Tag: Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah Franchise: Cost, Requirements, Profit & Application Process (A Complete Guide)

Physics Wallah, most popularly known as PW, has become a familiar name in India’s EdTech domain. It all started in 2016 as a YouTube channel by Alakh Pandey, sharing physics lessons, and has today grown into a unicorn company. These days, millions of students now rely on PW for preparation across exams like JEE, NEET, UPSC, and even school-level boards.

The success of these centres has caught the attention of many entrepreneurs who see not just a business opportunity, but a chance to make a real difference in students’ lives. In this article, we break down everything you need to know, from how much it costs to invest in potential returns, partnership options, and the exact process to apply, so you can decide whether joining the Physics Wallah network is the right move for you.

About Physics Wallah
How does the Physics Wallah Partnership Model Work?
Eligibility Criteria for PW Vidyapeeth Partnership
Space and Location Requirements
Physics Wallah Franchise Cost
Documents Required for PW Vidyapeeth Application
How to Start Your PW Vidyapeeth Center?
Alternative Ways to Partner with Physics Wallah
Market Potential and Growth
Earning Potential and ROI of a PW Vidyapeeth Center

About Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah began in 2016 when Alakh Pandey started sharing free physics tutorials on YouTube. His simple, no-nonsense teaching style, relatable examples, and focus on affordable education quickly struck a chord with students across India. Today, PW has evolved into a full-fledged EdTech platform, offering a wide range of courses through its app and website, including:

JEE and NEET preparation
UPSC and government exam coaching
School-level classes (Class 6–12)
Professional skill development via PW Skills

To complement its online offerings, PW also launched PW Vidyapeeth centers, offline classrooms designed to bring structured learning to students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. These centers follow a hybrid model, combining online resources with in-person teaching to provide a comprehensive learning experience.

How does the Physics Wallah Partnership Model Work?

Physics Wallah doesn’t follow the traditional franchise system seen in restaurants or retail. Instead, it operates PW Vidyapeeth centers through a partnership model.

This system allows selected partners to run a center under the PW brand, while the company retains control over crucial aspects such as:

Curriculum and teaching quality
Fee structure and pricing
Faculty recruitment and training
Overall student experience

By maintaining these standards, PW ensures that every Vidyapeeth center delivers a consistent, affordable, and high-quality learning experience to students across India.

Eligibility Criteria for PW Vidyapeeth Partnership

If you are considering a PW Vidyapeeth partnership, here are the key requirements to keep in mind:

Educational Background: Graduate or Postgraduate. A background in teaching or education is an added advantage.
Financial Capacity: Investment capability of INR 1–1.5 crore or more.
Space Requirement: Minimum 5,000–8,000 sq. ft. of space with easy accessibility for students.
Experience: Prior experience in education, coaching, or management is preferred.
Commitment: A strong alignment with PW’s mission of delivering affordable, high-quality education to all students.

Meeting these criteria ensures that your center can maintain the standards and quality associated with the Physics Wallah brand.

Space and Location Requirements

Setting up a PW Vidyapeeth center requires careful consideration of space and location to ensure a smooth learning experience for students. Here’s what you need:

Minimum Area: 5,000–8,000 sq. ft. to accommodate classrooms and other facilities.
Prime Location: A spot with good visibility and easy accessibility for students.
Functional Layout: Space for classrooms, reception, counselling rooms, and staff areas.
Property Ownership: Can be either owned or rented, but proper agreements must be in place.

The center should ideally be located in a student-friendly area, such as near schools, colleges, or existing coaching hubs. Additionally, PW may require adherence to specific branding and interior design standards to maintain consistency across all Vidyapeeth centers.

Physics Wallah Franchise Cost

The total investment to start a PW Vidyapeeth center can vary based on factors like location, size, and scale of operations. Here’s an estimated breakdown of the costs involved:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost (INR)
Partnership Fee	5–15 lakhs
Infrastructure Setup	10–20 lakhs
Equipment & Interiors	5–10 lakhs
Marketing & Branding	2–5 lakhs
Working Capital	5–10 lakhs
Total Investment	20–50 lakhs

Physics Wallah offers a more affordable and scalable model as compared to other leading coaching brands like Aakash or Allen, which often require investments of INR 1 –2 crore or more. This makes it especially suitable for entrepreneurs looking to establish centers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities while maintaining high-quality education standards.

Documents Required for PW Vidyapeeth Application

To apply for a PW Vidyapeeth partnership, you will need to submit the following documents:

Personal Documents:

Aadhaar or PAN Card
Passport-sized photographs
Updated resume or profile

Business & Financial Documents:

Proof of investment (bank statement or ITR)
Business registration papers (if applying through an institution)
GST or other tax-related documents

Property Documents:

Ownership or lease agreement for the premises
NOC from the landlord (if the property is rented)
Layout plan of the center

Having all these documents ready will streamline your application and improve your chances of getting approval.

How to Start Your PW Vidyapeeth Center?

Opening a PW Vidyapeeth center is a structured process that ensures consistency and quality across all locations. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Fill Out the Application Form

Begin by completing the official PW Vidyapeeth application. You’ll need to provide:

Personal and contact details
Educational and professional background
Investment capability
Proposed site and property information

Submit Your Proposal

Once submitted, PW’s team reviews your application. If your profile meets their criteria, they’ll reach out to discuss the next steps.

Site Visit and Assessment

PW may send a team to inspect your suggested location to ensure it’s suitable for a coaching center in terms of space, accessibility, and student-friendliness.

Partnership Agreement and Onboarding

Approved candidates sign a partnership agreement outlining roles, responsibilities, and revenue-sharing terms.

Setup and Training

PW supports you in:

Infrastructure setup
Branding and interior design
Hiring and training faculty
Integrating the curriculum
Implementing technology and operational systems

Launch and Operations

After preparation, your center is ready to go live. PW assists with marketing campaigns and student enrollment during the launch phase.

Alternative Ways to Partner with Physics Wallah

If a full Vidyapeeth center isn’t feasible, there are other collaboration options:

PW Partner Program: Work with schools or coaching institutes to include PW’s online classes in their curriculum.
PW Skills: Offer professional courses in coding, IT, or soft skills as a trainer, reseller, or center partner.
Instructor/Educator: Join existing PW centers as a teacher, ideal for experienced educators in science, math, or competitive exams.
Affiliate/Reseller: Promote PW’s online courses and earn commissions through affiliate marketing.

Market Potential and Growth

India’s education industry is booming, creating ample opportunity for PW partners:

The EdTech market is projected to reach $10.4 billion by 2025 JEE and NEET coaching alone is valued at over INR 58,000 crore
Hybrid learning models combining online and offline education are becoming the norm

Physics Wallah’s focus on quality and affordability, particularly in underserved cities, positions it as a strong choice for long-term investment in the education sector.

Earning Potential and ROI of a PW Vidyapeeth Center

Operating a PW Vidyapeeth center can be a highly rewarding venture for education entrepreneurs. On average, partners can expect a profit margin of 30% to 50%, depending on the location, size, and student enrollment. The return on investment (ROI) is typically achieved within 1.5 to 3 years, making it a relatively quick and sustainable way to build a profitable education business.

With the support of PW’s established brand, ready-to-use curriculum, faculty training, and marketing assistance, partners can focus on growing their student base while ensuring a consistent, high-quality learning experience. This combination of structured guidance and strong revenue potential makes the PW Vidyapeeth partnership an attractive opportunity for those looking to make an impact in India’s booming EdTech sector.

Conclusion

Physics Wallah has changed the way students in India learn, making quality education affordable and accessible. While it doesn’t follow the traditional franchise model, the PW Vidyapeeth partnership gives educators and entrepreneurs a chance to be part of this mission. With the right investment, location, and dedication, you can help bring top-quality learning to students across the country.

So, what are you waiting for? Apply now and start your journey with Physics Wallah!

FAQs

What is Physics Wallah and how did it start?

Physics Wallah (PW) is a leading EdTech platform in India, founded in 2016 by Alakh Pandey. It began as a YouTube channel offering free physics lessons and has since grown into a unicorn company.

What is a PW Vidyapeeth center?

PW Vidyapeeth centers are offline coaching centers that follow a hybrid learning model. They combine online resources from PW with in-person teaching to deliver high-quality, affordable education, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

How much does it cost to start a PW Vidyapeeth center?

Estimated investment for a PW Vidyapeeth center is INR 20–50 lakhs, including partnership fees, infrastructure, interiors, equipment, marketing, and working capital.

September 25, 2025

Physics Wallah: How a YouTube Channel Turned into a Unicorn EdTech Startup

Technological growth and affordable equipment have devised a new scheme of learning in this modern world. They have refreshed our education system and made learning easy, simple, and interesting. This change in the system seems so quick that, shortly, students might no longer carry books and will have the option to learn from anywhere, anytime.

