CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is Cisco’s associate-level networking certification for network engineers and IT professionals. It covers network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability. This guide explains the full CCNA certification cost in India in 2026, including the exam fee, training fees, eligibility, exam details, syllabus, and career scope.
The total cost has two parts: the Cisco exam fee of USD 300 plus GST (roughly ₹26,000 to ₹32,000) and the training fee, which depends on the institute. CCNA is valid for three years, and you can renew it before it expires.
All About CCNA Course
- CCNA is an associate-level certification from Cisco. You earn it by passing one exam, 200-301 CCNA.
- The exam covers network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability.
- The CCNA course builds the skills an entry-level network engineer needs: setting up, running and troubleshooting small to medium networks.
- The CCNA exam fee is USD 300 plus GST, roughly ₹26,000 to ₹32,000 depending on the exchange rate. Training fees are separate.
- CCNA is valid for three years. You can renew it by retaking the CCNA exam, passing a higher-level Cisco exam, or earning 30 Continuing Education credits.
- After CCNA, you can apply for roles such as network engineer, network administrator and technical support engineer. Salary depends on your skills, experience and city.
Our live CCNA course prepares you for the 200-301 exam in 45 days, with hands-on labs, doubt sessions and interview preparation.
What is CCNA?
CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. The CCNA course teaches you to design, install, and operate routed and switched networks using Cisco routers and switches.
Cisco designed CCNA for people with little to no networking knowledge, and there are no formal prerequisites. That makes it the usual first certification for students, freshers and IT support staff who want a career as a network engineer or network administrator. After CCNA, most engineers move on to CCNP and, later, CCIE.
Why Choose the CCNA Course?
- It is the standard entry point. Network engineer job posts in India often list CCNA as a requirement or a plus.
- It covers real job skills. Subnetting, VLANs, OSPF, ACLs, NAT, wireless basics and network automation are all part of the exam.
- It opens the path to higher certifications. The CCNA topics are the base for higher Cisco certifications such as CCNP and CCIE, and for security and wireless roles.
- It helps working IT staff move up. If you already work in IT support or system administration, CCNA is a recognised way to move into a networking role.
- It is affordable compared to a degree. There is one exam, no fixed course length, and you can prepare while studying or working.
Explore Our Best Courses
- Cisco CCNA 200-301 Course Online
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- CCNP Service Provider | Training and Certifications
Cisco Certification Levels
Cisco offers a tiered structure of certification. The core levels are:
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Associate | CCNA |
| Professional | CCNP |
| Expert | CCIE |
See the full roadmap in our Cisco Certification Path guide.
CCNA Certification Cost
The CCNA certification cost in India has two parts: the Cisco exam fee and your training fee.
Exam fee. Cisco charges USD 300 for the 200-301 CCNA exam, plus GST. In rupees this usually works out to roughly ₹26,000 to ₹32,000, depending on the exchange rate on the day you book. You will see the exact amount at checkout on Pearson VUE, Cisco’s official exam partner. The fee covers one attempt, and a retake costs the full fee again.
Training fee. This depends on the format. At PM Networking, the live CCNA 200-301 course is ₹9,999 and the recorded course is ₹5,999 (check the course page for current prices). Compare lab hours, doubt support and recording access across institutes, not just the price.
Other costs. Budget a little for a study guide and practice tests. Cisco Packet Tracer is free for labs.
Renewal. CCNA is valid for three years. You can renew by earning 30 Continuing Education credits, retaking the exam, or passing a higher-level Cisco exam such as a CCNP concentration.
CCNA Eligibility Criteria
Anyone can take the CCNA exam. Cisco does not list formal prerequisites: there is no minimum degree, percentage, work experience or entrance exam. A basic idea of computers and IP addressing makes learning easier, and our CCNA training starts from the basics, so beginners can join.
