Explanation
SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) is a programme initiated by the Government of India (Ministry of Education) designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy: Access, Equity, and Quality.
Key Features of SWAYAM: 1. Objective: To bridge the digital divide for students who have remained untouched by the digital revolution and have not been able to join the mainstream of the knowledge economy. 2. Content: It provides an integrated platform for online courses (MOOCs), covering school (9th class) to Post-Graduation level. These courses are developed by experts from premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, and Central Universities. 3. Cost: The courses hosted on SWAYAM are available free of cost to the citizens. However, a nominal fee is charged if a learner requires a certificate. 4. Quadrants: The platform offers a four-quadrant approach: video lectures, specially prepared reading material that can be downloaded/printed, self-assessment tests, and an online discussion forum for clearing doubts.