Coursera–Udemy Merger: Can This $2.5 Billion Deal Impact PhysicsWallah?

Synopsis: The article looks at the $2.5 billion Coursera–Udemy merger and whether it could affect PhysicsWallah. With 81M learners and 250K courses globally, the merger sets high tech and learning standards, but PhysicsWallah’s 13.7M YouTube subscribers and 4.13M online users keep it strong in India.

The online learning world is changing as Coursera and Udemy plan to merge in a $2.5 billion deal. The merger will combine Coursera’s university-backed courses and professional programs with Udemy’s large library of skill-based courses.

With a focus on AI and personalized learning, the new company aims to reach more learners worldwide. This raises the question: could this big global merger affect PhysicsWallah, India’s popular platform for K-12 education and exam preparation?

A Landmark Merger in Global Online Education

Coursera and Udemy, two of the largest online learning platforms globally, recently announced a definitive merger agreement valued at approximately $2.5 billion. The deal, structured as an all-stock transaction, will give Udemy shareholders 0.800 Coursera shares per Udemy share, representing a 26 percent premium on recent average prices.

The merger is expected to complete in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval and shareholder consent. Leadership from both companies highlighted the goal of combining strengths to accelerate innovation, expand content, and enhance global learning experiences.

Post Merger Details 

After the transaction, Udemy shareholders will hold 41 percent in the new company and Coursera shareholders will hold 59 percent stake in the new company. The board of directors of the new company will have a total of 9 people; 3 from Udemy and 6 from Coursera. The new company will operate in the name of Coursera.

Strategic Strengths of the Combined Entity

The merger will integrate Coursera’s strong university-backed certifications and professional courses with Udemy’s extensive library of practical and skill-based programs. Both CEOs emphasized artificial intelligence, personalized learning, and product development speed as key focus areas post-merger. With the consolidation, the combined company will likely have more resources to invest in technology, content creation, and global marketing.

Potential Implications for PhysicsWallah

PhysicsWallah primarily focuses on K-12 education and competitive exam preparation for Indian students, whereas Coursera–Udemy targets higher education, professional certifications, and global workforce upskilling. While there is minimal direct overlap, the merger could indirectly impact PhysicsWallah in several ways:

1. Increased Global Competition for Skills Training: The combined Coursera–Udemy entity may expand aggressively into emerging markets, including India, offering professional and skill-based courses that complement competitive exam preparation.
   
2. Rising Expectations for Tech-Enabled Learning: AI-driven personalized learning solutions from the merger could set new benchmarks for student engagement and outcomes, pressuring Indian edtech platforms to innovate faster.
   
3. Talent and Content Acquisition: A global platform with deep pockets may attract top instructors or content creators, potentially reducing the availability of high-quality educators for smaller local platforms.
   

Where PhysicsWallah Maintains an Advantage

Despite these potential pressures, PhysicsWallah retains significant advantages:

• Deeply Localized Focus: PhysicsWallah caters specifically to Indian K-12 students and competitive exam aspirants, understanding syllabus, exam patterns, and student learning behavior better than global platforms.
  
• Affordability: Offers high-quality courses at a fraction of the cost of international competitors, making education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
  
• Strong Brand Loyalty and Trust: Millions of students rely on PhysicsWallah for exam preparation, reinforced by proven results in JEE, NEET, and other competitive exams.

About the Company

Coursera is a global online learning platform offering university-backed courses, professional certifications, and skill development programs for higher education and workforce training.

Partnering with more than 350 leading universities and companies, Coursera provides flexible, affordable, and job-relevant learning opportunities. Its offerings range from hands-on projects and courses to job-ready certificates and full degree programs, catering to individuals and organizations worldwide.

Udemy is a large global marketplace for skill-based and instructor-led online courses, focused on practical learning for professionals and personal development. With a global catalog spanning the latest skills and topics, Udemy enables learners and organizations to adapt to change and thrive.

The platform serves 81 million learners through 85,000 instructors, offering over 250,000 courses in 77 languages. Udemy has recorded more than 1.1 billion course enrollments and serves over 17,000 enterprise customers globally.

PhysicsWallah is an Indian edtech platform primarily focused on K-12 education and competitive exam preparation such as JEE, NEET, and UPSC, and is known for its affordability, localized content, and exam-oriented teaching. Among the top five edtech companies in India by revenue, PhysicsWallah has a strong digital presence with 13.7 million YouTube subscribers as of July 15, 2025. 

The platform boasts 4.13 million unique transacting users online and 0.33 million students enrolled in its offline centers, which number 303 as of June 30, 2025. It employs 6,267 faculty members and 18,028 employees, offers multiple courses across 13 education categories, and has published 4,382 books to date.

Conclusion

The Coursera–Udemy merger represents a major shift in global online education, but its immediate impact on PhysicsWallah is likely limited due to differing target segments.

However, in the long term, as global platforms invest in AI, personalized learning, and potentially expand into India, PhysicsWallah may face indirect pressures to enhance technology, expand offerings, and maintain competitive differentiation.

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