CCNA Examination
- One exam only: 200-301 CCNA
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Available in English and Japanese
- Booked through Pearson VUE, either at a test centre or online
- Valid for 3 years
CCNA Syllabus
The CCNA syllabus follows the six topic areas of the 200-301 exam:
- Network fundamentals: OSI and TCP/IP models, cabling, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, subnetting
- Network access: VLANs, trunking, STP, EtherChannel, wireless basics
- IP connectivity: routing tables, static routing, OSPF
- IP services: NAT, DHCP, DNS, NTP, SNMP, QoS basics (read: Services for Infrastructure)
- Security fundamentals: ACLs, port security, VPN basics, Layer 2 security (read: Infrastructure Protection)
- Automation and programmability: controllers, REST APIs, JSON, Ansible basics
At PM Networking, we cover this syllabus in 45 days with daily labs.
Scope of CCNA Course
Every company that runs an office network, a data centre or cloud services needs people to keep the network running. That includes IT services firms, telecom companies, banks, ISPs, hospitals and government offices. CCNA is the most common certification asked for in entry-level networking roles.
- Demand for CCNA-certified engineers exists in both the public and private sectors.
- Freshers usually start in L1 support or NOC roles and grow into network engineer roles with experience.
- Salary depends on your skills, experience and further certifications.
- Networks are becoming more automated, so engineers who learn basic Python and network automation alongside CCNA have an edge.
Common job roles after CCNA:
- Network Engineer
- Network Administrator
- Field Network Engineer
- Technical Support Engineer
- NOC Engineer
- System Engineer
- Senior Network Engineer (with experience)
- Network Security Specialist (with further training)
- Networking Trainer
CCNA Salary
Salary depends on your city, company and skills. For a detailed breakdown, read our guide on CCNA Certification Salary in India.
Need expert training and certification help? Contact PM Networking today for personalized CCNA guidance.
FAQs
What is the CCNA certification cost in India in 2026?
The Cisco exam costs USD 300 plus GST, which is roughly ₹26,000 to ₹32,000 depending on the exchange rate. Training fees are separate and depend on the institute and format. At PM Networking, the live CCNA course is ₹9,999 and the recorded course is ₹5,999.
Can I retake the CCNA exam?
Yes, but every attempt is charged the full exam fee.
How long is the CCNA certification valid?
Three years. You can renew with 30 Continuing Education credits, a retake, or a higher-level Cisco exam.
What are the career opportunities after CCNA certification in India?
After CCNA, you can apply for roles such as Network Engineer, Network Administrator, Technical Support Engineer, NOC Engineer and System Engineer. With experience and higher certifications like CCNP, you can move into senior network engineer and network security roles.
What are the eligibility criteria to apply for the CCNA course in India?
Anyone can take the CCNA exam. Cisco does not list formal prerequisites. Basic knowledge of computers and IP addressing helps, and our CCNA course starts from the basics, so beginners can join.
What types of jobs can I get immediately after CCNA in India?
Entry-level roles include Network Technician, L1 Support Engineer, NOC Engineer, IT Helpdesk Analyst and Junior System Administrator.
What’s the difference between CCNA and CCNP in 2026?
CCNA is the associate level and covers broad networking fundamentals in one exam. CCNP is the professional level: you pass a core exam and one concentration exam, and it goes much deeper into areas such as Enterprise, Security or Service Provider. Most engineers do CCNA first.
PM Networkingis an emerging leader in the ed-tech space, founded by Praphul Mishra in 2020 with a vision to democratize tech education. The journey of PM Networking began as a YouTube channel with the sole purpose of sharing valuable knowledge in the fields of Networking, Cyber Security, and Cloud Computing. What started as a humble effort to educate has rapidly evolved into a comprehensive online learning platform that caters to the growing demand for specialized IT skills. PM Networking stands out in the crowded ed-tech industry by providing affordable, world-class training tailored to the needs of aspiring IT professionals. The platform is dedicated to equipping learners with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the highly competitive tech industry. Whether it’s Networking fundamentals, advanced Cyber Security protocols, or mastering the complexities of Cloud Computing, PM Networking offers a range of courses designed to cater to different levels of expertise.
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