they work as bi-directional switch( like anti-parallel switches) . however, in ant-parallel switches, if a parallel switch turns on before the previously conducting switch is completely off, it will create a short circuit condition. contrary to this, anti-series connected switch combination avoids this possibility.
Mr. Shankar, anti-series connection has the emissors of two IGBTs connected together.
Mr. Jagabar, anti-séries connection permit to implement dead time between the turn-on and turn-off of another switch and this bi-directional switch. In this case two gate drive is needed. Besides only one isolated supply to drive is necessary.
In some applications, how In a T-Type NPC converter with inductive load, for example, we need to give a path for the current to flow after to turn off the main switches and before to turn on the bi-directional switch (dead time). For this, one of them is maintened in on state and the other is turned on only after the main switch is turned off, waiting a dead-time.
With a resistive load or in a zero current switch this is not necessary and just a single gate drive could be used.