If you’ve been searching for free Gen AI courses in India, you’re in the right place. Generative AI is one of the most exciting technologies today, and the best part is – you don’t need to be a tech genius to learn it. With the right course, even a complete beginner can start exploring how AI tools like ChatGPT or image generators work, and how to actually use them in daily life.
Here, I’ll walk you through ten best beginner-friendly generative AI courses that are free, easy to understand, and designed for people with zero experience. And these courses are not just for developers or engineers. They’re for students, teachers, artists, marketers, small business owners, or just curious minds like you and me.
I’ve personally looked into each one to make sure they’re simple, practical, and accessible. Most of them even come with a certificate, which you can proudly add to your resume or LinkedIn.
1. Generative AI for Everyone by DeepLearning.AI (on Coursera)
This course is the perfect starting point. It’s like having someone gently introduce you to AI without throwing big words at you.
| Course Name | Generative AI for Everyone |
|---|---|
| Platform | Coursera (by DeepLearning.AI) |
| Duration | ~5 hours |
| Certificate | Yes |
| Who it’s for | Absolute beginners, non-coders |
| Type | Theoretical + Light practical |
| Focus | How generative AI works, what it can do, and where it’s going |
Andrew Ng (a major figure in AI) teaches this course, and he really knows how to explain things simply. He uses clear examples and stories. You’ll learn how AI tools like ChatGPT work behind the scenes, how to write better prompts, and how Gen AI can be used at work and in creative projects.
If you’ve never touched an AI tool before, this is where I recommend you begin.
2. Free Generative AI Course Online by UpGrad
If you want a quick, clear crash course that gives you a certificate, UpGrad delivers.
| Course Name | Free Generative AI Course Online With Certificate |
|---|---|
| Platform | UpGrad |
| Duration | ~2 hours |
| Certificate | Yes (Free) |
| Who it’s for | Beginners, students, non-technical learners |
| Type | Theoretical + Real-world examples |
| Focus | Large Language Models, AI tools, prompt basics, ethics |
The course is short but powerful. It covers how AI creates content, how it impacts industries, and what ethical things we need to think about when using it.
What’s great is that it’s super accessible. Even if you don’t know anything about technology, the course keeps things light and understandable.
3. Introduction to Generative AI by Google Skills
This one is short and sweet. You can finish it in less than an hour. But the value it gives is long-lasting.
| Course Name | Introduction to Generative AI |
|---|---|
| Platform | Google Skills |
| Duration | ~45 minutes |
| Certificate | No |
| Who it’s for | Busy professionals, students |
| Type | Theoretical |
| Focus | What generative AI is, how it works, key terms |
The course is simple, non-technical, and visual. Complete all, and you get a skill badge.
If you’re completely new to the field and just want a gentle intro without diving too deep, start here.
4. Generative AI for Beginners by Simplilearn
This course goes a little deeper into different kinds of AI generation, like text, image, and video.
| Course Name | Generative AI for Beginners |
|---|---|
| Platform | Simplilearn (SkillUp) |
| Duration | ~4 hours |
| Certificate | Yes (Free) |
| Who it’s for | Beginners who want more than basics |
| Type | Theory + Real-world applications |
| Focus | AI use cases, image generators, tools, prompts |
Simplilearn has structured the course well. You go module by module, slowly building your understanding of AI. By the end, you’ll have a solid overview and a free certificate to show for it.
This is one of the best Gen AI courses for students who want practical knowledge without coding.
5. Generative AI for Beginners by Microsoft
Now this one is for people who want to get their hands dirty – but still in a beginner-friendly way.
| Course Name | Generative AI for Beginners |
|---|---|
| Platform | Microsoft Learn (GitHub + Videos) |
| Duration | ~21 short lessons |
| Certificate | No |
| Who it’s for | Beginners who want to code |
| Type | Practical + Theory |
| Focus | Using AI APIs, building tools, prompt techniques |
The course is hands-on. You’ll build mini-projects, like a simple chatbot or an AI tool that rewrites emails. If you’ve done a few beginner courses and want to now build something, this one is a great next step.
