TheCconnects: Can you tell our readers a little about your professional journey and how you came to your current role/position?
Shamshad Alam: Founder & CEO at Edunachal Exclusive InterviewMy professional journey has been deeply rooted in the belief that quality education should be accessible to everyone, especially in regions where opportunities are limited. I began my career with a passion for education and a vision to bridge learning gaps in competitive exam preparation. The idea for Edunachal emerged when I noticed that students in Northeast India, despite their immense potential, lacked access to the same level of resources, guidance, and mentorship as their counterparts in metropolitan cities.
What started as a focused initiative in the Northeast has now expanded pan-India, making high-quality, affordable, and accessible education a reality for aspirants preparing for UPSC, State Public Service Commissions, and other competitive exams. As the Founder and CEO of Edunachal, my role involves shaping the company’s vision, ensuring the best learning experience for students, and leveraging technology to make education more inclusive. The journey has been both challenging and rewarding, reinforcing my commitment to transforming education across India.
TheCconnects: Who has influenced you the most in life and why?
Shamshad Alam: Many people have influenced my journey, but if I had to choose one, it would be the students themselves. Their dedication, struggles, and unwavering determination to succeed despite challenges have been my greatest inspiration. When I started Edunachal, I met countless students who had the talent and ambition but lacked access to proper resources. Their resilience in the face of adversity pushed me to build a platform that could bridge this gap. Every success story, every message of gratitude from a student who cracked an exam against the odds, reinforces my belief that education is the most powerful tool for change. Apart from students, visionary leaders in education and entrepreneurship, such as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and others who revolutionized access to learning, have deeply influenced me. Their ability to think beyond limitations and create opportunities where none existed has shaped my approach to both education and leadership.
TheCconnects: What are the biggest challenges you have faced, and how did you overcome them?
Shamshad Alam: Challenges are an inevitable part of any entrepreneurial journey, especially in the education sector. When I started Edunachal, the biggest challenge was accessibility—how to bring high-quality education to students in remote areas, particularly in the Northeast, where infrastructure and resources were limited. To overcome these challenges, we embraced digital learning early on, ensuring that students, regardless of their location, could access quality content, live classes, and mentorship through our platform. This helped break geographical barriers. Building trust and awareness was another hurdle, as many students and parents were initially skeptical about online education.
We addressed this by providing free resources, demo classes, and showcasing success stories to demonstrate the real impact of our approach. Recruiting the right faculty was also critical, as quality educators are the backbone of any edtech platform. We collaborated with top educators, subject matter experts, and experienced mentors who understood the nuances of competitive exams. Finally, expanding beyond the Northeast required continuous improvement in content quality, launching bilingual courses, and personalizing learning experiences. Every challenge strengthened our resolve, teaching us to see obstacles as opportunities for innovation. The right mix of technology, perseverance, and student-centric solutions helped us establish Edunachal as a trusted name in competitive exam preparation.
TheCconnects: What key lessons have you learned from your professional career?
Shamshad Alam: Throughout my professional journey, I have learned several key lessons that have shaped my approach to education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. First, education is the greatest equalizer—access to quality education can transform lives, and I have seen students from the most remote regions succeed when given the right guidance. Second, technology is a game-changer; blending it with personalized learning can break barriers and ensure that students, regardless of their location, get the best possible resources and mentorship. Third, persistence and adaptability are key—challenges are inevitable, but the ability to adapt, innovate, and stay committed to a vision despite setbacks determines long-term success. Fourth, building trust is more important than scaling fast; in the education sector, quality, credibility, and consistency matter more than rapid expansion. Fifth, leadership is about empowering others—a strong team is the backbone of any successful organization, and surrounding yourself with passionate, skilled individuals leads to better decision-making and long-term impact.
Finally, impact matters more than numbers; success is not just about how many students enroll but how many lives are truly transformed. These lessons have reinforced my commitment to making education more accessible, affordable, and effective for students across India.
TheCconnects: What do you see as the biggest challenge for brands in the digital space?
Shamshad Alam: In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, the biggest challenge for brands is standing out in an overcrowded market while maintaining authenticity and trust. Key challenges include digital overload and short attention spans, as consumers are bombarded with content every second. Cutting through this noise requires creating content that engages, educates, and adds value. Building and maintaining trust is another significant hurdle, as fake news, misinformation, and misleading ads have made consumers more skeptical. Brands must consistently deliver on their promises, provide transparency, and engage authentically to gain and retain trust.
