Latest news with #PhysicsWallah
India Today
a day ago
- General
- India Today
UP boy drives e-rickshaw by day, studies by night, ends up cracking NEET
When the NEET UG results came out this year, a small house in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, erupted in celebration. Mohammad Suhail, a young man who once drove his father's e-rickshaw to help make ends meet, had scored 609 marks in his third in his family has studied beyond Class 12. And that is what made this achievement so name is Mohd Suhail, and I'm from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. I come from a lower-middle-class family where resources were limited but dreams were big,' he says. But it wasn't Suhail's dream at first — it was his mother's. 'Becoming a doctor was never my own ambition, it was my mother's dream. Her consistent support and belief in me are what inspired me to pursue this path and turn her dream into my goal,' he BY DAY, STUDYING BY NIGHTAfter completing Class 12 with his brother in 2021, the family could only afford to send one of them to college. His brother began a BCom course, and Suhail started pulling an e-rickshaw to support the family.'I began pulling an e-rickshaw during the day. My nights were spent studying, often staying up until midnight or later,' he didn't know what NEET was, but a friend told him about it, and the possibility of affordable MBBS seats through changed everything: 'I realised that if I could crack NEET, I could pursue MBBS without putting a financial burden on my family.' Sahil with his family THE SCHOLARSHIP THAT SAVED A DREAMSuhail prepared using PhysicsWallah's affordable online batch. 'Alakh Sir's Yakeen Batch was available for just Rs 3,000 – Rs 4,000, which I could manage,' he recalls. His first NEET score was 369. On his third try, he reached when he was about to give up, Meerut's PW Vidyapeeth centre stepped in. 'Meerut Vidyapeeth called and offered me full support — free admission, guidance, everything,' he coaching helped with regular tests and structured batches. 'They conducted regular rapid tests and formed AI/AR batches that gave me access to tailored content,' he ROOM, BUT LOTS OF DETERMINATION'I didn't have a proper space at home. One of my teachers, Hashir Sir, even offered me a room to study peacefully,' he didn't follow strict routines — just one rule: finish what you start. 'For me, the goal was more important than the clock.'His family made sacrifices too. 'My brother even dropped out of his studies to start working and support me,' he says. 'These sacrifices made me more focused and determined — I knew I couldn't let their efforts go in vain.'CELEBRATION IN A HOUSE WHERE NO ONE DREAMED OF MBBSWhen the result came, Suhail was at his grandmother's house. 'The moment we saw the score; the room burst with joy. People were shouting, celebrating, and hugging me,' he remembers.'Dholes were playing for a family where no one had ever even dreamed of becoming a doctor,' he NEXT'My NEET rank is 11,000 — it may not get me into the top colleges, but it's good enough for a solid government seat,' says hoping to study surgery during MBBS. 'I believe the coming years will help me discover exactly where my passion lies within medicine.'And his mother's dream? It's now his Watch
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Physics Wallah's journey from YouTube to unicorn: IPO, expansion, and what's next
Physics Wallah's report card shows a swift rise since 2016, successful investment rounds, national footprint and the down-to-earth attitude of founders. But the answer awaited is the market reaction to its upcoming Initial Public Offering. First, let's look at the edtech company's core: academic coaching. The exam prep and subjects covered are hardly limited by the name, Physics Wallah. From Class 7 to 12, from UPSC exams to NEET, IIT-JEE to IIM, CA to NDA, and Upskilling to Mentoring, the Institute set up by a physics enthusiast is now an all-rounder that helps students prepare for more than 35 exam categories. Over 36 million students log on to its channels and 15 million use the PW App for competitive exams preparation. As a company, Physics Wallah (PW) has set new financial benchmarks and emerged as a unicorn, meaning its value has crossed $1 billion. Currently, PW has filed draft papers for an initial public offering of around $500 million, as per media reports. Impact of fundraising The consistent growth and funding rounds have had an impact on ground. Scaling from a model of online education, Physics Wallah now operates more than 130 offline centers under four categories: 'Vidyapeeth,' which is completely offline, 'Pathshala,' hybrid learning centre, 'PW Tuition' for offline tuition and the 'Vidyapeeth Residential Program.' The offline Vidyapeeth model is restricted to Foundation programs for Class 8 to 10 students, IIT-JEE for Class 11 and 12, and NEET coaching for Class 11 and 12 students. 