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.
Bharath
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.
Kanimozhi Sivakumar
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.
Nicole Braganza
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?
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. PW provides students with free education on YouTube, while the other giants sell tablets and expensive courses.
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.