By Sanjay Laul, Founder of MSM Unify
India’s EdTech market is projected to experience exponential growth of USD 33.2 billion by 2033. The expansion is largely backed by rising smartphone access and global partnerships. Home-grown EdTech platforms are now actively challenging long-standing notions of educational prestige held by traditional institutions.
What Students and Employers Value
For decades, higher education prestige has been defined by global rankings, brand names, and traditional campus-based experience. The old system is now changing.
A new report lays out the blueprint for the next half-decade. According to the Times of India report, aggressive technology integration, industry-ready programs, and flexible global partnerships are the next definition of prestige.
The trend is beginning to redefine what students and employers value. There is growing emphasis on accessibility and measurable outcomes instead of exclusivity alone. The IJISET academic paper notes that alternative learning options gained significant traction during the pandemic, disrupting traditional classroom models and setting the stage for long-term change.
Prestige in education used to be about who could enter the fewest doors. Today, it’s about how many doors you can open. Outside exclusivity, learners are now seeking credibility and results. Education providers must shift from selective access to inclusive achievement.
Affordability and Flexibility Drive Adoption
Cost has long stood as one of the main barriers to higher education in India. For many families, the pursuit of a traditional degree is held back by higher tuition fees, relocation costs, and housing expenses. Traditional university degrees can cost up to ten times more than comparable online programs. It is pricing out many middle-income families in the country.
Online and hybrid platforms are dismantling these financial barriers. The alternative platforms dramatically cut costs and offer flexible programs. The market response has been massive. According to GlobalData, India’s EdTech market grew 22.1% in 2024, fueled by a surge in affordable, mobile-first offerings.
MSMGrad, a breakthrough edtech platform is tackling the crisis head-on. The platform built cost savings directly into its approach. It does this by using stackable, credit-linked certifications that align seamlessly with national education frameworks. This setup means students avoid heavy upfront costs and can easily balance study with work or family responsibilities.
Affordability is about democratizing opportunity. A student in a Tier 2 city should have the same chance to earn a globally respected qualification as someone studying in London or Mumbai. Flexibility and financial accessibility together make education a right, not a privilege.
Local Strength and Global Reach
The Emeritus report notes that Indian education providers are leveraging scalability and cost advantages to serve international learners. Investor optimism backs that trend. Funding in India’s EdTech sector rose fivefold in 2025 year-on-year.
The strength comes from understanding both sides of the bridge. The good thing about innovative providers is that they connect local learners with global institutions, and global employers with local talent. It proves that Indian innovation can meet international standards without losing its regional relevance.
Challenging the Study-Abroad Equation
Prestige has often been equated with studying abroad. Today, Indian students are increasingly rethinking this equation. According to an industry report many are opting for strong domestic or online degrees as alternatives to costly study-abroad programs.
This change reflects both rising confidence in local offerings and the growing credibility of alternative platforms. For families in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the possibility of accessing globally relevant education without leaving home redefines what “prestige” means.
The next generation of Indian learners doesn’t see borders the way previous ones did. They want global skills, not just global addresses. When a learner in Coimbatore or Lucknow earns an international credential online, it’s proof that the future of education is not about location but about connection.
