Certifications validate your knowledge, but they don't replace hands-on skills. For a fresher in 2026, having an Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) or AWS Cloud Practitioner badge is a great differentiator.
Why get certified?
It gets you past the ATS (Applicant Tracking System). When a company searches for 'Azure', your resume pops up.
Which one to pick?
If your college teaches .NET, go for Azure. If you are into startups/web-dev, go for AWS. Don't pay for expensive courses; use the free official learning paths provided by Microsoft and Amazon.