Early Life and Struggles
Anand Kumar was born on 1 January 1973 in Patna, Bihar. His father, Rajendra Prasad, worked as a clerk in the postal department, and the family lived a modest middle-class life. Anand showed extraordinary talent in mathematics from a young age.
In 1994, he received an opportunity to study at the prestigious Cambridge University in the UK. Just as his dream was about to come true, tragedy struck. His father suddenly passed away. The family fell into deep financial crisis. Anand could not afford the expenses of going abroad, and the Cambridge opportunity slipped away.
To support the family, Anand and his mother, Jayanti Devi, started making and selling papads. Anand would go door-to-door and on the streets of Patna selling papads on his bicycle while continuing his studies. This period of extreme hardship shaped his entire life and later inspired his mission.
Beginning of Teaching Journey
Instead of taking a government job, Anand decided to follow his passion for mathematics. In 1992 (some sources mention around this period), he started the Ramanujan School of Mathematics in a small rented room in Patna, charging only ₹500 per month. Within a few years, the number of students grew to hundreds.
Many bright students from poor families came to him but could not afford even the nominal fees. One such incident in the early 2000s deeply affected him — a talented student said he could not pay the fee. This became the turning point.
Birth of Super 30 (2002)
In 2002, Anand Kumar started Super 30. Every year, he selects 30 meritorious students from economically weak backgrounds (children of farmers, labourers, auto-rickshaw drivers, etc.) and provides them completely free coaching, food, and lodging for one year to prepare for IIT-JEE.
His mother used to cook for the students in the early years, and his brother Pranav Kumar helped with management. Over the years, Super 30 produced hundreds of IIT selections, with several batches achieving near 100% success rates. The programme gained national and international recognition, including a feature in Time magazine’s Best of Asia list.
In 2019, Bollywood made a biopic on his life titled Super 30, starring Hrithik Roshan.
Recognition and Challenges
In 2023, the Government of India awarded Anand Kumar the Padma Shri (one of the highest civilian awards) for his contribution to education.
He has also faced personal health challenges. In 2019, he revealed that he was suffering from acoustic neuroma (a rare brain tumour) and had lost 80–90% hearing in his right ear.
Current Situation (2026)
As of 2026, Anand Kumar continues to live and work primarily from Patna, Bihar.
He is still actively running Super 30, selecting and mentoring underprivileged students every year for IIT-JEE.
In May 2026, he launched a new digital initiative called Super Infinity. It is a free online mathematics learning platform (available on YouTube and website) that teaches concepts through stories, animation, music, and real-life examples. The aim is to reach millions of students beyond the 30 seats of Super 30. Early classes have already received millions of views.
Anand Kumar remains active on social media, regularly interacting with students and sharing motivational messages. He continues to meet former students (recently shared an emotional reunion with a student who is now a Director in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways). He is also involved in educational discussions and occasionally travels for meetings related to education.
Despite fame, awards, and the success of Super 30 and Super Infinity, Anand Kumar’s core mission remains the same — making quality education accessible to talented students from poor backgrounds.
Key Takeaway for Students:
Anand Kumar’s life proves that financial hardship, family loss, and personal challenges cannot stop a person who is determined to create impact. From selling papads on the streets of Patna to becoming a Padma Shri awardee and inspiring a Bollywood film, his journey continues to motivate lakhs of students across India.