Physics Wallah’s 3,480 crore IPO marks a historic moment for Indian edtech. Learn how a YouTube channel became a billion-dollar company and what it means for students and investors
Table of Contents
When Alakh Pandey started uploading physics lessons on YouTube from his small room in 2016, he had no idea he was planting the seeds of a revolution. His simple whiteboard, camera balanced on soap bars, and genuine passion for making physics accessible became the foundation of what would eventually become one of India’s most valued education companies. Today, as Physics Wallah launches its much-awaited Initial Public Offering on November 11 to 13, 2025, it marks a significant moment not just for the company but for India’s entire startup and education ecosystem.
The YouTube Teacher Who Changed Everything
The story of Physics Wallah begins with Alakh Pandey, a college dropout who believed that quality education shouldn’t be limited to those who could afford expensive coaching centers. In 2016, he started recording physics lessons in his room and uploading them on YouTube. His approach was different from the flashy productions of other edtech companies. There were no fancy graphics or expensive production equipment. Just pure knowledge, clear explanation, and genuine care for students.
By 2020, Pandey partnered with Prateek Maheshwari to create a proper platform. They launched the Physics Wallah mobile application that allowed students to access structured courses for competitive exams like JEE and NEET. What made Physics Wallah stand out was its pricing. While competitors charged between 50,000 to several lakhs for courses, Physics Wallah offered quality education at a fraction of the cost, sometimes as low as 10,000 rupees.
The company grew organically without massive advertising budgets. While Byju’s was spending 2,000 crore on marketing and Unacademy was spending over 400 crore, Physics Wallah relied on word-of-mouth recommendations and Alakh’s credibility. This strategy proved brilliant as it kept costs down and allowed the company to maintain profitability from the beginning.
From YouTube to Physical Centers
Physics Wallah didn’t just stay online. The company opened offline centers called Vidyapeeths and partnered with local entrepreneurs in smaller towns to create Physics Wallah Pathshala franchises. This hybrid model combined the scalability of online learning with the effectiveness of classroom teaching. Today, the company operates more than 150 learning centers across India, bringing quality education to tier 2 and tier 3 cities where students often struggle to find good coaching.
This expansion proved successful. The company’s paid user base grew by nearly 60 percent annually between 2023 and 2025. Their student success stories speak volumes, with thousands of students cracking competitive exams like JEE and NEET each year.
Understanding the IPO: What Is It and Why It Matters
An IPO or Initial Public Offering is when a private company decides to sell shares to the general public. This allows ordinary people to own a small piece of the company. For Physics Wallah, the IPO represents a major milestone. The company is raising 3,480 crore rupees, making it one of India’s largest edtech IPO.
Companies go public for several reasons. First, they can raise capital to fund expansion. Physics Wallah plans to use the money to open more learning centers, improve technology infrastructure, expand into new languages, and invest in related education companies. Second, going public provides credibility and recognition. Third, it rewards early investors and employees who believed in the company from the beginning.
Key Numbers Every Investor Should Know
The IPO details matter. Physics Wallah is offering shares at a price between 103 to 109 rupees per share. A person needs a minimum investment of around 14,933 rupees to apply. The company raised 1,563 crore from anchor investors even before the public IPO opened, showing strong institutional interest.
Financially, Physics Wallah’s growth has been impressive. Revenue jumped from 744 crore in 2023 to 1,941 crore in 2024 and then to 2,887 crore in 2025. This shows the company is expanding rapidly. However, the company hasn’t achieved profitability yet. It reported a loss of 243 crore in 2025, though this is a significant improvement from the 1,131 crore loss in 2024, showing the company is moving in the right direction.
Facing the Competition
Physics Wallah doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It competes with Byju’s, Unacademy, Vedantu, and traditional coaching centers like FIITJEE and Aakash. However, Physics Wallah has carved a unique position. While competitors burned through funding by spending heavily on marketing and expansion, Physics Wallah focused on profitability and student satisfaction first. This approach is now paying off.
The edtech market in India is enormous and growing. The market size is projected to reach 29 billion dollars by 2030 from approximately 7.5 billion dollars currently. This growth is driven by increasing internet penetration, rising aspirations among middle-class families, and recognition of the value of quality education. Physics Wallah is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this expanding pie.
What This IPO Means for India
Physics Wallah’s IPO is historic for multiple reasons. It validates the edtech business model in India. It shows that companies can grow profitably without bleeding money on lavish marketing campaigns. It demonstrates that a founder focused on genuine social impact can build significant business value.
For Indian startups, this is a wake-up call that building sustainable businesses matters more than chasing valuation numbers. For young investors, it offers an opportunity to participate in India’s education revolution. For students, Physics Wallah’s expansion with new resources means even better learning experiences ahead.
The journey from a YouTube channel to a 31,500 crore rupee company in less than a decade is remarkable. As Physics Wallah enters public markets, it carries with it the hopes of millions of students who believe that quality education should be within everyone’s reach.
Conclusion
The story of Physics Wallah is more than a business success; it’s a symbol of what happens when purpose meets perseverance. Alakh Pandey began with nothing but a whiteboard, a simple camera, and an unshakable belief that education should be affordable for all. In less than a decade, that belief has evolved into a company valued at over 31,000 crore rupees, touching millions of students across India.
The IPO marks a new chapter, not just for Physics Wallah but for India’s entire startup ecosystem. It proves that innovation driven by sincerity and impact can thrive even without lavish spending or aggressive marketing. By staying true to its mission making quality education accessible the company has shown that profitability and purpose can coexist.
As Physics Wallah steps into the public market, it carries the aspirations of countless students and educators who see education as a force for equality. Its journey from a small YouTube channel to a national movement reminds us that revolutions often begin in the simplest of rooms with a teacher who truly cares and a vision that refuses to fade.
Source: PhysicsWallah IPO: Is it a good bet or should investors skip the listing? & PhysicsWallah IPO Details
Read Also: Groww IPO: A Comprehensive Analysis for Investors & Global Markets All-Time Update: Equities Surge, Bonds Rally, Gold Hits Record amid Fed Rate-Cut Optimism
