Free Government Study Resources Every Student Should Know
Free government study material for Indian students — DIKSHA, NCERT textbooks, ePathshala, NTA Abhyas, SWAYAM, SWAYAM Prabha, NDL — and how to use each.
The Indian government provides several free digital study resources that most students do not know about. From official NCERT textbooks and DIKSHA's curriculum-aligned content to NTA's JEE/NEET mock tests — these are all completely free, officially created, and genuinely useful. Here is a complete list with direct links.
Top Free Government Study Resources
| Resource | Best For | Access | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIKSHA | Board exam prep (CBSE + State Boards) | diksha.gov.in / App | 100% Free |
| NCERT Textbooks | All subjects, Class 1–12 | ncert.nic.in/textbook.php | 100% Free |
| e-Pathshala | Digital textbooks + audiobooks | epathshala.nic.in / App | 100% Free |
| NTA Abhyas | JEE Main & NEET practice tests | App (Android and iOS) | 100% Free |
| SWAYAM | Online courses, incl. NCERT/NIOS school courses | swayam.gov.in | Free to study; certificate exams charge a fee |
| NROER | Science & maths resources | nroer.gov.in | 100% Free |
| SWAYAM Prabha | DTH TV educational channels | swayamprabha.gov.in | 100% Free |
| National Digital Library | Books, journals, videos | ndl.iitkgp.ac.in | 100% Free |
| NIOS | Open schooling (Class 10, 12) | nios.ac.in | Free study material; admission fee |
| PM eVidya | Multi-mode education access | pmevidya.education.gov.in | 100% Free |
1. DIKSHA — Best for Board Exam Students
DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) is the government's flagship education platform under the Ministry of Education.
- Content: NCERT textbook content, state board content, practice questions, explainer videos
- Languages: Hindi, English and many state languages
- QR code integration: Scan QR codes in NCERT/state textbooks for instant digital content
- Boards covered: CBSE + most state boards
- Classes: 1–12
- Access: diksha.gov.in or download the DIKSHA app (Android/iOS)
Best use: Scan your textbook QR codes for video explanations. Use practice questions for revision. Excellent for students who prefer learning in regional languages.
2. NCERT Textbooks — Free Official PDFs
Every NCERT textbook from Class 1 to Class 12 is available for free download.
- Website: ncert.nic.in/textbook.php
- Format: Chapter-wise PDF downloads
- Subjects: All subjects including Hindi, English, Sanskrit
- Also includes: NCERT Exemplar problems (great for competitive exam practice)
Pro tip: Download the NCERT Exemplar for Science and Maths — its problems are harder than the textbook exercises and are good practice for board exams, JEE Main and NEET.
3. e-Pathshala — Digital Textbooks App
e-Pathshala is NCERT's dedicated app for digital textbooks with added features.
- All NCERT textbooks in a mobile-friendly reader
- Audiobooks for select textbooks (great for language learning)
- Flipbook format — reads like a real textbook on screen
- Hindi and English versions available
- Access: epathshala.nic.in or download the app
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Start free4. NTA Abhyas — Official JEE/NEET Mock Tests
The National Testing Agency's own practice app — the most authentic JEE/NEET mock test experience available.
- Exams: JEE Main and NEET mock tests
- Interface: Exact replica of the NTA exam interface
- Features: Timer, question navigation, marking for review — identical to real exam
- Solutions: Detailed solutions with explanations
- Access: Download the National Test Abhyas app (Android and iOS)
Must-do: Take NTA Abhyas tests regularly before the exam. Getting used to NTA's screen and timer means fewer surprises on the day. Our NTA Abhyas guide explains how.
5. SWAYAM — University-Quality Courses
SWAYAM offers MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) created by India's best professors.
- Course creators: IIT professors, university faculty, IGNOU
- Useful for: Class 11-12 students wanting deeper understanding, college students
- Features: Video lectures, reading material, assignments, discussion forums
- Certificates: Available (exam fee applies for certification)
- Access: swayam.gov.in — browse and enrol for free
6. SWAYAM Prabha — Free DTH Education Channels
A group of free educational TV channels broadcasting round the clock — no internet needed. Some channels carry school content for Classes 9–12, others higher education and skills.