The shift toward digital education has boosted the process of upgrading learning methods. Following this shift, many EdTech startups have been started in the past couple of years. With perfect execution and quality content, these startups have a bright and secure future.

Physics Wallah (PW) is one of the many startups that flourished during this transition. The passion for teaching has pushed the founder to start a YouTube channel that has today become the 101st Unicorn of India. The story of Physics Wallah and its founder, Alakh Pandey, is very inspiring. The valuation of Physics Wallah as of December 2024 is $2.8 billion.

The below article portrays Physics Wallah’s success story, its founders, its history, its journey to becoming one of the top edtech startups in India, its growth, funding, business model, IPO, revenue, challenges, and how it turned into a unicorn despite the challenges.

Physics Wallah Highlights

Company Name	Physics Wallah
Headquarters	Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Industry	EdTech
Founders	Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari
Founded	2016
Valuation	$2.8 billion (December 2024)
Website	pw.live

Physics Wallah – About

Physics Wallah is an EdTech startup founded in 2014 by Alakh Pandey. It is an e-learning platform that offers quality learning experiences at an affordable cost. This startup provides lectures and solutions on various subjects for students between classes 6 and 12, including JEE, NEET, and various other entrance exams. Physics Wallah presents both live and scheduled lectures, along with doubt-solving sessions and structured materials, and helps students evaluate themselves through tests.

Started as a YouTube channel, Physics Wallah, as of today, has mentored over 6 million students and has over 13,700 video lectures on its platform. Offering both free and paid batches, Physics Wallah has gained the reputation of lakhs of students through experienced and quality coaching.

Physics Wallah – Industry

The Physics Wallah belongs to the EdTech industry. The EdTech industry’s growth in India can be narrowed down to the past decade. Their growth has been too rapid in recent years. Statistics reveal that between 2014 and 2019, around 4,450 EdTech startups have sprouted in the country. The current size of the EdTech market was valued at $5.13 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 19% during 2023-2028.

The funding and other investments in these startups have increased 32 times in the past decade. The EdTech industry will replace offline learning in the long run. But experts and VCs say that, for a decade or at least two, the omnichannel way of learning (both online and offline) will hold the crown.

Physics Wallah – Founders and Team

Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari are the founders of Physics Wallah.

Alakh Pandey

Alakh Pandey is the founder and CEO of Physics Wallah. He was born on October 2, 1991, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Pandey has always had a love for teaching since his school days. He wanted to be an IITian but couldn’t clear his entrance exam. Pandey was also a college dropout and started his career as a physics teacher at a coaching institute. He wanted to give the best learning experience to students at an affordable cost.

Prateek Maheshwari

Prateek Maheshwari is the co-founder of Physics Wallah. He graduated with a bachelor’s in technology from IIT Varanasi. Before joining hands with Alakh Pandey for PW, Prateek Maheshwari was a founder at NightPanda, Moon2Noon, PenPencil,, and Edu4All. His experience as a founder proved to be a great pillar of support for Physics Wallah.

Physics Wallah – Startup Story

After dropping out of college, Alakh Pandey’s love for teaching pulled him toward a coaching institute in Allahabad. There, he groomed himself as a teacher. His style of teaching received a huge reception, and the physics he taught was loved by everyone. So, with the idea of reaching more students, Alakh Pandey started a YouTube channel named ‘Physics Wallah’ in 2016. This is where the seed for PW was sown and the startup started to germinate.

Physics Wallah – Mission and Vision

Physics Wallah’s vision is to provide “education for all, regardless of their socio-economic status.” The company wants to provide affordable education for all students. It believes that education has the power to change anything and everything. This is the motto with which Physics Wallah is marching forward.

Physics Wallah – Name and Logo

Physics Wallah Logo

Alakh Pandey’s popular physics classes were the reason for the name ‘Physics Wallah’. He named his YouTube channel after the said reason in 2016. Later, ‘Physics Wallah’ became his brand identity and stayed as the name of the startup.

Physics Wallah – Business and Revenue Model

Physics Wallah’s business is to offer lectures and train students in various classes, either online, offline, or both. It also provides coaching for national-level entrance exams for students.

Paid Courses and subscriptions

Physics Wallah makes revenue from top-rated courses and subscriptions from university students who have subscribed to individualized learning experiences.

YouTube Ads

Physics Wallah makes revenue from YouTube ads.

Advertisement Revenue

Through the use of advertisements on its platform, Physics Wallah makes money.

Products Sales

To make extra money and advertise their business among students, Physics Wallah promotes branded items like T-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories.

Physics Wallah – Funding and Investors

Established in 2014, Physics Wallah was bootstrapped until 2022 after its inception as a YouTube channel. Alakh Pandey used his revenue from YouTube to register the company and develop the PW app in 2020.

Physics Wallah (PW) secured $210 million in a Series B funding round on 20 September 2024, led by Hornbill Capital, along with Lightspeed Venture Partners, GSV, and WestBridge. This new investment increased PW’s post-money valuation to $2.8 billion, marking a 2.5X surge from its previous $1.1 billion valuation when it raised $100 million in its Series A round.

The startup went through Series A funding on June 7, 2022, and received $100 million from Westbridge Capital and GSV Ventures. This maiden funding round made Physics Wallah a unicorn, and its valuation reached $1.1 billion post-funding.

Date	Stage	Amount	Investors
September 2024	Series B	$210 million	Hornbill Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Westbridge Capital and GSV Ventures
June 2022	Series A	$100 million	Westbridge Capital and GSV Ventures

Physics Wallah – Shareholding

Here is Physics Wallah’s shareholding pattern as of Dec 2024, sourced from Tracxn:

Name	Pre Round Holding %	Post Round Holding %	Increase in Share Capital	Post-Round Cumulative Investment	Shares Bought/Allocated	Post-Round Total #Shares
Alakh Pandey	38.7%	38.6%	–	–	–	30,000,000
Prateek Maheshwari	38.7%	38.6%	–	–	–	30,000,000
WestBridge Capital	6.5%	6.5%	–	601.6Cr	–	5,015,785
Hornbill Capital	2.9%	2.9%	–	671.4Cr	–	2,213,836
GSV Ventures	2.1%	2.1%	–	194.4Cr	–	1,666,667
Lightspeed Venture Partners	1.8%	1.8%	–	419.7Cr	–	1,383,648
Setu Aif Trust	0.7%	0.7%	–	171.5Cr	–	565,347
Other People	0.2%	0.3%	30.7Cr	–	101,200	247,206
Vivek Gaur	–	< 0.1%	15Cr	–	49,587	49,587
Manish Sharma	–	< 0.1%	13.3Cr	–	43,794	43,794
Anurag Pareek	–	< 0.1%	2.4Cr	–	7,819	7,819
Sumit Rewri	0.1%	0.1%	–	–	–	98,331
Gopal Lal Sharma	< 0.1%	< 0.1%	–	–	–	47,675
ESOP Pool	8.4%	8.4%	–	41.7L	–	6,520,661
Total	100.0%	100.0%	30.7Cr	2,058.9Cr	101,200	77,613,150

Physics Wallah – IPO

Physics Wallah, the edtech unicorn founded by Alakh Pandey, is preparing for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2025. The company has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), aiming to raise approximately INR 3,820 crore (around $460 million USD). This amount includes a fresh issue of equity shares worth INR 3,100 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of INR 720 crore by the company’s co-founders.

To manage the IPO process, Physics Wallah has shortlisted four investment banks: Axis Capital, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan. The company plans to utilize the funds raised for expanding its offline and hybrid centers, investing in subsidiaries like Xylem and Utkarsh, enhancing its technology infrastructure, and covering marketing expenses.

Physics Wallah – Growth

Despite a slow start in the first year, Pandey quit his job at the coaching center in 2017 to turn into a full-time YouTuber. The channel started slowly picking up,, and by 2019, it had 2 million subscribers. When the country entered lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for Physics Wallah grew higher and higher.

As a result, Alakh Pandey decided to expand his platform and started an application for online lectures. The startup also provides both offline and online classes for students under the name PW Pathshala. Today, more than 60 lakh students have learned from Physics Wallah. This startup has 16 PW Pathshala centers and 1,500 staff, of which 300 are teachers. It aims at providing the best learning experience for students.

Physics Wallah has forayed into the offline space, according to reports dated June 20, 2022, when it launched its first offline learning center called PW Vidyapeeth in Kota, Rajasthan.

Kota is famous for housing coaching centers for the preparation of medical and engineering students. PhysicsWallah’s offline center is also designed in much the same way and will be enrolling 11th and 12th-grade students who are planning to prepare for their JEE and NEET exams. The unicorn ed-tech startup revealed that the student-teacher ratio of each class will be 125:1.

Physics Wallah now has 10 million plus students, 31300 plus video lectures with 2500 plus mock tests, and 8 lakh plus questions.

Physics Wallah launched the School of Startups, setting INR 100 crore ($11.9 million) fund to back the startups on 22 August 2024. To help budding entrepreneurs turn their ideas into profitable businesses, the initiative offers a wide range of resources, including affordable programs, hands-on training, strategic mentoring, and access to funding.

