Free online courses by top institutes like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes Management (IIMs) will be available from the current year, according to Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani.

She was speaking here on Saturday after laying the foundation stone for IIM-Visakhapatnam, the first among 11 premier educational institutes promised for Andhra Pradesh in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, at Gambheeram village on the outskirts of the city. The State Government allotted 388 acres for the fourteenth IIM of the country, which will be groomed by IIM, Bangalore.

IIM-V will function from 2015-16 from the campus of Andhra University till the construction of campus is completed.

The minister said as part of digital initiatives and education reforms access to higher education would be ensured to all in the distance mode through premier institutes. A nominal fee would be charged for certification. The certification would be absolutely free for people with special abilities, SC and STs.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged Smriti Irani to set up a task force comprising officials from the State and Centre to implement various schemes by HRD Ministry.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in