Who is this guide for?
This guide is for school students, college students and job seekers who want to learn a subject or a skill for free, from trusted Indian government platforms. After reading it you will know which platform suits you, how certificates work and what costs to expect.
Which free platforms should you know about?
| Platform | Best for | Cost | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWAYAM (swayam.gov.in) | Courses from Class 9 to postgraduate level, many subjects | Free to learn | Pay for and pass a proctored exam at a centre |
| NPTEL (nptel.ac.in) | Engineering and science courses, through SWAYAM | Free to learn | Weekly assignments plus a paid, in-person exam |
| DIKSHA (diksha.gov.in) | School textbooks, videos, quizzes and courses, pre-primary to Class 12 | Free | Check each course |
| Skill India Digital Hub (skillindiadigital.gov.in) | Skill courses, skill schemes, jobs, digital CV | Registration and CV free; courses vary | Depends on the course |
What is SWAYAM and how does it work?
SWAYAM is a Government of India programme that puts courses taught in classrooms, from Class 9 to postgraduate level, online for anyone, anywhere, at any time. SWAYAM says all its courses are free of cost to learners and were prepared by more than 1,000 teachers from across the country.
Each SWAYAM course has four parts: video lectures, reading material you can download or print, self-assessment quizzes, and an online discussion forum for doubts. Ten national coordinators produce the courses, including NPTEL for engineering, UGC for non-technical postgraduate subjects and IGNOU for out-of-school students.
Certificates: learning is free, but if you want a SWAYAM certificate you must register for the final proctored exam, which has a fee, and attend it in person at a designated centre on a set date. Universities that allow credit transfer can use these marks or certificates.
What is NPTEL and how do you get certified?
NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning), run from IIT Madras, is SWAYAM’s national coordinator for engineering. To get an NPTEL certificate you:
- Join the course (free).
- Submit the weekly assignments.
- Register and pay for the exam.
- Write the in-person proctored exam at a centre.
For most courses you pass only if your average assignment score is at least 40 out of 100 and your final exam score is at least 40 out of 100. Some courses, such as those with programming exams or medical courses, have different rules shown on the course page.
What is DIKSHA?
DIKSHA is a free national platform for school students and teachers. You can browse textbooks, videos, interactive content and courses by class and subject, and by board or state, including Tamil Nadu, NCERT, CBSE and NIOS. It is a good place to revise a school subject or catch up on a topic you missed.
What is Skill India Digital Hub?
Skill India Digital Hub is the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s portal. It brings together skill courses, government skill schemes such as PMKVY, job openings from the National Career Service, and a free AI-powered digital CV. Not every course listed is free, so check the cost and certificate before you enrol.
Job openings shown there come from employers. Never pay money to get a job, and do not share your Aadhaar or bank details with a recruiter you have not checked.
How do you choose where to start?
- In school: start with DIKSHA for your class and subjects.
- In college: look for SWAYAM or NPTEL courses in your subject, and ask your college whether it gives credit for them.
- Looking for work: build basic computer and communication skills first, then pick a skill course that matches jobs near you.
What are the most common mistakes?
- Missing the exam registration date. SWAYAM and NPTEL exams have registration deadlines on the course page.
- Enrolling in too many courses. One course finished is worth more than five started.
- Paying for a “certificate” on another website. SWAYAM and NPTEL certificates come only through their own exams.
Need help?
SEEDbridge volunteers can help you choose a course and plan your learning, free of charge.