E-commerce major Flipkart has introduced an e-learning category on its site, thereby foraying into services segment. It’s worth noting that Flipkart’s competitor Snapdeal had also launched a similar online learning vertical in February this year.
Flipkart notes that this section will offer e-learning material, certification courses and online tests to students in schools, colleges and those preparing for competitive exams. The company claims to have already listed more than 1,900 products and titles on its site and mentions that it will continue to expand its E-learning portfolio with exclusive offerings for students.
When we checked, we noticed it offers study material from brands like Career Launcher, Edurite, EduKart, EasySkillz, Meritnation, TCY Online and Practice Guru among others. It also provides educational CDs from brands like Edurite and S Chand among others. However,
As an introductory offer, Flipkart is offering free shipping on all book orders for a limited period and it is also providing offers with up to 100% cash back on purchase of e-learning products.
Flipkart Students
Earlier this month, Flipkart had also launched a student-focused subscription service called Flipkart Students which claims to offer additional discounts on products across various categories to students along with a 50% discount on its Flipkart First subscription service.
Students could sign up for the service by sending a scanned image of their student ID along with requisite details like phone number, age and expected month or year of graduation to Flipkart.
Interestingly, this is quite similar to what Amazon offers through its student-focused program Amazon Students in the US and UK. Through this initiative, Amazon offers free two-day shipping,exclusive offers, discounted Kindle tablets apart from movie & music streaming services. It also provides a similar 50% discount on Prime membership to students after an initial six months free period.
Other developments in the online education space
- Earlier in February, HT Media owned job listing website Shine.com had signed an MoU with e-learning website EasySkillz, so that job hunters can take up certified courses and improve their CV. EasySkillz was offering life time access to course material, government certification and 100% money pay back guarantee as part of the deal. Shine.com also offers e-learning courses from Digital Vidya, EduKart, SimpliLearn, and more.
- Groupon India also offers online courses and coaching materials, along with skill and hobby courses
- Earlier this month Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced during his maiden budget speech that the Indian government is planning to set up virtual classrooms and online courses for school education. He had proposed an allocation of Rs.100 crore for this initiative.
- BITS Pilani had also tied-up with MOOC platform eDX to offer open online courses to on-campus and off-campus students this month.
- Last month, Careers360 had raised an undisclosed amount of investment from 5 angel investors to launch an education marketplace.
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