Roman Saini is a name that resonates with excellence, transformation, and inspiration. From being one of the youngest IAS officers in India to becoming the co-founder of Unacademy—a unicorn in the Indian EdTech space—his journey is anything but conventional. With a staggering net worth estimated at Rs 22,000 crores as of 2024, Roman has become a symbol of how bold career choices backed by vision and purpose can create monumental impact.
In this in-depth blog, we explore Roman Saini Net Worth early life, education, remarkable achievements, his short yet significant stint in the Indian Administrative Service, and the story behind his exponential rise as a tech entrepreneur.
Early Life and Academic Brilliance
Roman Saini was born on July 27, 1991, in Delhi, India. From an early age, Roman displayed exceptional intelligence and an insatiable curiosity for learning. He cleared the AIIMS entrance exam—one of the most competitive medical exams in India—at just 16 years old, and pursued M.B.B.S. at AIIMS, New Delhi, completing his degree by the age of 21.
But his accomplishments didn’t stop at medicine. Roman also earned a guitar certification from Trinity College London, reflecting his multi-talented persona. During his time at AIIMS, Roman began to feel deeply for public service, particularly in rural healthcare, which eventually led him to prepare for the Civil Services Examination.
The UPSC Journey: Becoming an IAS Officer
At the age of 22, Roman Saini cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination (2013) in his first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 18—a feat most aspirants spend years trying to achieve. His chosen optional subject was Medical Science, aligning with his academic background.
Key UPSC Exam Details:
| UPSC Exam Component | Marks Obtained |
| Essay | 145 |
| General Studies Paper 1 | 97 |
| General Studies Paper 2 | 61 |
| General Studies Paper 3 | 108 |
| General Studies Paper 4 | 98 |
| Medical Science Paper 1 | 109 |
| Medical Science Paper 2 | 112 |
| Written Total | 730 |
| Interview | 154 |
| Final Total | 884 |
Roman was posted in the Madhya Pradesh cadre and served as an Assistant Collector (UT) in Jabalpur. However, after nearly 3 years, he made a radical decision: to resign from the IAS in 2016 to pursue his vision in education.
The Bold Move: Resigning from the IAS
Why would someone give up a secure, prestigious career in the IAS—often considered the pinnacle of public service?
To Roman, the solution was in size and effect. His exposure in the field of work as he served in the government made him realize how millions of students were struggling to get quality education. He thought the field of technology would fill in the gap and help reach out to many more people than he would have by administrative work only.
Roman, along with Gaurav Munjal and Hemesh Singh, co-founded Unacademy, which began as a YouTube channel and today has evolved into one of the biggest online classes in India.
From Bureaucrat to Billionaire: Roman Saini’s Net Worth
As of 2024, Roman Saini Net Worth is Rs 22,000 crores, driven largely by Unacademy’s exponential growth and market valuation.
Quick Info: Roman Saini
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Roman Saini |
| Date of Birth | 27 July 1991 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 33 |
| UPSC Rank | 18 (CSE 2013) |
| Cadre | Madhya Pradesh |
| Educational Qualification | M.B.B.S., AIIMS, New Delhi |
| Optional Subject | Medical Science |
| Net Worth (2024) | Rs 22,000 Crore |
| Marital Status | Married to Spriha |
| Current Role | Co-founder, Unacademy |
Medical Practice Before IAS
Before embarking on his UPSC journey, Roman worked as a Junior Resident in Psychiatry at AIIMS. He also served at the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at just 18 years old, where he dealt with patients battling addiction and mental health challenges.
All these experiences brought him to the dark side of Indian healthcare especially in the rural and semi-urban regions. His type of work in the field of medicine influenced his wish to introduce systemic change that he tried to do when he first of all tried to do it in the form of the civil service and then in the form of the education reform.
Unacademy: A Tech-Driven Educational Revolution
Unacademy was officially launched in 2015, with a mission to democratize education. What began as an idea to provide free, high-quality online classes quickly evolved into a full-fledged learning platform with over 21,000 educators and millions of learners.
Major Milestones of Unacademy:
- Funded by top venture capital firms like SoftBank, Sequoia Capital, and General Atlantic
- Valued at several billion dollars
- Offers courses in multiple Indian languages
- Caters to competitive exams including UPSC, JEE, NEET, SSC, CAT, and more
- Hosts live classes, practice tests, and structured programs
Roman’s vision for Unacademy was simple: education should be a fundamental right, not a privilege. And with each passing year, the platform continues to deliver on that promise.
Criticism and Controversy
While Roman’s transition from IAS to entrepreneur has earned him massive praise, it has also drawn criticism.
Common Critiques:
- Some believe he abandoned a lifetime commitment to public service.
- Others argue that for-profit education doesn’t align with the original mission of serving underprivileged students.
- Questions have been raised about whether he could have made more direct impact in areas like health and education as a bureaucrat.
However, Roman and his supporters argue that his current role allows him to influence millions at scale, far beyond the reach of any single government position.
Legacy and Impact
Roman Saini’s legacy lies in his ability to challenge conventional paths. He has successfully:
- Redefined success by showing that you don’t need to stick to traditional roles to make a difference.
- Inspired a new generation of learners and educators to leverage technology for good.
- Brought attention to mental health, education inequality, and youth empowerment.
Through Unacademy, he has empowered millions of aspirants—especially those from rural and marginalized communities—to dream big and access quality education from the comfort of their homes.
Conclusion: A Life of Purpose Beyond Prestige
The experience of Roman Saini, who was an AIIMS doctor, an IAS officer, and now a billionaire entrepreneur, is based on vision, courage, and adaptability. Not only is his net worth staggering, but it is not the only part of the story. However, what is special is his never-ending dedication to transforming lives with the help of education.
Living in the society where success is frequently associated with the stability of governmental employment or good incomes, Roman has demonstrated that the true success is taking matters into its own hands and creating value and meaning forothers.
As an aspirant who travels the route to UPSC or as a student who needs some motivation, the story of Roman Saini Net Worth can make you realize this: that though the road that you are traveling is not always straight, as long as you are walking with a purpose, the world around you can change.
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