6. AI Classroom by Jio
This one is especially great for students and teachers in India. But honestly, anyone can take it.
| Course Name | AI Foundation |
|---|---|
| Platform | Jio Institute |
| Duration | 4 weeks (1 hour/week) |
| Certificate | Yes |
| Who it’s for | High schoolers, college students, educators |
| Type | Practical + Fun assignments |
| Focus | Tools like ChatGPT, Canva, Suno, ElevenLabs |
It’s structured like a classroom, so you get weekly lessons and assignments. You’ll create visuals, AI-generated stories, and even a no-code project like a website.
It makes learning AI super fun. This is one of the most engaging free Gen AI courses in India today.
7. Building Systems with the ChatGPT API by DeepLearning.AI
If you’re ready to start building real tools with AI, this course is gold.
| Course Name | Building Systems with the ChatGPT API |
|---|---|
| Platform | DeepLearning.AI |
| Duration | ~1.5 hours |
| Certificate | No |
| Who it’s for | Beginners with light coding experience |
| Type | Practical |
| Focus | ChatGPT API, building tools, chaining prompts, evaluation |
You’ll learn how to write effective prompts and how to connect to AI models using basic Python code. Even if you’re new to programming, the examples are beginner-friendly.
If you’ve ever thought “I wish AI could help me build something,” this course shows you how.
8. Vibe Coding 101 with Replit
Want to learn coding while also learning AI? This is a fun, interactive course.
| Course Name | Vibe Coding 101 with Replit |
|---|---|
| Platform | DeepLearning.AI |
| Duration | ~1.5 hour |
| Certificate | No |
| Who it’s for | Beginners interested in Gen AI + coding |
| Type | Interactive learning |
| Focus | Generative coding with AI, using Replit tools |
It introduces Replit, an online coding space where you can build AI-powered tools. You’ll learn how to code smarter using AI assistants.
It’s short and playful, and a great way to dip your toes into AI-enhanced development.
9. Google Prompting Essentials Specialization (on Coursera)
This course focuses entirely on prompts. If you want to master how to ask AI the right way, this is for you.
| Course Name | Prompting Essentials Specialization |
|---|---|
| Platform | Coursera (by Google) |
| Duration | ~6–8 hours (4 short courses) |
| Certificate | Yes (Google Career Certificate) |
| Who it’s for | Anyone using AI for work or study |
| Type | Practical |
| Focus | Writing prompts for real tasks (summarizing, analyzing, ideation) |
Each course is super focused. One covers using AI for daily tasks. Another teaches how to make AI help you with spreadsheets or reports. You get to practice everything as you learn.
It’s very job-focused. If you’re a student or early-career professional, this can really boost your confidence with Gen AI tools.
10. Generative AI in Action by IBM (SkillsBuild)
This course is slightly more advanced in tone but still beginner-friendly. It gives a big-picture view plus hands-on elements.
| Course Name | Generative AI in Action |
|---|---|
| Platform | IBM SkillsBuild |
| Duration | ~5 hours |
| Certificate | No |
| Who it’s for | Beginners, job seekers, students |
| Type | Mix of theory and application |
| Focus | Prompt Engineering, use cases, vibe coding |
This course is great if you’re looking for a slightly deeper understanding of Gen AI in work settings.
You’ll explore how generative models work, try a bit of Python, and learn how AI is used in real-world use cases.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend money or have a fancy degree to start learning generative AI. With these free Gen AI courses with certificate and without, you can build your understanding at your own pace.
If you’re an absolute beginner in generative AI space, I’d suggest starting with Andrew Ng’s course or Google’s introduction. Then move to UpGrad or Simplilearn for more depth. And when you’re ready to build or code, Microsoft, IBM, and DeepLearning.AI have got your back.
Whether you’re a student, a curious learner, or someone exploring a career change, these are truly the best Gen AI courses for beginners in 2025. They’re all free.
So go ahead. Pick one, hit that enroll button, and start exploring the amazing world of generative AI.