In a country of over a billion people, few individuals embody the confluence of academic brilliance, service, and entrepreneurship quite like Dr. Roman Saini. A medical doctor by 21, an IAS officer by 22, and a tech entrepreneur by 24, Roman Saini IAS is a name that resonates with UPSC aspirants, medical students, and budding changemakers alike. His journey is more than just a résumé of achievements—it’s a masterclass in purpose-driven ambition.
Early Life: The Humble Roots of a Genius
Roman Saini was born on July 27, 1991, in Raikaranpura, a small village near Kotputli, Jaipur district, Rajasthan. Coming from a modest family, Roman’s early environment was not surrounded by luxury or resources—but it was rich in values, discipline, and ambition.
- His father, an engineer, and mother, a homemaker, were supportive but never overly pushy.
- Roman’s parents focused on cultivating curiosity and character before grades.
He completed his schooling in Hindi medium till Class 8 and gradually transitioned into English medium. Despite the language barrier, he was known for asking deep, thoughtful questions in class.
“He was never just learning to top the class—he was trying to understand the ‘why’ behind things,” a former teacher once said.
Academic Excellence: The AIIMS Breakthrough
Roman’s first national-level feat came when he cracked the AIIMS entrance exam at the age of 16, one of the youngest to do so.
He secured a seat at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, considered the most prestigious medical college in India.
Notable achievements during AIIMS:
- Published a research paper on alcoholism and liver damage in an international journal.
- Worked on rural mental health and psychiatry, spending time in field camps and tribal areas.
- Helped organize community health programs, combining academic insight with empathy.
Roman completed his MBBS with distinction, and in many ways, his passion for service deepened through medical practice.
Ground Realities and the Spark of Change
While posted as a Junior Resident Doctor in Psychiatry, Roman worked in both OPD and ward settings. He witnessed:
- The lack of psychiatric infrastructure in rural India.
- Poor doctor-patient ratios and overwhelming caseloads.
- Bureaucratic hurdles that hampered real change on the ground.
These experiences left him deeply disillusioned—not with medicine, but with the scale and rigidity of India’s institutional systems.
“I wanted to heal beyond the hospital. I realized that policies affect people more than prescriptions sometimes,” Roman later said.
The UPSC Leap: Clearing CSE with AIR 18
Driven by this realization, Roman made a bold shift from medicine to administration. In 2013, at the age of 22, he cracked the Civil Services Examination in his first attempt, securing All India Rank 18.
UPSC Preparation Highlights:
- Optional Subject: Medical Science
- Studied for 5–6 hours/day during internship and rotations
- Focused on previous year papers, answer writing, and time management
- Emphasized conceptual clarity over rote learning
His rank landed him in the IAS (Indian Administrative Service), and he was posted to Madhya Pradesh cadre as an Assistant Collector in Jabalpur.
The IAS Years: A Short But Insightful Stint
During his brief tenure in the IAS, Roman worked on:
- District-level water sanitation and education programs
- Tackling bureaucratic inertia in rural administrative offices
- Ground reports on child nutrition and mid-day meals
Despite the prestige, he felt the limitations of top-down governance. He wanted to reach the youth directly, not just pass orders from a government building.
This realization pushed him to make one of the boldest decisions of his life.
Quitting IAS to Start Unacademy
In 2015, Roman resigned from the IAS, sparking headlines and public debate. Some called it courageous, others reckless.
But Roman had clarity.
He joined hands with Gaurav Munjal (an engineer-turned-YouTuber) and Hemesh Singh to launch Unacademy—initially just a YouTube channel to provide free lectures to UPSC aspirants.
“It wasn’t about becoming rich or famous. It was about democratizing education. That’s a revolution worth joining,” Roman said in an early podcast.
Unacademy: The EdTech Powerhouse
Unacademy grew rapidly, fueled by demand, content quality, and a relatable teaching model.
Key Milestones:
- From 500 users to 50 million learners across India
- Courses expanded beyond UPSC to NEET, JEE, SSC, banking, and GATE
- Collaborated with top educators and institutions
- Became a unicorn (valuation > $1 billion) in 2020
- Valued at Rs. 26,000+ crore (approx. $3B) in 2024
Roman personally mentored many UPSC toppers and appeared in motivational videos viewed by millions.
Philosophy and Vision
Roman believes education must be:
- Accessible – quality shouldn’t be tied to zip codes
- Affordable – no one should go broke trying to learn
- Scalable – teachers should teach millions, not dozens
He has advocated for AI in learning, adaptive test prep, and using gamification to keep students engaged.
“The right teacher can change a life. The right platform can change millions.”
Roman Saini’s Advice to Students
- Don’t chase status—chase solutions.
- Experiment with your strengths early.
- Even if you switch paths, carry your learnings forward.
- Technology is the new oxygen—breathe it wisely.
- Start small, scale honestly.
He continues to speak at educational summits, entrepreneurship events, and podcasts—urging youth to take bold yet thoughtful steps in life.
Final Thoughts: Why Roman Saini IAS Still Inspires
Roman Saini’s journey—AIIMS → IAS → Unacademy—is not about abandoning old paths but creating new ones with deeper reach. His story proves that true service isn’t limited to a hospital bed or government desk; it can be scaled through innovation and empathy.
For UPSC aspirants, his life is a roadmap of discipline and resilience.
For entrepreneurs, it’s a playbook of purpose before profit.
For students from small towns, it’s proof that dreams are valid regardless of where you begin.
“Your job title doesn’t define your impact. Your mindset does.” – Roman Saini
