National Library LIS Intern Recruitment 2026

The National Library, Kolkata, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has invited online applications for Young Professional Graduates in Library and Information Science to work as LIS Interns during 2026–27. The opportunity is intended for eligible library and information science graduates with a master’s degree and working knowledge of the language for which they apply.

There are 25 internships across 23 language categories. Applications are to be submitted online, but the notification text does not state a calendar deadline. Candidates will be assessed through application scrutiny and merit-based shortlisting, followed by an LIS examination, practical assessment and interview; final selection is made for each language.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

The National Library has announced 25 positions in total. Applicants select the language for which they wish to be considered. The language-wise allocation may be changed when required by the Library.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, or an equivalent qualification, obtained on or before the application deadline. They must also have proper knowledge of the language selected for the position at intermediate level. Having that language as a subject is desirable. The Library may arrange a language board after selection if an intern’s reading or writing ability in the relevant language is found inadequate; on the board’s recommendation, the internship may be terminated immediately.

Candidates who have already completed an internship programme at the National Library are not eligible, as the Library does not engage the same intern more than once. A compulsory medical insurance policy from a recognised insurance company must be maintained during the internship. A medical certificate from a government hospital must also be submitted before joining.

Age Limit

Candidates must be below 35 years of age on the last date for applications. The notification details provided do not mention any age relaxation.

Application Fee

The available notification details do not specify an application fee. Applicants should consult the official notification and application instructions for any fee-related information before submitting the form.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only through the Google Form linked from the National Library website. No hard copy will be accepted. Keep the relevant certificates and contact details ready before starting the form.

1. Visit the National Library official website and locate the notice titled “Young Professional Graduates from Library & Information Science as LIS Interns 2026-27”.
2. Open the online application form at https://forms.gle/9FU3HUiuDTvMnVei6.
3. Enter the requested personal and educational information, including a valid email address and mobile number.
4. Choose the language for which you are applying and provide details supporting your knowledge of that language.
5. Prepare and upload the requested photograph, signature and supporting documents. These include the Master’s degree certificate or marksheet, B.L.I.Sc. certificate or marksheet where applicable, graduation and Class 12 and Class 10 records, language-knowledge proof and age proof.
6. Review the entries and uploaded materials carefully before submitting the form.
7. Submit the form and retain a copy for your records. Shortlisting and interview communications will be sent by email; keep checking your inbox and the National Library website for updates.

The medical certificate from a government hospital is required before joining. No travel allowance or dearness allowance (TA/DA) will be provided for joining as an LIS Intern.

Salary & Pay Scale

Selected interns will receive a stipend of INR 25,000 per month for the one-year engagement, which begins on the date each intern is engaged. The stipend includes the candidate’s medical insurance policy, and payment is due by the fifth day of each month. Interns must obtain compulsory medical insurance from a recognised insurance company during the internship.

Role and working arrangements

Interns work across National Library sections on a rotational basis, with 40 hours of on-task work per week. The regular schedule is a five-day week, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, but rostered duties may be assigned on weekends and weekdays between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. Interns receive 10 casual leaves during the year. Compensatory leave may be accumulated for approved work on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, subject to a maximum accumulation of two days in a month and no more than five days taken at a time.

As a general allocation, 75% of total working hours are spent meeting the target in the Internship Unit and 25% in other sections, divisions or units assigned by coordinators. If interns check or supervise outsourced work on retrospective data storage and technical processing of unprocessed books, the corresponding target increases by 150%. An expert committee may recommend changes to targets, supervision arrangements, job descriptions, certification and grading.

Work may include entering records in MARC 21 and cataloguing books, serials and other materials; classification, circulation and preservation; acquisition and DB Act systems; and work in sorting, stacks, book and newspaper receiving sections. Other tasks include organising material and data, indexing and abstracting, reference services, reading-room and e-resource-centre work, and bibliographic services. Interns may install and enter data in the KOHA open-source library system; assist, under the direction of ALIOs, in monitoring and checking outsourced staff working on retrospective data storage and technical processing; and support activities for children, young adults, researchers, scholars and people with disabilities. They may also undertake other sectional or divisional duties, attend or organise seminars, workshops and exhibitions, gain exposure to office administration and accounts, and visit other libraries or Ministry of Culture organisations.

Interns who successfully complete the one-year programme receive a completion certificate with a grade. The grading scale is A+ for 85 marks and above (Outstanding), A for 75–84 (Excellent), B for 60–74 (Very Good), C for 50–59 (Good) and D for below 50 (Average).

Selection Process

Applications are scrutinised by a Screening/Selection Committee. Merit-based shortlisting considers the percentage obtained in the Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, B.L.I.Sc., graduation, Class 12 and Class 10. Shortlisted applicants are generally called for interview on a 1:10 basis, meaning the top 10 candidates by percentage, or under another criterion decided by the competent authority. Interview details are sent by email; candidates should provide and monitor a valid email address and mobile number.

The notification assigns 45% weightage to academic and professional qualifications and 55% to the subjective, practical and interview component. The academic and professional assessment is described as 45 marks: up to 15 marks for academic qualifications and up to 30 for professional qualifications. For the academic component, Class 12 results at 75% and above, 75% to 60%, and below 60% receive 7, 5 and 3 marks respectively; graduation results in those bands receive 8, 7 and 6 marks.

The examination, practical assessment and interview are listed as 100 marks before being reduced to a 55% weightage in the final distribution.

Marks are assigned across academic qualifications, professional qualifications, the LIS examination, practical examination and interview. The highest scorer for each language is selected as an intern, and a panel is drawn accordingly. No TA/DA is payable for joining.

Eligible candidates should review the official notification and submit the online application by the deadline stated by the National Library. Since the deadline is not specified in the available details, applicants should check the official website promptly for the current closing date.