Adarsh Kumar, 18, Wins Global Student Prize 2025 for Transforming Education
Adarsh Kumar, a remarkable 18-year-old from Bihar, India, has been recognised globally for his outstanding contributions to education and society. Kumar, who started his journey at the age of 13, has now won the prestigious Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2025, awarded in partnership with the Varkey Foundation. He received the $100,000 prize at an event near London, UK.
Kumar's journey began when he was just 13 years old. Despite facing financial difficulties, he travelled to Kota with only 1,000 Rupees (USD $10) to pursue coaching for the Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination. Unable to afford coaching, Kumar turned to libraries and cold-emailing to gain mentorship and internship opportunities. This resilience led him to launch Skillzo in 2023, a platform that has empowered over 20,000 students, many of whom have earned scholarships and won national awards.
At the age of 14, Kumar launched Mission Badlao, a project that secured land for a new school, facilitated over 2,000 Covid vaccinations, distributed menstrual health products, and planted 3,000 trees. His efforts have had a significant impact on his community. Kumar's achievements have not gone unnoticed. He was named the youngest Google Youth Advisor, joining 52 global leaders in shaping technology policy. Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, praised Kumar's journey as a reminder of education's transformative power.
Kumar's win at the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2025 is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He was selected from nearly 11,000 nominations across 148 countries. The Global Student Prize 2025 is a sister award to the Varkey Foundation's Global Teacher Prize and Global Schools Prize. Kumar's story serves as an inspiration to students worldwide, demonstrating that with perseverance and a passion for learning, one can overcome adversity and achieve greatness.
