As India moves towards becoming a knowledge-driven economy under the vision of NEP 2020, the conversation on education must extend beyond enrolment and learning outcomes to the spaces where learning begins. A classroom is not merely a building, it is where confidence is nurtured, aspirations take shape, and a child’s understanding of the world is formed.
For me, this belief is personal. Bahraich, my hometown in Uttar Pradesh, is where I learnt some of life’s earliest lessons. While the district has made progress over the years, many children in its remote villages still begin their educational journey in schools that lack the infrastructure needed to make learning engaging and joyful. I have always believed that where a child is born should never determine the quality of education they receive.
That conviction became the foundation of IndiaMART’s education initiatives. Our aim was never simply to construct classrooms or renovate school buildings, it was to create learning environments where children feel inspired to attend school every day.
Kajal, a 13-year-old from a remote village in Bahraich, rows a boat across a river every day to reach school. Her journey reminds us that when children are willing to overcome such barriers to learn, the least we can do is ensure the school waiting on the other side is worthy of their effort.
At the policy level, the government has steadily increased its investment in education, in Budget 2026, the education budget rose by 8.27%. Somewhere in these numbers lies the hope that government funding and private-sector contributions through CSR can together provide weaker sections with the educational, infrastructural, and institutional support they deserve. Last year, CSR spending by listed companies rose 23% in FY25 to ₹22,212 crore, with education remaining a top beneficiary.
Corporate capability can accelerate transformation
If every organization stepped up for the places they come from and drove the transformation needed, the pace of change would pick up considerably. We tested this belief at IndiaMART. Working closely with local communities, government schools, and partners such as Khan Academy and Udhyam Learning Foundation, we have focused on strengthening the education ecosystem, from improving school infrastructure and enhancing learning outcomes through digital education to nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among students.
Since inception, these efforts have contributed to the redevelopment of over 50 schools across four tehsils of Bahraich, including 400 upgraded classrooms, 190+ hygienic washrooms, 1,500+ desks and benches, 10 lunch sheds, and safe drinking water facilities in 20 schools. Together, these interventions have directly impacted more than 26,000 children, and we are not stopping. There is still a long way to go in making school buildings more comfortable and welcoming for children.
Beyond infrastructure, in 2025 alone, 146K students participated in entrepreneurship development programmes with Udhyam Learning Foundation, 17K students benefited from Khan Academy India’s Maths Improvement Programme and 80K students across 1,500+ schools benefitted from SCERTaligned Hindi and Science content — all in 2025 alone. The impact numbers since inception run even higher.
Beyond the numbers
A school metric may look good on paper, but it cannot measure the confidence, joy, and sense of possibility it gives a child. It cannot capture the pride of parents, or the hope they feel when they begin to imagine a better future for their children — especially their daughters.
Today, a 5km bicycle ride is no longer daunting for Mini, because she knows that at the end of it, she gets to sit in a comfortable classroom with fans, desks, safe drinking water, and a clean washroom, and focus on the only thing that matters: her education.
The way forward:
Today, we continue to scale these efforts, transform the entire district, and ensure every child gets access to a safe learning environment and basic education. This model, when replicated across all corporations, means we could educate thousands of students in no time. If we succeed, girls like Mimi will have more opportunities and no obstacles in their way from grabbing those opportunities
About the author
Dinesh Agarwal is the founder and CEO of IndiaMART, India’s largest online b2b marketplace. He hails from Nanpara district of Baharaich. In his position, Dinesh has tried to extend a supporting hand to humanitarian efforts both financially and vocally. Access to foundational education to children remains an issue close to his heart!