By Hemant SharmaWith the rising demand for DevOps engineers in India, many working professionals and IT graduates are exploring DevOps learning paths. Two common options dominate the market — a DevOps Course and a DevOps Certification Course.
At first glance, they may sound similar, but there are key differences in fees, structure, industry recognition, and long-term career impact.
This guide will help you understand both paths and choose the right one based on your goals, budget, and experience.
What is a DevOps Course?
A DevOps course is a training program that introduces learners to the tools, practices, and culture of DevOps — including CI/CD, automation, containerization, and cloud deployment. These courses can be instructor-led or self-paced and are often offered by edtech platforms, IT institutes, and online learning websites.
Common Topics Covered:
- Linux & Shell Scripting basics
- Version control using Git & GitHub
- Jenkins for Continuous Integration
- Docker & Kubernetes
- Infrastructure as Code using Ansible or Terraform
- AWS or Azure DevOps basics
- Monitoring with Prometheus, Grafana
Target Audience:
- Freshers
- Software developers
- System admins
- QA/test engineers transitioning into DevOps
Duration:
- 4 to 12 weeks (depending on course depth)
Type:
- Non-certification (general training)
What is a DevOps Certification Course?
A DevOps Certification Course not only teaches the same skills but also prepares you for an industry-recognized certification exam. These may be vendor-neutral or vendor-specific, depending on the issuing authority.
Popular DevOps Certifications (2025):
| Certification | Issued By |
| AWS Certified DevOps Engineer | Amazon Web Services |
| Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert | Microsoft |
| Docker Certified Associate | Docker |
| Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) | CNCF |
| DevOps Foundation / Practitioner | DevOps Institute |
| HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate | HashiCorp |
DevOps Course vs Certification Course: Fee Comparison (India)
Let’s break down the average cost in Indian Rupees for 2025:
| Type | Average Fee (INR) | Inclusions |
| DevOps Course (Non-Certification) | ₹8,000 – ₹25,000 | Recorded/live sessions, labs, no exam voucher |
| DevOps Certification Course | ₹30,000 – ₹65,000 | Training + mock exams + certification voucher + placement support |
Top Training Providers in India:
| Provider | Course Type | Starting Fee (2025) |
| Edureka | Certification | ₹39,999 |
| Simplilearn | Certification | ₹54,000 |
| Udemy | Non-Certification | ₹499 – ₹1,999 |
| Intellipaat | Certification | ₹40,000+ |
| Coursera | Certification (with university tie-up) | ₹3,000/month (subscription model) |
| Great Learning | Certification | ₹65,000+ (with career mentoring) |
💡 Tip: Always verify whether the certification fee is included or separate from the course fee.
🎓 Recognition & Career Impact: DevOps Course vs DevOps Certification
🎯 DevOps Course
- Recognition: Limited to course completion certificate.
- Ideal for: Beginners looking to explore DevOps tools hands-on.
- Career Impact: Useful for switching internally or entry-level interviews.
- Limitation: May not be recognized globally or by top recruiters during filtering.
✅ DevOps Certification Course
- Recognition: Recognized by global tech employers (e.g., Amazon, Infosys, Capgemini).
- Ideal for: Career switchers, job seekers, and mid-level professionals.
- Career Impact: Enhances CV visibility, helps bypass filters in hiring systems.
- Bonus: Increases salary potential (certified DevOps Engineers can earn ₹10–18 LPA in India).
Career Growth: Real-World Salary Comparison (India)
| Role | Without Certification (Avg) | With Certification (Avg) |
| DevOps Fresher | ₹3.5–4.5 LPA | ₹4.5–6 LPA |
| Mid-Level (2–4 Yrs) | ₹6–9 LPA | ₹9–12 LPA |
| Senior DevOps Engineer | ₹12–15 LPA | ₹15–20 LPA |
| DevOps Consultant/Architect | ₹18–25 LPA | ₹22–30 LPA |
Source: Naukri, AmbitionBox, LinkedIn (India, 2025 data)
🧩 Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s a comparison to help you decide:
| Criteria | DevOps Course | DevOps Certification Course |
| Budget-Friendly | ✅ | ❌ |
| Short-term Learning | ✅ | ❌ |
| Industry Recognition | ❌ | ✅ |
| Job Search Impact | Medium | High |
| Global Acceptance | ❌ | ✅ |
| Best for Beginners | ✅ | ✅ |
| Best for Career Switch | ❌ | ✅ |
🛠 Tools Covered in Both Courses
Whether certification-based or not, most good DevOps programs will cover:
- Git + GitHub (version control)
- Jenkins (CI)
- Docker & Kubernetes (containerization + orchestration)
- Ansible or Terraform (infrastructure automation)
- AWS or Azure Basics (cloud deployment)
- Linux & shell scripting
- Monitoring tools (Prometheus, ELK Stack)
🔁 Can You Upgrade From DevOps Course to Certification Later?
Yes. Many learners start with a low-cost Udemy or Coursera course to understand the basics, and then enroll in a certification training for exam prep.
You can even self-study for the certification after a basic course using:
- Official exam guides (e.g., AWS, Azure, Kubernetes docs)
- YouTube & GitHub labs
- Free online sandboxes and simulators
💡 Final Tips for Success
- Choose based on career goal: If you want to change jobs, go for certification.
- Don’t ignore hands-on practice: Real-world projects matter more than theory.
- Check course reviews and trainer quality before enrolling.
- Use LinkedIn Learning or GitHub to build a public portfolio.
- Network with others on forums like DevOps India Slack, Reddit, or Discord.
🧠 Final Thoughts
In 2025, DevOps skills are in high demand across software, banking, fintech, telecom, and startups. If you’re starting out, a basic DevOps course is a good foundation. But for real visibility and career growth, a DevOps Certification Course can unlock better roles and higher salaries.
Your learning investment today could be the step toward becoming a highly paid DevOps Engineer or Architect tomorrow.
FAQs
Q1. Is a DevOps certification mandatory to get a job in India?
No, but it significantly improves your resume and shortlisting chances.
Q2. Can a fresher take a DevOps certification course?
Yes, but it’s ideal if you have basic knowledge of Linux, Git, and networking.
Q3. How long does it take to complete a DevOps certification course?
Typically 6–12 weeks, depending on your pace and course depth.
Q4. Is self-study enough to pass certifications like CKA or AWS DevOps?
Yes, but hands-on labs, mock tests, and structured guidance help a lot.
Q5. What is the most recognized DevOps certification in India?
AWS DevOps Engineer, Azure DevOps Expert, and CKA are widely recognized.