Education is not charity; it’s our duty to stand by every student who dares to dream: Vikash Chauhan

Vikash Chauhan, the visionary founder of Educamy, is quietly revolutionizing the way competitive exam preparation is approached in Bihar. From offering free coaching, food, and shelter to underserved students, to reaching the remotest villages with educational support, his mission is rooted in empathy and accessibility. In this conversation with Education Post’s Prabhav Anand, Vikash shares how his team empowers aspirants beyond just academics—offering emotional guidance and career clarity. His story isn’t just about education; it’s about restoring belief in every student’s potential, regardless of background or financial means.

1. Let’s start with your journey — what inspired you to establish Educamy, and what gap were you trying to fill in Patna’s coaching ecosystem?

When we started Educamy, our main motivation was to address a key challenge which we noticed among students, despite the enthusiasm and efforts of the vast majority of students, they still lacked a competition-oriented and strategically driven learning process. Being a teacher with more than a decade of experience, I observed that a lot of students struggle with their basic concepts. We strongly believe that if they are nurtured in the right direction, they would be able to deliver exceptional results. That is what led to the foundation of Educamy, bringing together a result-driven team focused on quality, concept-based teaching.

2. Patna is often called the “Kashi of coaching.” In your view, what makes Patna such a magnet for competitive exam aspirants, especially for exams like NEET, JEE and other competitive exams?

I believe the key factor is the high IQ level and determination of students from Bihar. There is a deep-rooted culture of hard work and perseverance here, and students often rise above limited resources to achieve remarkable success. If you look at top ranks in exams like IIT-JEE, NEET, or even UPSC, you’ll find a significant representation from Bihar. A recent film like 12th Fail also reflects this very spirit, it’s inspired by stories of students who persist against all odds.
It is this commitment that makes Patna a powerful hub for competitive exam preparation. And with the right mentoring and ecosystem, these students don’t just dream big, they deliver.

3. We often see that institutes in places like Kota or metro cities like Delhi spend heavily on marketing and create a hub-like image. This can intimidate students, especially those facing financial constraints or mental health challenges. How does Educamy support students outside the classroom?

At Educamy, we have intentionally kept our classroom size limited to just 35-40 students. This ensures personalized attention and fosters a strong teacher-student connection that goes beyond academics. While we focus on core subjects which are Maths, Physics, and Chemistry, we also prioritise the importance of helping students build essential life skills and navigate personal and emotional challenges. Many of our students come from different towns of Bihar for the first time after their 10th or 12th and naturally face mental pressure. Understanding this, we have mental health professionals on board so that if a student is dealing with any issues beyond academics, they have someone to talk to without hesitation.
A dedicated mental health expert regularly interacts with students to help them manage stress and exam pressure effectively. This holistic approach ensures that students not only adjust smoothly to their new surroundings but also stay focused, balanced, and confident throughout their academic journey.

4. Many large coaching institutes often make unrealistic promises, showcasing celebrity faculty who rarely teach in classrooms. How is Educamy different from such institutions?

We believe that the core of education lies in meaningful classroom teaching, not in flashy branding. Unfortunately, many large coaching institutes have turned education into a marketing exercise, promoting celebrity faculty who rarely, if ever, interact directly with students.
At Educamy, we practise a completely different approach. Since day one, we’ve ensured that every faculty member we showcase is someone who is actively involved in classroom teaching and student mentoring. There is complete alignment between what we promise and what we deliver. Our commitment is for the authenticity, transparency, and providing real value through hands-on, consistent engagement with our students.

5. Running a coaching institute in Patna is challenging, especially after COVID, with the rise of online learning. Did you ever imagine becoming a lifeline for so many small-town students chasing big dreams? How do you envision their journey toward success?

Yes, coaching in Patna has become tougher, especially post-COVID. One major shift we have observed is a decline in students’ patience and study discipline. While online learning gained significant traction during the pandemic, its effectiveness, particularly for high-stakes competitive exams like JEE and NEET has been limited.
These exams are among the toughest ones in India and demand deep conceptual clarity and strong application skills. Online platforms can surely offer support, but they cannot replace the physical classroom-based learning experience, where real-time interaction with teachers helps bridge the conceptual gaps and strengthens application-based understanding among students.
This is why at Educamy, we have focused on in-person learning. Honestly, we never imagined we’d become such a vital support system for students from smaller towns. But watching them grow, overcome barriers, and chase big dreams with confidence, is what drives us every single day.

6. We often hear that students from rural Bihar are outperforming their urban counterparts in competitive exams. Do you think rural Bihar now shows a stronger hunger to succeed than metro cities?

