Kraftshala (now Kraftshala School of Business) is a placement-linked marketing and sales school in India. It offers three programs, reports a 94% placement rate, and promises a 60% fee refund if graduates earn below a specified minimum salary. The curriculum is particularly suited to freshers and career switchers seeking job-focused training. However, the fees are substantial, ranging from ₹1.95 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh, depending on the program you choose, and the reported outcomes are based on company-provided data. Here’s an honest breakdown.
Most Kraftshala reviews you’ll find online fall into one of two buckets:
- Company-curated testimonials with no fee breakdown, refund conditions, or downsides, or
- Comparison pages written by competing institutes, which have an obvious incentive to navigate you elsewhere.
This review is different. Drawing on more than six years of industry experience, it compares Kraftshala’s fees, placement reports, refund terms, and student feedback with information from independent sources. The objective here is to show what Kraftshala stands for, what you’re paying for, what past students report, and who it’s genuinely a good fit for.
Quick Verdict – Kraftshala at a Glance
| Best for | Freshers, career switchers, and working professionals who want job-linked marketing or sales training. Any educational background; no prior experience needed for the Marketing Launchpad |
| Not ideal for | Self-paced learners (the program is live, and attendance of 90%+ is mandatory), people who can’t commit 8-10 hour days, and anyone needing a UGC/AICTE-recognized degree |
| Fee range | Marketing Launchpad ₹1.64L + 18% GST (₹1,93,520 total); PGP in AI-Led Marketing ₹4.15L; PGP in AI-Led Sales, Marketing and Business ₹2.68L. Note:Fees may change. Check Kraftshala’s website and select your desired program for the latest pricing. |
| EMI | From ₹7,198/month over 36 months on the Marketing Launchpad |
| Placement rate | 94% across programs, 3,300+ students placed [source: Kraftshala], company-reported |
| Salary Range | Marketing Launchpad: ₹4.5L to ₹10.40L highest CTC, with average around ₹5.5 LPA. Sales/Marketing/Business PGP: ₹22L highest, average ₹10.64L [source: program page] |
| Refund Commitment | 60% refund if no job at ₹4.5 LPA or more within 15 months of finishing (Marketing Launchpad); ₹7.5L trigger for the Sales/Marketing/Business PGP. Not available to scholarship enrollees or students who leave midway |
| Recruiters | 800+ partners claimed; named recruiters include Publicis, Nykaa, Lenskart, Zomato, Myntra, Tata CliQ [source: Trustpilot company profile] |
| Accreditations | Own INDUSTRY INDUSTRYCreds® certification. No UGC/AICTE approval found, so confirm before stating |
| Format & Location | Online and offline; Gurugram campus for offline programs |
| Founded | 2016 by Varun Satia and Eshu Sharma; renamed Kraftshala School of Business in 2026 |
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Kraftshala ratings across platforms
As of October 2026, Kraftshala scores 3.93/5 on MouthShut (155 votes) and 4.2/5 on Trustpilot (6 reviews, all five-star). Alumni praise the hands-on teaching, live projects, and placement support.
Note: The Trustpilot sample is very small, so treat the scores as a directional signal rather than proof of outcomes. Besides, all nine Trustpilot reviews are positive, so they say little about dissatisfied students.
| Platform | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| MouthShut | 3.93/5 | 155 |
| Trustpilot | 4.2/5 | 6 |
| 4.6/5 | 514 |
What is Kraftshala
Kraftshala is an Indian marketing and business school founded in 2016 by Varun Satia and Eshu Sharma, both ex-FMS Delhi alumni with backgrounds at Nestlé and HUL. In 2026 it renamed itself Kraftshala School of Business as it grew from online marketing courses into online and on-campus programs spread across marketing, sales, and business.
The programs are placement-linked: each carries a commitment to a 60% fee refund if graduates land below a minimum salary. Kraftshala reports 3,300+ alumni, 800+ recruiting partners, and live teaching by 100+ practitioners in senior industry roles. It is headquartered in New Delhi, with an on-campus base in Gurugram, and operates under Expertizo Education Private Limited.
