Delhi University’s new nail art certification course, what it teaches and why formal training could help aspiring technicians enter a growing beauty market.
For 21-year-old Ameesha, nail art started with YouTube tutorials and gradually became a way to earn extra money. Today, she takes appointments from friends, neighbours and their relatives, either working from home or travelling to clients. But when she approaches salons, one question keeps coming up: where did she train?
That is one reason Delhi University’s new nail art certification course could be significant. Its Campus of Open Learning has introduced a one-month programme designed to give aspiring technicians practical training and a recognised qualification. For people who have learnt the craft independently, the course offers a possible route from occasional bookings to more structured employment.
Payal Mago, Director, Campus of Open Learning, Delhi University, says the programme responds to the increasing demand for nail care and nail art services. She believes a structured course could help young people, especially women, develop a skill that can lead to financial independence.
The need is not limited to metropolitan salons. Nail services are increasingly available in malls, beauty outlets and independent studios, while clients are returning regularly for maintenance and new designs. Mago points out that a single set of nails can cost around ₹5,000 or more, creating opportunities for trained technicians to build a steady customer base.
The university’s official course listing describes the programme as hands-on training for aspiring nail technicians and beauty professionals. Its curriculum covers nail anatomy and health, basic designs, gel and acrylic extensions, advanced effects, gel polish applications, removals and refills.
The course is conducted offline over 30 days and costs ₹3,000. Eligibility is straightforward: applicants must have passed Class X in any stream. The official listing also includes practical assessments, a written test and a viva as part of the certification process.
Mago says the training is intended to be comprehensive, with practical work forming an important part of the experience. The original announcement mentioned a batch size of no more than 15 students, although the university’s current course page lists 30 seats. Applicants should therefore check the latest admission details before registering.
Ameesha’s experience highlights a common challenge for beginners. Learning through videos can help someone develop creativity and technique, but salons may also look for evidence of formal instruction. She hopes certification will help her move beyond festive-season requests and establish nail art as a full-time career.
For her, the course is not simply about learning another design. It is about gaining the confidence and professional recognition to approach employers on equal footing. Coming from a conservative family, she also sees the opportunity as a possible first step towards financial independence.
Radhika Soni, a 30-year-old entrepreneur who runs four nail and lash studios across Delhi and an academy, believes formal training can make the industry more accessible. She employs 19 nail artists across her studios and currently has three interns.
Soni says salons do sometimes hire self-taught technicians, but formal certification can make it easier for candidates to establish their credibility. In her view, a university-backed course could give students recognition that is often hard to obtain when they develop skills independently.
She also says she would consider hiring graduates from the new programme.
The course arrives as the nail salon sector expands internationally. Research and Markets projects that the global nail salon market will reach $19.34 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The report links this expansion to social media beauty trends, demand for personalised services and the wider use of online booking platforms.
The Asia-Pacific region was identified as the largest regional market in 2025, while India is listed among the countries contributing to the sector’s growth.
For aspiring nail artists, Delhi University’s programme offers an affordable entry point into a specialised field. Creativity may bring clients through the door, but practical training and certification could help turn that interest into a sustainable profession.
