Diploma in Computer Application

DCA which is also known as Diploma in Computer Applications is a one-year course that involves the study of different computer applications such as MS Office, Internet Applications, Operating Systems, Database Management Systems (DBMS), and HTML. DCA course deals with the fundamentals of computer applications. Diploma in Computer Application course generally deals with topics such as software development, programming, web design courses, and computer networking. 

To apply for DCA admission, candidates should have completed high school or an equivalent degree in any discipline from a recognized board with at least 40% marks. The DCA Syllabus includes basic computer Skills, MS Office Applications, Internet Basics, E-Business, PC Assembly, and Troubleshooting.

The average fee for DCA in India ranges from INR 5,000 to INR 30,000 for the complete duration. Students looking for better career opportunities can opt for other types of Computer Application courses in India such as BCA. Other computer application courses in India include BBA Computer Applications, BSc Computer Applications, and BA Computer Applications. After the completion of DCA courses, candidates can find jobs in a variety of IT fields, such as C++ Developer, Web Designer, Computer Operator, Software Developer, Accountant, and many more. The average DCA salary is INR 2,00,000 - INR 5,00,000 Per Annum.

DCA Quick Facts

Studying DCA course can help candidates -

(a) Learn the basics of how computer networks work and how to solve problems that may arise.
(b) Learn about multimedia and its various uses.
(c) Gain an understanding of HTML, a language used to create websites.
(d) Learn about Tally and how it can be used in various applications.
(e) Develop the ability to identify different computer hardware and software concepts.

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Candidates willing to pursue the Diploma in Computer Application course need to go through the highlights of the DCA course containing important topics such as full-form, duration of the course, age, eligibility criteria, subjects required, average fees incurred, similar options of study, exams, top colleges, average salary offered, employment roles, and placement opportunities. 

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DCA course appears to offer students a variety of specializations in computer science and applications. The DCA degree provides advantages such as getting equipped with computer applications in terms of skill set and industrial demand. Check the perks of studying the DCA course given below. 

A Career with Several Facets

A DCA course can assist you in building a multifaceted career in the business, as there is an increasing need for competent computer engineers. The following fields are open to you if you have a DCA degree: healthcare, IT, finance, software, trade, transportation, and education. A DCA is the best option for you if you desire a degree with a variety of career options.

Available in many Specializations 

A diploma in computer application is offered by several colleges in India in a variety of specializations. If you decide to enroll in a DCA course, you can study Full Stack Development, the Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. These are all cutting-edge professional options with plenty of employment possibilities.

Rich Career Opportunities

After completing the DCA course you will get various career options such as computer operator, accounting, web designer, etc and you can work in sectors like Accounting, Basic Computer Applications, Software Developer, Database Handling, etc. The DCA salary in India is around INR 2 LPA to INR 5 LPA which will increase once you will gain experience in the field. 

A Budget-Friendly Education with Less Time

A DCA course can be completed in 1 year, and the course fees are comparatively much lesser than those of an undergraduate degree. A DCA is your best option if you want to pursue a profession in computer applications without having to invest a lot of money. DCA course fees are just around INR 5000 to INR 30,000 on average which is comparatively low. 

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There are several ways to take DCA courses, including full-time, part-time, and distance/online modes of learning. In full-time courses, students must attend in-person classes, complete regular assignments, and take semester-by-semester offline exams on campus.

For students who cannot commit to the full-time programme or who are working full-time, there are part-time courses available. Further, online DCA courses are designed for working professionals who cannot attend full-time or even part-time courses. The following are the Diploma in Computer Application courses types along with their respective duration and brief eligibility criteria:

DCA Certifications

Students who complete the DCA program receive a certificate that provides an overview of their computer application skills and grades achieved. This certificate can help them find suitable jobs or even get promotions in case they are already employed. Obtaining a DCA certificate can be beneficial if you want to improve your computer literacy skills, increase your productivity in the workplace, or aim to secure entry-level positions in administrative roles that require computer proficiency. It can also serve as a foundation for further studies in computer science or related fields.

DCA courses are available to students both after high school graduation and beyond. To obtain a DCA certificate, candidates need to enroll in a diploma in computer application course at an accredited college and complete the course by taking various exams. The duration of the DCA course varies depending on the intensity and depth of the curriculum, ranging from a few months to a year. There are various ways to take DCA courses, including full-time, part-time, and distance/online modes of learning. In full-time courses, students must attend in-person classes, complete regular assignments, and take offline exams on campus on a semester-by-semester basis.

