With the development of technology, Online Education in India has come a long way. In terms of technology, India is one of the nations that is developing at an exponential rate. India has the greatest number of technologically driven persons considering the population of more than 1.3 billion people and the availability of high-speed internet and smartphones. Due to the surge of internet connectivity in India, the life of people in India has changed tremendously. People these days spend much of their time online, make friends online, learn online, shop online and business online. Although eCommerce taking up the most of the share on the online industry, Online learning and education stand right next to it. Many people in India prefer learning online due to ever-increasing information being available on the internet and the countless number of online courses.
By witnessing such potential and towering popularity of e-learning development and design digital technology in India, The Respectable Prime Minister has visualized transforming our nation and generating opportunities for all the citizens by channelizing digital technologies through digital India initiative. The initiative consists of diverse projects in various sectors relating to labour, education, health, and employment. As a Digital India Initiative, many universities and colleges are offering online correspondence courses. Now let’s run through some must-know facts about online education in India.
Interesting facts about Online education in India
- In the year 2016, the online education market in India was worth $247 million. By 2021, it is estimated to grow around $1.96 billion that translates into a compound annual growth rate of 52%.
- The number of users to be enrolled for various online learning courses is expected to grow about 9.6 Million by the end of 2021. In the year 2016, the estimated numbers were 1.6 Million.
- The acceptance of online channel is higher in the younger audience. Close to 48% population in India between 15–40 age group with high ambitions but lower income is a good demographic target for online education.
The above-mentioned factors clearly indicate the future, involvement, and potential of online education in India. Having said that, let’s dive into some of the advantages and disadvantages of online education compared to traditional education.
Advantages of online education:
Learning on the go
Students can learn anywhere at any time since online education requires a laptop or a smartphone with an internet connection. This enables working individuals to take up new courses without ever giving up their jobs. Since all the course materials are readily available on fingertips, they can learn anything and everything in their free time or weekends.
Affordable and Less Time-Consuming
Online Education is more feasible than pursuing regular campus degree. Online Education really helps students who can’t afford a college degree to achieve their dream without ever having to spend a fortune on college fees. It helps you to manage and save time since you are studying at your own comfortable time.
Learning Pace is never a Concern
Everyone has a different and unique learning pace. Many children have grasping issues due to not being able to keep up with the teaching speed. Many students find it difficult to follow the lessons in a classroom where everybody is taught together. Online education solves this dilemma as all the course materials are provided beforehand so that they learn it by taking their own time. Through live chats and forums, students can clear their doubts in an engaging session.
Online degrees are more Recognized
As long as online courses are accredited and approved by Distance Education Council (DEC) of India companies and employers consider online degrees as a relevant educational certificate to hire you. Many of the companies are motivating their employees to pursue online education as well.
Disadvantages of online education:
Too Many Distractions
Since there are no face-to-face lectures or classmates to remind you about pending assignments students can easily lose track of their studies. It takes a lot of motivation and patience to complete your online course or abandon your course entirely.
Online Courses can be Fraudulent
Too many cases have been registered wherein websites offer online courses without the accreditation of educational authority. These kinds of courses won’t help you get any job. Be careful and never forget to go for an accredited online/distance program before spending your hard-earned money.
Courses that require Labs/Workshops are Impossible to do
Courses that require labs or hands-on workshops online, for example, engineering cannot be done. Also, with courses like MBA you don’t get the exposure of professional networking and overseas experience which is quite an integral part of the course.
Online MBA in India:
Online MBA by ICFAI
Online MBA BY Symbiosis
Online MBA By Indira Gandhi Open University
Online MBA by Amity University
Online MBA by Sikkim Manipal University
Big Data and Business Analytics :
Big Data By Coursera
Big Data Courses by EdX
Big Data training tutorials by Lynda
Big Data Courses by Udemy
Digital Marketing:
Digital Marketing Course By NIIT
Digital Marketing and SEO by Digital Vidya
Digital Marketing by Manipal Global Education
Digital Marketing by AIMA
Programming Courses:
Computer programming by EdX
Free programming courses by Alison
Programming courses by Coursera
Online programming courses by Lynda
Web development and programming by Udemy
Online Coaching Classes:
Online Coaching for Mumbai University and Commerce Subjects by Graduate Guru
Online Coaching for Bank, SBI PO, Clerk by Career Power
Putting it all together, India has exceptional potential and opportunities for the rising youth in the educational technology sector.

Author's Bio: 

Sanjay Sidharthan is a passionate blogger who is passionate about art, automobile, technology and traveling. He also writes various articles or blogs about various products, brands and services.