Personal Life
Alakh Pandey was born on 2nd October 1991. He is widely known as Physics Wallah and was born in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh. Alakh’s father was a contractor, and his mother was a school teacher, so he was brought up in a middle-class family. As a child, Alakh faced hardships, which made him determined to succeed in life since his family didn’t have much money. In school, Alakh went to Bishop Johnson School in Prayagraj. Alakh was consistently at the top of his class throughout his school years and received special recognition for his outstanding performance in science and mathematics. Alakh also took on tutor roles to help improve his family’s finances when he reached class 8. This experience shaped his perspective on education and prepared him for a bright future in teaching.
Educational Path and Change of Direction
Alakh Pandey aimed to become an engineer and wanted to clear the IIT entrance exam. He later joined the mechanical engineering branch at Harcourt Butler Technological University (HBTU), Kanpur. His education came at a steep cost, which strained his family’s finances so severely that they had to sell their home to cover the college expenses. This adversity profoundly shaped Alakh and inspired him to find solutions that would democratize education for others. During college, Alakh developed a strong passion for acting, television, and drama and actively participated in college theatre and other cultural programs. This later translated into his performance-based teaching pedagogy. Along with his academic prowess, Alakh was drawn to the broken conventional education system and began to feel the urge to teach professionally. In the third year, he made the audacious decision to drop out of college, which led him back to Prayagraj, where he began teaching at various coaching institutes and providing home tuition.
The Birth of Physics Wallah
Alakh Pandey founded Physics Wallah in 2016 when he started a YouTube channel to educate students on various topics related to different branches of science. To kickstart his channel, he only needed a smartphone, a tripod, a whiteboard, and a few markers. Physics and its complex concepts, especially the ones that appear in JEE and NEET exams, were taught in a very easy-to-digest manner. He blended humour with education, drawing on a detailed understanding of his audience, including their psychology, which enabled him to capture their attention easily. Teaching elucidated concepts by using instances from the day-to-day lives of his audience through stories that were interesting and full of energy was his forte. In his initial days, while he did not have a large viewer base and received few views, he attempted to help students who could not afford expensive tuition classes. Capturing the attention of ICSE board students was his first step towards gaining 10,000 subscribers, which helped in improving his skill set. The channel’s growth skyrocketed. His videos were going viral, and he was gaining attention. That authenticity that Alakh exhibited helped Physics Wallah become known throughout the country. Developing an EdTech Empire
With the growth of his YouTube channel Physics Wallah, Alakh saw the opportunity for a broader reach. He hired a lecturer in 2019 and released courses for the JEE and NEET exams. In 2020, Prateek Maheshwari partnered with Alakh to launch the Physics Wallah app, offering comprehensive courses for JEE, NEET, and other competitive exams at more affordable rates than traditional coaching centres. The app provided live and recorded lectures, additional study materials, comprehensive test series, and discussion sessions for resolving doubts. Alakh was always committed to affordability and famously promised that the price of a Physics Wallah course would never exceed ₹5000. This democratised access to quality education for millions of students, especially in smaller towns and rural regions. The organic growth of the platform was remarkable, as it relied on student testimonials and word-of-mouth marketing rather than expensive advertising campaigns.
Physics Wallah’s growth wasn’t limited to digital platforms. The company opened its first offline centre, Vidyapeeth, in Kota, Rajasthan, a city famous for its competitive exam preparation, in 2022. This development launched a hybrid model which integrated both online and offline learning approaches. As of November 2023, Physics Wallah expanded to 67 offline centres across 34 cities in India, further widening their reach. The company also expanded to offer courses for the UPSC, SSC, banking, and state-level exams, as well as foundation courses for students in grades 6 to 12. The teaching faculty increased drastically since many of the top educators were Alakh Pandey’s former students, which demonstrated his dedication to developing local talent.
Achievements and Recognition
In 2022, Physics Wallah’s astonishing growth led to it becoming India’s first profitable EdTech unicorn after receiving $100 million from WestBridge Capital and GSV Ventures, achieving a valuation of over $1 billion. The company continued to grow, reaching a valuation of $2.8 billion by 2024. By early 2025, the app had surpassed 10 million downloads, and the YouTube channel had over 13 million subscribers. Alakh Pandey’s impact on the education industry has placed him on the 2024 Hurun List of top young entrepreneurs under 35. He has been featured in multiple news and business magazines, which motivates aspiring educators and entrepreneurs.
Issues and Disputes
Physics Wallah has achieved remarkable success, but the company also faced challenges. Laid off approximately 150 workers in 2023, the company sought to reshape the image of EdTech firms struggling within a crowded industry. Alongside unrelenting competition from BYJU’S and Unacademy, the company has faced blistering competition from other EdTech firms. It is reported that Alakh Pandey turned down a rival company’s offer of ₹75 crore because it contradicted his vision of providing affordable education. In 2024, Alakh filed a petition to the Supreme Court of India, advocating for greater transparency in the examination system for students, which showcased his commitment to student well-being and educational reform.
