In a recent interview with CIO&Leader, Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin, CEO of Skilling and Higher Education at Adda247, discusses the company’s strategic expansion beyond its well-established roots in government job preparation into the broader digital skills training arena.
He highlights Adda247’s targeted approach towards addressing skill gaps in the BFSI and technology sectors, emphasizing the rising demand for professionals proficient in AI, data analytics, digital marketing, and product design. He elaborates on how Adda247, through strategic acquisitions of StudyIQ and PrepInsta, leverages robust technological and people capabilities to deliver tailored learning experiences that enhance employability and practical expertise. Below are edited excerpts:
CEO, Skilling and Higher Education,
Adda247
CIO&Leader: What specific skill gaps have you identified in the BFSI and technology sectors, and how is Adda247 tailoring its curriculum to address these precise needs?
Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin: We recognize the growing importance of T-shaped professionals—individuals with deep expertise in specific domains complemented by broad capabilities across adjacent areas. For instance, many evolving roles will require advanced knowledge in AI, data analysis, or product design. However, to build a sustainable competitive edge, these technical skills must be complemented by people skills, business acumen, customer insights, and market awareness.
We are focused on creating offerings that integrate education, skilling, and specific job requirements from industry to fulfill the demand for highly skilled talent in the BFSI and technology sectors. Our programs are aligned with evolving roles in technology, financial services, and the broader digital landscape, including data analytics, digital marketing, and design professions. These offerings have been meticulously designed in partnership with industry players and practitioners to provide learners with industry-relevant knowledge and practical expertise, ensuring they gain hands-on experience, while organizations benefit from a skilled, job-ready workforce.
CIO&Leader: With Adda247 expanding beyond government job preparation into digital skills training, what core technology competencies are you prioritizing for roles in GCCs, GSIs, and startups?
Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin: We are working closely with many enterprises, industry players, and industry bodies to continuously identify roles and skills in significant demand. We have started with roles such as Relationship Officers and Wealth Managers in the Financial Services space. Additionally, we are collaborating with a few leading banks to build AI skills for both tech and non-tech workforce within these banks. Similarly, in the technology and digital landscape, we have initiated programs for skills in Data Analytics, Data Science, and Digital Marketing. Given our deep engagement with enterprises and industry practitioners, this is a continuously evolving process based on inputs from learners and industry.
CIO&Leader: How are you structuring Adda247’s platform to simultaneously serve both government job aspirants and private sector candidates without compromising the quality of either offering?
Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin: We are strategically building platforms to serve both government job aspirants and private sector candidates by offering complementary yet distinct learning pathways. For government job aspirants, we provide comprehensive test preparation across 500+ exam categories in 12 vernacular languages, ensuring we capture the breadth and depth of Bharat. Conversely, our partnerships with enterprises and higher education institutions enable us to integrate job-focused skilling solutions with academic frameworks.
Our platforms have been specifically designed and developed considering the unique requirements of each program, learner journeys, and expected outcomes. Dedicated leaders drive experiences and outcomes based on the specific requirements of each category. For instance, job aspirants preparing for tech roles on PrepInsta need coding skills, so the platform has been designed to offer them a practice environment with numerous assignments and tasks.
CIO&Leader: Following strategic acquisitions such as StudyIQ and PrepInsta, how are you leveraging their technological capabilities to strengthen Adda247’s overall skilling ecosystem?
Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin: Before discussing technological capabilities, I believe it is the people capabilities from StudyIQ and PrepInsta that have helped Adda247 emerge as a leader in preparing job aspirants across both government and private sector careers.
StudyIQ’s massive digital presence on YouTube, with over 20 million subscribers, democratizes education by making quality learning content accessible to students across regions at affordable costs. Our aim is to bridge the divide, providing guidance to UPSC aspirants in Tier 2, 3, and beyond without relocating to metro cities. We are also opening physical centers in multiple cities for students to access offline touchpoints.
PrepInsta, a placement tech platform, offers specialized programs focused on interview and assessment preparation for those aspiring to careers in technology or digital roles. In line with our vision of becoming an integrated provider of education and employment, PrepInsta supports the creation of a job-ready workforce. Its data-driven approach and interactive learning modules provide personalized learning experiences, helping candidates gain practical skills aligned with private-sector demands.
CIO&Leader: What collaborative frameworks are you establishing with BFSI and technology companies to ensure Adda247’s training directly translates to job readiness?
Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin: Our strategic collaborations with enterprises, education providers, leading practitioners, and industry bodies focus on designing and delivering industry-relevant, practical, outcome-driven learning experiences. Through these partnerships, we empower students to succeed in their careers, contributing to Viksit Bharat’s skilled, future-ready workforce.
For example, our partnership with Axis Bank resulted in a program where students undertake specific courses co-designed with the bank through online and offline learning interventions. They gain practical, hands-on experience through integrated, fully-paid on-job training, earn a PG diploma from a university, and secure employment at Axis Bank upon successful completion. Axis Bank also provides learners financial assistance for the program, enabling students to earn more than their fees during the internship. Such well-integrated, outcome-focused programs are possible only through deep industry collaborations. We are in the process of launching many more such programs and partnerships.
CIO&Leader: What innovative assessment technologies is Adda247 deploying to accurately evaluate practical, industry-relevant skills beyond theoretical knowledge?
Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin: All our programs, including assessments, are designed by industry practitioners and focus on specific, demonstrable job skills. Our focused learning journey incorporates an in-house 3D module offering interactive sessions, giving students real-world simulations of challenges they might face. Gamification features maintain learner engagement while assessing problem-solving abilities.
Additionally, our real-time student engagement model allows immediate feedback, doubt clarification, and collaboration with teachers and peers. With over 200 studios delivering outcome-focused training, our assessments reflect real-world competencies rather than mere theoretical knowledge.
CIO&Leader: As you broaden your focus from government job preparation to wider skill development, what technological infrastructure challenges have you encountered, and how are you addressing them?
Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin: A significant challenge has been ensuring access to quality learning in areas with weak internet connectivity. Despite improved internet penetration, consistent access remains a barrier, often compounded by financial constraints. To address this, we’ve developed low-bandwidth technology with enhanced downloading capabilities to operate under weak connections, specifically catering to remote regions. Additionally, our YouTube content serves as a free, scalable solution for students unable to afford paid courses, effectively removing barriers and providing equal learning opportunities across regions.
CIO&Leader: Looking ahead, what is the roadmap for the next financial year?
Bimaljeet Singh Bhasin: We aim to be the most comprehensive destination for job aspirants aiming to build successful careers across both public and private sectors. Already a market leader in many public sector job categories, we’ve recently expanded into new segments and are making significant investments toward strengthening enterprise collaborations, designing new programs, hiring industry practitioners, and ensuring learners acquire relevant industry skills alongside academic qualifications. Additionally, we’re significantly investing in technology to provide exceptional learner experiences, leveraging AI to deliver personalized and engaging learning solutions at highly affordable prices.