Part-time courses are available for students who cannot commit to the full-time programme or who are working full-time. Additionally, online DCA courses are an option for working professionals who cannot attend full-time or even part-time courses. The following are the Diploma in Computer Application courses types along with their respective duration and brief eligibility criteria:

DCA Distance Education

If you are opting to study DCA in distance education you secure a diploma without being worried about attending full-time college, lectures, and attendance. Distance education will allow you to continue with your work, job, or studies and at the same time secure an additional diploma by giving some time to your studies. 

By securing a DCA course through distance education you will gain knowledge about data management, computer fundamentals, programming, application creation, and other skills. This diploma in computer applications is less expensive than a regular diploma. This online diploma program costs between INR 5,000 and INR 50,000 per year in tuition. Admission to DCA distance education is done on a merit basis by filling out the university form. 

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Distance Education DCA Colleges 

If you want to study DCA as distance education then you refer to taking admission to some of the institutes given below. 

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Before applying for the DCA course, make sure that you check the eligibility criteria laid down by the respective college. The diploma in computer application eligibility criteria includes age limit, education, subjects, etc. Check the DCA eligibility criteria mentioned below. 

• Candidates must have completed and passed their high school 10 + 2 from a recognized board.
• It will be more advantageous if you study computer as a compulsory or optional subject after 10th grade.
• There are no further prerequisites for applicants. However, it would be preferable to have high achievers.

Note- The diploma in computer application eligibility criteria varies from institute to institute. 

Required DCA Skillsets

DCA helps to improve students' skills in software and computer literacy, increasing their employability and productivity in a variety of work roles. Here are a few skills that students can learn via DCA course:

• Basics of ERP
• E-Business
• Fundamental Computer Skills
• Internet fundamentals
• IT security and software hacking
• MS Office apps
• Troubleshooting & PC assembly

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DCA aspirants must prepare for the entrance tests in accordance with all regulations. The following are the entrance tests for the DCA course duration admission process in general:

NTTF

Nettur Technical Training Foundation conducts NTTF for candidates to get admitted to various diploma, graduate, and prompts graduate courses in India. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. It is a computer-based exam where objective-based questions are asked. A total of 120 questions are asked in the exam and the format of the question is in the format of MCQs. 

JEXPO

The Joint Entrance Examination for Polytechnics West Bengal or JEXPO, will be conducted offline. It is conducted once in a year for the candidates willing to seek admission into various diploma courses. The duration of the exam is two hours and there is a total of 54 participating colleges in this course. 

Candidates can specialize in a variety of areas with a diploma in computer applications course. Some of these DCA specializations are listed below with summaries.

Website Design

You will acquire information and abilities connected to JAVAscript, Adobe Premiere, HTML, Photoshop, and web page creation through Web Designing courses, especially the Diploma. You can prepare for a Career as Web Designer or find jobs all around the world by pursuing a diploma in computer applications!

Animation 

After your Class 12th, you may improve your computer-based skills by taking animation courses that teach you how to make cartoons and edit videos. Your pursuit of a diploma in computer application might aid you in exploring your options for employment in the video game and film industries. Check the list of animation courses below - 

Programming

Programming languages include powerful computer languages like Python, C++, Javascript, and Java. A diploma in computer application might assist you in pursuing your dream of working in computer programming. You can also check Everything you need to know about a Computer Programmer.

Apart from these, there are various other DCA specializations like

• Software Technologies
• PC Assembly and Troubleshooting
• Cyber Security & Ethical Hacking
• Operating Systems and Data Structures
• Database Management and Computer Languages
• Software Engineering

DCA admissions in India are mostly done on a merit basis in which a candidate’s performance and score in class 10+ 2 are taken into consideration. However, there are still some DCA colleges in India that conduct entrance exams for admissions. Before applying for the DCA course, candidates must check the admission criteria of that respective college whether it's through a merit-based or entrance exam, and then proceed further. If DCA admissions are through an entrance exam then candidates need to do extra preparation.

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How to Apply for DCA Courses?

Candidates can refer to the detailed DCA admission process given below.

1. Fill out the Application Form: First, you must check the eligibility criteria of the college you are applying for and then fill out the application form. The DCA registration process is done via online and offline mode depending upon the college you are applying for. Fill out the DCA application form carefully and provide all factual and correct details. Upload mark sheets, documents, Aadhar cards, passport-size photographs, signatures, etc.
2. Sit for an Entrance Examination (if applicable): Some institutions may require candidates to appear for DCA entrance exams as part of the admission process. In that case, you must download the admit card and appear for the entrance exam. The entrance exam will assess the candidate's knowledge in subjects such as mathematics, English, computer fundamentals, and logical reasoning depending upon its syllabus.
3. Release of the Merit List: The college will release the merit list based on the application form submitted and marks in the entrance exam (if applicable). If your name appears on the merit list you will be shortlisted for counselling.
4. Appear for Counseling/Interview: Shortlisted candidates in the merit list will be called for a counseling process or a one-to-one interview round. This step helps the institution assess the candidate's suitability for the DCA course and clarify any queries or doubts

After counselling and the interview are over, candidates might ask to show documents proof. Following that, the fee payment of college will be done through which candidates can lock their seats and complete the DCA admission process.