'Dropper' batches are designed for students keen on a second attempt at NEET or JNV Olympiad. SIP, School Integrated Learning Center by Physics Wallah, is a hub within a school's campus and is blended with online interactive classes. Going a step further, PW has set up its school brand 'Gurukulam School,' at Varanasi, Indore and Gurugram under the CBSE curriculum. Admission is open to students from the age of three years, though the age category may vary depending on the location. Not everything in academics is about learning, not every student can excel in exams, and there are obstacles in the prep process for every aspirant. 'PW Prerna,' staffed by counselors, is a free teleconsultation platform that students can dial into to overcome exam stress, anxiety and nervousness. In Kota and Patna, they can walk in for an in-person consultation. With all the positives outlined herein, is Physics Wallah an almost perfect example of an educator-turned-entrepreneur success story? Time to find out more. Riding the wave It all started with a man named Alakh Pandey. Hailing from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Alakh Sir, as he would be affectionately called later by millions of students, began teaching while he was in school. The story goes that around 2016 he started a YouTube channel with an investment of ₹30,000. By 2019, the subscriber base had increased to 2 million and scaled to 6.8 million in 2022. COVID came into our lives, and into Alakh Sir's life came a spark… in the name of Prateek Maheswari, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from IIT-BHU, who helped build the PW App, which students could download during the pandemic and the lean times thereafter. PW was charging one-tenth of the price of competitors, and the quality was as good as anyone else's, reports say. His teachers were rated highly; hence poached periodically. Alakh Sir put an end to this by raising funds from investors and strengthening the business with the help of Maheswari, who had become a co-founder. From 2022 onwards, Physics Wallah found its place in India's edtech map as a brand that delivered quality coaching at an affordable price, and at nil or subsidized cost to several segments. The man who started the company from humble beginnings did not forget his roots. In June 2025, PW signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CRPF Family Welfare Association (CWA) to provide educational support to the families of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The initiative outlines multiple tiers of scholarships, including full scholarships for the families of CRPF martyrs and personnel who passed away during service. Additionally, families of serving and retired CRPF members are eligible for a 35% scholarship on offline coaching and a 25% scholarship for online courses. According to CSR Mandate magazine, for the 2023-24 academic session, PW granted a full fee waiver to 51,000 students at a total cost of ₹17 crore, to those from economically weaker sections of society. Further, as it has been from day one, students have free access to the content on PW's YouTube channel. Co-founder Maheswari said in a media interview last year that Physics Wallah hosts 81 YouTube channels with the total number of subscribers exceeding 36 million and the count of daily active users (DAU) exceeding 2.1 million. Alakh Sir's and his co-founder's natural ability to address the TG of students who may not be comfortable in English is evident from the repertoire of over 12 vernacular channels on YouTube, such as Teluguwallah, PW Gujarati and PW Bangla, which cater to K-12 and IIT-JEE/NEET preparations. Empathizing with the challenges faced by first-generation, first-time entrepreneurs, Alakh Sir and his co-founder launched in 2024 the PW School of Startups (SOS) with an initial corpus of ₹100 crore. The entity will nurture at least 100 startups over the next five years. Too much growth? If we look back in time, how have the last three years been in terms of financial performance? In edtech, the fashion or trend for a company on a growth curve is the acquisition of allied enterprises, and while it seems the right step, it is also a reason the acquirer starts to falter. Consider this: With a strategic intent of increasing market share and widening its product suite, Physics Wallah made a series of investments and acquisitions in 2022 and 2023, according to data published on industry portals. These include: Xylem Learning, a hybrid learning platform in South India; Knowledge Planet, a UAE-based K-12 online and offline learning startup; iNeuron, a platform focused on upskilling; Altis Vortex, a publisher and supplier of NCERT-based books for classes 11 and 12, along with NEET, and CUET-UG exam preparations; PrepOnline, an online learning platform for NEET, board exams, and state-level government exams preparation; FreeCo, a