If you’ve spent any time exploring the Next Toppers app or YouTube channel, you have likely come across Digraj Singh Rajput, the platform’s CEO and co-founder. His journey from classroom teacher to leading a fast-growing EdTech company is a big part of what shapes the platform’s teaching style and culture today.
From Classroom Teacher to CEO
Digraj Singh Rajput is originally from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and started his career as a social science teacher. Rather than staying confined to a traditional classroom, he began sharing history and social science lessons on YouTube, where his clear, straightforward teaching style quickly built a large student following. That online popularity eventually became the foundation for Next Toppers, which he co-founded in November 2023 alongside Prashant Kirad and Shobhit Nirwan.
His Role as CEO
As CEO, Digraj Singh Rajput oversees the overall strategy, day-to-day operations, and growth direction of Next Toppers. Beyond leadership responsibilities, he continues to actively teach on the platform, particularly in social science, maintaining the same direct connection with students that first made him popular on YouTube. This dual role as both a company leader and an active educator is fairly uncommon among larger EdTech CEOs, many of whom step back from teaching once their company scales.
Leadership Style and Vision
Digraj Singh Rajput’s leadership approach centers on concept-based teaching and strong student engagement rather than simply expanding course catalogs for the sake of growth. Under his leadership, Next Toppers has expanded from its original focus on Class 9 and Class 10 CBSE students to include Class 11, Class 12, State Board options, and CUET preparation, while trying to maintain the same accessible, affordable pricing philosophy that helped the platform grow in its early days.
Recognition and Awards
Digraj Singh Rajput and Next Toppers have received recognition within India’s education sector, including honors such as the Times Power Icons 2025 Excellence in Education Award and the Emerging Educator of Digital Bharat Award, both acknowledging contributions to India’s growing digital education landscape.
Working Alongside Co-Founders
While Digraj Singh Rajput leads as CEO, Next Toppers’ growth has been a joint effort with co-founders Prashant Kirad, who focuses on mentorship and strategic platform growth, and Shobhit Nirwan, who leads math education and motivational content for students. This shared leadership structure allows each founder to focus on their core teaching strength while collectively shaping the platform’s direction.
Why This Matters for Students
For students choosing between different online coaching platforms, knowing that the CEO of Next Toppers remains an active, hands-on educator rather than a purely business-focused executive can be a meaningful factor. It often translates into a platform that stays closely tuned to what students actually need during exam preparation, rather than decisions being made purely from a corporate or investor-driven perspective.
Final Thoughts
Digraj Singh Rajput’s path from a social science teacher in Bhopal to CEO of a platform used by over a million students reflects the broader shift happening in Indian EdTech, where teaching credibility and genuine classroom experience are becoming just as important as business strategy in building a trusted education brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the CEO of Next Toppers still teach classes? Yes, Digraj Singh Rajput continues to teach on the platform, particularly in social science, alongside his responsibilities overseeing the company’s overall strategy and operations.
What subject is the Next Toppers CEO known for teaching? He built his initial YouTube following by teaching history and social science, and this remains a core part of his teaching identity even after taking on the CEO role.
Has the CEO of Next Toppers received any awards? Yes, recognitions linked to his work include the Times Power Icons 2025 Excellence in Education Award and the Emerging Educator of Digital Bharat Award, both acknowledging his contributions to India’s digital education space.
Who else is part of the Next Toppers leadership team? Alongside CEO Digraj Singh Rajput, co-founders Prashant Kirad and Shobhit Nirwan play key roles in mentorship, platform strategy, and subject-specific teaching.
What Sets This CEO Apart From Typical EdTech Executives
Many EdTech CEOs come from purely business, technology, or finance backgrounds, stepping into education as an industry rather than a personal calling. Digraj Singh Rajput’s path is different, having spent years as a working teacher before building a company around that experience. This background tends to shape decisions around curriculum design, pricing accessibility, and teaching style in ways that stay closely connected to what actually happens inside a classroom, rather than decisions being driven purely by growth metrics or investor expectations.
A Quick Summary
To sum up, Digraj Singh Rajput is the CEO and co-founder of Next Toppers, a former social science teacher from Bhopal who built a large YouTube following before launching the platform in November 2023 alongside co-founders Prashant Kirad and Shobhit Nirwan. He continues to actively teach on the platform while leading its overall growth and strategy, a combination that has helped Next Toppers maintain a close, classroom-first connection with its student base even as it has scaled to serve over a million app users.