How to become a Historian?

A historian is a professional who studies, analyses, and interprets past events, societies, and cultures to understand how they have shaped the present world. Historians work with primary and secondary sources, including documents, artefacts, manuscripts, and archaeological evidence, to reconstruct historical narratives. They contribute to preserving cultural heritage, educating future generations, and providing insights that inform contemporary policy and decision-making. Historians can specialise in various areas such as ancient history, medieval history, modern history, economic history, social history, or art history. To pursue a career as a historian, students typically need to complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History, followed by a Master of Arts (MA) in History or a specialised historical field. Many historians also pursue a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to conduct advanced research and secure academic positions. These courses provide comprehensive knowledge of historical methods, historiography, research techniques, and critical analysis. Students learn to examine historical sources, develop arguments, and present their findings through written work and presentations. For admission to undergraduate history programmes, students need to complete 10+2 education, preferably in the humanities or arts stream. Entrance exams such as the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) are required for admission to central universities. For postgraduate programmes, many universities conduct their own entrance examinations. Aspiring historians who wish to pursue research or teaching careers must also qualify for national-level examinations like the National Eligibility Test (NET) or the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC).