Free Government Study Resources Every Student Should Know 2026
Complete list of free government-provided study resources — DIKSHA, SWAYAM, e-Pathshala, NTA Abhyas, NCERT textbooks, and more.
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 mock tests | App (Android) | 100% Free |
| SWAYAM | University-level courses | swayam.gov.in | 100% Free |
| 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 | Nominal 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: Available in 36 Indian 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)
- Previous year NTSE papers: ncert.nic.in/ntse (free download)
Pro tip: Download the NCERT Exemplar for Science and Maths — these problems are harder than textbook exercises and are frequently asked in 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
Want practice on top of free resources?
Government resources provide excellent content. Super Tutor adds personalised practice — adaptive quizzes, flashcards, revision notes, and mock exams tailored to your board and syllabus.
Add Practice to Your Study — 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 NTA Abhyas app (Android)
Must-do: Every JEE/NEET aspirant should complete at least 10 full mock tests on NTA Abhyas before the exam. The familiarity with the interface alone can save you 5–10 minutes in the actual exam.
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
34 free DTH channels broadcasting educational content 24/7. No internet required — just a DTH connection.
- Channels 1–10: School education (Class 9–12)
- Channels 11–20: Higher education (UG/PG)
- Channels 21–34: Vocational and teacher training
- Content refreshed: Every 4 hours, with new content daily
- Access: DD Free Dish, Tata Sky, Airtel Digital TV
7. National Digital Library (NDL)
India's largest digital repository of educational content.
- Collection: 90+ million 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) |
| NTSE preparation | NCERT Class 9-10 + NTSE papers (ncert.nic.in) | 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 (victers.kite.kerala.gov.in) — video lessons for all subjects
- Tamil Nadu: Kalvi TV — educational TV channel for TN Board students
- Karnataka: Vidyagama — government school digital content programme
- Maharashtra: Shala Siddhi — school performance tracking and resources
- Rajasthan: SMILE (Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement)
All resources listed are provided by the Government of India or state governments. Access details verified as of February 2026. Website URLs and features may change. Always access government resources through their official .gov.in or .nic.in domains. Last updated: February 2026.
Want personalised study help?
Super Tutor gives you chapter summaries, revision notes, practice quizzes, flashcards, and mock exams — tailored to your class, board, and exams.
Try Super Tutor — It's FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Is DIKSHA app completely free?
Yes, DIKSHA is 100% free. It is the government of India's official digital infrastructure for school education. It has content in 36 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 on Android and web. For JEE/NEET aspirants, doing at least 5-10 NTA Abhyas mock tests 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: adaptive practice (personalised to your weak areas), structured revision schedules, flashcards, and progress analytics. 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 offers free and low-cost courses for students who cannot attend regular school. You can enrol for Class 10 and Class 12 equivalent certification. NIOS also offers vocational courses and bridge courses. Study material is available for free download. NIOS certificates are recognised by all universities and government agencies. It is an excellent option for students who need flexible timing or have dropped out of regular school.