Prices verifiable and often can availed discount from the store
Educational material
Medical eBooks
Demand for eBooks in India and Industry Dynamics
The demand for eBooks enjoys a positive linear relationship with a few factors such as increase in computer, internet and mobile phone usage. Moreover, from a bottom up approach point of view, the acceptance of an eBook depends upon the degree of convenience that the reader enjoys with the electronic medium and the vernacular in which the book is available. Industry association such as CII is lobbying for orchestrated growth of the industry and the Government of India’s education sector reforms through its current 5 Year Plan can make the industry conducive for attaining quick growth.
Literacy rates consistently improving
eBooks provide quick access to information and all downloadable forms provide the search functionality
Perceived Challenges of the eBooks Market in India
There is a general feel of lack of transparency in the pricing of the eBook. Unlike printed books which are tangible, prices verifiable and often can be availed at a discount from the store, eBooks offered for sale on a website does not instil that confidence. Not the least, pirated copies can be bought at prices which the cost structure for publication of a genuine publisher can never justify.
Lack of confidence in using secured payment gateways, low internet banking and credit/debit card penetration
Copyright infringements
Although free eBook sites exists which provide zero cost download for the content, Indians have a withdrawal symptom when they are asked to pay for the content they download. This mental block will however cease to exist over a period of time when the newer generation especially the student community with its keenness for the electronic media and conscious upbringing by embracing eLearning methods takes more readily to “pay as you use” mode of transacting.
To download the complete report on “ePublishing & eBooks – An Indian Perspective”, please follow the link.