State- Wise Polytechnic Admissions:

The DCA course fee typically ranges between INR 5,000 and INR 3,000, depending on the university's resources, infrastructure, and location. In India, DCA course computer fees vary from one government institute to other private institutes. Numerous institutions provide DCA computer courses as certificate and degree programmes, depending on the length of study required by the student. DCA course provide students with the option to customize their course duration based on their comfort. To find out the precise DCA fees at that specific institute, prospective students must visit the official website of their preferred college.

India is quite popular with DCA courses when seen statistically. The scope of the DCA course in India is quite in demand since its course deals with the learning latest technologies. An idea has been framed in the table below to figure out the maximum and minimum DCA course fees in India, whether it is a DCA course government college or a private college.

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DCA syllabus is extensive and all-encompassing, enabling students to understand the fundamentals of computer operation and applications. The DCA course syllabus and subjects are designed to provide you with the fundamental abilities needed for the job. The Microsoft Office suite, which is used in the majority of organizations is a significant element of the DCA course curriculum. DCA subjects give knowledge on a variety of topics that are crucial for a prosperous career. The proposed DCA syllabus emphasizes teaching about page design, web design and development, software development, C++, visual basics, network foundations, and so on. The following are some DCA course syllabi & subjects:

• Basics of Data Entry and Office Automation
• Computer Communication and Internet
• Database Management System
• Introduction to Windows
• Multimedia and Graphic Designing
• Operating System and Application Program
• Principles of Programming
• Web Page Designing

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An online DCA course is a program that offers a complete education in computer applications and technology through online courses. Students learn software development, programming languages, database management, and other practical skills. The flexibility of online learning allows students to pursue this diploma remotely, often at their own pace.

If you wish to study for a diploma in computer application online following are some of the providers where you can apply online and pursue courses without attending any college. 

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In contrast to DCA, which concentrates on the basics of computer usage, PGDCA is a more technical and in-depth study of computer applications. Both are computer education courses, however, DCA and PGDCA are identical because DCA teaches the fundamentals of programming languages and computer applications while PGDCA teaches more complex computer applications and technologies. The following table highlights a detailed difference between the DCA course and the PGDCA course:

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In India, various top colleges incur top and quality level education to the candidates willing to pursue DCA courses in India. Some of the top DCA colleges in India include Lovely Professional University (LPU), Aligarh Muslim University, Punjab University, University of Calcutta, and Savitribai Phule Pune University, etc.

Some of the top private colleges offering DCA have been listed below along with the fees. 

The DCA fees of the government colleges have been listed below.

A comparison of colleges is done based on the following listed parameters:

DCA course provides a plethora of professional opportunities and great work prospects in the continuously developing sector of computer applications. Students who have finished the diploma in computer application course can begin a successful career journey in a variety of industries due to its emphasis on imparting important knowledge and abilities in computer programming, software development, and data administration. The DCA course provides graduates with the foundation they need to flourish in today's digital economy, from entry-level professions to specialized responsibilities. Go through the Career Options After Diploma in Computer Application given below:

DCA Salary

In India, the average DCA salary in India is around INR 2 LPA. DCA course salary is determined by a variety of criteria. Job designation, infrastructural facilities, organization reputation, job demand, and so on are all factors that influence the DCA salary. The DCA salary varies as per the job role. Listed below are various designations and their DCA salary in India: 

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Top Recruiters for DCA Candidates

After completing the DCA course you can work in the government and private sector and MNCs. The following are some of the top firms or companies that hire DCA course candidates for DCA jobs have been listed below in the pointer:

The need for workers with computer experience is continual due to ongoing technological advancements. Therefore, if you are planning to study the DCA course then go for it as a Diploma in Computer Application will enhance your career and provide you with good career opportunities. 

According to the information above, DCA course positions include software developer, C++ developer, computer operator, and so on, but candidates may also obtain Bachelor's and Master's degrees to advance their careers.

• Advanced Certificate in Computer Application
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Application (BCA)
• Master in Computer Application (MCA)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Application