Satyam Jain : A Visionary, Making UPSC Education More Accessible & Affordable
Satyam Jain
CEO & Managing Director
He turned this idea into a structure after his last UPSC interview in April 2024, releasing iOS and Android apps that currently serve 50,000+ students, of which 25,000 are enrolled in various programs. According to the most recent UPSC results, his program produced over 450 successful students, one of the highest in the nation.
Although it was difficult for him, but switching from a free approach to a minimal cost structure guaranteed sustainability while preserving affordability. His leadership is a prime example of how Delhi University graduates have influenced the availability of high-quality education.
In a close interview with us, Satyam shared with us his journey and his several experiences at the University of Delhi
Could you tell us about the most valuable lessons or skills you gained from the University of Delhi?
I was shaped both emotionally and professionally during my time at the University of Delhi. I had the chance to work with some of the university's most brilliant minds, including department deans, and interact directly with the vice chancellor to learn about his vision when I was chosen for the Vice Chancellor's Internship in 2015.
As a crucial liaison between students and the administration, I also oversaw the student grievance redressal team, which improved my empathy, communication, and capacity to successfully handle student problems. Also, for me as a computer science student, the program was particularly useful because it placed a strong emphasis on logical reasoning,
algorithms, and analytical thinking, continues to guide me today in taking better decisions. My experiences outside of the classroom included traveling to new places, exploring my interests such as reading, engaging with people from other back grounds, and acquiring worthwhile life experiences.
What memory stands out to you the most from your academic and outside the classroom experiences at the university?
One of the most influential academic experiences I had in college was studying data structures, where, in just one class, our professor cleared the toughest concepts. It helped me to see how effective a great teacher is at demythologizing difficult ideas. I also had the chance to collaborate with Dr Deepika Bhaskar's research team at the University of Delhi during my internship, which enlightened me on the tremendous amount of work that goes into managing an institution.
Outside the classroom, spending time with friends and traveling with them to various destinations is my most cherished memory.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
I think that trust and teamwork are the foundations of leadership. Over the past two years, working with a team of more than 50 people in a variety of jobs, I've discovered that the best outcomes come from having faith in people and their skills. Instead of micromanaging, I see myself as a mentor, a growth accelerator, who gives them the latitude to carry out their ideas. This encourages innovation and creativity. They are empowered to take charge and keep getting better because of this supportive and self-assured culture. Teamwork and trust continue to be the cornerstones of my leadership style.
What is your vision for future?
Throughout my life, I have faced the shortage of right guidance. So, our vision is to bridge the gaps in guidance for every student in India. This will happen irrespective of gender, race, region, caste, creed and language. This will ultimately lead to saving human hours and human-years for this great nation. To summarise, we will provide everybody in India access to right, quick and affordable guidance.
What memory stands out to you the most from your academic and outside the classroom experiences at the university?
One of the most influential academic experiences I had in college was studying data structures, where, in just one class, our professor cleared the toughest concepts. It helped me to see how effective a great teacher is at demythologizing difficult ideas. I also had the chance to collaborate with Dr Deepika Bhaskar's research team at the University of Delhi during my internship, which enlightened me on the tremendous amount of work that goes into managing an institution.
Everybody in India should have access to right, affordable and quick guidance, because it is only with perfect guidance, that we achieve our true potential
Outside the classroom, spending time with friends and traveling with them to various destinations is my most cherished memory.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
I think that trust and teamwork are the foundations of leadership. Over the past two years, working with a team of more than 50 people in a variety of jobs, I've discovered that the best outcomes come from having faith in people and their skills. Instead of micromanaging, I see myself as a mentor, a growth accelerator, who gives them the latitude to carry out their ideas. This encourages innovation and creativity. They are empowered to take charge and keep getting better because of this supportive and self-assured culture. Teamwork and trust continue to be the cornerstones of my leadership style.
What is your vision for future?
Throughout my life, I have faced the shortage of right guidance. So, our vision is to bridge the gaps in guidance for every student in India. This will happen irrespective of gender, race, region, caste, creed and language. This will ultimately lead to saving human hours and human-years for this great nation. To summarise, we will provide everybody in India access to right, quick and affordable guidance.
What sets you apart from the traditional coaching institutes? And what has this pedagogy yielded?
While traditional institutes follow conventional pedagogies, we at Understand UPSC are very highly exam centric. We identify the gaps in a student’s preparation and curate our programs as per the fast-paced evolving patterns of the exam. Secondly, the traditional institutes have been extremely costly whereas Understand UPSC has brought the most affordable programs for students. Last but not the least, we focus on the mental health of our students, providing them personal care, emotional support and even psychological help through experts.
Because of being so highly student and exam centric, Understand UPSC has become a name of trust among the aspirant community. Even when we didn’t have any paid programs, we directly contributed to the success journey of more than 100 rankers in the very first year. And this year after having a proper structure, we are sure to double our impact.
Are you also engaged in any social
initiatives?
Since its inception, Understand UPSC has been committed to social endeavours. We embrace our social duty while remaining incredibly economical, despite our initial goal of being free. We have sponsored preliminary stage education of various students through a foundation, paid for the entire school education of nine students, and given free and subsidized admittance to more than 300 students in a single year. Additionally, we gave 350 underserved pupils in Garhmukteshwar winter apparel. Giving back is still at the heart of our purpose, and we'll keep doing everything we can to help.
Do you identify yourself as a teacher or as an entrepreneur?
I have always identified myself as an aspirant & I will continue to do so in all the years to come. It is only by being an aspirant, that I am able to truly under stand the grievances and needs of my students.
Satyam Jain, CEO & Managing Director, Understand UPSC
Education leader Satyam Jain is committed to improving the effectiveness and accessibility of education. He has experience preparing students for tough exams and has used creative teaching strategies to help hundreds of pupils achieve. Aspirants nationwide are still motivated by his dedication to providing high-quality instruction and mentoring.
While traditional institutes follow conventional pedagogies, we at Understand UPSC are very highly exam centric. We identify the gaps in a student’s preparation and curate our programs as per the fast-paced evolving patterns of the exam. Secondly, the traditional institutes have been extremely costly whereas Understand UPSC has brought the most affordable programs for students. Last but not the least, we focus on the mental health of our students, providing them personal care, emotional support and even psychological help through experts.
Because of being so highly student and exam centric, Understand UPSC has become a name of trust among the aspirant community. Even when we didn’t have any paid programs, we directly contributed to the success journey of more than 100 rankers in the very first year. And this year after having a proper structure, we are sure to double our impact.
Are you also engaged in any social
initiatives?
Since its inception, Understand UPSC has been committed to social endeavours. We embrace our social duty while remaining incredibly economical, despite our initial goal of being free. We have sponsored preliminary stage education of various students through a foundation, paid for the entire school education of nine students, and given free and subsidized admittance to more than 300 students in a single year. Additionally, we gave 350 underserved pupils in Garhmukteshwar winter apparel. Giving back is still at the heart of our purpose, and we'll keep doing everything we can to help.
Do you identify yourself as a teacher or as an entrepreneur?
I have always identified myself as an aspirant & I will continue to do so in all the years to come. It is only by being an aspirant, that I am able to truly under stand the grievances and needs of my students.
Satyam Jain, CEO & Managing Director, Understand UPSC
Education leader Satyam Jain is committed to improving the effectiveness and accessibility of education. He has experience preparing students for tough exams and has used creative teaching strategies to help hundreds of pupils achieve. Aspirants nationwide are still motivated by his dedication to providing high-quality instruction and mentoring.