By Quick answer: What are the best online certifications in India?
- IT services and GCCs — AWS, Azure, Salesforce.
- Data — PL-300, Google Data Analytics.
- Network and security — CCNA, Security+.
- Free — SWAYAM and NPTEL courses.
Key takeaways
- Cloud and Salesforce skills are widely requested in Indian IT.
- Check Naukri for the tools your target employers name.
- Exam prices for some vendors are set in local currency.
India's job market for certified professionals is shaped by IT services firms, global capability centres (GCCs) and start-ups. Cloud, Salesforce, data and networking certifications are widely requested. These ten fit Indian hiring in 2027.
Ten certifications Indian employers name
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1501 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 3 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country3 | 45 minutes | Free test |
| 4 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead4 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 5 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country5 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 6 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan6 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 7 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store7 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 8 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page8 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 9 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members9 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 10 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan10 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
- AZ-900 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) before you pay.Start free test →
- Salesforce Administrator Certification PracticePractise for Salesforce Certified Administrator before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and its Indian job market
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateCloud roles$150
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Azure rolesExam priced by country
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)First Azure examExam priced by country
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1501
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
Cloud architecture; $150. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud roles
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure admin; Microsoft prices exams by country. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forAzure roles
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country3
- Format
- 45 minutes
Azure fundamentals; free Microsoft Learn training. Microsoft's Azure fundamentals exam covers cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing and governance in 45 minutes. Training is free on Microsoft Learn, the exam is priced by country and it doesn't expire.
Best forfirst Azure exam
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead4
Salesforce admin; free Trailhead training. Salesforce's Certified Administrator proves you can configure, secure and maintain a Salesforce org. Training is free on Trailhead and the exam fee is listed there, making it a common route into CRM and RevOps careers.
Best forSalesforce roles
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country5
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Power BI proof. Microsoft's Power BI Data Analyst exam proves you can prepare, model and visualise data and share reports securely. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, with free Microsoft Learn training and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best forBI roles
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan6
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Analyst toolkit; Coursera financial aid available. Google's professional certificate teaches spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau and R through case studies and ends with a portfolio capstone. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at ten hours a week and offers financial aid on Coursera.
Best foranalyst roles
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store7
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Entry security credential. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forsecurity roles
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page8
Cisco networking credential. Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. It's ANAB-accredited and widely recognised for network engineer roles; check Cisco's page for the fee.
Best fornetwork roles
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members9
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
Global PM credential. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forproject roles
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan10
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Practical AI. Google's short course teaches practical generative AI for everyday work: drafting, research, analysis and using AI responsibly. It needs no technical background and takes under ten hours, so it suits almost any professional who wants to use AI tools with more confidence.
Best forany role
India-specific notes
- SWAYAM and NPTEL — free government-backed courses, some with proctored exams.
- Naukri — check which certifications your target employers name.
- Local pricing — Microsoft prices exams by country.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications commonly requested by Indian employers. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which certification is best for jobs in India?
AWS, Azure, Salesforce and data certifications are widely requested.
Which certification is best for freshers in India?
AZ-900, Google Data Analytics or Salesforce Administrator.
Are there free certifications in India?
SWAYAM and NPTEL offer free courses; global free options also apply.
Is PMP valued in India?
Yes for project manager roles.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests.
Sources
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google AI Essentials, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best Online Certifications by Country (2027 Guide) — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 online certifications for freshers in 2027: picks that help you land your first jobThe top 10 online certifications for freshers in 2027: Google Data Analytics, PL-300, AWS, Azure, Security+, CCNA, Salesforce, Python, AI and more.
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 online certifications in the UK for 2027: what British employers recogniseThe top 10 online certifications in the UK for 2027: AWS, Azure, Security+, CISSP, PMP, ITIL 4, PL-300, Google Data Analytics, Salesforce and AI.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Certifications that look great on a resume in 2027: ten recruiters recognise instantly10 certifications that look great on a resume in 2027: AWS, PMP, Security+, CISSP, PL-300, Google Data Analytics, Salesforce, CCNA, AZ-104 and AI Essentials.
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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice Exam. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.