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