Aarambh, Prarambh, and Hopes Alive are the three separate programs that PW SOS provides, and they are all designed to help entrepreneurs at different points in their journeys.

Physics Wallah Financials

In FY25, Physics Wallah reported an operating revenue of INR 2,887 crore with total expenses of INR 3,265 crore, resulting in a loss of INR 243 crore. In comparison, FY24 saw revenue of INR 1,941 crore against expenses of INR 3,279 crore, leading to a loss of INR 1,131 crore.

Despite the losses, the company has shown significant revenue growth year-on-year, reflecting strong demand for its edtech services. The improved financial performance ahead of its IPO highlights investor confidence in Physics Wallah’s expansion and future potential.

Physics Wallah Financials	FY25	FY24
Operating Revenue	INR 2,887 crore	INR 1,941 crore
Total Expenses	INR 3,265 crore	INR 3,279 crore
Profit/Loss	Loss of INR 243 crore	Loss of INR 1,131 crore

Key Highlights:

Revenue Growth: Operating revenue surged by 49% year-on-year, driven by strong performance in both online and offline coaching segments.
Expense Management: Total expenses remained relatively flat, increasing by just 0.4%, despite significant investments in expanding offline centers and faculty.
Profitability Improvement: Losses narrowed by 78%, from INR 1,131 crore in FY24 to INR 243 crore in FY25, reflecting improved operational efficiency and scale.
Employee Costs: The company spent INR 1,426 crore on salaries, accounting for approximately 44% of total expenses, supporting a workforce of over 15,000 employees.
Offline Expansion: The average revenue per offline user increased to INR 40,405, indicating the success of its hybrid education model.

Physics Wallah – Products and Features

The company has launched various courses to date. The launch of the Physics Wallah Fund on 20 September 2023, was in partnership with a peer-to-peer lending platform, Rang De.

Some of the courses launched are:

Courses	About
Institute of Innovation (PW IOI)	It is a four-year residential computer science and artificial intelligence curriculum launched on July, 31 2023
Offline centre PWOnlyIAS	PW OnlyIAS is for preparing for the UPSC exam and was launched on May 9, 2023
Launches Innovative One-Stop NEET PG/NExT Learning Solution	It’s National Eligibility Cumulative Entrance Test–Postgraduate (NEET PG/NExT) preparation with the release of the MedEd app and website. The launch date was in April, 2023.
MPSC preparation courses	It helps with the preparation of MPSC Maharashtra Public Service Commission entrance exam and was launched in February, 2023.
Launches 50 Vidyapeeth Centers	It is an offline classroom with technology integration that provides comprehensive instruction at a low cost with the best instructors in India and was launched on May, 1, 2023
Launch “Physics Wallah Fund” in partnership with Rang de	The goal of this partnership launch on September, 20,2023 is to address the need for easily accessible and reasonably priced student loans so that students can obtain high-quality, industry-relevant education.
Integrated programme for JEE, NEET preparation	This launch is to provide students of tier 3 and tier 4 cities in India for JEE, NEET examination coaching.

Physics Wallah – Acquisition

Physics Wallah’s latest acquisition is Xylem Learning (a test-taking aid that helps you get ready for the NEET UG medical entrance exam) on June 19, 2023.

Company Name	Date	Price
Xylem Learning	Jun 19, 2023	$60.11 million
Knowledge Planet	Mar 20, 2023	–
iNeuron.ai	Jan 18, 2023	$30.057 million
PrepOnline	Oct 13, 2022	–
Altis Vortex	Oct 13, 2022	–
FreeCo	Aug 17, 2022	–

Physics Wallah – Investment

Physics Wallah invested in one company, iNeuron.ai (a well-known training center for data science, machine learning, and deep learning), on December 22, 2022, with a secondary market funding round for iNeuron.ai.

Physics Wallah – Layoff

On November 19, 2023, PhysicsWallah (PW) announced the first round of layoffs at the edtech startup, terminating between 120 and 150 workers.

Workers from operations, content, and other departments were invited to sporadic meetings without providing a clear explanation. The number of workers affected may even be higher, according to a source who asked to remain anonymous.

Physics Wallah – Challenges Faced

During the launch of the Physics Wallah app in May 2020, the app crashed due to heavy traffic. The sudden hit of more than 2 lakh students into the app created this crash. As the web traffic continued, it took weeks for the technical glitch to be fixed. Alakh Pandey was afraid that the students might feel cheated as they had paid for the classes. But the reputation he had earned over the years made the students trust him and come back once everything was fixed.

The next challenge arose in 2021 when rivals started throwing stones at the company. Unacademy offered Rs 75 crore to Alakh Pandey, which he immediately refused. Then the rivals started poaching the PW staff, and a lot of them left the company within a short period. Then, with the support of students and his never-give-up attitude, Pandey came back strong and took the company to a Unicorn status following Byju’s, Unacademy, Vedantu and a few more in the EdTech industry.

Physics Wallah – Future Plans

Physics Wallah plans to open more offline centers and introduce more courses while also enhancing its online platform. Also, the company plans to expand its content to nine vernacular Indian languages like Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and a few more. This would expand the student base of Physics Wallah, which could be estimated at around 250 million by 2025.

Physics Wallah is set to focus on inorganic expansion by entering the K-12 formal education sector, improving its content and publication services, and exploring mergers with community-driven educational platforms across various categories.

FAQs

What is Physics Wallah?

Physics Wallah is an e-learning platform that offers quality lectures and learning experiences for students at an affordable cost.

How did Physics Wallah start?

Physics Wallah started in 2016 when Alakh Pandey began teaching physics on YouTube, offering affordable online classes. It later grew into a full edtech platform with courses, apps, and offline centers.

Physics Wallah started in which year?

Physics Wallah was founded in 2014.

Who are the founders of Physics Wallah?

Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari are the founders of Physics Wallah.

What is the valuation of the Physics Wallah?

PhysicsWallah valuation is $2.8 billion as of September 2024.

Who are the investors in Physics Wallah?

Hornbill Capital, Westbridge Capital, and GSV Ventures are the two investors in the company.

How Physics Wallah become unicorn?

Physics Wallah became a unicorn in June 2022 after raising $100 million in its first funding round led by WestBridge Capital and GSV Ventures, valuing it at $1.1 billion.

September 18, 2025

Physics Wallah Business Model | How Physics Wallah Makes Money

Physics Wallah, known as PW, is recognizable to anyone familiar with India’s formerly thriving (but now reorienting) EdTech businesses. There are a lot of big companies in the EdTech industry that are worth a lot more than this young company. Many of them raised billions of dollars from venture capitalists, but the funding dried up quickly due to massive burnout. When the EdTech industry was going through a bad phase, Physics Wallah achieved the unprecedented feat of turning a profit in FY21 and FY22, proving that aggressive selling and high-octane promises could not create sustainable businesses during the funding dip.

About Physics Wallah

Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari launched Physics Wallah in 2014. It’s an educational technology firm that provides high-quality, reasonably priced online education to students from 6th to 12th grade. Offering live and planned lessons, question-solving sessions, organized materials, and tests for self-evaluation, they cover JEE, NEET, and other exams. Over six million students have benefited from Physics Wallah’s YouTube channel. With its headquarters located in Delhi NCR, Physics Wallah has 13,700 video lectures, some of which are free and others of which cost money. The firm has won the confidence of numerous pupils due to its knowledgeable and high-quality tutoring.

Physics Wallah Business Model

The business model of Physics Wallah is to provide guidance and education to students in an online, offline, or hybrid format. Additionally, they earn a living by providing tutoring for entrance tests at the national level. Localizing instruction, particularly for students interested in regional languages, became obvious to PW following the early success of NCERTWallah. As a result, multilingual YouTube channels like TeleguWallah, PW Gujarati, and PW Bangla were created to assist students in grades K-12 and those preparing for the IIT-JEE/NEET. Physics Wallah now has 81 channels on YouTube, covering 12 regional languages. The total number of subscribers is over 36 million, and the count of daily active users (DAU) is quickly approaching 2.1 million. While most of Physics Wallah’s content is free to access, there are some premium courses available for a fee. Additional practice materials, question and answer sessions, and thorough topic coverage are common premium features of these courses.

How Does Physics Wallah Make Money

Physics Wallah generates revenue by providing students with premium courses and subscriptions that allow for personalized learning. They supplement their income from internet content by earning from YouTube advertisements. On top of that, it monetizes its platform by displaying advertisements. Physics Wallah can continue offering its services thanks to the advertising revenue it receives from companies. In addition to their main source of income, Physics Wallah can supplement it by selling branded merchandise such as T-shirts and accessories. In exchange for a commission on sales generated through its referral links, it also collaborates with companies or publishers to promote appropriate products or services to its user base.

