Unacademy Joins Forces with upGrad: A New Chapter in India's EdTech Landscape

Unacademy, a leading name in India's edtech sector, has merged with upGrad in a deal valued at over $200 million. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in Unacademy’s evolution, which began as a small YouTube channel. Founded by Roman Saini, who left a promising IAS career to pursue online education, Unacademy has transformed the landscape of competitive exam preparation. The platform gained immense popularity during the pandemic, hosting thousands of live classes and attracting millions of subscribers. As it joins forces with upGrad, Unacademy embarks on a new chapter, aiming to redefine education in India. Explore the inspiring journey of Roman Saini and the future of online learning.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 2, 2026, 13:08 IST

Unacademy Merges with upGrad

New Delhi: Unacademy, a prominent player in India's edtech sector, has officially become part of upGrad. The acquisition was announced on September 1, 2026, with the deal valued at over $200 million. This marks a significant milestone in Unacademy’s journey, which began as a modest YouTube channel.

The Visionary Behind Unacademy

Among the founders, Roman Saini stands out. After becoming a doctor and passing the UPSC exam to become an IAS officer, he made the unconventional choice to leave his government job and venture into online education.

Early Academic Achievements

Roman's academic prowess was evident early on; he passed the medical entrance exam at just 16 and pursued his MBBS at AIIMS in Delhi, later serving as a junior resident there.

However, his ambitions extended beyond medicine. He began preparing for the UPSC civil services exam and, at the age of 22, achieved an impressive All India Rank of 18, securing a position in the 2014 IAS batch for the Madhya Pradesh cadre.

A Brief Stint in IAS

Roman Saini worked in the administrative service for about a year and a half. During this time, his interest in education and competitive exam preparation grew.

His experience teaching students online opened new doors, leading him to leave his IAS position and enter the startup world.

The Birth of Unacademy

Unacademy originated from Gaurav Munjal's YouTube channel. Roman Saini, along with Gaurav and Hemesh Singh, joined forces to transform it into a comprehensive online education platform.

Initially, public trust in online education was not as strong as it is today. Roman later recounted how he reached out to numerous educators to encourage them to teach online.

Gradually, the number of students grew, and educational videos on YouTube began attracting significant viewership, evolving into one of India's largest edtech platforms.

Transforming Online Education

Unacademy played a crucial role in popularizing online classes, live lectures, and subscription models for competitive exam preparation. Many students preparing for UPSC, JEE, NEET, and other exams turned to its platform.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for online education surged. Unacademy hosted numerous live classes monthly, significantly increasing its paid subscriber base. According to Roman, at the pandemic's peak, the platform conducted over 100,000 live classes each month, with paid subscribers reaching around 1 million.

Valuation Soars to Billions

As Unacademy expanded, it attracted substantial investments, reaching a valuation of approximately $3.44 billion in 2021. At that time, it was considered one of the leading companies in the booming Indian edtech sector.

However, post-pandemic, the edtech landscape changed, leading to increased pressure on funding and valuations, prompting companies to reassess their business strategies.

Acquisition Completed

In 2026, upGrad successfully completed the acquisition of Unacademy for over $200 million. Notably, this amount is significantly lower than Unacademy’s peak valuation of $3.44 billion in 2021.

This acquisition is viewed as a major consolidation in the Indian edtech sector, with Unacademy now collaborating with upGrad to strategize for the future of education and test preparation.

Reflecting on the Journey

After the acquisition, Roman Saini reminisced about Unacademy’s early days, recalling a pivotal conversation with Gaurav Munjal at LBSNAA that led him to leave the IAS and pursue Unacademy.

He also reflected on the challenges faced in the beginning—working late nights to create videos, persuading teachers to teach online, and struggling to meet with investors.

Initially, online education was not taken seriously, but over time, it gained acceptance from millions of students and educators.

A Unique Journey from IAS to Startup

Roman Saini's story is noteworthy as he achieved multiple significant milestones: excelling in medical studies, passing the UPSC to become an IAS officer, and then embracing the challenge of building a startup.

Unacademy’s journey illustrates how the fusion of technology and education can transform a small online initiative into a major platform.

With Unacademy now part of upGrad, a new chapter begins for the company, transitioning from its YouTube origins to a significant acquisition in the Indian edtech industry.