Introduction
When we talk about affordable online education in India, one name stands out — Alakh Pandey, the founder of Physics Wallah (PW). Popularly called India’s richest teacher, Alakh Pandey’s journey from a small-town boy in Prayagraj (Allahabad) to the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar EdTech company is nothing short of inspirational. His unique teaching style, commitment to affordable learning, and sheer determination made him one of the most admired educators in the country.
This biography covers Alakh Pandey’s early life, education, career, family, wife, net worth, and his company Physics Wallah’s growth.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alakh Pandey |
| Date of Birth | 2 October 1991 |
| Age (2025) | 33 years |
| Birthplace | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Education | B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (HBTU, Kanpur) |
| Profession | Educator, Entrepreneur |
| Company | Physics Wallah (PW) |
| Position | Founder & CEO |
| Net Worth (2025) | ₹500 Crore+ (approx.) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Shivani Dubey (Journalist) |
Early Life and Family Background
Alakh’s childhood was not easy. His family faced severe financial challenges. At one point, his parents had to sell their house to arrange money for survival. Despite the struggles, Alakh was a bright student with a deep passion for teaching and science.
Education
- Schooling: Bishop Johnson School, Prayagraj
- Higher Education: Joined Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTI), Kanpur for Mechanical Engineering.
However, Alakh realized that his true calling was not engineering but teaching. He eventually dropped out to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time teacher.
The Beginning of a Teaching Journey
Alakh Pandey’s teaching journey started very early.
- At just Class 8, he began giving tuition to junior students to support his family financially.
- By Class 11, he was teaching at small coaching institutes in his city.
- Known for his interactive style, humor, and ability to simplify complex concepts, he quickly gained popularity among students.
Birth of Physics Wallah YouTube Channel
- In 2016, Alakh Pandey started his YouTube channel “Physics Wallah”.
- Initially, he uploaded free physics lectures for NEET and JEE aspirants.
- His simple teaching style, board-based explanations, and motivational talks attracted lakhs of students.
By 2019, Physics Wallah became one of the most trusted free learning platforms for students across India.
Turning Point – Physics Wallah App and Company
- In 2020, during the pandemic, Alakh along with Prateek Maheshwari launched the Physics Wallah App.
- The app provided structured courses for IIT JEE, NEET, UPSC, SSC, Banking, Defence exams, etc.
- Unlike other EdTech giants charging high fees, PW’s courses were extremely affordable (₹500 to ₹5,000).
This disruptive pricing model shook the EdTech industry and made quality education accessible to millions.
Physics Wallah Becomes a Unicorn
- In June 2022, Physics Wallah raised funding of $100 million in Series A round from WestBridge Capital and GSV Ventures.
- Valuation: $1.1 Billion → officially making it a Unicorn startup.
- In September 2024, PW raised $210 million in Series B, doubling valuation to $2.8 Billion.
- As of 2025, Physics Wallah operates across 180+ offline centers and has over 100 million students online.
- In March 2025, PW filed draft papers for a ₹4,600 crore IPO.
Alakh Pandey Net Worth (2025)
- Estimated Net Worth: ₹4,500 Crore (approx. $240 million)
- Primary Source: Physics Wallah equity, investments, assets.
- Recognized in Hurun India Rich List 2024 as one of the youngest entrepreneurs under 35.
Alakh Pandey’s Teaching Style
What sets Alakh apart is his connection with students.
- He uses real-life examples, jokes, and emotional stories while teaching.
- He motivates students during stressful exam times.
- His board-teaching style feels more personal than high-tech graphics used by competitors.
- Students lovingly call him “Physics Wallah Bhaiya”.
Personal Life – Wife and Marriage
- Wife: Shivani Dubey
- Profession: Journalist & Writer (worked with ELLE, i-D, Vice, Refinery29)
- Engagement: May 2022
- Marriage Date: 22 February 2023
- Wedding Venue: Private ceremony in Prayagraj, attended by family & close friends.
Shivani supported Alakh during his struggling phase and continues to stand by him as a strong partner.
Social Contribution – Giving Back
Alakh and Shivani’s wedding was not just a personal affair. After their marriage, they supported a mass marriage event in Prayagraj, helping 300 couples get married under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojna. This showed Alakh’s humble nature and commitment to society.
Awards and Recognition
- Featured in Hurun India Rich List 2024 (Net worth: ₹4,500 crore).
- Honored among India’s top young entrepreneurs under 35 by India Today (2024).
- Physics Wallah ranked as one of the most successful EdTech startups in India, even outperforming Byju’s and Unacademy in terms of student trust.
Challenges Faced
- Coming from a poor family, financial instability was the biggest hurdle.
- Dropping out of engineering was a risky step.
- Competing with giants like Byju’s and Unacademy in the EdTech space.
- Maintaining affordable pricing while growing at a massive scale.
Despite all this, Alakh turned challenges into opportunities with his vision and dedication.
Inspiration for Students
Alakh Pandey’s life is a lesson for millions of Indian students:
- You don’t need to be rich to succeed, hard work and determination are enough.
- Never give up on your passion — Alakh left engineering to follow teaching.
- Education should be a right, not a privilege, and affordability matters.
Conclusion
From a small-town boy tutoring students to support his family, to becoming the CEO of a ₹23,000 crore valued company, Alakh Pandey’s biography is truly inspiring. His story proves that passion combined with honesty can change lives. Today, Physics Wallah is not just an EdTech company, it is a movement that democratized education in India.