Rank by NIRF: 3
University of Calcutta, Kolkata
Fee: ₹2,899
Admission via Departmental Test; 110 seats
IGNOU (Open University)
Fee: ₹8,700
Offers open admissions; high flexibility
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
Fee: ₹1,18,570
Admission via BLIS Entrance Exam; 60 seats
Eligibility & Cut-offs:
Graduation in any discipline.
Cut-offs vary by institution; often competitive in top colleges using entrance exams like CUET-UG or internal tests
2. M.Lib.I.Sc. / MLISc (Master of Library & Information Science) — PG Level
Top Government Institutions:
Banaras Hindu University (BHU): ₹6,760/year
IGNOU: ₹10,800/year
Delhi University: ₹240/year (very affordable)
Jadavpur University (JU): ₹1,800/year
University of Madras: ₹3,000/year
Panjab University: ₹18,890/year
TISS Mumbai: ₹68,000/year
Madurai Kamaraj University: ₹22,540/year
Guru Nanak Dev University: ₹40,880/year
Top Private Institutions:
Lovely Professional University (LPU): ₹1 lakh/year
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University: ₹4.5 lakh/year
Goa University: ₹27,780/year
Parul University: ₹32,000/year
ICFAI University: ₹46,000–92,000/year
Other notable ones: Bharati Vidyapeeth (Pune), TISS, Galgotias University
Duration:
Generally 1–2 years depending on the institution. Some like IMTS offer 2–4 years for working professionals
Admission & Eligibility:
Requires a BLIS degree (or sometimes a Bachelor’s in any field with a LIS diploma).
Offered via CUET-PG, university entrance tests, or merit-based admissions
Distance Learning Options:
DU SOL: 1-year MLISc; Fee: ₹10,070
IGNOU: 1-year; Fee: ₹12,300 + ₹300 registration
Parul University: Fee: ₹20,000
LPU Distance: ₹1 lakh/year
Other distance programs: Duration 2 years, Fee: ₹15,000–40,000/year
3. Popular LIS Schools Across India
Numerous universities offer BLIS and MLIS programs, including—but not limited to—Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Calicut, AMU, Panjab University, Pondicherry University, Calcutta University, Bangalore University, among others
Summary Table
| Course & Level | Leading Institutions | Duration | Fees (Approx.) | Admission & Cut-Offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Lib.I.Sc. (UG) | JU, JMI, Calcutta Univ., IGNOU, AMU | 1 year | ₹2.9k–₹1.18L | Entrance tests (e.g., JU, CUET), merit |
| M.Lib.I.Sc. (PG) | BHU, DU, IGNOU, JMI, TISS, LPU, others | 1–2 years | Govt: ₹240–68k; Private: ₹32k–4.5L+ | Merit or university exam (e.g., CUET-PG) |
| MLIS (Distance) | DU SOL, IGNOU, Parul, LPU | 1–2 years | ₹10k–1L+/year | Merit-based via application |
Career Scope & Insights
Graduates can pursue roles such as Librarian, Digital Librarian, Information Manager, Archivist, Metadata Specialist, Academic Librarian, Records Manager, and Information Consultant
Salaries vary by role and location:
Academic Librarian: ~₹3.31 LPA
Electronic Resources Librarian: ~₹3.55 LPA
Assistant Librarian: ~₹2.64 LPA
From the field:
“Job market is competitive for university library… need at least thirteen years as Deputy Librarian…”
Highlights the value of gaining relevant experience and tech-savviness in evolving library roles.
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
For affordable and reputable education, consider government colleges like DU, BHU, Jadavpur, or IGNOU.
If you value flexibility, LIS distance programs (from DU SOL, IGNOU) are accessible and affordable.
Higher salaries and modern infrastructure may come with private institutions like LPU, but evaluate ROI carefully.
Build technical skills in digital libraries, metadata, and information systems early to gain an edge in a competitive job market.