- Access: DD Free Dish and other DTH platforms; programmes are also on swayamprabha.gov.in
- Schedule: check the channel guide on swayamprabha.gov.in for your class and subject
7. National Digital Library (NDL)
India's largest digital repository of educational content.
- Collection: millions of resources — textbooks, research papers, videos, audio lectures
- Free registration: ndl.iitkgp.ac.in
- Useful for: Reference material, project research, competitive exam preparation
- Managed by: IIT Kharagpur under the Ministry of Education
How to Use These Resources Together
| Study Goal | Primary Resource | Supplementary Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Board exam preparation | NCERT textbooks + DIKSHA | Super Tutor (practice + revision) |
| JEE Main preparation | NCERT + NCERT Exemplar | NTA Abhyas (mocks) + Super Tutor (chapter practice) |
| NEET preparation | NCERT textbooks (Biology focus) | NTA Abhyas (mocks) + Super Tutor (MCQ practice) |
| NMMS scholarship exam (Class 8) | NCERT Class 7–8 + your state's NMMS papers | Super Tutor (NCERT chapter quizzes) |
| Concept understanding | SWAYAM courses + DIKSHA videos | SWAYAM Prabha (DTH channels) |
| Reference & research | National Digital Library | e-Pathshala (audiobooks) |
State-Specific Free Resources
Many states have their own free educational portals in addition to the central ones:
- Kerala: KITE VICTERS — the state's educational channel, with video lessons for school students
- Tamil Nadu: Kalvi TV — the state government's educational TV channel for TN Board students
- Your state: most state education departments publish their textbooks and DIKSHA content on their own portals — search your state board's website
All resources listed are provided by the Government of India or state governments. Website URLs and features change from time to time. Always access government resources through their official .gov.in or .nic.in domains.
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Try Super Tutor freeFrequently Asked Questions
Is DIKSHA app completely free?
Yes, DIKSHA is 100% free. It is the Government of India's official digital platform for school education, with content in many Indian languages aligned with NCERT and state board curricula. You can access QR-coded textbook content, teacher-created resources, practice questions, and videos — all without any subscription or payment. Available on Android, iOS, and web at diksha.gov.in.
Where can I download free NCERT textbooks?
Official NCERT textbooks are available for free download at ncert.nic.in/textbook.php. You can download individual chapters or complete books in PDF format for all classes (1-12) and all subjects. The e-Pathshala app also provides free NCERT textbooks in a mobile-friendly format with additional features like highlighting and bookmarks. These are the exact same books sold in bookstores — the PDF versions are identical.
What is SWAYAM and is it useful for school students?
SWAYAM (swayam.gov.in) is the government's free online course platform. While primarily designed for college students and professionals, it has content useful for Class 11-12 students, especially in sciences and humanities. SWAYAM courses are created by IIT and university professors, include video lectures, reading material, and assessments. Completion certificates are available. For Class 9-12 students, it is best used as a supplementary resource for advanced topics.
Is NTA Abhyas app still available?
Yes, NTA Abhyas is the official practice app by the National Testing Agency. It provides free mock tests for JEE Main and NEET in the exact NTA exam interface. This is the closest you can get to the actual exam experience — same question types, same timer, same navigation. It is available as an app. For JEE/NEET aspirants, taking NTA Abhyas tests regularly in the months before the exam is strongly recommended.
Are government study resources as good as paid apps?
For NCERT content and official exam practice, government resources are excellent and sometimes better than paid alternatives (because they are the official source). DIKSHA for textbook content, NTA Abhyas for JEE/NEET mocks, and NCERT textbook PDFs are all top-quality. Where paid apps add value is in structured revision, flashcards, doubt solving and full test series with analysis. The best approach is to use government resources as your base and supplement with a good app for practice.
How can I access NIOS (open schooling) courses?
NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) at nios.ac.in is the government's open school board. You can enrol for Secondary (Class 10) and Senior Secondary (Class 12) courses for a fee, and its study material is free to download. NIOS also offers vocational courses. Its certificates are recognised as equivalent to other boards. It is an excellent option for students who need flexible timing or have dropped out of regular school.