Physics Wallah Financials

Physics Wallah Financials	FY25	FY24
Operating Revenue	INR 2,887 crore	INR 1,941 crore
Total Expenses	INR 3,265 crore	INR 3,279 crore
Profit/Loss	Loss of INR 243 crore	Loss of INR 1,131 crore

Key Highlights:

Revenue Growth: Operating revenue surged by 49% year-on-year, driven by strong performance in both online and offline coaching segments.
Expense Management: Total expenses remained relatively flat, increasing by just 0.4%, despite significant investments in expanding offline centers and faculty.
Profitability Improvement: Losses narrowed by 78%, from INR 1,131 crore in FY24 to INR 243 crore in FY25, reflecting improved operational efficiency and scale.
Employee Costs: The company spent INR 1,426 crore on salaries, accounting for approximately 44% of total expenses, supporting a workforce of over 15,000 employees.
Offline Expansion: The average revenue per offline user increased to INR 40,405, indicating the success of its hybrid education model.

USP of Physics Wallah

Students from tier-2 and tier-3 cities are particularly drawn to PW, as they face significant challenges in terms of accessibility and affordability when trying to pursue their education. Even while PW’s larger competitors have been offering discounts, price cuts, and courses in additional regional languages continually, they have been unable to attract this audience. PW provided students with free education on YouTube, while the other giants sold tablets and expensive courses. For the third year running, EdTech unicorn Physics Wallah (PW) has maintained a profit in FY23.

SWOT Analysis of Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah Strengths

Physics Wallah takes great satisfaction in providing students with fascinating and well-organized content, guaranteeing that they will receive an excellent education.
Physics Wallah helps students from all walks of life connect by offering content in regional languages, ensuring that everyone has equal access to high-quality education.
By removing financial barriers, the freemium model expands access to quality education for all students.
Students are more actively involved and have a better learning experience with live courses and personalized doubt-solving sessions.

Physics Wallah Weakness

Physics Wallah may turn off students who are looking for a more diverse curriculum due to its singular emphasis on physics and related fields.
With Alakh Pandey as the public face and main driver behind the platform, any decrease in his involvement could hurt its success.
There is a constant need for innovation and adaptability in the EdTech market due to the intense competition.

Physics Wallah Opportunities

A more diverse student body can be attracted by broadening the curriculum to include more STEM subjects and other fields.
Collaborating with other educational institutions can bring new ideas and viewpoints, which can enhance the learning process.
Putting money into a solid infrastructure will make sure the platform can handle more users without lowering quality.

Physics Wallah Threats

International competitors pose an obvious danger to PW as the company seeks to expand in the Gulf area.
One incorrect step might be fatal for PW as its competitors closely monitor its business operations.

Conclusion

The future seems bright for Physics Wallah thanks to its unique business model, dedication to providing top-notch educational content, and fresh take on online learning. Physics Wallah can further establish itself as a pioneering force in the EdTech sphere by resolving complaints and broadening its boundaries. Physics Wallah’s constant commitment to equipping students with information positions it to influence the trajectory of education in India and abroad.

FAQs

Who is the founder of Physics Wallah?

Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari founded Physics Wallah in 2014.

What is the USP of Physics Wallah?

What is Physics Wallah valuation?

The valuation of Physics Wallah is $2.8 billion as of October 2024.

What is Physics Wallah PW revenue?

PW’s operating revenue rose to INR 2,887 crore in FY25, up from INR 1,941 crore in FY24, according to its financial reports.

What is Physics Wallah franchise cost in India?

The PW franchise cost in India would be around INR 3.3-8 Lakhs. Physics Wallah (PW) does not offer a traditional franchise model. Instead, it operates a partnership model through its PW Vidyapeeth centers.

What are Physics Wallah app features?

The Physics Wallah (PW) app offers live classes, recorded sessions, test series, sample papers, and 24/7 doubt-solving support for JEE, NEET, and Foundation exams. It also includes study material, file sharing, and a student dashboard for easy learning management.

How to get PW franchise?

Physics Wallah does not offer a traditional franchise but operates a partnership model through PW Vidyapeeth centers. Entrepreneurs can run coaching centers under the PW brand by investing INR 20–50 lakh, typically in Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities, with a space of 1,000–3,000 sq. ft. Partners receive curriculum, faculty training, marketing, and operational support. Ideal candidates are graduates or postgraduates with education or business experience and the financial capacity to invest. Applications are submitted through the official form, detailing personal, financial, and property information, after which PW’s team connects with eligible candidates.

September 17, 2025

Physics Wallah Marketing Strategy: How Engagement, Digital Courses, and Offline Learning Drive Its Success
India’s edtech industry is valued at $7.5 billion in 2024, and is projected to grow to $29 billion by 2030. One name stands out: Physics Wallah, an Indian unicorn edtech startup founded in 2016 by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari. Today, the brand is a household name among students preparing for competitive exams.

So, how has Physics Wallah stood out in an industry crowded with big players? Its USP: offering affordable, high-quality learning resources, particularly in STEM subjects.

But here’s the kicker — Physics Wallah’s marketing strategy is as clever as their teaching methods. Mixing grassroots efforts with savvy social media moves and the founder’s star power, the startup has shaken up traditional education and amassed millions of subscribers across various platforms.

Curious how they’ve pulled this off? What’s behind Physics Wallah‘s meteoric rise? Let’s find out.

Physics Wallah – Target Audience
Physics Wallah – Marketing Mix
Physics Wallah Marketing Strategy
Unique Features of Physics Wallah’s Marketing Strategies
Physics Wallah’s – Marketing Campaigns
What’s Driving Physics Wallah’s Marketing Success?

Physics Wallah – Target Audience

Physics Wallah Office

Physics Wallah primarily targets Indian students aged 14-22, preparing for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and other engineering and medical entrance tests.

The edtech startup caters to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds; both urban and rural learners looking for high-quality education without breaking the bank. Often, Physics Wallah reaches students in tier 2 and tier 3 cities with limited access to quality coaching.

The target audience is tech-savvy go-getters who can’t always make it to fancy coaching centers. They are motivated to excel academically and are looking for flexible, online learning options to supplement their school education.

Physics Wallah – Marketing Mix

Alakh Pandey with students

Physics Wallah’s marketing strategy is centered around a single premise: offering high-quality, affordable education to everyone. Here’s what the company’s marketing mix looks like.

Physicswallah Marketing Mix
- Product: What is Physics Wallah selling? Primarily online educational content in the form of video lectures, study materials, and live classes, that focus on physics and other subjects for competitive exams.
- Price: Physics Wallah is way cheaper than your typical coaching centers, which means more students can afford to learn. For instance, the fee structure for Physics Wallah’s Vidyapeeth JEE Fastrack 2024 is INR 35,400, whereas a one-year course at a reputable institute can easily set you back between INR 1,00,000 and INR 3,00,000.
- Place: It’s primarily online – website, app, and YouTube channel. You can study from your bedroom if you want to! However, the startup also has offline Vidyapeeth centers.
- Promotion: When it comes to getting the word out, Physics Wallah is all over social media and YouTube. But, their best advertisers are their own students. Happy kids tell their friends, and boom – more students. Let’s not forget Alakh Pandey, the founder. He’s the face of the brand, and people really connect with him.
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Physics Wallah Marketing Strategy

Physics Wallah uses a multi-pronged marketing approach to reach and engage its target audience of students preparing for competitive exams. Its marketing strategy leverages both digital and traditional channels to maximize reach and impact.

A strong online presence and content-driven approach is its biggest strength. The platform’s YouTube channel, which boasts over 13 million subscribers to date, is a significant source of organic traffic and brand awareness. Essentially, the company uses the “give a little, get a lot” approach. By putting out free educational content, they’re not just being generous – they’re playing the long game.

Think of it like this: the company gives students a taste of what it offers through free videos or materials. This accomplishes two things at once. First, it shows students that Physics Wallah really knows their stuff. It builds trust and credibility. Second, it gives students a chance to experience the value of what Physics Wallah provides.

So, when these same students are considering paid tutoring or courses, who do you think comes to mind first? Physics Wallah, of course! Let’s look at each of their marketing strategies in a little more detail.

SEO Strategy

Physics Wallah’s robust SEO strategy helps improve its visibility in search engine results. The website and content is optimized for relevant keywords. Think exam-specific keywords like “JEE Main preparation”, “NEET study materials”, or “UPSC coaching online” or subject-specific terms such as “organic chemistry formulas” and “Newton’s laws of motion explained”.

Mock tests like the NEET mock test and JEE Main mock test keep students engaged, help increase time spent on their website, and reduce bounce rates. The regular addition of new tests keeps the content fresh – all important markers for SEO success.

The startup also collaborates with educational blogs like Ed Tech Review for guest posting opportunities and encourages student testimonials and link backs from their personal blogs or social media

On the YouTube channel, Physics Wallah makes sure to optimize video titles, descriptions, and tags for search and creates playlists for specific subjects and exam preparation strategies.

