Top 5 Free Online Courses in India

Like many activities done online these days, online education is also gaining popularity in India. Regardless of whether you are a student, teacher or a working professional practicing under any other field, there are good sources online, wherein you can brush up your skills and knowledge.
‘Free online learning’ is a term used for describing courses, wherein study materials are provided by different online institutions for free to the learners. Even, distance and correspondence courses offered online come under this category.
The educational programs offered online cover a wide range of subjects and audience. This sort of education is ideal for students, working professionals, general public and those, who search for information to gain insight on different topics.
Here are the reasons behind the popularity of online education in India:

• It is less expensive as compared to classroom based education. Nowadays, even free courses are offered online.
• A number of students can enroll as they enroll virtually
• It provides the opportunity for interaction, thereby making the mode suitable for students, who are shy by nature
• It helps the learners to understand things at their own pace
• Flexibility of learning hours is the greatest reason behind the popularity.

Top 5 Free Online Courses

Now, let us get into the details about the top 5 free online courses in India available for learners:

National Programme On Technology Enhanced Learning

National Programme On Technology Enhanced Learning  (NPTEL) is a project that receives financial support from the Ministry of Human Resource Development of India.
This project provides e-learning through the internet and video course in different fields like Humanities, Management, Technology, Science and Engineering.
This is a joint initiative by the IISc, Bangalore and the Seven IITs in India. Even, other premier institutions also act as Associate Partner Institutions in this project. Here are some details about this project:

1. It is a curriculum building exercise and it is directed towards offering learning materials in science and engineering by following the syllabi of the AICTE and slightly modified syllabus of major affiliating universities.
2. Video and online courses intending learners and lecturers of institutions conducting under graduate level courses in the field of education are offered under this project.
3. Each course offered for free under this project comprises of nearly 40 video lectures that extend for about one hour duration.
4. An internet-based discussion forum is also incorporated for enabling students to post comments and for reviewing questions.
5. Wherever needed self evaluation tasks, handouts and course assignments are integrated.
6. Also, workshops are regularly conducted for mentors, students and for institutes.

Gyaanexchange

Gyaanexchange is an online community of learners and teachers. This website creates extremely valuable and engaging learning experiences through webinars, bite-sized video lessons, seminars and through workshops.
Here, people can find a wide range of free courses, in addition to paid courses and some of the courses that are offered free include:

1. 9 inspiring videos of Nelson Mandela
2. Raising funds for your startup

Like these, many other courses are updated then and there in this website and startup business owners looking for free education can keep checking.

CommLab India

CommLab India company is specialized in offering e-learning solutions and they are engaged in e-learning development through Rapid Authoring Tools and here are some free courses offered by them:

1. An introduction to performance management
2. Change management – Strategies to overcome resistance to change
3. Effective sales skills – How to be a successful salesperson?

Like these, many other free and paid courses are offered by this institution to help out people, who wish to improve themselves in their career.

Uglobal

UGlobal aims at developing online certificate courses that are designed to improve employability and for improving work and professional skills in students. Their motto line reads that ‘no fees, no charges, no hassles and just learning’. Some of the popular course that are presently active are:

1. Certificate in management
2. Marketing management certification
3. Strategy in business

Also, certificate course in entrepreneurship is also planned to be introduced by this website. They have partnered with Don Bosco University and University18 for offering these certifications.

Cyberastro

If you are interested in astrology, you can enroll yourself for a basic online astrology course offered for free by Cyberastro.com. The great thing about this course is that you need not have any prior knowledge about astrology to join. It extends for a period of four months and it is absolutely free for the registrants of this website.

So, if you wish to add value to your CV in the appropriate field of your education, be sure to choose any of the above-mentioned sources and get trained and certified.