How Tutopia is optimising digital learning for students of West Bengal state board, ETEducation
The edtech sector in India, valued at $7.5 billion in 2024, has rapidly spread across the country, bringing tonnes of benefits to all kinds of students. It has also been very beneficial for rural and semi-urban areas during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recently, the sector has faced a severe downturn, with big players like Byju’s struggling. However, with increasing demand for upskilling, online higher education programmes, and K-12—driven by government NEP, the sector is poised to make significant progress.
While most edtech companies tend to cater to the competitive exam learners and central board students, West Bengal-based Tutopia is primarily focusing on state board learners, which also constitute the largest segment of India’s educational sector.
In a conversation with ET Digital, Subrata Roy, Founder of Tutopia, explains how the company is expanding access and shaping the future of inclusive learning through its focus on state boards and its teacher-tech hybrid learning model. Edited excerpts:
ET: The edtech market in India appears to be struggling, especially with the Byju’s downfall. What are your thoughts on this?
Subrata Roy (SR): Every new segment goes through highs and lows. Where one edtech start-up failed to live up to expectations, another posted a strong listing on the exchanges. I think we are still in the developmental stage of this sector, and there are renewed and strong tailwinds.
Economic Times (ET): What is the extent of Tutopia’s reach in the hinterlands of West Bengal?
Subrata Roy (SR): Today, Tutopia has over 600,000 registered users; of which about 75% come from rural and semi-urban regions, while the remaining 25% are from urban areas.
Tutopia has significantly expanded its presence across rural Bengal through a combination of digital outreach and a strong on-ground network that speaks to families in their own language. While many students discover the platform online, our local partners also visit households to demonstrate how learning from home can continue seamlessly with the right guidance.
We also provide free access to students who face financial challenges, so their learning does not break midway.
ET: How does Tutopia stand out in India’s competitive edtech market?
SR: The edtech sector has grown rapidly, yet a substantial gap persists for state board students. While most platforms focus on central boards, such as CBSE and ICSE, Tutopia identified this unmet need early and chose to focus on the West Bengal State Board segment, where most students genuinely needed help.
High-quality content at accessible price points, ranging from Rs 999 to Rs 48,000 per annum, helped Tutopia grow steadily. While the State Board remains at the core of our work, we have also expanded our offerings for ICSE and CBSE learners. Key innovations include the animated video learning app, smart book, TV box, and school and career guide, among others.
ET: How does Tutopia ensure students have the right resources and equipment to study remotely from home?
SR: While Tutopia provides free app access to students who need financial support, providing physical devices to every household is not always practical. Post-pandemic, most families now have at least one smartphone, making device accessibility less of a challenge. Parents now worry about their children easily getting distracted on a mobile phone.
To make learning easier and more focused, we developed the Tutopia Android TV Box. It transforms any television into a smart learning screen, reduces dependence on personal phones and works smoothly even in areas with unstable bandwidth. It also helps parents supervise their child’s study time with more comfort and confidence.
ET: What are the challenges the company faces in this industry?
SR: Tutopia’s biggest challenge has been shifting mindsets and convincing families that meaningful, high-quality learning can occur at home with the right digital support.
Over the last five years, perceptions have changed significantly, with nearly 50-60% of families now accepting digital learning as a valuable complement to offline tuition. The growing number of students using Tutopia alongside traditional coaching demonstrates that when digital tools are simple, local, and supported by teachers, families begin to see them as a natural part of everyday study.
ET: How does Tutopia work with teachers in rural areas for its teacher-tech hybrid model?
SR: Upon entering the market, we noticed strong interest from private tutors who wanted to understand how the platform could fit into their way of teaching. In response, we built a rural teacher-tech model that strengthens educators rather than replaces them.
This includes white-label customised apps featuring the tutor’s name, allowing them to use Tutopia’s videos, MCQs, and mock tests within their own teaching ecosystem. The launch of Virtual Coaching Centres has also helped many tutors improve their earnings through a blended learning model.
This approach keeps the learning experience human, with tutors guiding students after video lessons to clear doubts and reinforce concepts.
ET: What is now in the pipeline for Tutopia?
SR: Tutopia now aims to bridge the widening gap between academic learning and industry expectations. To achieve this, we are introducing Tutopia Pro, a platform where industry professionals will lead classes that focus on practical and employable skills. Key domains will include digital marketing, business analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data science, and animation and media art.
In FY25, we achieved a top line of Rs 20 crore with an EBITDA of Rs 6 crore. This year, we expect to close with Rs 30 crore in revenues and Rs 8 crore in EBITDA.
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