OTT Advertising

By expanding to OTT platforms like Amazon Mini TV, Physics Wallah differentiated itself from competitors who were focused solely on dedicated educational apps or websites. The platform strategy also aligned with where the target audience was spending a significant amount of time.

Social Media Strategy

Physics Wallah Social Media Strategy

Physics Wallah uses social channels like Instagram and Twitter to share educational content, exam tips, motivational messages, and updates about their courses and offerings.

On social media, Physics Wallah has unapologetically jumped on the meme bandwagon, creating and sharing funny educational memes related to the subjects they teach. Why does this work? Their target audience is students. And, every time a student chuckles at one of their memes, they’re also remembering the brand.

Community Building

The platform builds a strong learning community through doubt-solving groups, interactive live sessions, and active social media engagement. This sense of belonging keeps students loyal and engaged. It also encourages peer-to-peer learning, where students support each other and share knowledge. Regular motivational sessions further strengthen this bond, making students feel connected to the brand.

Paid Advertising Campaigns

To complement its organic reach, Physics Wallah invests in targeted paid advertising campaigns across search engines and social media platforms. These campaigns are designed to reach potential students searching for educational resources or who are interested in preparing for competitive exams.

Email Marketing

Email is one of the most cost-effective mediums to nurture leads and maintain engagement. Physics Wallah sends students newsletters with study tips, exam updates, and promotional offers to keep them informed.

Emails can be personalized based on student data, so Physics Wallah can tailor content to specific segments of their audience. JEE aspirants and NEET-focused students receive a different set of emails from occasional users at risk of dropping out. Moreover, these emails can be tailored to different stages of the student journey, from initial interest to active learning and beyond.

Physics Wallah Business Model | How Physics Wallah Makes Money

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Unique Features of Physics Wallah’s Marketing Strategies

Physics Wallah’s distinctive marketing strategies are behind the company’s rapid growth and popularity. Let’s take a closer look.
- Founder-centric branding: The company heavily leverages the persona of Alakh Pandey, who prominently features on marketing materials and content. His rags-to-riches story resonates with many students and creates an emotional connection.
- Affordable pricing: Physics Wallah emphasizes its low-cost, high-quality education model. The brand positions itself as an accessible alternative to more expensive competitors.
- Vernacular approach: The platform offers content in multiple Indian languages, to appeal to a broader audience beyond English-speaking urban centers.
- Word-of-mouth marketing: The company encourages student testimonials and success stories. This boosts organic growth through peer recommendations.
- Offline-online integration: Physics Wallah has expanded into physical coaching centers, creating a hybrid model that appeals to students who prefer traditional learning environments.
Physics Wallah’s – Marketing Campaigns

Let’s take a look at some of Physics Wallah’s major marketing campaigns that have helped the brand’s growth.

PW Pathshala

One of their most successful campaigns, PW Pathshala aimed to provide free offline classes in various cities. It gave students the opportunity to experience Physics Wallah’s teaching methodology firsthand. The campaign generated significant buzz and helped convert many attendees into long-term users of their online platform.

PW Scholarship Test

The PW Scholarship Test offered substantial discounts on courses to high-performing students. This not only attracted talented learners but also created a sense of aspiration among the student community, positioning Physics Wallah as a platform for serious academic pursuit.

Learn from Home

Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Learn from Home campaign emphasized the accessibility and effectiveness of online learning. Physics Wallah offered free live classes and study materials to students affected by school closures. The initiative significantly boosted Physics Wallah’s user base and brand recognition.

Physics Wallah TV Series

Physics Wallah TV Series | physics Wallah Advertisement

In 2022, the TV series Physics Wallah was released on Amazon Mini TV. The series focused on the life of Alakh Pandey and his company. The inspiring story tells us Pandey’s journey from a top student in Class 10 and Class 12 who was unable to crack the IIT exam, to 2016, when armed with nothing but a camera and a passion for teaching, he launched the YouTube channel “Physics Wallah – Alakh Pandey.”

The relatable and motivating story solidified Alakh Pandey’s personal brand which has been one of the key drivers of the Physics Wallah success story.

Alakh Pandey: Physics Wallah | Biography

Dive into the inspiring biography of Alakh Pandey, the visionary educator behind Physics Wallah.

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What’s Driving Physics Wallah’s Marketing Success?

In a nutshell, Physics Wallah has consistently delivered value and maintained a focus on student success.

The company’s affordable pricing strategy and high-quality content resonate with price-sensitive Indian students, while the effective use of social media and word-of-mouth marketing has amplified brand reach.

Physics Wallah’s authenticity, affordability, and quality content continue to drive its marketing success in India’s competitive edutech landscape.

FAQ

Who is CEO of Physics Wallah?

The CEO of Physics Wallah is Alakh Pandey.

Is Physics Wallah free or paid?

At Physics Wallah, students can choose between paid and free batches to suit their preferences and budgets.

Is Physics Wallah good for IIT?

Yes, Physics Wallah is highly regarded for IIT JEE preparation. It offers affordable, high-quality courses, well-structured materials, and experienced instructors, making it a popular choice among IIT aspirants.
July 31, 2025
Physics Wallah Partners with YCMOU to Offer Online, Credit-Based Degree Programs
Education company PhysicsWallah (PW) has partnered with Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), with an aim to offer regular online classes and real-time doubt resolution facilities to students. Furthermore, students will also get to gain admission to certain online, credit-based degree programs. The collaboration will combine YCMOU’s academic oversight with PW’s digital infrastructure.

The two institutions are working towards trying to expand access to formal higher education for learners by introducing four programs:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
- Master of Arts in English (MA English)
- Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA).
These programs are being designed in compliance with UGC/AICTE norms and in alignment with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Courses will follow the UGC-compliant Four-Quadrant MOOC model, with a mix of self-paced learning, online sessions, assessments, and learner support. YCMOU will be responsible for academic approvals, compliance, and degree issuance, while PW is going to manage the technology platform, student engagement, and content delivery.

Aditya Agarwal, CBO-New Initiatives, of PhysicsWallah, said, “This partnership with YCMOU will support our journey towards building scalable, digitally-enabled pathways for learners to help access structured degree programs. We attempt to focus on delivering programs that are accessible, compliant, and aligned with industry expectations.”

Prof, (Dr.) Sanjeev Sonawane of YCMOU said, “This collaboration with PhysicsWallah continues to enhance our digital academic delivery. We are working towards ensuring that learners are receiving flexible education backed by academic rigour and regulatory alignment.”

The partnership is trying to create a digitally inclusive academic model that will try to support learners in pursuing recognised qualifications, regardless of geography or background.

About Physics Wallah (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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July 8, 2025

Prateek Maheshwari: The Quiet Force Behind Physics Wallah’s $3.7 Billion Rise

From a small town in Rajasthan to co-founding a company worth $3.7 billion, Prateek Maheshwari’s journey has been a remarkable inspiration for many. Competing with ed-tech giants like Byju’s and Unacademy, Prateek Maheshwari is the technological backbone of the company, Physics Wallah.

Many of us already know Physics Wallah or PW by Alakh Pandey, but only a few know how Prateek Maheshwari helped Alakh Pandey to turn their YouTube channel into such a giant ed-tech platform. Apart from Physics Wallah, Prateek Maheshwari has also embarked on several entrepreneurial endeavours, including NightPanda, Moon2Noon, PenPencil, and more.

So, in today’s StartupTalky story, we will dive deep into the story that only a few know – the genius mind behind Physics Wallah, Prateek Maheshwari!

Prateek Maheshwari – Biography

Name	Prateek Maheshwari
Birthplace	Rajasthan
Nationality	Indian
Education	B.Tech, Mechanical Engineering, IIT BHU
Position	Co-founder, Physics Wallah
Net worth	Approx. 4000 crores (2025)

Prateek Maheshwari – Early Life
Prateek Maheshwari – Personal Life
Prateek Maheshwari – Career
Prateek Maheshwari – Co-Founding Physics Wallah
Prateek Maheshwari – Growth & Achievements
Mission & Vision of Prateek Maheshwari
Prateek Maheshwari – Awards and Recognitions

Prateek Maheshwari – Early Life

Prateek Maheshwari was born in Rajasthan, where he did his initial schooling. Maheshwari had a keen interest in leadership and problem-solving from the very beginning. After school, he graduated with a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT BHU (Varanasi).

During graduation life, his active participation in college events and even founding a company (Edu4All) while pursuing his degree show strong foundation skills for his future ventures.

Prateek Maheshwari – Personal Life

Despite being quite actively participating in social campaigns and summits, Prateek Maheshwari maintains a private personal life with minimal public information available about his family and personal relationships.

Prateek Maheshwari – Career

Prateek Maheshwari started his career in the food and beverage sector as well as in the educational technology sector. In fact, before co-founding Physics Wallah with Alakh Pandey, Prateek Maheshwari founded a few companies such as PenPencil, Edu4All, and Moon2Noon, which eventually helped him diversify his experiences in entrepreneurial journey.

