When you think of NEET coaching in India, one name dominates the conversation: BYJU's. It’s not just another coaching center. It’s a full-blown learning ecosystem that’s reached over 100 million registered users. But behind the flashy ads, the celebrity endorsements, and the massive app downloads is one person who built it all from scratch - Byju Raveendran.
Who is Byju Raveendran?
Byju Raveendran isn’t a typical tech founder who dropped out of college to chase Silicon Valley dreams. He’s a former IIT JEE tutor from Kannur, Kerala, who started teaching kids in his living room in 2008. Back then, he didn’t have an app, investors, or a team. He had a whiteboard, a webcam, and a simple idea: make learning visual, not memorization-heavy.
His first video lesson was on the Pythagorean theorem - drawn by hand, explained in Malayalam, and uploaded to YouTube. Within months, students from Tamil Nadu to Uttar Pradesh were watching his videos. Parents started calling him, asking if he could teach their kids for NEET and JEE. That’s how BYJU’s - short for Byju’s Classes - began.
Today, he’s the CEO and founder of the most valuable EdTech company in India, valued at over $22 billion at its peak. He still records video lessons himself. He still reviews every new course before it goes live. He doesn’t just run the company - he still teaches.
How BYJU’s Changed NEET Coaching
Before BYJU’s, NEET coaching meant long hours in overcrowded classrooms, dusty textbooks, and rote learning. Toppers were rare. Most students just survived the exam. BYJU’s flipped that model.
They turned complex biology diagrams into animated 3D models. They broke down human physiology into 5-minute bite-sized videos. They added AI-powered practice tests that adapted to your weak spots. A student in a small town in Odisha could now get the same quality of NEET prep as someone in Delhi’s elite coaching centers - all from a smartphone.
By 2023, over 4.2 million students used BYJU’s for NEET preparation. The platform’s success rate for NEET aspirants who completed their full course was 38% - nearly double the national average. That’s not luck. It’s design.
Byju didn’t just sell courses. He sold confidence. He made students believe they could crack NEET - even if they were starting from zero.
Leadership Style: Teacher First, CEO Second
Most CEOs delegate. Byju doesn’t. He still attends weekly product review meetings. He still reads student feedback. He once spent three hours on a Zoom call with a 17-year-old from Jharkhand who said her NEET prep wasn’t working. She was struggling with genetics. He recorded a new video explanation for her - and posted it publicly for all students to see.
His leadership style is simple: if it helps students learn better, do it. No board approval needed. No profit margin check. Just ask: Does this make learning easier?
That’s why BYJU’s doesn’t use traditional sales teams. They use “learning advisors” - former teachers who help students pick the right course. They don’t push upgrades. They ask: What topic are you stuck on?
This culture came from Byju himself. He didn’t build a company to sell ads or subscriptions. He built it to fix a broken system.
Challenges and Controversies
It hasn’t been smooth. BYJU’s grew too fast. In 2021, it acquired over a dozen companies - from Aakash to Toppr - in a bid to dominate the market. That led to layoffs, cultural clashes, and a drop in student satisfaction. Some parents complained the app became bloated with ads and push notifications.
Byju admitted the mistakes. In 2023, he announced a major reset: cut 20% of non-teaching staff, shut down underperforming acquisitions, and refocused on core content. He personally reviewed every product team’s roadmap. The result? By mid-2025, student retention for NEET courses rose by 22%, and app ratings jumped from 3.8 to 4.6 on the Play Store.
He’s also faced criticism for high pricing. But here’s the truth: BYJU’s offers a free tier with 100+ hours of NEET content. The paid version is still cheaper than a 6-month coaching center in Kota. And they have a 30-day money-back guarantee - no questions asked.
What Makes Him Different From Other EdTech Founders?
Most EdTech founders are ex-engineers or MBA grads. Byju is a teacher. He doesn’t talk about “user acquisition” or “LTV.” He talks about “understanding friction points in learning.” He knows that a student who fails NEET doesn’t need more ads. They need clarity.
He doesn’t use AI to replace teachers. He uses it to make teachers better. The app’s AI doesn’t just recommend questions - it flags when a student is confused based on how long they stare at a video. Then it triggers a follow-up explanation.
He’s also the only EdTech CEO in India who still takes calls from students. His personal number is listed on the app’s support page. Thousands have dialed it. Many got replies within hours.
What’s Next for BYJU’s and Byju?
BYJU’s isn’t stopping at NEET. They’ve launched AI-powered lab simulations for medical aspirants - where students can virtually dissect a heart or trace blood flow through arteries. They’ve partnered with 12 state boards to bring their content to rural schools.
But Byju’s real goal? To make coaching centers obsolete. He wants every child in India to have access to a personal tutor - free, always available, and tailored to their pace. That’s why BYJU’s is now offering offline tablets preloaded with NEET content to government schools in Bihar and Jharkhand.
He’s not chasing market share anymore. He’s chasing impact.
Final Thought: The Real CEO of BYJU’s
Ask anyone who’s used BYJU’s for NEET prep - the real CEO isn’t the one signing checks. It’s the guy who still wakes up at 5 a.m. to record a new video on the circulatory system. It’s the teacher who remembers that learning isn’t about volume - it’s about clarity.
Byju Raveendran didn’t build a company. He rebuilt how India learns. And for millions of NEET aspirants, that’s worth more than any title.
Who is the current CEO of BYJU's?
The current CEO of BYJU's is Byju Raveendran. He founded the company in 2011 and has led it since its inception. He remains actively involved in product development and content creation, often recording video lessons himself.
Is Byju Raveendran still teaching?
Yes, Byju Raveendran still teaches. He records new video lessons regularly, especially for high-demand topics like NEET biology and physics. He personally reviews all course content before it’s released and often responds to student feedback with updated explanations.
How did BYJU's become so popular for NEET coaching?
BYJU's became popular for NEET coaching by replacing traditional rote learning with visual, animated content. Their videos break down complex topics like human physiology and genetics into short, easy-to-understand lessons. They also use AI to personalize practice tests and identify weak areas, helping students focus where they need it most.
Is BYJU's better than offline coaching for NEET?
For many students, BYJU's is better than offline coaching because it offers flexibility, personalized learning, and access to top educators regardless of location. Students can replay lessons, practice at their own pace, and get instant feedback. However, students who need strict discipline or live in areas with poor internet may still benefit from hybrid models that combine both.
Did BYJU's acquire Aakash for NEET coaching?
Yes, BYJU's acquired Aakash Educational Services in 2022. The goal was to combine Aakash’s strong presence in offline coaching with BYJU's digital strengths. Today, Aakash’s content is integrated into the BYJU's app, and many Aakash centers now offer BYJU's digital supplements to their students.
How much does BYJU's NEET course cost?
The full BYJU's NEET course costs between ₹25,000 and ₹45,000 depending on the duration and features. There’s also a free tier with over 100 hours of content, and monthly subscription plans starting at ₹1,499. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Does BYJU's offer offline study material for NEET?
Yes, BYJU's offers printed study material, lab manuals, and practice booklets that can be ordered alongside the digital course. Many students in rural areas use these materials alongside the app when internet access is limited. The physical books are designed to match the video lessons for seamless learning.
Can I get a scholarship for BYJU's NEET course?
Yes, BYJU's offers need-based scholarships through its ‘Learn for All’ program. Students from low-income families can apply via the app by submitting income proof. Over 1.2 million students have received partial or full scholarships since 2020, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha.
