7 Free Online Courses for School Students with Certificates from the Government

With Class 10 and 12th exams cancelled and no update on when the Government will hold entrance exams, the students are in a fix. Moreover, with almost half of 2021 gone, we should move towards the next stage with better skills. In fact, even starting afresh might give some career as well as a mental push to many of us. 2020 and 2021 were tough years. But they have taught us the importance of online courses. So, free online courses, that provide certificates too, are a boon in disguise.

Students can upskill themselves or learn something new while earning college credits or just a certificate for that new skill. Further, the Indian Government has provided us with the opportunity through its portals like SWAYAM etc. Thus, I have enlisted 7 such free online courses for students that will help them. Take one or all of these free online courses, and don’t forget to take a certificate!

1. Free Online Computer Courses from C-DAC

C-DAC stands for the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing. C-DAC is a premier R&D organization of the MeitY for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas. It also offers certificate courses in Computer Basics including Computer Fundamentals and Organisation, Components of a Computer, Introduction to Operating System, Various Windows OS, Networking, and the Internet. Alternately, it also offers high-level courses for learning video editing and Tally 9.

You can take a look at all the online computer courses by C-DAC here. To apply for any course, you will have to visit susan@cdac.in or pace.gist@cdac.in or the telephone number 020-25503489.

2. Free Online Computer Courses by National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology

​NIELIT, Kolkata (formerly DOEACC Society Kolkata Centre and before that, Regional Computer Centre, Calcutta) is one of the oldest IT houses in the eastern region imparting IT Education and Training for more than 30 years. The 45 years old is a Registered Scientific Society (Autonomous Body) by the Central and West Bengal Governments. The students can check out all the short term and long term computer courses on the official website.

To enrol as a student for any levels of courses, you need to register with NIELIT. NIELIT has now introduced the Online registration process to facilitate students to submit their registration application through the web. Candidate can apply for online registration for any course (O/A/B/C) level by clicking on Online Registration by a Student.

3. NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) for school education

The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education; prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals and develops educational kits, multimedia, digital materials, etc. organise pre-service and in-service training of teachers; develop and disseminate innovative educational techniques and practices.

Further, NCERT also collaborates and network with state educational departments, universities, NGOs and other educational institutions. It also acts as a clearinghouse for ideas and information in matters related to school education. Thus, NCERT also interacts and works in collaboration with international organizations, visiting foreign delegations and offers various training facilities to educational personnel from developing countries. You can enrol in the courses here.

4. NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) for school education

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is an autonomous Institution under MHRD established in 1989. It offers Secondary (10th), Sr Secondary (12th) and Vocational courses through open and distance learning (ODL) mode. It also offers Open Basic Education and Elementary Teacher Education Programme. Further, there is no upper age for admission in NIOS.

NIOS offers 42 Courses on the SWAYAM Platform for which you can enrol here.

5. IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) for out-of-school students

IGNOU holds the responsibility of the National Coordinator to facilitate the development of certificate/diploma courses in various disciplines. It invites Expression of Interest (EoI) for developing MOOCs on SWAYAM for both credit and non-credit streams from Course Coordinators through recognized Universities/ Institutes of National Importance and other educational Institutions authorized to award degrees/credits and from subject specialists both in Public and Private Sectors.

MOOCs offered through IGNOU will cover a wide range of subjects covering core subject areas and new and innovative areas of knowledge. The thrust will be on MOOCs on professional and life skills. Enrol in the free courses here.

Non-Government Free Online Courses for Excel and Coding

6. Free Online Excel Courses from edX with Free Trial

Top universities and colleges such as Harvard, MIT, and others are offering courses such as Excel Fundamentals, Business Analytics Fundamentals, and Data Analysis to the learners willing to pursue Excel course. A professional certificate program is also available after the certification of completion and you can share it in your Resume. You will learn basic to advance level courses at edX with a ten days free trial. Check out all the free online courses on the official website.

7. Free Online Coding Courses from Khan Academy

Khan Academy is one of the top digital learning platforms to offer free coding courses to learners. Each module ensures that the aspirants get hands-on best programming resources and become well-versed in the know-how of computer coding. Experts conduct the computer programming classes and after the online assignments and practice sets, you can avail a certificate. Visit the platform to learn from the free coding courses, especially during the lockdown period.