Kraftshala Courses & Fees
Kraftshala offers three main programs: the Marketing Launchpad (the flagship, available full-time, part-time and in Hindi + English), the PGP in AI-Led Marketing, and the PGP in AI-Led Sales, Marketing and Business. Fees range from ₹1.64 lakh to ₹3.95 lakh plus 18% GST depending on the program. Fees change by batch, so confirm the current figure on Kraftshala’s website before enrolling.
1. Marketing Launchpad (Full-Time)
Kraftshala’s flagship Marketing Launchpad digital marketing program runs 6 months online, with 920+ live hours claimed. It covers Meta Ads, Google Ads, SEO, e-commerce, programmatic (DV360), content and social media, with AI tools integrated into each module. Students work on live projects with real budgets, and admission requires a screening test.
- Fee: ₹1.64L + 18% GST (₹193,520 total), with EMI from ₹7,198/month over 36 months
- Refund commitment: 60% if no job at ₹4.5 LPA or more within 15 months of completion
- Outcomes (company-reported): ₹4.5L-₹10.40L CTC range
- Best for: freshers and career switchers from any background who can commit to full-time study
- Skip if: you can’t attend 90%+ of live classes or need a self-paced format
2. Marketing Launchpad (Part-Time)
The part-time course follows the same curriculum, delivered on Sundays over 11 months. It is designed for students and working professionals. Placements begin after the course ends, at around the 44-week mark. The course is currently priced at ₹1.64 lakh (excluding GST), though the fee may change over time. Check the latest fees for Kraftshala’s Part-Time Marketing Launchpad course.
3. PGP in AI-Led Marketing
It is a 9-month on-campus program at Kraftshala’s Gurugram campus, built around marketing fundamentals with AI tools and automation. Kraftshala’s course page lists the fee at ₹4.15L (excluding GST) and an average CTC of ₹6.5-7 LPA. Check the latest fees for Kraftshala’s PGP in AI-led marketing course.
- Best for: students who want a campus-based, postgraduate-style program in marketing
- Skip if you want an online format or a lower fee
4. PGP in AI-Led Sales, Marketing, and Business
This is another nine-month, full-time program offered online or on campus in Gurugram. It focuses on revenue-oriented roles in sales, business development, and account management and has a higher refund threshold than the Marketing Launchpad: 60% back if the job offer is below ₹7.5L.
- Fee: ₹2.68L (online), ₹4.45L (offline). Check the latest fee details here
- Outcomes (company-reported): 100% placement rate for the 2025-26 batch, highest CTC ₹22L, average ₹10.64L on the program page
- Best for: graduates targeting sales and business roles
- Skip if: you want a pure digital marketing module
Note: Kraftshala adds GST to the listed fee. An optional city-specific placement model costs an extra ₹17,000 + GST (Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore) or ₹19,000 + GST (Pune, Hyderabad). EMI plans come from a third-party lender, and a processing fee applies. The top 5% of applicants can receive a ₹30,000 scholarship, but scholarship enrollees aren’t eligible for the refund.
Click here to compare digital marketing courses
Kraftshala Placements: What the Data Shows
Kraftshala reports a 94% placement rate and 3,300+ students placed across its programs. The ‘Marketing Launchpad’ averages about ₹5.5 LPA, with a highest CTC of ₹10.40 LPA, while ‘PGP in AI-Led Sales, Marketing, and Business’ reports an average of roughly ₹10-11.5 LPA and a highest of ₹22 LPA. (All figures are self-reported and not independently audited).
| Program | Placement rate | Average CTC | Highest CTC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Launchpad | 94% | ₹5.5L | ₹10.40L |
| PGP in AI-Led Sales, Marketing and Business | 100% (2025-26 batch) | ₹10.3L-₹11.55L | ₹22L |
| PGP in AI-Led Marketing | No graduating-batch data yet | ₹6.5-7L (expected) | Up to ₹12L (expected) |
Note: While deciding to enroll for the course, ensure to confirm the batch-wise median CTC, the split between direct offers and internships, how “placed” is defined, and how many students received a refund. Fees may change, so check each course’s official pricing page for the latest details. (Link: https://www.kraftshala.com/)
Pros of Kraftshala
1. A refund commitment with a stated salary floor
Unlike other institutes that offer vague placement support, Kraftshala specifies minimum salary guarantees for its programs and offers a 60% fee refund if graduates don’t meet them.