These experiences ultimately helped Maheshwari in excelling in his operations management and startup growth strategies, which ultimately helped him build Physics Wallah. The overall experience of Prateek Maheshwari was one of the great pillars of support and success for Physics Wallah.

Prateek Maheshwari – Co-Founding Physics Wallah

After founding a few companies, Prateek Maheshwari joined hands with Alakh Pandey in 2020 to transform the YouTube learning channel into a comprehensive edtech platform with a goal to make education accessible easily and affordably in India.

Despite Alakh Pandey primarily focusing on content delivery, Maheshwari managed the technological background, operations, and support for the PW app and helped expand its reach.

The experience of Prateek Maheshwari and the behind-the-scenes efforts became one of the pivotal roles in the success of this unicorn company.

Prateek Maheshwari – Growth & Achievements

As Maheshwari joined PW, he helped this ed-tech platform achieve significant milestones. Some of them are:

Unicorn Status: In June 2022, PW became India’s 101^st unicorn ed-tech platform, which was valued at $1.1 billion at that time after raising $100 million in funding.
Acquisitions: Under Prateek Maheshwari’s journey, Physical Wallah acquired several startups, including Etoos India, FreeCo, iNeuron, and Xylem Learning, to diversify its educational services.
Expansion: From offering JEE and NEET educational video courses to helping students prepare for various other competitive exams, including UPSC, Physics Wallah also launched its offline centers, Vidyapeeth, and PW Pathshala.

Mission & Vision of Prateek Maheshwari

Physics Wallah’s vision is to provide “quality education for all, regardless of their background.” And, Maheshwari has the same vision when he founded “Edu4All”. He started his professional journey back from college days, which eventually helped him lead PW with his remarkable skills in co-founding the success of PW.

From the humble beginnings of Rajasthan to becoming one of the India’s most successful ed-tech unicorn partner, Prateek Maheshwari has been inspiration for many new generations that are looking forward to become an entrepreneur.

Prateek Maheshwari’s journey has been a compelling example of how vision, dedication, a deep sense of purpose, and perseverance can revolutionize an entire industry.

Prateek Maheshwari – Awards and Recognitions

From college to the co-founding journey of PW, Prateek Maheshwari has received several notable awards for his brilliant work and contribution to educational technology and entrepreneurship in India.

Apart from the awards and recognitions, Maheshwari has also been a featured speaker at the ASU+GSV summit. It is a prominent global education innovation event where he delivers his thoughts and ideas in the edtech space.

And, considering the influential role in transforming India’s educational landscape through technology and innovation, these are the awards given to him:

Finalist – EY Entrepreneur of the Year India 2023: Along with Alakh Pandey, Maheshwari was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year India 2023 awards, considering remarkable work in the educational landscape of India.
Young Distinguished Alumnus Award – IIT BHU: Prateek Maheshwari was honored with the Young Distinguished Alumnus Award by his alma mater, IIT BHU, considering his impactful journey with PW.
Great Place to Work Certification: Under the leadership of Prateek Maheshwari, Physics Wallah achieved the Great Place to Work certification, which reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering a positive work environment.

FAQs

What is the role of Prateek Maheshwari in PW?

Prateek Maheshwari is the Co-Founder of Physics Wallah (PW), India’s leading EdTech platform.

What is Physics Wallah?

Physics Wallah is an EdTech startup founded in 2014 by Alakh Pandey. It is an e-learning platform that offers quality learning experiences at an affordable cost.

What is Prateek Maheshwari’s educational background?

Prateek Maheshwari graduated with a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT BHU (Varanasi).

May 5, 2025

PhysicsWallah Strengthens Board with Three Independent Directors Ahead of IPO
PhysicsWallah (PW), the renowned edtech unicorn, has appointed three independent directors to its board as it prepares for an initial public offering (IPO) later this year. The new appointees are Nitin Savara, Rachna Dikshit, and Deepak Amitabh.

Strategic Board Appointments

The inclusion of these independent directors is a strategic move to enhance corporate governance and align with regulatory requirements before filing the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). This step is crucial for companies transitioning to public entities.
- Nitin Savara: Former Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Zomato, Savara brings extensive experience in financial management and corporate strategy.
- Rachna Dikshit: A former Regional Director at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Dikshit has a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance.
- Deepak Amitabh: An ex-bureaucrat with a background in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Amitabh has held significant positions, including leadership roles at PTC India and currently with the Adani Group.
Board Composition and IPO Preparations

Alongside the new independent directors, the board includes co-founders Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari, as well as Sandeep Singhal, Co-founder and Managing Partner at WestBridge Capital India Advisors. The board has also re-designated Alakh Pandey and Prateek Boob as whole-time directors from their previous role of executive directors.

In December 2024, PhysicsWallah transitioned into a public entity, rebranding from PhysicsWallah Private Limited to PhysicsWallah Limited. This rebranding is a major milestone in the company’s journey towards its IPO.

Financial Advisors and IPO Outlook

The company has appointed Kotak Mahindra Capital, Goldman Sachs, Axis Capital, and JP Morgan as its listing bankers. These appointments are part of the strategic preparations for the upcoming IPO, which is expected to raise substantial capital to fuel the company’s growth and expansion plans.

Recent Key Appointments

In addition to strengthening its board, PhysicsWallah has made several key hires in recent months. In January, Ajinkya Jain was appointed as Group General Counsel, Company Secretary, and Compliance Officer. In November, Amit Sachdeva, former CFO of Blinkit, joined as Chief Financial Officer.

PhysicsWallah Overview

Founded by Alakh Pandey, PhysicsWallah has emerged as a leading edtech platform in India, offering affordable online courses and exam preparation materials. The company’s unique approach to accessible education has gained a strong user base and positioned it as a significant player in the edtech industry.

As PhysicsWallah moves closer to its IPO, adding experienced independent directors shows its focus on strong governance and compliance. These steps highlight the company’s commitment to high standards as it prepares to go public.

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Physics Wallah is an EdTech startup that started as a YouTube Channel and is into a Unicorn Club. Know about Physics Wallah, its founders, revenue, business model, growth, IPO, startup story, etc.

StartupTalkyBharath
March 13, 2025

Behind the Genius: Exploring the Life of Alakh Pandey, Founder of Physics Wallah

“Our aim is to bring about a revolution in education by reaching out to millions of students in a sustainable and affordable way,” says Alakh Pandey, the CEO of “Physics Wallah”.

Here is yet another inspiring story of a man whose journey from poverty to prosperity is nothing short of remarkable. Struggling with financial troubles, Alakh Pandey stumbled upon an idea that would change his life forever: Using his passion for teaching to change the lives of many.

Through hard work and a strong belief in the importance of education, Alakh’s story of going from nothing to something has inspired countless students all over the country.

In this StartupTalky article, we will explore Alakh Pandey’s success story, including his early life, history, childhood, personal life, education, achievements, and more.

Alakh Pandey Biography

Name	Alakh Pandey
Birthplace	Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Born	2 October, 1991
Nationality	Indian
Education	Mechanical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical Institute, Kanpur
Position	Co-founder and CEO, PhysicsWallah
Net worth	INR 4500 crore (2024)

Alakh Pandey – Early Life
Alakh Pandey – Education
Alakh Pandey – Career
Alakh Pandey – YouTube Channel and Application
Alakh Pandey – Physics Wallah
Alakh Pandey – Advocate for NEET Aspirants
Alakh Pandey – Challenges Faced
Alakh Pandey – Family
Alakh Pandey – TV Series
Alakh Pandey – Investments
Alakh Pandey – Awards and Achievements
Alakh Pandey – Interesting Facts

Alakh Pandey – Early Life

Alakh Pandey’s early life had been very tough as his parents struggled to make ends meet. He was born in 1991 and his birthplace is Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh. As his family was not in a financially stable condition, he had to go through hardships even during his childhood days. When he was in his school days, his family had to sell their house for financial needs. He grew up witnessing all these hardships that his family went through.

He understood the requirement of him to contribute to the family financially. So, in the 9th grade, he started tutoring some younger kids. Subsequently, he started tutoring in coaching institutes when he was in the 11th grade. But at that time, he had no clue that this was going to be a turning point in his life.

Alakh Pandey – Education

It is ironic to say that ‘Physics Wallah’ who coaches thousands of students didn’t have any extraordinary educational background.

He did his schooling at Bishop Johnson School and joined Harcourt Butler Technical Institute to pursue his graduation in Mechanical Engineering. But, soon he dropped out of college and did not complete his graduation. He then started teaching at coaching institutes in Allahabad for a meager salary.

Alakh Pandey – Career

Many years back, Alakh Pandey hadn’t even dreamt of the career path he ended up taking. As he liked acting, he wanted to pursue it as a career.

But, destiny had other ideas.

