Rebuilding Aakash Digital to boost online education reach across India

Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) is set to invest Rs 100 crore in scaling up its edtech arm, Aakash Digital, following its separation from BYJU’S. Deepak Mehrotra, Managing Director and CEO of AESL, confirmed that the investment will be made over the next 18 to 24 months to enhance technology, content, and teacher capabilities within the Aakash Digital Classroom Program.

The company plans to use this investment to expand its digital classrooms, allowing students in areas where physical centers are not feasible to access the same high-quality education offered in Aakash’s physical classrooms. "We are committed to building and scaling Aakash Digital, aiming to reach one lakh students over the next two years," said Mehrotra.

After BYJU'S sold a significant stake in AESL to Manipal Group chairman Ranjan Pai, AESL is no longer a subsidiary of Think and Learn, the parent company of BYJU’S. BYJU'S still holds a 26% stake in the company.

Aakash Digital has already enrolled over 10,000 students this year, with aspirations to significantly grow this number. AESL plans to maintain its student-teacher ratio of 70 to 80 students per class, ensuring personalized attention and high engagement. With around 4 lakh learners in its current system, the company aims to increase this to one million, with a significant portion coming from Aakash Digital and other alternative business models.

Mehrotra emphasized that the company’s focus is on expanding deeper into the country and delivering an engaging learning experience to students.