2. Published placement reports
It publishes batch-wise placement reports and headline figures (94% placement rate, 3,300+ placed). These figures are self-reported, but publishing them makes Kraftshala more transparent than competitors that do not disclose comparable data.
3. Live projects with real budgets
The Marketing Launchpad involves running real-world live campaigns on Meta, Google Ads and Amazon, an SEO project, programmatic planning on DV360, and short-form content. Brands change with each batch.
4. Practitioner-led teaching
Kraftshala claims its programs are taught by 100+ industry experts from brands and agencies like Publicis, Performics, Nestlé, and Google. Alumni also highlight the quality of feedback they receive.
5. Career-readiness training, not just channel skills
The curriculum includes human skills, workplace communication, CV and interview preparation. Trustpilot reviewers repeatedly cite these sessions.
6. AI integrated into the curriculum
Kraftshala encourages the use of AI tools throughout its curriculum, teaching students how to use AI for tasks such as SEO, LLM optimization, and creating marketing assets more efficiently.
7. Open to any background, with several formats
Enrollment in Kraftshala’s Marketing Launchpad course does not require you to have any prior marketing experience. It comes in full-time, part-time (Sunday) and Hindi + English versions, with EMI and a merit-access track for low-income students.
Cons of Kraftshala
1. The fee structure is high against cheaper alternatives
The Marketing Launchpad costs ₹1.64 lakh if you secure a job paying ₹4.5 LPA or more, and ₹65,600 if you remain unemployed. The higher fee only pays off if you land a role that justifies it. However, the higher fee comes with a minimum ₹4.5 LPA salary guarantee, reducing placement risk.
2. Intensive and not self-paced
Kraftshala’s courses are intensive, with mandatory attendance and long study hours. Working professionals may find it challenging to balance alongside a full-time job, making the 11-month part-time option more suitable.
3. Outcomes are company-reported and vary by page
Kraftshala’s website lists different highest CTC figures across its pages: ₹10.40 LPA on the Marketing Launchpad page and ₹10.05 LPA on the PGP in Marketing page under “Our Track Record.”
4. The refund is conditional and partial
To qualify for the refund, you are required to maintain 90%+ mandatory attendance, complete the course, and remain without a job meeting the minimum salary guarantee for 15 months. Scholarship students are excluded, and GST refund terms are unclear, so you could still lose 40% of the fee.
5. Not a government-recognized degree
Kraftshala calls its PGPs “postgraduate-equivalent” and “MBA-equivalent,” but I was unable to find UGC/AICTE approval. The credential is Kraftshala’s own INDUSTRYCreds certification. Check this if you need a recognized qualification for further study or a job requirement.
6. Thin independent reviews
Trustpilot has only 9 reviews, all five-star, and Kraftshala’s own alumni page is curated. I found no public critical feedback, which makes it hard to judge the experience of students who weren’t placed or left the program.
Kraftshala vs IIDE vs Other Digital Marketing Institutes (2026)
The table below compares Kraftshala’s flagship Marketing Launchpad with IIDE, Digital Vidya and upGrad × MICA. All these are different formats and price points, so they aren’t direct substitutes.
| Kraftshala | IIDE | Digital Vidya | upGrad × MICA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagship program | Marketing Launchpad (also offers PGPs in AI-Led Marketing and AI-Led Sales, Marketing and Business) | PG Program in Digital Marketing & Business Strategy | Certified AI Digital Marketing Master Course (CADMM) | Advanced Certificate in Digital Marketing & Communication |
| Fee | ₹1.64L + 18% GST (₹1.93L total) | ₹1.85L-₹9.9L depending on program | ₹65,000 | ₹85,000-₹1,50,000 |
| Duration | 6 months full-time; 11 months part-time | 4-6 months (certifications) to 3 years (UG) | 6 months | 26-50 weeks |
| Format | Online; Gurugram campus for the PGPs | Online, offline, blended; campuses in Mumbai, Delhi, Nepal | Primarily live online | Primarily online, self-paced + live sessions |
| Degree option | No (PGPs are “postgraduate-equivalent,” not UGC/AICTE-approved) | Yes, via the University-Aligned UG track | No, certification only | No, certification only |
| Certification / accreditation | Own INDUSTRYCreds® certification | NSDC Training Partner, MESC-recognized, MEPSC (UG track) | NSDC Training Partner, MESC-recognized, MEPSC, Nasscom partner | Co-branded with MICA |
| Placement claim | 94% rate, 3,300+ placed, 800+ recruiters (company-reported) | 93% rate, ₹19 LPA highest CTC, 300+ hiring partners (company-reported) | 100% placement assistance, 500+ hiring partners claimed | Varies by program; MICA brand carries independent weight |
| Refund clause | Yes: 60% refund if no job at ₹4.5 LPA+ within 15 months (conditions apply) | No published refund clause found | None found | None found |
| Best for | Freshers and career switchers wanting a job-linked program with a stated refund floor | Students wanting a structured, campus-based, project-driven program with an optional real degree | Working professionals wanting a fast, affordable, fully online certification | Professionals wanting a recognized academic-brand certificate without a full degree |
Kraftshala’s edge is its refund pledge and a fee below IIDE’s flagship PG; its trade-off is a higher price than Digital Vidya’s certification and no formal degree route. Click here to read IIDE full Review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Kraftshala worth it in 2026?