Absolutely, students from rural Bihar often have very few options — their only real strength is the power of education. If you look at their background, many come from families that have never even stepped into a city earlier. And we are glad that we have had students enrolling at Educamy whose parents came to Patna for the very first time just to support their child’s education and nourish their dreams. This journey isn’t just about academics, it’s about a generation determined to rise beyond limitations that once felt permanent. Their parents carry the dreams they could never fulfill or even thought for themselves, and now they have placed all their hopes on their children. I’ve personally seen families sell their land just to pay for their child's coaching fees. That is the level of sacrifice and trust they place in us, and we see it as our responsibility to honour that trust. To guide, to support, and to turn those silent hopes into real success stories.
This is why we are extremely mindful that no student is misled or given any false hope. If parents are putting their faith — and often their life savings — trusting us as an institution, it becomes our moral responsibility to deliver on every commitment we make. It is a responsibility we take very seriously.

7. Many institutes follow batch segmentation — where top-performing students are separated into elite batches, while others are placed in lower-tier groups. How does Educamy address this practice?

It’s a fact surely that students’ IQ levels would vary, and their learning styles and problem-solving approaches would differ from each other. However, we consciously avoid any kind of visible batch segregation. All students learn in the same classroom environment to ensure no one feels inferior or left behind.
And instead of dividing them, we focus on individual support. If a student faces challenges in a particular subject or topic, we offer extra classes specifically tailored to their needs. For instance, if someone excels in Physics, we guide them toward Olympiad-level preparation. If another student is struggling, we assign additional sessions with different faculty members to strengthen their understanding — always aiming to uplift them and try to push them so they would explore and understand their own capabilities which they still might be unaware of.
As an institution, the idea is to deliver result-oriented learning without creating a hierarchy that discourages students. We want every students to feel valued and capable, no matter where they start from.

8. Some students say that coaching in Patna still follows traditional teaching methods, similar to pre-COVID times, with little innovation even after the rise of online learning. What innovations has Educamy introduced to improve learning outcomes?

At Educamy, innovation begins with research. We have a dedicated team that analyzes the latest question patterns — especially those from NTA exams — to stay aligned with current trends. Based on this research, we discuss the findings with our faculty and design subject modules accordingly. Teachers are instructed to keep their teaching strictly result-oriented, focusing on helping students crack competitive exams — not just making them experts in theory.
Post-COVID, online learning has offered a more affordable alternative for many students. While that’s a welcome development, at Educamy, we believe innovation isn’t just about switching to online — it’s about upgrading the entire academic process to improve real outcomes.
One of the gaps we have identified in coaching ecosystem is an overemphasis on academic depth without sufficient alignment to real exam demands. And we have tackled this by introducing a structured, module-based learning system. To further raise the bar, we have partnered with one of India’s leading academic publishing houses — the same team behind top IIT-JEE prep materials — to co-develop our study modules and ensure they meet national benchmarks.

9. With Educamy and other new institutions entering the space, what kind of pressure do you think they face? And how do you see the hybrid model playing out in Patna's coaching ecosystem?

As I mentioned earlier, the hybrid model of learning can be a supportive tool — but it can never replace the core of offline education. It may gain temporary popularity, but when it comes to delivering results in competitive exams, in-depth knowledge of subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics is essential. You simply cannot achieve that depth through a one-size-fits-all online format. Every student has their unique IQ level and learning style, which only a physical classroom environment can properly address. It’s through direct interaction that teachers understand how to adapt to their teaching, and students build trust and clarity in learning.
Offline coaching fosters that vital student-teacher relationship — something which a hybrid model lack.
While hybrid learning can be a supplement form of education, the foundation must remain within the physical classrooms for students preparing for JEE or NEET if we truly want to help them understand the concept and succeed in their journey. The in-person approach not only fosters a sense of confidence within them but also, allows them to overcome their doubts and fears by connecting directly to their mentors and seek guidance thereby helping them ease out path leading towards their goal.

10. How do Bihar’s coaching institutes differ from those in places like Delhi and Kota? What can Bihar-based institutions learn or improve from them? And how does Educamy’s fee structure compare to top-tier institutes in terms of value and return on investment for families?

Many top educators in Delhi and Kota come from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, yet the coaching ecosystems there offer more structured mentorship, advanced testing systems, and stronger competitive exposure. Bihar-based institutes can bridge this gap by investing in quality teaching, consistent academic delivery, and better exam alignment. At Educamy, we’ve taken that leap — building research-driven modules, result-oriented teaching, and partnerships with top publishers behind leading IIT-JEE content.
Since most of our students come from rural or Tier-3 regions, our fee structure is designed to be flexible, with installment options to ease financial stress. Our focus is not just affordability, but delivering strong, result-oriented education. We aim to deliver high-quality, outcome-focused education that justifies every rupee a parent spends, who have placed their invaluable trust in us, ensuring true return on investment.