doubt-solving and resource management company in the edtech space. For FY 24, as per regulatory filings, Physics Wallah reported an operating revenue increase of 161% from ₹744 crore in FY 23 to ₹1,940 crore in FY 24. However, for the year under review, the company's losses jumped from ₹84 crore to ₹1,130 crore. A company spokesperson, while commenting on the financials of that period, has said that the losses were higher due to non-cash expenses such as Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) to the extent of 756 crores. Despite the loss figure, the confidence of equity investors is evident from the fund raise in September 2024. Investment platform Zerodha says Physics Wallah raised $210 million in a funding round led by Hornbill Capital, boosting its valuation to $2.8 billion - a 2.5x increase from the previous round. Other backers from the investment world include Westbridge Capital, GSV Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The IPO date is yet to be announced, but indications are it will be sooner than later. Meanwhile, questions being asked by PW watchers and analysts are: Will retail and bulk investors give the public offering a thumbs up? Will the market condone last year's losses and wait for FY 25 results, and for what is projected by its founders as its highest ever EBITDA year? Will doomsayers be proved right, specifically those who contend Physics Wallah has not learnt a lesson from the errors of erstwhile peers, which went on an acquisition spree and expansion into offline centers? Doubt-solving is integral to a teacher's DNA. Likely that Alakh Sir will clarify… and list with a premium on the issue price. (The writer is a former journalist and advertising professional now serving as a communications advisor. Views expressed are his own).
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
YouTuber Khan Sir reveals why his bride covered her face at their wedding
YouTuber Khan Sir reveals why his bride covered her face at their wedding YouTuber Khan Sir 's wedding reception pictures from Patna, held earlier in June 2025, went viral. One thing caught everyone's attention: his bride had her face veiled under a red dupatta. Videos of the ceremony went viral, and netizens and followers raised questions. He is a popular educator and YouTuber with the real name Faizal Khan. He recently answered why his wife had remained veiled during the reception. In a podcast interview with ANI, Khan Sir made it clear that the ghoonghat—or the veil—was completely his wife's choice. It wasn't thrust upon him or cultural pressure. He said that she always wished as a child on her wedding day to cover her face, and she wished to be different and unique among the crowd. Although he cautioned her against it, he finally honored her decision. Photos and videos on social media validate the red bridal lehenga and heavy veil he mentioned in the interview. YouTuber Khan Sir's wedding reception in Patna The wedding reception was organized on June 2, 2025, in Patna. The event was low-key in planning, as partially because of ongoing border tensions then. High-profile attendants at the event included Bihar politician Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Alakh Pandey, CEO of Physics Wallah. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indian Stewardess Makes Headlines Worldwide medalmerit Learn More Undo Khan Sir dressed in a burgundy suit at the reception. His bride wore a traditional red lehenga with full embroidery and a matching dupatta that covered her face completely. Why the 'veil'? Khan Sir reveals Sir Khan said that 'ghoonghat' was not used for modesty or symbolism in general. Rather, he added, it had special significance to his wife. She had fantasized wearing a veil since she was a kid and wished to be different from others as the bride on her wedding day. He stressed that she had made the decision voluntarily. He stood by her, though he initially provided an alternative. He indicated in public that he honors her choice and wanted people to realize that it was a personal and cultural decision . Social media response The videos of the reception initiated widespread discussion. Some questioned the decision on social media, but most recognized it as a personal and cultural statement. During his interview, Khan Sir requested to be understood and respected for their decision, and respect for his wife's privacy during such personal moments Also read | 'I'm Elon Musk': Rare video shows the world's richest man had to spell his name to be heard AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
PhysicsWallah's Partnership with Telangana Govt to Benefit Lakhs of State Board Students
