Byju Raveendran: Age, Journey, Achievements, BYJU’S Founder and 6-Month Jail Case

Byju Raveendran is one of the most recognised names in India’s education technology sector. From teaching students for competitive exams to building BYJU’S into a globally known edtech company, his journey has seen both extraordinary growth and major legal and financial challenges.

In 2026, Byju Raveendran again came into the spotlight after a Singapore court sentenced him to six months in jail for contempt of court. However, the Singapore High Court later stayed the committal and surrender provisions of the order while the legal proceedings continue.

Byju Raveendran Age and Education

Byju Raveendran was born on 5 January 1980 in Azhikode, Kannur, Kerala. Based on his reported date of birth, he is 46 years old in 2026.

He completed his engineering education at the Government College of Engineering, Kannur, where he studied mechanical engineering. His parents were teachers, and education played an important role in his early life.

Interestingly, Raveendran did not originally plan to become a professional teacher or entrepreneur. After completing engineering, he worked as a service engineer with a shipping company. His career took a different direction when he began helping friends prepare for the CAT examination.

How Byju Raveendran Started Teaching

Raveendran’s teaching career began almost informally. While helping friends with CAT preparation, he developed a reputation for explaining difficult concepts in a simple manner. He eventually began teaching larger groups of students.

According to BYJU’S and EY, he achieved a 100 percentile in CAT and later began conducting classes for students across different locations. In 2009, CAT classes were delivered through VSAT technology, allowing his teaching model to reach students in multiple centres.

This experience eventually became the foundation for his larger education business.

The Journey of BYJU’S Founder

In 2011, Raveendran and his team established Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd., the parent company behind BYJU’S. The BYJU’S Learning App was launched in 2015 and focused on video-based and personalised learning for school students.

The company expanded rapidly and attracted major global investors. It also acquired businesses including Aakash Educational Services, WhiteHat Jr, Great Learning and Epic as it attempted to build a large international education ecosystem.

At its peak in 2022, BYJU’S was valued at approximately $22 billion, making it one of the most highly valued edtech companies in the world.

What Happened to BYJU’S?

The company’s rapid expansion was followed by mounting financial and governance problems. The post-pandemic slowdown in online education, large acquisitions, debt obligations, investor disputes and questions surrounding financial reporting put significant pressure on BYJU’S.

The company also became involved in multiple legal disputes in India, the United States and Singapore.

In India, insolvency proceedings were initiated following a dispute involving unpaid sponsorship dues to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In October 2024, the Supreme Court set aside an earlier settlement between BYJU’S and BCCI, holding that the settlement had not followed the required insolvency procedure.

Why Was Byju Raveendran Sentenced to 6 Months in Jail?

One of the biggest questions surrounding Byju Raveendran’s six-month jail sentence is whether he was convicted of fraud. The Singapore case was specifically about contempt of court and compliance with asset-related orders, not a criminal conviction for fraud.

In May 2026, a Singapore court sentenced Raveendran to six months in jail after finding that he had failed to comply with multiple court orders concerning disclosure of his assets. The proceedings were connected to a wider dispute involving Qatar Holdings, a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority. The court also ordered him to pay approximately S$90,000 in legal costs and provide documents relating to ownership of Beeaar Investco Pte.

Reports said the court’s orders dated back to 2024 and concerned disclosure of assets and ownership interests.

Raveendran disputed the way the case was portrayed. He maintained that the matter concerned procedural and disclosure issues and did not amount to a finding of fraud or wrongdoing.

Importantly, in June 2026, the Singapore High Court stayed the committal and surrender provisions connected with the six-month sentence. This means the sentence was not immediately enforced while the legal matter remained before the court.

Byju Raveendran’s Journey: From Teacher to Edtech Founder

Byju Raveendran’s story is closely connected with the extraordinary rise and subsequent crisis of BYJU’S. He started by teaching a small group of students and eventually built an education company that reached millions of learners and attracted international investors.

His journey now includes both major entrepreneurial achievements and complex legal battles. The continuing court proceedings mean that some aspects of the disputes remain unresolved, and developments can change the legal position.

FAQs About Byju Raveendran

Who is Byju Raveendran?
Byju Raveendran is an Indian entrepreneur and educator who co-founded BYJU’S and served as its founder and CEO.

How old is Byju Raveendran in 2026?
Byju Raveendran is 46 years old in 2026, based on his reported date of birth, 5 January 1980.

Why was Byju Raveendran sentenced to six months in jail?
A Singapore court sentenced him for contempt of court after finding non-compliance with orders concerning disclosure of assets and ownership information. It was not a sentence for fraud.

Is Byju Raveendran currently in jail?
The Singapore High Court stayed the committal and surrender provisions of the sentence in June 2026 while the legal proceedings continue.

When was BYJU’S founded?
Think & Learn, the company behind BYJU’S, was founded in 2011, while the BYJU’S Learning App was launched in 2015.

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