Once he lived in a slum, couldn’t study for IIT. Today, he’s richer than Shah Rukh Khan, with net worth over Rs 14,000 crore

He once dreamed of cracking the much coveted IIT entrance exam, but as his family struggled with financial constraints he started giving tuitions to make ends meet. Alakh Pandey, a the founder of the popular edtech platform Physics Wallah, who recently appeared in the Great India Kapil Show, shared his journey from rags to riches. He revealed how when he was in the sixth grade, his father had to sell their home and they moved to a small apartment located in the slums.

Childhood Struggles and Early Responsibilities

While speaking on the show, Pandey recalled a painful turning point from his school years. He revealed that when he was studying in the sixth standard, his father was compelled to sell their family house because of financial distress. Following that decision, the family relocated to a small rented residence situated in a slum locality.

Pandey told Kapil Sharma that living conditions during that period were extremely modest. The monthly rent for the tiny apartment was around Rs 1,100, and the family lacked additional support at home. Because of these circumstances, he had little choice but to begin earning on his own. By the time he reached the eighth standard, Pandey started teaching younger students to generate income.


He admitted during the conversation that teaching was never his childhood aspiration. Instead, it became a necessity that helped him survive financially. What began as a means to manage daily expenses eventually turned into a defining element of his career.

A Personal Struggle That Sparked a Mission

Pandey further shared that his experiences as a student shaped the vision behind his future venture. While pursuing his studies, he realized that quality coaching for competitive examinations was often beyond the reach of students from financially weaker backgrounds.

Because he personally could not afford expensive coaching classes, Pandey decided that educational resources should be made more accessible to others facing similar challenges. This idea eventually led him to establish Physics Wallah, a platform dedicated to providing affordable learning opportunities to students across India.

Extraordinary Wealth Growth and Industry Impact

Pandey’s remarkable transformation from a struggling student to a successful entrepreneur has also been reflected in his financial achievements. According to the Hurun India Rich List for 2025, his wealth recorded a massive increase of about 223 percent within a single year.

The surge in his net worth was largely driven by the rapid expansion of Physics Wallah, which has grown into one of India’s prominent edtech unicorns. The report highlighted how emerging technology-driven businesses are reshaping the country’s wealth landscape at an unprecedented pace.

Financial expert Nitin Kaushik also discussed the development on social media platform X. He pointed out that Pandey’s estimated wealth had reached Rs 14,510 crore, placing him ahead of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose net worth was reported at Rs 12,490 crore.

Pandey’s journey illustrates how perseverance, combined with a mission to make education accessible, can transform adversity into extraordinary success.