11. Some students crack the toughest exams but can’t even afford basic books. How do you personally address such challenges for students who dream big but lack financial means?

I’ve seen students with the potential to crack IIT or NEET struggle to buy even basic books, and that reality is heartbreaking. At Educamy, we take this issue very seriously. Our team conducts a special Research Scholars Test across various districts of Bihar to identify genuinely deserving students who lack financial resources. Based on their performance, we offer them completely free education along with free accommodation or scholarships. We run a dedicated batch for such students, those who are highly motivated but simply cannot afford the coaching fees, and the results have been encouraging. We feel immense proud in mentioning that last year, two of such students secured admission into NIT and NSUT, both on full scholarships from Educamy.Personally, I believe every institute should take similar responsibility. Even running one or two such batches can make a huge difference. Education is the only tool that can bridge the opportunity gap, and supporting such students is not charity — it’s our duty.

12. There's a lot of buzz around words like "toppers," "rankers," and "success." But tell us honestly — is the coaching industry today still truly focused on real learning, or has it been overtaken by this noise around rankings and results?

Look, I won’t deny that every coaching institute wants toppers. It's natural — everyone wants their students to secure the best possible ranks. But the problem lies in using these ranks as the only measure of a student’s worth. Personally, I believe in offering qualitative education. We must prepare students in a way that beyond academics, they can be prepared to tackle social pressures, emotional stress, and the challenges that life throws at them. I have seen many students who have made it to IITs and landed impressive packages, yet they are still not satisfied and unhappy with their life. So, clearly, cracking IIT or NEET cannot be the only definition of success.
Over the years, I’ve realized that real education is not just about ranks — but it's about building resilience, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. When we focus on qualitative learning, students naturally begin to understand what education means truly and how it should shape their lives.

13. Do you ever worry that some of your students may be studying out of fear rather than passion? Does this concern you — wondering what their future holds?

Yes, this is a real concern, and that is exactly why counselling is the very first step when a student joins Educamy. We sit down with them to understand where their interests lie, what truly excites them, and whether they are following this path by their own choice or by being pressurised in any manner. From day one, we make it clear that we are not here just to push for specific subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Maths), or exams (NEET, or IIT). Whether a student wants to pursue engineering, medicine, law, or even the arts — we support them fully. And if they stumble, we don’t label it as failure. We help them explore alternatives and walk with them, both emotionally and academically. Because education rooted in fear never lasts. Our mission is to replace that fear with clarity, confidence, and care. If a student fails, it’s not just their failure — it's ours too. That’s why we treat every child’s journey with utmost care and responsibility.

14. Do you have any standout success stories from Educamy — perhaps something unexpected or deeply moving?

At Educamy, our primary mission is to help students crack some of India’s toughest exams —IIT-JEE and NEET, and we have seen remarkable results. We are immensely proud of our students like Yogesh Didwani and Aadarsh Kumar, who secured seats at IIT. They are a testament to the power of structured mentoring and focused preparation. But we are equally proud of all our students — those who may not have reached IIT or AIIMS, but who discovered their direction, built confidence, and gave their absolute best along the way.
We believe, success comes in many forms. One story that continues to stay with me is of a young girl who joined us under pressure to pursue MBBS. She lacked the academic basics and was overwhelmed, almost ready to give up. Instead of forcing her down the same path, we slowed things down, gave her one-on-one attention, and helped her rebuild her foundation. Over time, she not only found her clarity, but she went on to become a doctor and we cannot be any more proud.

These journeys remind us that our role is not just to prepare students for exams, but to guide them through the most critical decision-making years of their life. We don’t believe in simply filling our classrooms or pushing every child toward IIT or NEET. Some discover that their strengths lie elsewhere — and we help them pivot with confidence.

At Educamy, we stand for meaningful mentorship. Our goal is to help students rise — not just through ranks, but through self-belief, clarity, and the courage to pursue what truly fits them. Whether it's engineering, medicine, or another path entirely, we are not just their coaching centre; we are the air beneath their wings.

15. Finally, what would be your message to a student from a small village in Bihar who dreams of cracking exams like JEE or NEET, but is discouraged by pressure or the cost of preparation?

We are actively running a mission to reach students in the remotest corners of Bihar — places where formal coaching institutes have never been able to reach. Our team goes there, identifies talented students, and supports them through local NGOs. Our teachers work directly with these children, focusing on building a strong foundation in basic education.

For any student who truly wants to study, we at Educamy will stand with you — not just as a guide, but as the wind beneath your wings. Financial limitations will never come between a determined student and quality education. That is our unwavering promise.