MLIS Distance Education: The MLIS Distance Education is a PG degree program offered by many top colleges like IGNOU, DUSOL, LPU, and Mangalayatan University. The minimum duration of the MLIS Distance Education program is 1 year, which can be extended to 2 years. It is a specialized course that focuses on digital resource management, library management, and information organisation. MLIS Distance Education admission process for most of the universities has started now, and students can apply before the last date to submit the registration form on 31 August 2025.
Applicants must have a BLIS Distance Education degree or any other graduation degree in a related field with around 50% marks to be eligible for MLIS Distance Education admission. The MLIS Distance Education fees range between INR 12,000–20,000 for the entire course. MLIS distance education offers a flexible learning option for students and working professionals who cannot attend regular on-campus classes.
MLIS Distance Education Highlights
Feature | Details |
Course Name | Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) |
Course Level | Postgraduate |
Duration | Minimum: 1 year
Maximum: 2 years |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized university (some accept BLIS graduates specifically) |
Total Course Fee | Approximately INR 12,000 to INR 20,000 (varies by university) |
Top Universities | IGNOU, DU SOL, Lovely Professional University, Mangalayatan University |
Accreditation | UGC-DEB, NAAC, and recognized by NIRF |
Learning Methodology | Online classes, virtual assignments, study material in digital format, occasional contact sessions |
Key Subjects | Information Organization, Cataloguing and Classification, Information Retrieval, Library Administration, Digital Library Management, Research Methodology, Library Automation |
Career Opportunities | Librarian, Information Specialist, Archivist, Digital Content Manager, Knowledge Manager, Records Manager, Research Analyst |
MLIS Distance Education Admission 2025
Candidates who want to pursue the MLIS distance education should meet the eligibility criteria set by the individual college. In general, the applicant is required to have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50 percent marks. Some universities prefer candidates with a BLIS or related qualification. There is no upper age limit to apply.
The MLIS distance education admission 2025 is mostly online and merit-based. Applicants can visit the official website of their selected university and follow the complete admission process. The admission process includes online registration, filling application form, uploading documents, paying the registration fee, and then submitting the form and documents for verification.
All of these steps must be completed before the college’s deadline. The last date to apply for MLIS Distance Education admission is 31 August 2025 for most of the colleges. Meanwhile, some universities like IGNOU have a specific date of 15 August 2025. Candidates are also required to create UGC-mandated DEB IDs or ABC IDs as part of the admission formalities.
Note:
- DEB ID stands for Distance Education Bureau ID. This ID is important for students enrolling in UGC-recognized distance education programs. It provides verified identity for distance learning admissions.
- ABC ID means Academic Bank of Credit ID. It is a newer UGC initiative designed to record and manage students’ academic credits digitally.
List of Top MLIS Distance Education Colleges
The following is the list of top MLIS Distance Education colleges with their approximate total fees:
College / University | Location | Total Fees (INR) |
IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) | Maidan Garhi, New Delhi | INR 12,000 |
Delhi University School of Open Learning (DU SOL) | New Delhi | INR 12,820 |
Lovely Professional University (LPU) | Phagwara, Punjab | INR 14,000 |
Mangalayatan University | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh | INR 20,000 |
Subharti University | Meerut, Uttar Pradesh | INR 20,000 |
MLIS Distance Education Eligibility
The following is the general MLIS Distance Education eligibility criteria:
- Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited university, with at least 50% aggregate marks. This is the main eligibility requirement for most universities offering MLIS distance programs.
- Some universities prefer applicants who hold a Bachelor of Library and Information Science or an equivalent degree in library science or information science.
- In many cases, candidates with a relevant bachelor’s degree (such as BLIS) or associateship from reputed institutions like NISCAIR or DRTC are also eligible.
- There is no upper age limit for admission.
- Admission is mainly merit-based without an entrance exam for the distance MLIS programs in most universities.
MLIS Distance Education Fee Structure
The MLIS Distance Education fee structure differs depending on the university and program duration. IGNOU is the most affordable MLIS distance education option, which charges INR 12,000 for the full one-year MLIS course, payable semester-wise. The DU SOL offers the MLIS program at a slightly higher fee, which starts from INR 10,670 and goes up to INR 12,820 for the entire course.
Furthermore, the Lovely Professional University is a private deemed university known for its strong digital learning platforms and charges approximately INR 14,000 for its MLIS distance education program. Similarly, Mangalayatan University and Subharti University are both UGC-DEB-approved and NAAC-accredited. These colleges have fees close to INR 20,000 for the full course.
MLIS Distance Education Career Opportunities
The MLIS Distance Education degree offers multiple career opportunities in libraries, information centers, digital archives, museums, academic institutions, and government organizations. Students can work in roles involving library management, digital content handling, research, archival science, and knowledge organization. Entry-level jobs often pay well and offer chances to advance to higher positions in library leadership, digital preservation, and knowledge management. Below are the possible job roles and average salary range students may get after completing the MLIS program:
Job Role | Description | Approximate Salary Range (INR per annum) |
Library Assistant | Assists in daily library operations and user services | INR 3-5 LPA |
Academic Librarian | Manages college or university libraries | INR 4-8 LPA |
Digital Librarian | Handles digital archives and electronic resources | INR 5-10 LPA |
Information Specialist | Organizes and manages information resources | INR 4.5-9 LPA |
Archivist | Preserves and manages historical documents and records | INR 4-8.5 LPA |
Knowledge Manager | Manages organizational knowledge and information flow | INR 6-12 LPA |
Metadata Librarian | Develops metadata standards and organizes digital content | INR 5-11 LPA |
Library Director | Leads library operations and strategic planning | INR 8-20 LPA |
Research Analyst | Analyzes information trends and supports research projects | INR 5-11 LPA |
Digital Preservation Specialist | Ensures long-term preservation of digital assets | INR 7-15 LPA |
Top 10 UGC DEB Distance Universities List
Last modified: August 12, 2025