Edtech major PhysicsWallah has introduced a new incentive programme that offers newly hired faculty rewards of up to ₹15 lakh for bringing high-performing students from rival coaching institutes to its offline classroom programmes. The move comes as the company aggressively expands its offline coaching business and competes for a larger share of India’s highly competitive test-preparation market.
According to reports, the incentive scheme applies to students enrolling in PhysicsWallah’s 2027 classroom batches and links payouts to students’ future performance in major entrance examinations such as JEE Main, JEE Advanced and NEET.
How the Incentive Programme Works
An internal policy document reviewed by media reports indicates that faculty members and members of PhysicsWallah’s Talent Nurture Team (TNT) can earn rewards ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹15 lakh depending on the ranks secured by referred students.
The highest payout of ₹15 lakh is reportedly reserved for a student who secures All India Rank 1. Rewards gradually decrease for lower ranks, with incentives extending to students ranked up to 1,000 in national entrance examinations. Students must enrol within specified timelines and meet attendance requirements to qualify under the programme.
Focus on Offline Expansion
PhysicsWallah’s offline coaching business has emerged as a major growth driver for the company. Reports suggest that the offline segment now contributes nearly half of the company’s revenue and has grown into a business worth approximately ₹1,800 crore.
Industry observers believe the incentive programme is aimed at accelerating admissions growth while strengthening the company’s classroom presence across key education hubs. By encouraging newly recruited faculty to bring talented students with them, PhysicsWallah may be seeking an additional channel for student acquisition beyond traditional marketing and outreach efforts.
Company Defends the Policy
PhysicsWallah has stated that employee reward programmes are not new to the organisation and are periodically reviewed and updated. The company has described the initiative as an impact-based incentive programme rather than a simple enrolment-based reward system.
According to the company, incentives are tied to long-term academic outcomes and student performance rather than merely bringing students into the system.
Debate Within the Coaching Industry
The policy has sparked discussion within India’s coaching sector. While rewarding specialised talent acquisition teams is a common industry practice, extending similar incentives to faculty members has attracted attention. Some industry experts argue that such programmes could intensify competition for both teachers and students among major coaching institutes.
As competition in the JEE and NEET coaching market continues to grow, institutions are increasingly looking beyond traditional teaching models and investing heavily in faculty recruitment, student acquisition and offline expansion strategies.
Summary
PhysicsWallah has introduced an incentive programme offering newly hired faculty rewards of up to ₹15 lakh for bringing high-performing students from rival coaching institutes. The payouts are linked to students’ future JEE and NEET ranks and form part of the company’s strategy to expand its offline coaching business. The move has sparked debate within the coaching industry over increasing competition for both students and faculty.