Sincere, Impactful Philosophy: Alakh Pandey’s Business Philosophy
For Alakh Pandey, education is a right that should be accessible to everyone and not a privilege reserved for the fortunate few. He actively supports policies to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on educational materials and resources while also advocating for increased funding for education. He teaches by ensuring that students grasp essential concepts and application techniques while also utilising technology to bridge the educational divide. Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds have come to rely on Physics Wallah, as it allows them to prepare for competitive examinations and receive academic guidance. The company has grown organically and profitably, distinguishing itself in the competitive EdTech sector. This demonstrates that a mission-driven approach can succeed in a highly competitive environment.
Personal Life and Principles
Alakh Pandey is noted for his dedication and commitment to teaching. In early 2023, he married his long-time partner, Shivani Dubey, who had always supported him. Even after attaining success and wealth, Alakh continues to live a modest lifestyle and remains actively involved in teaching and mentoring. He can be found on various emerging social media platforms, creating motivational videos and addressing students’ queries. His students not only love his expressive teaching style, which has been nurtured by his passion for acting and drama, but are also motivated to excel under his guidance.
Notable Events in His Life and Contributions
Alakh Pandey’s life journey is truly extraordinary. Out of necessity, he began teaching to help support his family’s finances, which brought a deeper meaning to his life after he realised the sacrifices his family had made by selling their house to support his college education. Fueled by deeply rooted principles of social justice and a commitment to serving the underprivileged, he continued to work towards providing affordable education for all. He dropped out of his engineering college because it offered him ₹5,000 per month, which was a significant amount at the time, and teaching was more closely aligned with his values. Physics Wallah became India’s first EdTech Unicorn profitably and the first ever without a lavish marketing budget, spending zero on advertisements and earning the faith and loyalty of the student community. Alakh was added to the Hurun List of Young Entrepreneurs under 35 in 2024 and has also kept his promise of never exceeding the ₹5,000 price mark for Physics Wallah’s courses. Numerous top-tier teachers on the platform were previously among his pupils, and he has gained so much fame that he was able to file a petition in the Supreme Court seeking transparency in national examinations. Notably, despite his success, he has chosen to dedicate his life to improving the standards and accessibility of education. Latest Updates and Additional Information
Physics Wallah submitted a confidential $530 million IPO application in March 2025, indicating plans for further innovation and expansion within the education sector. The organisation has consistently optimised product launches, increased its offline presence, and pursued international expansion. Artificial Intelligence, along with cutting-edge technologies, stands to enable an even greater reduction in the learning gap, something that Alakh Pandey envisions as part of the future. He remains focused on the primary goal of transforming education through the use of AI and technology to empower future learners.
Final Words
The story of Alakh Pandey showcases the relentless zeal and undeniable vision that fuels dreams of transforming societies. This story embodies the transformative potential of education blended with technology, motivating countless learners and educators in India and around the world. Alakh Pandey’s name will forever be etched in the hearts of India’s visionary educators and entrepreneurs, who stand as evidence of the immense possibilities that come with chasing dreams fueled by unwavering dedication and intention.
Alakh Pandey (Physics Wallah): At a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alakh Pandey |
| Popular As | Physics Wallah |
| Date of Birth | October 2, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Family Background | Father: Contractor; Mother: School Teacher; Faced early financial challenges |
| Early Education | Began tutoring in class 8 to support the family |
| Early Responsibilities | Mechanical Engineering at HBTU, Kanpur; dropped out in the third year |
| College | Gained the first 10,000 subscribers by targeting ICSE students |
| Turning Point | Taught at local coaching centres and home tuitions after dropping out |
| Teaching Start | The family sold the house for college fees, developed an interest in acting and teaching |
| YouTube Channel Launch | Started Physics Wallah in 2016 with minimal resources |
| Unique Approach | Simplified concepts, engaging style, focused on affordable and accessible education |
| First Major Milestone | Launched the Physics Wallah app in 2020 with Prateek Maheshwari |
| App Launch | Featured in the Hurun List of top young entrepreneurs under 35 in 2024 |
| Courses Offered | JEE, NEET, UPSC, SSC, Banking, State Exams, Foundation (Classes 6-12) |
| Offline Expansion | Opened first centre in Kota in 2022; 67 centres in 34 cities by 2023 |
| Student Reach | Over 13 million YouTube subscribers; 10 million+ app downloads by 2025 |
| Business Model | Affordable courses (under ₹5,000), organic growth, minimal marketing |
| Valuation | Became India’s first profitable EdTech unicorn in 2022; valued at $2.8 billion by 2024 |
| Major Recognition | The family sold the house for education; started teaching young; many top teachers were his students; lived simply |
| Challenges | Faced layoffs (2023), tough competition, rejected ₹75 crore offer, filed Supreme Court plea for exam reform |
| Personal Life | Married Shivani Dubey in February 2023; known for humility and student focus |
| Interesting Facts | Inspired millions, transformed affordable education, and remains a hands-on educator and visionary leader |
| Recent Developments | Filed for $530 million IPO in March 2025; expanding offline and internationally; investing in AI for education |
| Legacy | The family sold house for education; started teaching young; many top teachers were his students; lived simply |
Read: Vikas Divyakirti: The Visionary Who Empowered a Generation of Civil Service Aspirants