Unacademy Changes CEO Two Months After the upGrad Deal. But Gaurav Munjal Isn't Stepping Away
Unacademy co-founder Gaurav Munjal is moving from CEO to Executive Chairman, with Chief Business Officer Akhilendra Kumar taking over as CEO. The transition comes two months after upGrad completed its acquisition of the edtech company.
TL;DR
Unacademy co-founder Gaurav Munjal is moving from CEO to Executive Chairman.
Akhilendra Kumar, previously the company's Chief Business Officer, will become its new CEO.
Munjal says he will remain closely involved in daily operations and work with Kumar while also helping with upGrad's proposed IPO.
The change comes around two months after upGrad completed its acquisition of Unacademy for just over $200 million.
Kumar says his priorities will remain learner outcomes and building a sustainable business.
A New CEO, But the Founder Isn't Leaving the Business
Unacademy is changing its leadership structure just over two months after becoming part of upGrad.
Co-founder Gaurav Munjal is moving from the role of Chief Executive Officer to Executive Chairman, while Akhilendra Kumar, the company's existing Chief Business Officer, will take over as CEO.
Munjal announced the transition on November 11, 2026, through a LinkedIn post. But his message made one thing clear: the move does not mean he is stepping away from the business.
"I'm not going anywhere," he wrote, adding that he would remain fully involved in daily operations, work alongside Kumar and help with the proposed upGrad IPO.
He also publicly backed his successor, describing Kumar as "one of the sharpest operators" he knows and saying he was proud to have him lead Unacademy into its next chapter.
The transition introduces a new CEO while keeping the founder closely involved in the company's operations.
Who Is Akhilendra Kumar, Unacademy's New CEO?
Kumar's appointment is an internal elevation rather than an external leadership hire.
He joined Unacademy in January 2022 as Associate Vice President – Business. He later became Vice President – Business in March 2024 and took on the Chief Business Officer role in October 2025.
Before joining Unacademy, Kumar spent around three years and eight months at OYO, where he held operational and business leadership positions, including Business Head – Karnataka and AVP – Supply Network.
His experience includes business operations, partner management, supply networks and improving operating performance across markets. He holds an MBA from the Indian School of Business.
Kumar responded to Munjal's announcement by thanking him for the trust and acknowledging the employees and educators who helped build the company.
He also outlined a clear message about what he wants the business to prioritise: "Outcomes for Learners, and a business built to last."
That statement gives an indication of the incoming CEO's priorities, placing learner performance and long-term business sustainability at the centre of his approach.
Why the Timing Matters: Unacademy Was Acquired Only Two Months Ago
The leadership change follows a major ownership transition.
On September 1, 2026, upGrad completed its acquisition of Unacademy in an all-stock transaction valued at just over $200 million. The deal brought Unacademy's test-preparation and education businesses into upGrad's wider portfolio.
The transaction was significant because Unacademy had reached a valuation of approximately $3.44 billion during the 2021 edtech funding boom.
The acquisition brought together two businesses with different but complementary areas of focus. Unacademy has a strong presence in competitive examination preparation, including UPSC, JEE, NEET and GATE, while upGrad operates across higher education, professional upskilling and study-abroad services.
At the time of the acquisition, Munjal had indicated that he would continue as Unacademy's CEO. The latest announcement therefore represents a change in the leadership arrangement established around the transaction.
What Changes for Unacademy Under the New Leadership?
The appointment comes at a time when business execution and sustainable growth are important priorities for the company.
Kumar's background in business operations and his experience inside Unacademy could help maintain continuity as the company works under its new ownership.
His stated focus on learner outcomes and a business built to last also suggests an emphasis on balancing the education company's core offering with long-term financial sustainability.
For Munjal, the Executive Chairman role creates room to remain involved in the company's operations while also contributing to upGrad's proposed IPO.
However, the company has not publicly detailed how responsibilities and decision-making authority will be divided between Munjal and Kumar. How that working relationship evolves will be important to watch.
The Bigger Picture: What Happens When a Founder Hands Over the CEO Role?
Founder-to-CEO transitions are often treated as a question of who takes charge. This one raises a slightly different question: how does a company manage a leadership transition when its founder intends to stay deeply involved?
Munjal's continued participation could provide institutional knowledge and continuity, while Kumar takes responsibility for leading the business as CEO.
The arrangement could work well if their responsibilities are clearly defined and both leaders remain aligned on priorities.
For Unacademy, the immediate challenge will be to translate the ownership transition and leadership change into consistent business execution.
The bottom line: Unacademy has a new CEO, but this is not a complete founder exit. With Akhilendra Kumar taking operational leadership and Gaurav Munjal remaining involved as Executive Chairman, the next phase will test how effectively the company balances continuity, accountability and sustainable growth under upGrad.
