'Free at first glance': Education Ministry cautions about edtech firms

People must avoid automatic debit option for payment of subscription fee, says advisory.

India’s Education Ministry on Thursday issued an advisory about education technology (edtech) platforms, saying some firms are targeting families by getting the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) mandate signed or activating the auto-debit feature.

The Department of SchoolEducation and Literacy, it said, has received several complaints regarding such offers. "Given the pervasive impact of technology in education, many ed-tech companies have started offering courses, tutorials, coaching for competitive exams, etc. in an online mode. In this background, the parents, students and all stakeholders in school education have to be careful while deciding on opting for online content and coaching being offered by