From IIT Aspirant To EdTech Leader: Meet Man Who Dropped Out, Gave Tuition For Survival—Now Leads Rs 8,000 Crore EdTech Empire

Like many engineering hopefuls in India, Alakh Pandey aspired to crack the prestigious IIT entrance exam. Unfortunately, despite his hard work, he couldn’t secure the score he needed to get into IIT.

Alakh enrolled in Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTI), but his path took a different direction. He dropped out of the course without completing his BTech degree, realizing that traditional education wasn’t his calling.

To make ends meet, Alakh started offering physics tuition. His passion for teaching led him to create a YouTube channel, where he began teaching physics in a more engaging way. At first, he earned only Rs 5,000 from tuition fees.

Alakh’s dedication paid off, and his YouTube channel, Physics Wallah, went viral. His unique teaching approach resonated with millions of students, turning his channel into a massive educational platform.

Today, Alakh Pandey is the founder of Physics Wallah, a company valued at over Rs 9,100 crore (1.1 billion dollars). With 61 YouTube channels and over 31 million subscribers, his innovative approach to education has made him a leader in the edtech space.

Unlike many of his competitors, Alakh has built a profitable business. Physics Wallah reported 133.7 crore in profit in 2022 and Rs 108 crore in 2023, making him the only profitable edtech entrepreneur since day one.

Despite his success, Alakh remains grounded, shaped by his early financial struggles. His company’s growth and his frugal approach to business have turned him into one of India’s richest and most respected edtech leaders.