Heaven in the Palm: Pay just ₹9 for a one-hour workshop and earn a 6-figure salary—The Reality of India's Price-Sensitive Training Market.

Imagine scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, and you see these tempting ads:

Ad 1: “Pay just ₹9 for a One-Day Digital Marketing Program! Placement guaranteed with a 6-figure salary!”
Ad 2: “Only ₹10 for an online Prompt Engineering Workshop! Land a 1 Crore salary job!”
Ad 3: “₹3 to complete our Content Marketing program! Start earning lakhs monthly as a freelancer!”

It’s almost too good to be true, especially for fresh graduates. After spending lakhs on degrees but finding few relevant placements, these ads can feel like a lifeline.

These ads promise a shortcut to success, offering “heaven in the palm” for just a few rupees, and they’re increasingly drawing in those looking to stand out with specialized skills.

But what lies beneath these ultra-cheap programs? Here’s a deeper dive into why these ultra-low-cost trainings are flooding the market—and what they mean for India’s training industry:

The rise of ultra-low-cost training programs advertised on social media, such as those costing ₹9 or ₹10, has indeed sparked significant discussion in the education and training industry. These programs often promise quick skills acquisition, placement assistance, or even "lifetime" access to training materials. Analyzing their motives and potential impact on the broader training ecosystem can reveal underlying trends and the potential effects on long-term training institutions. Here’s a detailed assessment:

1. Motives Behind Low-Cost Training Programs

• Lead Generation and Upselling: The primary motive of these ultra-low-cost or "freemium" courses is often to gather a large pool of leads. By attracting thousands of participants at a nominal fee, training providers can identify potential customers interested in upskilling. After the initial course, they can upsell more comprehensive, higher-priced programs to a captive audience.
• Brand Building and Reach Expansion: These low-cost courses serve as marketing tools, allowing newer or smaller institutions to quickly establish a presence. They rely on the wide reach of social media to build brand awareness and trust among a vast number of users in a short time.
• Data Collection and Market Analysis: By offering these courses, training providers collect valuable data on registrants, including demographics, learning preferences, and engagement levels. This information is crucial for targeted advertising and optimizing future offerings.
• Monetization through Affiliate Programs: Some of these programs are associated with affiliate marketing networks, where course providers earn commissions by promoting tools, software, or additional services to students. They may direct learners to purchase recommended materials or tools as part of the "training."
• Placement Assistance as a Lure: Offering "placement assistance" at a low fee might attract aspirants who are eager to secure jobs quickly. However, the effectiveness of this assistance is often questionable, as the quality of job connections may not meet the standards of more reputable, established training institutions.

2. Impact on Traditional Training Programs

• Price Undercutting and Devaluation of Comprehensive Training: Established institutes that offer in-depth, long-term programs face pricing pressure from these low-cost options, especially as aspirants may be drawn to the allure of immediate, cheap, and "placement-inclusive" training. This can create a perception that skills can be acquired quickly and cheaply, leading to a devaluation of more comprehensive and academically rigorous programs.
• Student Misalignment and Misconceptions: Aspirants may mistakenly believe that short-duration, low-cost training programs are comparable to long-term, intensive training options. As a result, they may have unrealistic expectations about job readiness, undervaluing the commitment and depth required for meaningful skill acquisition.
• Increased Competition with Shorter Attention Spans: Today’s social media-driven environment has reduced attention spans, which in turn pressures training providers to offer shorter courses that seem to satisfy the audience's need for "instant learning." This shifts focus away from long-term skill-building to immediate but shallow knowledge acquisition.
• Diminished Focus on Rigorous Curriculum Design: Traditional training institutes pride themselves on high standards, experienced instructors, and comprehensive syllabuses that prepare students for real-world applications. Low-cost programs often lack such rigor, which may reduce the perceived value of all online education.

3. Potential Drawbacks of the ₹9/₹10 Training Model

• Limited Depth and Breadth: These ultra-low-cost programs tend to cover only basics or focus on narrowly defined skills. Consequently, students may leave with incomplete knowledge, lacking both theoretical depth and practical experience.
• Questionable Job Placement Claims: Placement assistance often implies job guarantees, but many of these programs do not have industry partnerships or substantial placement networks. This can lead to dissatisfaction among students who may feel misled.
• Quality Concerns and Misleading Marketing: Some of these programs cut corners on quality by hiring underqualified instructors, offering limited interaction, and relying heavily on pre-recorded material. This model focuses more on volume rather than delivering genuine value.
• Student Frustration and Erosion of Trust: As students begin to realize that their ₹9/₹10 course didn’t fulfill their expectations, they may grow disillusioned with online training in general. This can erode trust not only in low-cost providers but also in other reputable online training institutions.

4. Long-Term Industry Implications

• Standardization Pressure: The influx of ultra-low-cost courses may prompt industry stakeholders to advocate for more standardized benchmarks in training, including content quality, instructor qualifications, and placement support. Standardization could help differentiate serious institutions from those exploiting these trends.
• Increasing Demand for Certifications and Accreditation: As the number of low-cost, uncertified programs rises, job seekers and employers may increasingly prioritize certifications from well-regarded institutions. This could lead to a bifurcation in the industry, where certain certificates become "gold standards" while others are seen as superficial.
• Shift Towards Holistic, Outcome-Based Education: Established institutes may focus on offering outcome-based programs, which include rigorous skill development, applied learning, mentorship, and career guidance. These elements may help differentiate them from the superficial benefits of low-cost courses, emphasizing real, long-term career outcomes over transient learning.

RISECO takes a firm Stand: 

"Building Futures, One Skill at a Time"

Since 2000, RISECO has led the way in providing skill-based, industry-ready training designed to truly prepare students for employability. Our two- to three-month programs prioritize quality, rigorous standards, and accredited certification. Each of our online courses—English Proficiency, Content Writing, and Prompt Engineering—centers around one goal: transforming students into job-ready professionals. In a market filled with “freemium” programs promising quick fixes, we stand firm. True skill-building requires dedication, structured guidance, and time, not shortcuts. Students and parents must recognize that genuine, lasting employability comes from solid, well-planned training led by seasoned industry experts. Together with our partners, Coding Masters and Startup Icons, we commit to offering the best in training. Our mission is clear: a strong foundation leads to a lasting structure. Skilled, trained professionals aren’t just employable—they become the building blocks of thriving businesses, healthy families, and peaceful societies. RISECO is here for those who are serious about their future and ready to put in the effort.

Conclusion

While these ₹9/₹10 courses can democratize access to learning and act as an introductory pathway, they pose serious challenges to established institutions by potentially misleading aspirants regarding the value of in-depth training. For students, understanding the true value of comprehensive training and recognizing the limitations of ultra-low-cost options is essential. Traditional training institutes may have to adapt by emphasizing quality, accredited outcomes, and proven career support to maintain their edge in an increasingly competitive and price-sensitive market.

SANJAY NANNAPARAJU

+91 98484 34615