
Gudiya, a 12-year-old girl from a remote village in Rajasthan, never imagined she could access the same quality of education as children in urban India. Today, thanks to platforms like BYJU’s and Physics Wallah, Gudiya is excelling in Math and Science and preparing for competitive exams alongside peers from across the country. Her story exemplifies how EdTech is transforming education in India, bringing quality learning to students irrespective of location or background.
As we observe the International Day of Education 2025, themed “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” it’s worth celebrating how technology is democratising learning and preparing students for a tech-driven future.
The Digital Revolution: Driving India’s Economic Growth
India’s edtech industry, currently valued at $7.5 billion in 2024, is on track to reach an impressive $29 billion by 2030, according to a new report titled Impact Study of EdTech in India: Driving Innovation & Creating Opportunities. This rapid growth is expected to be driven by many factors, including the expansion of digital infrastructure, a cultural shift towards online learning, and the rising aspirations of students and families. The sector’s contribution to India’s GDP is anticipated to increase significantly, from 0.1% in 2020 to 0.4% by 2029.
AI in Education: The Game-Changer
Artificial intelligence (AI) has redefined how students learn by adapting content to individual needs. Platforms like BYJU’s use AI algorithms to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses, offering personalised modules that improve engagement and retention. Similarly, Unacademy’s AI-powered solutions make exam preparation more efficient.
Leading EdTech Platforms Revolutionising Learning in India
- BYJU’S – The Learning App
Founded: 2011 by Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath
BYJU’S continues to dominate India’s EdTech space with its AI-powered and gamified learning experiences for students from K-12 to competitive exams. With over 150 million registered users globally, BYJU’S remains a leader in personalized education, helping students learn interactively and adaptively. - Physics Wallah
Founded: 2020 by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari
Known for affordable, high-quality online education, Physics Wallah primarily caters to classes 6–12 and competitive exams like JEE and NEET. The platform, with over 7 million YouTube subscribers and 10 million app downloads, has become a household name for exam preparation, emphasising quality education at low costs. - upGrad
Founded: 2015 by Ronnie Screwvala, Mayank Kumar, Phalgun Kompalli, and Ravijot Chugh
Specialising in higher education, upGrad offers programs in data science, AI, and management through partnerships with global universities. With over 3 million learners across 100+ countries, the platform is reshaping professional upskilling and career advancement for working professionals. - Unacademy
Founded: 2015 by Gaurav Munjal, Roman Saini, and Hemesh Singh
With a vast network of educators, Unacademy offers courses for exams like UPSC, CAT, and IIT-JEE. It boasts 60 million learners and over 50,000 educators, providing live and interactive classes to foster collaborative learning. Its rapid expansion has solidified its place as a leading competitive exam prep platform. - Scaler
Founded: 2019 by Abhimanyu Saxena and Anshuman Singh
Scaler focuses on skill development in software engineering, data science, and AI. The platform’s industry-relevant curriculum, developed in collaboration with top tech experts, has upskilled over 30,000 students, with many securing high-paying jobs in leading companies like Google and Amazon. - Klassroom Edutech
Founded: 2018 by Arsalan Haque and Aman Chandra
Klassroom Edutech bridges the gap between offline and online education with hybrid solutions. The platform offers live classes, recorded lectures, and personalized doubt-solving sessions for competitive exams. With its hybrid model, Klassroom is redefining accessibility for students nationwide. - Zell Education
Founded: 2015 by Pratham Barot and Punit Gupta
Zell specialises in finance and accounting courses like ACCA, CFA, and CPA. With over 25,000 students and a global presence spanning India, UAE, and the UK, Zell ensures high employability through practical training and industry certifications. The platform has placed 2,000+ students in reputed firms post-certification. - Simplilearn
Founded: 2010 by Krishna Kumar
Simplilearn is a leader in upskilling professionals in digital skills like cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity. Collaborating with institutions like Purdue University and IBM, it has trained over 3 million learners globally through hands-on certification programs and practical projects. - Great Learning
Founded: 2013 by Mohan Lakhamraju and Hari Nair
Offering programs in analytics, AI, and business management, Great Learning has helped over 6.5 million learners advance their careers. Partnering with top universities, the platform emphasizes experiential learning, preparing professionals for success in the digital economy. - Vedantu
Founded: 2014 by Vamsi Krishna, Pulkit Jain, Anand Prakash, and Saurabh Saxena
Vedantu provides live online tutoring for K-12 students, competitive exams, and extracurriculars like coding. With 35 million users and interactive real-time teaching, it has made learning engaging and accessible. Vedantu’s innovative approach is transforming education delivery in India.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite its massive success, the EdTech sector faces challenges like the digital divide. A significant percentage of India’s rural population lacks access to reliable internet and digital devices. However, initiatives such as government-subsidised connectivity and public-private partnerships aim to address these issues.
Also Read: Indian Preschools in 2025: What Lies Ahead?
What the Future Holds
The next wave of EdTech innovations includes immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Students may soon conduct virtual lab experiments or explore historical events through VR, making learning more engaging than ever.
Alakh Pandey, founder of Physics Wallah, adds, “Technology is not a substitute for teachers but a tool to enhance their impact. Together, we can create a future where every child has access to world-class education.”
