In a country where Bollywood stars have ruled fame and fortune for decades, one small-town teacher has rewritten the script. Alakh Pandey, the founder of Physics Wallah (PW), has now become one of India’s richest self-made entrepreneurs — even surpassing Shah Rukh Khan in net worth.
From Prayagraj Classroom to YouTube Stardom
Back in 2016, Alakh Pandey started his YouTube channel Physics Wallah with a simple dream — to make quality education affordable and accessible for every Indian student. With just a whiteboard, camera, and endless energy, he began teaching physics in a way that students could truly understand.
His humour, simplicity, and passion quickly won hearts. Within a few years, Physics Wallah became one of India’s biggest education platforms. By 2020, millions of students were learning online through his free classes.
Building India’s First Profitable EdTech Unicorn
In 2022, Physics Wallah became India’s first profitable edtech unicorn, valued at over $1.1 billion (₹9,000 crore). The company achieved this feat with investments from WestBridge Capital and GSV Ventures.
Unlike other startups that focused only on growth and marketing, Alakh focused on profitability and purpose. His idea was simple — keep prices low and quality high.
Today, Physics Wallah operates:
- 100+ offline PW Vidyapeeth centres across India
- Multiple learning apps for JEE, NEET, UPSC, and government exams
- A growing community of over 3.5 crore learners
2025: Alakh’s Wealth Rises 223%
According to the Hurun India Rich List 2025, Alakh Pandey’s wealth increased by 223% in just one year — reaching a massive ₹14,510 crore.
This means he is now richer than Shah Rukh Khan, whose net worth is around ₹6,300 crore. What makes it more inspiring is that Alakh didn’t earn this wealth from glamour or luxury — but from education and trust.
The Secret Behind His Success
Alakh Pandey’s journey is not just about luck; it’s about clear values and strategy. His success formula includes:
✅ Affordable education for every student
✅ Building trust before profit
✅ Expanding through both online and offline models
✅ Staying Indian at heart — “Education by Indians, for Indians”
Beyond Business: The Bharat Story
What makes Alakh’s story truly special is how rooted it is in Bharat — real India. He comes from Prayagraj, a small city, yet has shown the world that big dreams don’t need big cities.
Through Physics Wallah, he continues to provide scholarships, support rural learners, and invest in new learning technologies. His journey proves that success doesn’t always come from entertainment or luxury — it can come from impact and education.
Inspiration for India’s Youth
Alakh Pandey’s rise from a small YouTube classroom to a billion-dollar empire is an inspiration for every Indian dreamer. His journey reminds us that when passion meets purpose, even a teacher can become a tycoon — and education can be the most powerful startup of all.
