Startups are celebrated for their dynamism; their ability to disrupt, innovate, and adapt at an enviable pace. But in this whirlwind of growth, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. The world today demands more than just growth; it demands sustainable growth. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are no longer just buzzwords in annual reports; they’re the blueprint for building resilient businesses.
Nowhere is this shift more relevant than in India’s burgeoning edtech sector. As a co-founder of an educational platform, I’ve witnessed firsthand how our industry is uniquely positioned to align growth with sustainability. This isn’t just about ticking ESG checkboxes; it’s about crafting a future, where education and the way we deliver it becomes a force for environmental preservation, social equity, and ethical governance.
Rethinking Education: The Environmental Lens
Imagine classrooms without boundaries. Students logging in from anywhere, anytime, eliminating the need for physical commutes. This isn’t just convenient; it’s revolutionary. India’s transportation sector contributes over 13% to national CO2 emissions, as highlighted by a 2022 study by the Centre for Science and Environment. Every virtual class, every student learning from home, chips away at this number.
Edtech platforms are also redefining resource efficiency. Heavy textbooks, endless notebooks, and paper trails are fast becoming relics of the past, a courtesy of digitizing materials introduced by online learning.
Bridging Inequities: The Social Promise of Edtech
India’s diversity is its strength, but also its challenge. Stark inequalities in access to quality education have long held back millions. This is where Edtech becomes more than just a business model; it becomes a movement. A 2024 NITI Aayog report suggests that digital education could increase rural literacy rates by 15% by 2030. These aren’t just statistics; they are futures being rewritten.
Governance: The Bedrock of Trust
In the digital age, trust is currency. Edtech platforms handle sensitive data, academic records, payment details, and personal information. Mismanagement isn’t just risky; it’s catastrophic. According to a 2023 Deloitte India survey, over 70% of consumers expressed concern over data privacy. For startups, robust governance isn’t just a safeguard; it’s a differentiator.
Transparency, ethical pricing, and fair practices must underpin every decision. When governance becomes a priority, it builds not just customer confidence but also a lasting reputation, one that stands tall in a crowded, competitive market.
Four Pillars for the Future
As we navigate 2025 and beyond, here’s how Indian Edtech startups can lead with ESG:
- Greening Education- Reduce energy consumption in digital operations and adopt renewable energy for servers and sustainable tech solutions.
- Equity as Growth- Accessibility drives growth by unlocking potential in underserved communities.
- Governance as Credibility- Build trust with transparency, ethical practices, and strong data protection, credibility is the foundation of education.
- Collaborative Ecosystems- Partner with policymakers, NGOs, and communities to solve India’s education challenges through collective action.
A Shared Responsibility
The Edtech sector stands at the intersection of innovation and accountability, holding the power to redefine India’s educational and developmental trajectory. By embedding sustainability, equity, and trust into our core, we don’t just future-proof our businesses—we create a legacy of positive impact.
In a rapidly evolving world, the true measure of success isn’t how fast we grow but how responsibly we do so. As founders, leaders, and changemakers, let us embrace ESG not as an obligation but as an opportunity to shape an education system—and a society—those uplifts everyone. The time to act is now, for the benefit of our students, our planet, and the generations yet to come.
The author is Co-Chair, FICCI Startups Committee & Founder and CEO PhysicsWallah
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