India’s edtech sector is finding new groove and it is in the healthcare sector. Edtech companies are turning their attention to a niche market after facing slow revenue growth in traditional areas like test prep and generic skill courses. The niche market is nursing and allied healthcare upskilling. It is a move that makes sense as the demand for skilled healthcare professionals has been increasing in India amid workforce shortages.
Startups like PhysicsWallah’s PW Skills and upGrad are already making moves. They are offering specialized courses in fields like medical lab technology and operation theatre technology. The programs are designed to equip learners with practical skills and also to meet the rising needs of hospitals for trained personnel.
The healthcare sector is one of the fastest-growing industries India and the demand for professionals is outpacing the supply. Edtech companies have found an opportunity to address a real problem while creating a sustainable revenue model. It is a win-win and students get career-ready skills as well as startups tap into a lucrative market.
The idea of mixing education and healthcare is not new as health-focused startups like 1mg and MediBuddy have been leveraging technology to make healthcare more accessible. 1mg started as a platform to provide medicine information but gradually grew into a one-stop solution for medicines, diagnostics and doctor consultations. MediBuddy offers services like teleconsultations and health check-ups.
Onsurity provides affordable healthcare benefits for small businesses and makes employee health accessible even for teams as small as three people. Their healthcare memberships start at just ₹49 per employee.
The pivot to healthcare is about business and also about addressing a critical societal need. The startups are filling workforce gaps while empowering individuals with meaningful career opportunities.
The focus on healthcare could well be the next big chapter for edtech in India.
