Certificate in Hardware and Networking (CCNA track)

Hardware troubleshooting, networking fundamentals, routing and switching. Vendor certification (CCNA, CompTIA A+/Network+) is what employers actually screen for.

Who can apply. 12th pass; basic computer familiarity expected.

How you get in. Direct admission (private IT institutes, Cisco Networking Academy).

How it is studied. Full-time or part-time; many providers offer online or blended delivery.

Admission rules change every year. Confirm eligibility, the entrance test and the calendar against the current official notification.

Where people work.

• IT services companies
• Managed service providers
• Corporate IT departments
• Data centres
• Telecom operators

What you can study next.

• BCA
• B.Tech
• CCNP and advanced networking certification
• Cloud certification

Indicative total course fee. About 5,000 - 60,000 total; varies widely by provider and duration.

Indicative starting salary. 15,000 - 28,000 per month.

Typical duration. 6 months - 1 year.

Fees and salaries here are indicative ranges, not quotes. Confirm the current fee with the institution and treat the salary as a starting range that varies by employer and location.

Over 6 to 12 months, you learn to diagnose computer hardware faults and set up, connect and manage basic networks.

This course suits you if you have passed Class 12, are comfortable with basic computer use, and want an entry-level IT support or networking role within 6 to 12 months.

• You want to learn hands-on fault finding for computers, cables, routers and switches.
• You are looking at roles such as desktop support engineer, field engineer or network administrator.
• You need a lower-fee route, with recorded total fees ranging from about ₹5,000 to ₹60,000.
• You can study full-time or part-time, including online or blended classes where a provider offers them.
• You are ready to prepare for vendor certificates such as CCNA or CompTIA A+/Network+, since employers often screen for these.
• This course does not suit you if you want a degree straight away or dislike troubleshooting hardware and network faults.

Plan for a total course fee of Rs 5,000 - 60,000 for the full 6-12 month certificate, with the amount changing sharply by provider and course length.

There is no licence to practise. Employers usually screen for Cisco CCNA or CompTIA A+ and Network+ after this course.

In India, entry-level hardware and networking roles usually start at ₹15,000 to ₹28,000 a month. Employers often screen first for CCNA or other vendor certificates, along with hands-on troubleshooting skills.

India

Pay rises when you move from basic desktop support to network administration, data-centre work or managed IT services.

The certificate alone does not carry much weight in hiring. Employers commonly screen for vendor certifications such as CCNA or CompTIA A+/Network+. You also need to get comfortable finding faults in hardware, routers and switches, not only learning terms from notes. Fees range from about ₹5,000 to ₹60,000, so compare what training and certification preparation you receive before paying.

This is a shorter route after Class 12, usually taking six months to a year. It can lead towards desktop support, field engineer and network administrator work. Starting pay recorded for linked roles is around ₹15,000 to ₹28,000 a month. There is no licence to practise, and you can later move towards BCA, advanced networking or cloud certification.

People who progress usually treat the course as a starting point, not the final qualification. They build a clear base in hardware troubleshooting, networking fundamentals, routing and switching, then prepare seriously for the vendor certificate employers recognise. Basic computer familiarity helps, but steady practice matters more than collecting several institute certificates.

What you can study next