By Arun Kumar Shrivastav
India’s coaching institutes have become a cornerstone of academic success, particularly in competitive exams like the IIT-JEE, NEET, and other national-level entrance tests. In recent years, these institutes have seen substantial financial growth. Not only are they shaping the future of millions of students, but they are also attracting significant investment from global and domestic investors.
Despite the rapid growth of coaching institutes and the massive funding they attract, the government’s lack of stringent regulation remains a concern. With intense competition for a limited number of seats in prestigious institutions like IITs and medical colleges, many students face overwhelming pressure, yet there are no clear guidelines to monitor the quality of education, fee structures, or the mental health impact on students.
One of the biggest players in India’s education sector is BYJU’s, a pioneering edtech startup. With a whopping $5.08 billion raised across 28 funding rounds, BYJU’s stands as one of the most heavily funded edtech companies in the world. Its focus on digital learning and personalized education has revolutionized how Indian students prepare for competitive exams, especially by integrating AI-powered solutions, live tutoring, and recorded lectures accessible on multiple platforms.
Another notable name in India’s growing edtech ecosystem is PhysicsWallah, which has rapidly gained prominence since its inception. Having raised a total of $312 million in two funding rounds ($100 million in June 2022 and $210 million in September 2024), PhysicsWallah has established itself as a leader in affordable online education for competitive exam aspirants. It caters primarily to students preparing for IIT-JEE, NEET, and other engineering and medical entrance exams, with a focus on creating comprehensive, accessible courses.
The institute offers tailored programs starting from Class 8 to Class 12, helping students build a strong foundation early on. In addition to classroom-based learning, PhysicsWallah has successfully integrated online courses that include mock tests, video doubt-clearing sessions, and regular assignments. Their attention to weaker students is a standout feature, offering special classes to help them keep pace with their peers.
While online platforms are gaining prominence, traditional coaching institutes like Allen Career Institute remain formidable players in the education landscape. Allen has raised a total of $600 million in Series D funding (May 2022), which underscores its strong market position. The institute has been a trusted name for students preparing for competitive exams, especially in Kota, the coaching hub of India.
Allen’s focus on personalized mentoring, along with its disciplined classroom environment, has helped it maintain its relevance. While the institute has now expanded its digital presence to cater to the growing demand for online education, its core strength lies in its classroom coaching, where students receive in-person guidance and a structured learning environment.
Unacademy, one of the leading online learning platforms in India, has raised approximately $880 million in total funding across multiple rounds. It offers a wide array of courses and has grown rapidly due to its ability to attract top educators from various fields. The platform provides both live and recorded lessons, allowing students flexibility in learning.
Toppr, a personalized learning platform, has secured around $112 million in funding. Its approach focuses on individual learning needs, using artificial intelligence to tailor courses and assessments to student capabilities. Toppr’s investment in adaptive technology has been one of the drivers of its popularity among school students.
Vedantu, known for its live online tutoring sessions, has raised $289 million in funding. Vedantu has been a pioneer in the live tutoring space and offers a variety of academic and extracurricular courses. Its ability to scale personalized education services has contributed to its impressive growth.
upGrad, which focuses on higher education and professional learning, has raised $685 million to date. upGrad’s strength lies in offering degree and certification programs in collaboration with top universities. Its focus on adult learners and professionals looking to upskill has made it a key player in India’s growing edtech sector.
Great Learning, a platform specializing in technology, business, and data science courses, has raised $110 million. It caters to professionals looking to enhance their skills and has built a strong reputation for offering industry-relevant programs.
Khan Academy, Coursera, Udemy, and edX are global players with a strong presence in India. While Khan Academy operates as a non-profit offering free courses, Coursera and Udemy have raised $443 million and $296 million, respectively. Both platforms focus on skill development, offering a wide variety of courses in partnership with top universities and organizations. edX, another non-profit, recently raised $50 million for its mission to provide affordable education worldwide.
The influx of funding in Indian edtech companies highlights the sector’s growth potential. With the rise of online education, these companies are not only democratizing access to quality learning but also shaping the future of education through innovation and technology. However, the government’s failure to offer adequate public alternatives has left many aspirants reliant on expensive private coaching, widening the gap between privileged and underprivileged students. (IPA
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