Adapting to changing algorithms and trends is also critical, as social media platforms and search engines frequently update their algorithms, risking organic reach loss. Balancing personalization with privacy concerns is another challenge, as stricter regulations like GDPR and India’s Data Protection Act make it difficult to customize experiences ethically. Finally, converting engagement into loyalty requires strategic storytelling, trust-building, and exceptional customer experience. To overcome these challenges, brands should focus on creating valuable content, leveraging community building, adapting quickly to trends, prioritizing ethics and transparency, and investing in long-term relationships. In a digital world driven by short attention spans, brands that prioritize authenticity, innovation, and long-term relationships will thrive.
TheCconnects: How does your product/service/solution address your customers’ pain points?
Shamshad Alam: At Edunachal, we deeply understand the struggles faced by students preparing for UPSC, State Public Service Commission exams, and other competitive tests. Our mission is to bridge the learning gap by providing accessible, high-quality, and personalized education. Key student pain points include a lack of access to quality education, especially in remote areas. To address this, we offer online courses, live interactive classes, and recorded lectures so that students from even the most remote locations can access top-quality faculty and content without relocating. Another challenge is the high cost of coaching institutes, which we tackle by providing cost-effective courses, scholarships, and affordable subscription models.
Many aspirants also struggle with overwhelming and unstructured study material, so our exam-focused, well-structured courses and mentorship programs provide clear guidance, making preparation streamlined and efficient. Personalized guidance and doubt resolution are critical, and we offer live Q&A sessions, one-on-one mentorship, and AI-driven adaptive learning paths. Additionally, we provide comprehensive test series with detailed feedback, UPSC-standard model answers, and AI-based performance analysis to address the lack of proper answer-writing practice and mock tests. Language barriers are another issue, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities, so we offer bilingual courses (English and Hindi) and regional language support. By combining technology, affordability, expert mentorship, and structured learning, Edunachal is transforming competitive exam preparation, ensuring that no student is left behind due to location, finances, or lack of guidance.
TheCconnects: What do you do in your free time?
Shamshad Alam: As an entrepreneur in the education sector, my schedule is often packed with strategizing, mentoring, and scaling Edunachal to impact more students. However, I strongly believe that taking time off is essential for creativity, productivity, and personal growth. In my free time, I enjoy reading and learning, particularly books on education, leadership, technology, and personal development. Staying updated with the latest trends helps me bring innovation into our learning solutions. I also love engaging with students, teachers, and thought leaders through casual conversations, podcasts, webinars, or social media, as their challenges and insights inspire me.
Writing and content creation are other passions, allowing me to share knowledge and connect with a broader audience. Whenever possible, I travel to different parts of India to meet students, educators, and communities, which helps me understand local educational challenges and how Edunachal can address them. To stay energized, I prioritize physical fitness through walking and workouts, as well as mental well-being through meditation and mindfulness. Lastly, I make sure to spend quality time with my family and close friends, as their support and insights keep me grounded and motivated. For me, free time is not just about relaxation but also about learning, growth, and staying connected with my mission to transform education.
TheCconnects: Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs or C-Suite executives?
Shamshad Alam: Success in entrepreneurship and leadership isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about execution, resilience, and continuous learning. Here are some key lessons I’ve learned along the way: First, start with purpose, not just profits. Build something that solves a real problem and creates value. Passion alone won’t sustain you—you need a clear mission and a strategy. Second, adaptability is the key to survival. The market changes, technology evolves, and customer needs shift. The ability to pivot, experiment, and innovate is what separates lasting businesses from short-lived ones. Be data-driven but also trust your instincts when necessary. Third, build a strong team and empower them. You can’t do everything alone. Hire people smarter than you and give them room to grow.
A great leader creates more leaders, not just followers. Fourth, a customer-centric mindset is non-negotiable. Whether you’re in edtech, finance, or any industry, your focus should always be on solving real problems for your customers. Listen to feedback, evolve your product, and never get complacent. Fifth, execution matters more than ideas. Many people have great ideas, but only a few execute them well. Speed, persistence, and iteration are more valuable than waiting for the “perfect” plan. Sixth, resilience is everything. Every entrepreneur and executive faces failures, rejections, and setbacks—but those who keep going despite challenges ultimately succeed. Mental toughness, patience, and a problem-solving attitude will take you further than just talent. Seventh, networking and mentorship can fast-track your growth. Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and like-minded people who push you to grow. Learning from others’ experiences can save you years of trial and error. Finally, invest in personal growth. Whether it’s reading, upskilling, or mindfulness, continuously work on improving yourself. Leadership is a journey—self-awareness and lifelong learning will keep you ahead.
You can connect with Shamshad Alam on linkedin here
