Last Updated Jan - 09 - 2026, 10:51 AM | Source : Fela News | Visitors : 8
Banaras Hindu University launches wide range of free INI-SWAYAM courses in early 2026; apply before slots fill.
Banaras Hindu University has opened the doors to free online learning opportunities by launching 121 credit-ready courses under the INI-SWAYAM programme for the January to April 2026 session. Students and learners across India can now apply through the official SWAYAM portal and secure seats before the available slots are filled.
The initiative is part of the Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds platform, a government-led distance education effort aimed at making high-quality education accessible to learners regardless of location or socio-economic background. BHU is serving as the national coordinator for the INI-SWAYAM session, bringing together course offerings from multiple reputed academic institutions across the country.
For the January 2026 academic segment, BHU itself is offering 71 courses across a wide range of disciplines. These include science, engineering, management, medicine, education, humanities, social sciences, law, and several interdisciplinary subjects. Alongside BHU, Aligarh Muslim University is contributing 48 courses in areas such as Arabic and zoology, while Rashtriya Raksha University is offering two specialised courses focused on defence and strategic studies as well as forensic accounting.
Adding an international dimension to the programme, the platform also features two globally developed courses in collaboration with the University of Leipzig. These courses focus on modern and industry-relevant subjects such as digital marketing and entrepreneurship, offering learners exposure to global academic perspectives.
All courses under the INI-SWAYAM programme are designed to be credit-ready. This means that learners who successfully complete them may be able to transfer credits toward future academic degrees, depending on the policies of their respective institutions. This structure makes the initiative especially appealing to students and working professionals looking to upgrade skills or gain academic recognition without financial burden.
Registrations opened in early January and will remain open until late February 2026. However, with limited seats and growing interest in online credential-based learning, applicants are encouraged to register at the earliest.
The launch reflects the government’s broader push to democratise education through digital platforms, in line with the National Education Policy 2020. As the new academic cycle begins, the programme offers thousands of learners a valuable opportunity to learn, upskill, and advance their academic journey at no cost.
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