Comprehensive pricing guide by CourseGuidance.in | March 2026. All prices verified directly from platform websites. GST and EMI interest calculated separately. Updated quarterly.
Why We Built This Guide
EdTech pricing in India is deliberately confusing. Platforms show prices “starting from ₹999/month” without mentioning that’s an 18-month EMI commitment totaling ₹2.85 lakh. Others list prices “excluding GST” so the sticker price looks 18% lower than what you’ll actually pay. Some run perpetual “sales” where the “discounted” price is the real price and the “original” price never existed.
We created this guide to cut through the noise. Every price includes GST. Every EMI option includes the total cost with interest. Every refund policy is stated clearly. No asterisks, no fine print, no marketing language.
The Master Price Table: Every Platform, Every Price, Actual Cost
| Platform | Course Type | Listed Price | GST (18%) | True Cost | EMI Option | Total with EMI Interest | Refund Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPTEL / Swayam | Certificate course | ₹0 (₹1,000 exam) | N/A | ₹1,000 | N/A | ₹1,000 | N/A |
| YouTube | Complete playlist | ₹0 | N/A | ₹0 | N/A | ₹0 | N/A |
| Great Learning | Free Academy course | ₹0 | N/A | ₹0 | N/A | ₹0 | N/A |
| Google Skillshop | Google Ads cert | ₹0 | N/A | ₹0 | N/A | ₹0 | N/A |
| HubSpot Academy | Inbound Marketing cert | ₹0 | N/A | ₹0 | N/A | ₹0 | N/A |
| Udemy | Individual course | ₹499 (sale) | Included | ₹499 | N/A | ₹499 | 30 days |
| Coursera | Plus (annual) | ₹3,500 (sale) | Included | ₹3,500 | N/A | ₹3,500 | 14 days |
| Coursera | Individual course | ₹2,000-₹5,000 | Included | ₹2-5K | N/A | Same | 14 days |
| Internshala | Training + Internship | ₹3,999 | Included | ₹3,999 | N/A | ₹3,999 | 7 days |
| IIM Skills | Master Course | ₹34,900 | +₹6,282 | ₹41,182 | No major bank EMI | ₹41,182 | 7 days |
| Simplilearn | Master’s Program | ₹54,000 | +₹9,720 | ₹63,720 | 0% EMI 6 months | ₹63,720 | 7 days |
| Simplilearn | PG Program | ₹75,000 | +₹13,500 | ₹88,500 | 0% EMI 6 months | ₹88,500 | 7 days |
| Great Learning | PG Program (IIT) | ₹1,25,000 | +₹22,500 | ₹1,47,500 | EMI available | ₹1,55,000-₹1,65,000 | 7 days |
| UpGrad | MICA Digital Marketing | ₹1,50,000 | Included | ₹1,50,000 | ₹7,500/mo × 24 | ₹1,80,000 | 7 days |
| UpGrad | IIIT-B Data Science PG | ₹2,85,000 | Included | ₹2,85,000 | ₹10K/mo × 36 | ₹3,60,000 | 7 days |
| UpGrad | Liverpool Online MBA | ₹3,25,000 | Included | ₹3,25,000 | ₹12K/mo × 36 | ₹4,32,000 | 7 days |
The Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About
GST: The Invisible 18%
Most Indian EdTech platforms quote prices “plus GST” or “excluding taxes.” For a ₹54,000 Simplilearn course, GST adds ₹9,720, making the true price ₹63,720. This is a 18% markup that never appears in the marketing materials. Coursera, Udemy, and Internshala include GST in their listed prices. UpGrad includes GST for most programs. Simplilearn and IIM Skills often exclude it. Always ask: “Is this price inclusive of GST?”
EMI Interest: The Cost of Spreading Payments
“0% EMI” sounds free, but it usually only applies to 3-6 month tenures. If you extend to 12, 18, or 24 months, interest rates of 12-18% kick in. UpGrad’s 36-month EMI options can add 25-30% to the total course cost. That’s money going to the bank, not to your education.
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Opportunity Cost: Your Time Has Value
A 12-month UpGrad program requires 500-600 hours of study. If you’re earning ₹10 LPA (₹481/hour), that is ₹2.4-2.9 lakh in time value, on top of the course fee. The true investment for an UpGrad PG Diploma is closer to ₹5.5-6.5 lakh when you factor in time. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, but you should know the real price.
Also Read: Is LinkedIn Learning Worth It? Honest Review 2026
Refund Policies: The 7-Day Trap
UpGrad and Simplilearn offer 7-day refund windows. That is barely enough time to attend the first class and decide if the course is right for you. If you realize in week 3 that the course isn’t working, your money is gone. Compare this to Udemy’s 30-day no-questions-asked refund and Coursera’s 14-day policy. The refund window should factor into your risk assessment, especially for high-cost programs.
Smart Buying Strategies
Coursera: Wait for the Annual Sale
Coursera Plus drops from ₹5,000-₹7,000 to ₹3,500 during major sales (January, March, July). Set a price alert and wait. Never buy at full price. Also: apply for financial aid. Coursera approves most Indian applications, giving you free access to certificates. This is literally free money that most people don’t know about.
Udemy: Never Pay Full Price
Udemy runs sales every 2-3 weeks where courses drop from ₹3,299 to ₹399-₹499. If you see a course at full price, add it to your wishlist and wait. The sale will come within 2 weeks. Udemy also offers ₹299 courses to new users on first purchase.
Simplilearn and UpGrad: Negotiate
Yes, you can negotiate with EdTech sales teams. Both Simplilearn and UpGrad have “counselors” who are really sales people with targets. If you express interest but hesitate on price, they will often offer discounts of 10-20%. Don’t accept the first price. Say “I’m comparing with [competitor].” Wait 48 hours. The follow-up call often comes with a better offer.
NPTEL: Plan Ahead
NPTEL courses run on a semester schedule (Jan-Apr, Jul-Nov). Registration opens months in advance. Plan your learning calendar around NPTEL dates. Also: you can take the course without the exam (free) and decide later whether to pay ₹1,000 for the certificate.
FAQ
Disclaimer: Prices are verified as of March 2026 and may change. GST calculations assume 18% rate. EMI interest is estimated based on publicly available terms and may vary by lender and creditworthiness. Always verify directly with the platform before purchasing. CourseGuidance.in earns affiliate commissions from some platforms listed.