VdoCipher, a leading provider of video player and piracy protection solutions for content creators, e-learning, and media platforms, has recently released the findings of its latest study titled ‘The Changing Landscape of Online Education & Course Piracy in India’.
The study delves into how the e-learning sector in India has transformed in recent years, shedding light on shifting learner preferences, the growing demand for skill-based education, and the critical challenge posed by video piracy.
As per the study, while online education saw unprecedented growth during the pandemic, the year 2024 marks a resurgence in preference for hybrid learning. Nearly 58.4 percent people across the country expressed a preference for offline education, compared to 41.6 percent favouring online platforms.
This shift reflects a renewed appreciation for in-person interactions and traditional classroom setups as pandemic restrictions ease. Additionally, 66.1 percent perceive offline education as more expensive, a slight rise from 61.2 percent in 2022, reflecting costs like transportation, accommodation, and materials.
The study highlighted the persistent challenge of video piracy. It found over 5,000-course piracy groups on Telegram, with at least 1,000 having more than 10,000 members. Piracy courses and unauthorised video distribution through Telegram resulted in a loss of about INR 2000 crore in India. Over the past six months, the company blocked 120,000 piracy sessions and over 13,000 unique IPs, identified over 1,100 hackers, and detected and blocked over 700 websites/apps with advanced piracy attempts. It also initiated legal action against more than 20 pirates.
The study also revealed challenges in sustaining enthusiasm for online education. Only 26.4 percent people believed online learning is better than offline education, a significant drop from 47.8 percent in 2022. Satisfaction levels have similarly declined, with only 38.3 percent benefiting more from online learning in 2024, down from 55.2 percent two years earlier. Group study participation online also fell significantly, with 29.5 percent engaging in online study sessions in 2024, compared to 55.2 percent in 2022.
VdoCipher’s analysis highlighted the dominance of educational content in video consumption, making up 25 percent of the total usage, followed by technology (18 percent) and media & entertainment (15 percent). Smaller segments include financial services (14 percent), healthcare (9 percent), and professional services (5 percent).
Within academic content, competitive exam preparation leads at 40 percent, followed by Programming and Data Science at 20 percent. K-12 and higher education each make up 10 percent, highlighting the diversity in educational demands.
Interestingly, the study found a growing demand for longer and more comprehensive video content. In 2024, 54.2 percent people preferred long-format videos, a sharp rise from 16.4 percent in 2022. This trend also points to learners valuing in-depth explorations of topics over shorter, fragmented sessions.
Simultaneously, the popularity of live classes has soared, with 72.4 percent people favouring real-time learning experiences over recorded content, emphasising the importance of immediate feedback and interaction. Higher Education and Arts-related content have the highest engagement rates, exceeding 80 percent.
Finance and Trading videos have maintained strong engagement at over 70 percent, while Vocational and Career Training has achieved 60 percent+ participation. K-12 education has steady engagement at over 50 percent, while Test Preparation and Fitness categories are witnessing 40 percent+ viewership rates.
Elaborating on the findings, Siddhant Jain, CEO & Co-Founder, VdoCipher, said, “The findings of this study underscore a critical juncture for the e-learning ecosystem. While hybrid learning models are gaining traction, challenges such as declining satisfaction with online formats and the pervasive threat of video piracy persist. Course piracy alone has resulted in a staggering INR 2,000 crore loss, with over 6000 piracy groups on Telegram alone, out of which 1000+ groups have more than 10,000 viewers each. To address these challenges, educators should focus on developing interactive content for enhanced experience and adopting hybrid models that combine the flexibility of online platforms with the engagement of in-person learning. The platforms in the e-learning sector should invest in advanced video security technologies with support from policymakers to strengthen anti-piracy regulations with streamlined complaint processes to deter content theft.”
“Over the past six months, our advanced security solutions have successfully blocked 120,000+ piracy sessions and detected over 13,000+ unique IPs attempting unauthorized access. The e-learning sector must embrace secure technologies and innovative methods to ensure quality education remains accessible, engaging, and protected against theft,” Siddhant added.
The study also highlights a significant shift toward skill-based education, with Trading courses topping the list at 20 percent, followed by Coding, Graphic Design, and Finance courses at 15 percent each.
The study highlights VdoCipher’s efforts to combat piracy through advanced technologies like encryption, watermarking, and digital rights management (DRM). These solutions have positioned the company as a leader in protecting premium content and ensuring revenue integrity for its clients.
Click here for the full report.
VdoCipher is a global leader in secure video streaming solutions, serving media, OTT, and education platforms in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit https://www.vdocipher.com/.
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