VMPL Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 17: Education company PhysicsWallah (PW) has partnered with the Department of Education, Telangana, to offer educational products worth ₹300 crore for free across academic years 2025-2029. In 2025, over 5,09,403 students appeared for the SSC (Class 10) exams and 9,96,971 students appeared for Intermediate examinations under the Telangana State Board. Based on this, PW's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telangana's Department of Education will try to benefit students enrolled in all English (Telugu + English) medium schools (Grades 9-10) and Intermediate Colleges (Grades 11-12) in the state. As part of the initiative, PhysicsWallah will deliver live classes, localised content, online educational resources (videos, articles, and exercises), and access to AI tutors that can assist with doubts on demand. For students in Classes 11 and 12, the content will be aligned with NEET and JEE preparation, while Class 9 and 10 students will have access to foundational resources to support academic performance. All sessions will be delivered in "Tinglish" (a mix of Telugu and English) to ensure accessibility for students. The program has been designed for both classroom and home use, giving students the flexibility to learn irrespective of their location. Every student will be given free access to the PW App, which can be used to watch lectures at their own pace, practice daily tests, and access the AI Tutor. Speaking about the collaboration, Prateek Maheshwari, Co-Founder of PhysicsWallah, said, "We are proud to support the Government of Telangana in attempting to make learning accessible to students preparing for milestones like NEET and JEE. This initiative is an example of our shared attempt to equity in public education." The Chief Minister's Office shared, "The decision to seek the help of noted organisations was taken in line with the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's idea of improving educational standards in the state. The state government strongly believes that partnering with India's renowned organizations will bring a revolutionary change in the education sector in the country." This partnership is an attempt to democratise education by leveraging the regional reach of the state government and technology-led educational solutions that PW can offer. Over the next four Academic Years, PW hopes the program will benefit students of Telangana, attempting to drive long-term impact in the state's public education delivery. About PhysicsWallah (PW) PhysicsWallah (PW), an education platform, was founded in 2020 by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari. Headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, PW aims to democratize education through online, offline and hybrid platforms. Initially launched as a YouTube channel in 2016, PW now offers education to students through its YouTube channels, including vernacular languages. PW aims to create a hybrid education ecosystem in the country by establishing tech-enabled offline and hybrid centres in cities nationwide. PW's offerings span various educational segments, including test preparation, a skilling vertical, higher education, and education abroad. PW has raised funding from investors, including Hornbill Capital, Lightspeed Ventures, Westbridge and GSV Ventures.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
PhysicsWallah to provide Rs 300 crore learning tools in Telangana
Ed-tech platform PhysicsWallah has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Education of Telangana to offer educational products worth Rs 300 crore across the academic years 2025–2029. As part of the initiative, PhysicsWallah will deliver live classes, localised content, online educational resources including videos, articles and exercises, and access to AI tutors that can assist with doubts. According to the company, the partnership will benefit students from Grades 9–12 in the state. For students in Classes 11 and 12, the content will be aligned with NEET and JEE preparation, while Class 9 and 10 students will have access to foundational resources to support academic performance, the company said in a statement. In 2025, over 5 lakh (5,09,403) students appeared for the Class 10 exams and nearly 10 lakh (9,96,971) students appeared for intermediate examinations under the Telangana State Board. Speaking about the collaboration, Prateek Maheshwari, Co-founder of PhysicsWallah, said, 'We are proud to support the Government of Telangana in attempting to make learning accessible to students preparing for milestones like NEET and JEE. This initiative is an example of our shared attempt to equity in public education.' A statement from the Chief Minister's Office read, 'The decision to seek the help of noted organisations was taken in line with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's idea of improving educational standards in the state. The state government strongly believes that partnering with India's renowned organisations will bring a revolutionary change in the education sector in the country.'