A. Kraftshala is ideal for freshers and career switchers who can commit to an intensive program and want a secure refund floor. However, it’s less suitable for self-paced learners, people who can’t attend at least 90% of live classes, or anyone who needs a recognized degree. Placement outcomes are company-reported, so ensure to verify them during counselling.
Q. How much does Kraftshala cost?
A. The Marketing Launchpad costs ₹1.64 lakh + 18% GST (₹1,93,520 total) as of October 2026. Kraftshala’s program pages list the PGP in AI-Led Sales, Marketing and Business at ₹2.59L and the PGP in AI-Led Marketing at ₹4.15L. Fees change by batch, so confirm on Kraftshala’s website.
Q. How does Kraftshala’s 60% refund work?
A. For the Marketing Launchpad, Kraftshala refunds 60% of the fee if you don’t get a job at ₹4.5 LPA or more within 15 months of finishing. However, you are required to have 90%+ attendance, and scholarship enrollees aren’t eligible. The Sales, Marketing and Business PGP uses a ₹7.5 LPA floor. Any refund follows Kraftshala’s T&Cs.
Q.Does Kraftshala guarantee placement?
A. No. Kraftshala’s FAQ says the Marketing Launchpad is not a job-guarantee program. It offers a refund of 60% of the fee if you aren’t placed at the minimum salary, subject to its conditions. About half of students get direct roles, while the rest start with paid internships.
Q. What is Kraftshala’s placement rate and average salary?
A. Kraftshala’s website reports an overall placement rate of 94%. The Marketing Launchpad averages about ₹5.5 LPA with a highest CTC of ₹10.40 LPA, and the Sales, Marketing and Business PGP reports ₹10.3-11.55 LPA on average.
Q. Kraftshala vs IIDE: which is better?
A. Both institutes serve different needs. Kraftshala’s highlight is its refund pledge and a lower entry fee for its flagship Marketing Launchpad than IIDE’s ₹1.85L-₹9.9L range. IIDE offers campuses in Mumbai, Delhi and Nepal, plus an optional university-aligned degree. Both report placement figures themselves.
Q. Can freshers or non-marketing graduates join Kraftshala?
A. Yes. The Marketing Launchpad programme is open to any educational background and needs no prior marketing experience. However, admission requires a screening test, with up to three attempts. You must also be available for a full-time job after the course.
Q. Does Kraftshala offer a part-time course?
A. Yes. The Marketing Launchpad also runs as an 11-month Sunday batch for students and working professionals, with the same curriculum. Placements begin after the course ends, around the 44-week mark. Check Kraftshala’s page for the current part-time fee, as listings have varied.
Rahul Bajaj is an SEO strategy consultant with 6+ years of experience helping SaaS companies, startups, and enterprise brands grow organic revenue. He has worked across industries including cybersecurity, medical, automotive, SaaS, real estate, ed-tech, and sustainability brands, delivering 170%+ organic monthly traffic growth, 200%+ YoY organic growth, and 120+ AI visibility snippet wins for his clients. His expertise includes technical SEO, search-intent-driven content strategy, and AI search optimization. He writes on SEO strategy, digital marketing careers, and organic growth at Grow Digital Career.