Though he started teaching to support the financial crisis of his family, he soon started enjoying teaching which later on turned out to be his passion.

Very soon, he became a very famous teacher among the students at the coaching institute. Students were very much attracted to his animated way of teaching.

Since Pandey wanted to reach many more students, he decided to launch his YouTube channel in 2016.

Alakh Pandey – YouTube Channel and Application

In 2016, ‘Physics Wallah’ – Alakh Pandey’s YouTube channel, was launched. After almost a year, the viewership of his channel started growing at an astonishingly fast rate.

From just more than 3800 subscribers in 2017, his channel garnered a whopping more than 68 lakh subscribers in 2022. One of the most important reasons for the success of his YouTube channel was that he provided very valuable content free of cost, while other channels were charging the viewers for such content.

Currently, more than 36 million students benefit from the 80 channels that the company owns in 8 vernacular languages.

These different channels give free of cost training for many different competitive exams like IIT JEE, UPSC, CA, State PSC, etc.

In 2020, he also rolled out the Physics Wallah app. By 2021, the app had 2.1 million sign-ups. Currently, 15 million people use the app for their preparation for various competitive exams.

Alakh Pandey – PhysicsWallah

Alakh Pandey, who began his journey as a teacher in coaching institutes, subsequently launched his YouTube channel which became a huge success. This paved the way for his EdTech company Physics Wallah Private Limited. The company has its headquarters in Noida, Delhi.

When the institute was started, around ten thousand students enrolled in the very first month. One of the very important reasons for the success of Physics Wallah is the affordable fees that they charge while providing quality education.

Notably, there is another person, Prateek Maheshwari, who co-founded the company and stands as the backbone of it.

This is what Alakh Pandey says about him, “The credit for making our product great goes to my co-founder, Prateek Maheshwari. He made the app, taught me how to build an organization, taught me automation, and the basics of quality analysis. He is the backbone of PW.”

By September 2024, Physics Wallah raised $210 million in funding at a valuation of $2.8 billion which is 2.5x of its last valuation. The round was led by Hornbill Capital.

Alakh Pandey – Advocate for NEET Aspirants

Alakh Pandey has called upon the Supreme Court to investigate allegations of discrepancies in the NEET-UG June 2024, the all-India medical entrance examination. Pandey, who has been vocal about the controversies surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), has submitted a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an independent committee to probe the issue. This act has transformed him into a sort of messiah for the NEET-affected students.

Alakh Pandey – Challenges Faced

The story of Physics Wallah might be inspiring and might look like he climbed the ladder too easily. But there were highly challenging times when Alakh Pandey had to stand strong.

For instance, there were giant rivals like some EdTech companies who played nasty tricks to weaken the hold that Physics Wallah had on the students through his teaching. Not only that but also some unforeseen challenges arose like the application crashing when loads of students tried to sign up.

But in all these tough times, Alakh’s unwavering confidence and courage made him even more popular among his student fans.

Alakh Pandey – Family

Alakh Pandey’s parents are Satish Pandey & Rajat Pandey and he has a sister named Aditi Pandey. He is seen talking with pride about his sister who stood by him like a huge pillar of support during the tough times.

Alakh now 31 years old, is married to Shivani Dubey who is a journalist.

Alakh Pandey – TV Series

It is truly a matter of pride and it shows a person’s fame and accomplishments to have a TV series made based on their story. Alakh Pandey has such pride in his name. A TV series has been made inspired by the life of Alakh Pandey and called Physics Wallah. It stars Shreedhar Dubey and was released in 2022 on Amazon Prime.

Physics Wallah Official Trailer

Alakh Pandey – Investments

Physics Wallah invested in iNeuron.ai on Dec 22, 2022.

Alakh Pandey – Awards and Achievements

Alakh Pandey has been awarded with the following accolades:

Alakah Pandey was named to the prestigious Hurun List of top young entrepreneurs under 35 in 2024.
Pandey was awarded the Best Digital Person of the Year: Growth Catalyst at the 15th edition of the IDA in 2024.

Alakh Pandey – Interesting Facts

Alakh Pandey is so passionate about physics that after a few years of teaching, he got a tattoo of a ‘pi’ symbol on his arm and an equation on his wrist.
Alakh Pandey used to be actively involved in theatre during his school and college days and had planned to have a career in acting.

FAQs

Who is Alakh Pandey?

Alakh Pandey is the founder and CEO of Physics Wallah.

What is Physics Wallah?

Physics Wallah is an EdTech startup founded in 2014 by Alakh Pandey. It is an e-learning platform that offers quality learning experiences at an affordable cost.

What is Alakh Pandey education qualification?

Alakh Pandey pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering at Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), Kanpur. However, he dropped out in his third year to focus on teaching and later built Physics Wallah into a successful edtech platform.

What is Alakh Pandey age?

Alakh Pandey was born on 2 October, 1991. He is 33 years old.

Which is Alakh Pandey hometown?

Alakh Pandey was born in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

When did Alakh launch his YouTube Channel?

In 2016, ‘Physics Wallah’ – Alakh Pandey’s YouTube channel, was launched. After almost a year, the viewership of his channel started growing at an astonishingly fast rate. From just more than 3800 subscribers in 2017, his channel garnered a whopping more than 68 lakh subscribers in 2022.

February 7, 2025

Physics Wallah (PW) Secures $210 Million in Series B Funding Round at a Valuation of $2.8 Billion

India, September 20’ 2024: Physics Wallah Private Limited (PW), India’s leading education company, has closed its Series B funding round, raising USD 210 million. This investment brings the company’s post-money valuation to an impressive USD 2.8 billion, a 2.5x jump over its last valuation of USD 1.1 billion. The funding round was led by Hornbill Capital, with significant participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, alongside the continued support of its existing investors, GSV and WestBridge.

Physics Wallah’s funding round serves as a beacon of optimism amidst challenging times for the EdTech sector, showcasing the unwavering confidence of both existing and new investors in Physics Wallah’s growth and its mission to democratize education across India. The remarkable interest from both new and existing investors underscores the strong belief in PW’s ability to deliver quality education to Bharat’s next generation.

Alakh Pandey, Founder, and CEO of Physics Wallah, expressed his gratitude, stating, “This investment is not just a validation of our efforts to democratize education and make quality education accessible to every student in India, but also a testament to the impact we have created over the years. Prateek and I are excited to partner with Hornbill Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners in this journey, and we deeply appreciate the continued trust from WestBridge and GSV.”

Prateek Maheshwari, Co-founder of Physics Wallah, added, “Our focus has always been on creating value for our students and ensuring their success. This new round of funding will enable us to expand our reach, enhance our technological capabilities, and continue delivering unparalleled learning experiences. This comes on the back of strong sustainable y-o-y growth – in fact FY25 is going to be the year of the largest absolute EBITDA profitability for the PW Group. There are no good or bad markets but only good or bad stories – and ours is a great impact story!”

Physics Wallah produces 9,500 hours of educational content every week with a student base across 18,808 pin codes, accounting for almost 98% of pin codes in India. This funding will bolster its already significant cash reserves to support its future growth plans. PW’s expansion from school education to skilling is integral to the strategic vision, designed to support students at every stage of their journey and solidify its role as a trusted, comprehensive partner in education and career advancement.

The funds raised will be strategically utilized to scale operations, with a key focus on consolidation in the education market. Physics Wallah plans to pursue inorganic expansion, enter the K-12 formal education segment, enhance its content and publication offerings, and explore mergers with community-driven education platforms across categories. As PW moves forward, it remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering students and helping them achieve their academic aspirations through these strategic initiatives.

Here’s what the key stakeholders have to say about Physics Wallah’s latest milestone and its continued journey toward transforming education in India:

Speaking about Hornbill’s investment in PW, Dubai-based Manoj Thakur, Founder of Hornbill Capital, remarked, “Physics Wallah is a rare combination of vision, execution, and impact with a thriving 3C model– Content, Community, and Commerce. We are excited to see PW’s use of AI not only to help improve students’ outcomes but also their emotional well-being. We are thrilled to lead this round of investment and support PW in its mission to provide quality education at affordable prices through the use of cutting-edge technology.”

“We are excited to partner with Alakh and Prateek to support their mission to bring quality education to every student in India. The community of students built over years of painstaking creation of quality educational videos, as well as reasonably priced offerings for online and offline courses, has made Physics Wallah a familiar brand name across the breadth and width of India and across all socioeconomic groups,” said Dev Khare, partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Sandeep Singhal, Co-founder and Managing Partner at WestBridge, shared his enthusiasm, “Our decision to double down on Physics Wallah is driven by the company’s exceptional growth, strong execution, and long-term vision. We believe in the leadership of Alakh and Prateek and their ability to solve one of India’s stickiest problems, which is to provide world-class education at super low cost and at a population scale. In that, PW is probably one of the highest social impact enterprises that I have ever seen.”

Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner at GSV Ventures, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The impact that Physics Wallah has had on students across Bharat is incredibly inspiring. Our investment in PW, the largest commitment we’ve made to date, reflects our strong belief in the company’s commitment to quality and accessibility. The PW team has a unique ability to democratize education on a global scale, delivering high-quality learning at an affordable cost. The positive outcomes achieved by PW students align perfectly with our investment philosophy, and we are excited to further strengthen our partnership.”

About PW:

Physics Wallah (PW), India’s leading EdTech unicorn, was founded in 2020 by Alakh Pandey (Founder & CEO) and Prateek Maheshwari (Co-Founder). Headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, PW is democratizing education at scale across India through online, offline, and hybrid platforms, and has reached 98% of the country’s pin codes. Initially launched as a YouTube channel in 2014, PW has been growing exponentially, now offering free quality education to over 4.6+ crore students through its 112+ YouTube channels in 5 vernacular languages. The PW app has been downloaded 3+ crore times, and the company has over 55+ lakh paid students.

PW is creating the biggest hybrid education ecosystem in the country by establishing tech-enabled offline and hybrid centers in 105 cities nationwide. As a lifelong learning partner, PW’s offerings span various educational segments, including 2 Gurukulam Schools, test preparation in 43 categories, a skilling vertical, higher education, and study abroad. Additionally, the company also has an Institute of Innovation (IOI) that provides world-class 4-year residential job-ready programs.

About Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a global multi-stage venture capital firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in the Enterprise, Consumer, Health, and Fintech sectors. Over the past two decades, the Lightspeed team has backed hundreds of entrepreneurs and helped build more than 500 companies globally including Affirm, Acceldata, Carta, Cato Networks, Darwinbox Epic Games, Faire, Innovaccer, Guardant Health, Mulesoft, Navan, Netskope, Nutanix, Rubrik, Sharechat, Snap, OYO Ultima Genomics and more. Lightspeed and its global team currently manage $25B in AUM across the Lightspeed platform, with investment professionals and advisors in the U.S., Europe, India, Israel, and Southeast Asia.

About WestBridge Capital

WestBridge Capital is a leading investment firm that focuses on partnering with high-growth companies in India and Southeast Asia. With a deep commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent, WestBridge has built a robust portfolio across various sectors including technology, financial services, consumer goods, and healthcare. The firm manages assets worth over $7 billion and brings a value-driven, long-term approach to its investments. WestBridge Capital is renowned for its ability to support businesses from the early stages through to late-stage growth, providing both capital and strategic insights to help companies scale sustainably.

About GSV

GSV Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital firm focused on the $7+ trillion global education and workforce skills sector, manages and invests from GSV Ventures Fund III. GSV has invested $600M+ in innovators across “Pre-K to Gray” learning, including ClassDojo, Coursera, Coursehero, Degreed, Guild, Lead School, Physics Wallah, Photomath, Quizizz and Classplus.

About Hornbill Capital

Hornbill Capital, founded by Manoj Thakur, specializes in the internet and digital technology, consumer and healthcare sectors. Hornbill Capital has expertise in long-short investment strategies and growth-stage private equity investments. The fund advised by Hornbill Capital was an anchor investor in the IPOs of IndiaMART, Affle, Nazara Technologies, Latent View, Star Health, Supriya Lifescience, PropEquity, eMudhra Limited and Honasa Consumer Limited. The investment manager has a deep understanding of the internet and digital technology space based on its investments across public and private companies in these sectors.

Physics Wallah Business Model | How Physics Wallah Makes Money

Discover how Physics Wallah’s business model operates and learn about the various revenue streams that enable this EdTech platform to generate income and sustain its operations.

StartupTalkyNitin Konde

September 20, 2024
Physics Wallah Launches PW School of Startups with INR 100 Crore Investment Fund to Empower Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Launching the PW School of Startups (SOS) under the PW Foundation, the edtech platform Physics Wallah (PW) has taken a giant leap forward in its goal to make education accessible to all students in India.

By focussing on the development of entrepreneurial skills, PW SOS aims to close the gap between more conventional forms of education and the ever-changing startup ecosystem. In order to help budding entrepreneurs turn their ideas into profitable businesses, the initiative offers a wide range of resources, including affordable programmes, hands-on training, strategic mentoring, and access to funding.

The introduction of PW SOS coincides with a period of great success for India’s startup scene. India ranked seventh out of 49 nations in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor India Report 2022/23, with 75.5% of Indians perceiving good local business chances. In addition, the country’s third-largest startup ecosystem is in India, where over 78% of the youth feel it quite straightforward to start a firm. Half of the 10 lakh employment created by Indian startups by 2023 were from areas outside of Tier 2 cities, which meant they were responding to issues on a local level in areas like healthcare, education, and agriculture.

Preparing Participants for Entrepreneurial Challenges

In order to meet the obstacles of entrepreneurship, PW SOS provides its members with practical skills, real-world experience, and a community of support, according to the official announcement. The institution’s mission is to support the startup community in its pursuit of innovation, creativity, and long-term success. Those that take part are able to tap into a wealth of possibilities and resources that are essential to the success of entrepreneurs.

Prateek Maheshwari, Co-Founder of Physics Wallah, highlighted, “Our goal with PW SOS is to connect budding entrepreneurs with mentors who have built successful businesses and scaled them. On top of that, we have set aside $11.9 million (INR 100 Cr) to back 100 companies for the next 60 months.”

Programmes Offered

Aarambh, Prarambh, and Hopes Alive are the three separate programmes that PW SOS provides, and they are all designed to help entrepreneurs at different points in their journeys. Aarambh is an offline programme that runs for five days and aims to help students, young professionals, and college students accelerate their growth by providing them with tools, networks, and advice from experts. The five-month Prarambh programme focusses on budgeting and business model development; it is aimed for college students, early professionals, small family company owners, and social impact enthusiasts. As a 5-month hybrid programme, Hopes Alive provides seed-funded and bootstrapped businesses with access to capital, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

It is PW SOS’s intention to register one hundred in Prarambh and one thousand in Aarambh within the next twelve months.

“Companies in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities have great business ideas, but they don’t have someone to help them out or a community to lean on,” according to Alakh Pandey, CEO and Founder of Physics Wallah.

Physics Wallah Success Story – A Unicorn Edtech Startup from a YouTube Channel!

Physics Wallah is an EdTech startup that started as a YouTube Channel and is into a Unicorn Club. Know about Physics Wallah & its startup story.

StartupTalkyBharath

August 23, 2024

Tag: Physics Wallah

About Physics Wallah

How does the Physics Wallah Partnership Model Work?

Eligibility Criteria for PW Vidyapeeth Partnership

Space and Location Requirements

Physics Wallah Franchise Cost

Documents Required for PW Vidyapeeth Application

Personal Documents:

Business & Financial Documents:

Property Documents:

How to Start Your PW Vidyapeeth Center?

Fill Out the Application Form

Submit Your Proposal

Site Visit and Assessment

Partnership Agreement and Onboarding

Setup and Training

Launch and Operations

Alternative Ways to Partner with Physics Wallah

Market Potential and Growth

Earning Potential and ROI of a PW Vidyapeeth Center

Conclusion

FAQs

What is Physics Wallah and how did it start?

What is a PW Vidyapeeth center?

How much does it cost to start a PW Vidyapeeth center?

Physics Wallah Highlights

Physics Wallah – About

Physics Wallah – Industry

Physics Wallah – Founders and Team

Alakh Pandey

Prateek Maheshwari

Physics Wallah – Startup Story

Physics Wallah – Mission and Vision

Physics Wallah – Name and Logo

Physics Wallah – Business and Revenue Model

Paid Courses and subscriptions

YouTube Ads

Advertisement Revenue

Products Sales

Physics Wallah – Funding and Investors

Physics Wallah – Shareholding

Physics Wallah – IPO

Physics Wallah – Growth

Physics Wallah Financials

Key Highlights:

Physics Wallah – Products and Features

Physics Wallah – Acquisition

Physics Wallah – Investment

Physics Wallah – Layoff

Physics Wallah – Challenges Faced

Physics Wallah – Future Plans

FAQs

What is Physics Wallah?

How did Physics Wallah start?

Physics Wallah started in which year?

Who are the founders of Physics Wallah?

What is the valuation of the Physics Wallah?

Who are the investors in Physics Wallah?

How Physics Wallah become unicorn?

About Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah Business Model

How Does Physics Wallah Make Money

Physics Wallah Financials

Key Highlights:

USP of Physics Wallah

SWOT Analysis of Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah Strengths

Physics Wallah Weakness

Physics Wallah Opportunities

Physics Wallah Threats

Conclusion

FAQs

Who is the founder of Physics Wallah?

What is the USP of Physics Wallah?

What is Physics Wallah valuation?

What is Physics Wallah PW revenue?

What is Physics Wallah franchise cost in India?

What are Physics Wallah app features?

How to get PW franchise?

Physics Wallah – Target Audience