Dr. Roman Saini: From AIIMS Doctor to EdTech Billionaire

Anirudh Jain - Kolkata Bureau Jul 11, 2026 1,600 Views

Dr. Roman Saini’s journey from a 16-year-old AIIMS student to an IAS officer at 22, and finally an ed-tech entrepreneur, is a landmark success story. By resigning from his prestigious civil service role, he co-founded Unacademy, which has evolved into a ₹26,000 crore venture, revolutionizing affordable education in India.

The inspiring journey of a former IAS officer who walked away from a prestigious career to revolutionize India's digital education landscape.

NEW DELHI — The story of Dr. Roman Saini is one of extraordinary intellectual achievement and bold career pivots. A name synonymous with academic excellence in India, Saini is widely recognized for a sequence of feats that few in the country have ever matched: clearing the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) entrance exam at 16, becoming an MBBS doctor by 21, and achieving the rank of an IAS officer at the age of 22.

However, it is his subsequent transition from civil service to the boardroom that has cemented his reputation as a visionary entrepreneur. Today, as the co-founder of the ed-tech giant Unacademy, Saini’s trajectory serves as a case study in ambition and the pursuit of social impact.

An Academic Prodigy

Born into a middle-class family in Rajasthan, Saini’s early life was marked by a relentless drive for knowledge. His academic brilliance became evident when he cracked the highly competitive AIIMS entrance examination at just 16. By 21, he had completed his MBBS degree and even served at the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC).

Not content with a career in medicine, Saini turned his focus to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. In 2013, he achieved an All India Rank (AIR) of 18 in his first attempt, becoming one of the youngest IAS officers in Indian history at age 22. He was subsequently posted as a District Collector in Madhya Pradesh.

The Pivot to Entrepreneurship

Despite the prestige of the civil services, Saini sought a larger platform to make a tangible difference in educational accessibility. In 2015, he made the courageous decision to resign from his IAS position. Partnering with friends Gaurav Munjal and Hemesh Singh, he co-founded Unacademy under the parent company, Sorting Hat Technologies.

What began as a simple YouTube channel sharing free, high-quality study materials for competitive exams has since grown into a massive enterprise. Under his leadership and vision, Unacademy has become one of India’s most valuable ed-tech platforms, with valuations reportedly reaching over ₹26,000 crore. The platform now serves millions of students, providing affordable coaching for exams ranging from UPSC and IIT-JEE to NEET and SSC.

Impact on the EdTech Sector

The rise of Unacademy has fundamentally changed how students in India approach competitive exams. By democratizing access to top-tier coaching, the company has lowered the barrier to entry for candidates from remote and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

"Don't try to be a successful person, but be a valuable human being," is the philosophy that Saini often attributes to his career choices. His journey from the corridors of government to the forefront of educational technology demonstrates a persistent desire to serve the nation, albeit through a different medium.

Key Facts at a Glance

Medical Milestone: Cracked the AIIMS entrance exam at 16 and completed his MBBS by age 21.
Civil Service Success: Cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in his first attempt at age 22, achieving AIR 18.
Entrepreneurial Leap: Resigned from his IAS post in 2015 to co-found Unacademy alongside Gaurav Munjal and Hemesh Singh.
Market Impact: Helped build Unacademy into a multi-billion-rupee ed-tech powerhouse, now valued at approximately ₹26,000 crore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did Roman Saini leave the IAS? According to reports, Saini felt that his entrepreneurial venture, Unacademy, would allow him to reach and impact a significantly larger number of students across India, democratizing education on a national scale.

What is the current valuation of Unacademy? Unacademy, the parent company of Sorting Hat Technologies, is reported to have a valuation of approximately ₹26,000 crore.

Is Roman Saini still associated with Unacademy? Roman Saini co-founded the platform in 2015 and has played a pivotal role in its growth into one of India's most prominent ed-tech companies.

Source: India.com, Saam TV, Quora