In conversation with Deepak Garg, the co-founder of EduTap, we get to know his perspective on education, his vision for students, and the future he sees for the organisation.
1. Can you tell us the story behind EduTap? What inspired you to start this institution?
My UPSC preparation, which lasted for 6 years, taught me many things. It was during this time that I desperately looked for someone to guide me. But I never found that guide or mentor who could show me the way and make the journey easier.
Then, teaching happened, and it was effortless. I could relate to all the struggles that my students were going through, and that made me connect more with them. The joy that teaching brought, along with the ability to guide students made it very clear what I wanted to do. It was to be able to help as many students as I could. It became my mission and that is how EduTap came into being.
Now when I see students, enquiring about a course or an exam, it reminds me of the days I was an aspirant, pretty clueless about everything. But more than that, it makes me want to extend a helping hand that I never got.
2. What makes EduTap stand out from other coaching institutes in the same field?
At EduTap, we focus on every aspect of an aspirant’s journey. For us, our students are our primary focus. We truly believe every student is unique in their own way, and with the proper support everyone can shine. With a desire to provide valuable guidance, we aspire to be mentors who walk with students at every step of their preparation. Our comprehensive resources, including quality notes, lectures, and mentorship calls, instill confidence and clarity. Additionally, every student who joins EduTap becomes a part of a strong community where they find unwavering support through their highs and lows.
For instance, there are times when I take counselling calls with the students myself. It’s not as frequent now as it used to be, but I make it a point to go back and talk to students actively and provide solutions. It helps me connect with them and my ‘why’ in the best possible way.
3. How does EduTap live up to its motto, “We have got your back”?
At EduTap, we strive to create a supportive and secure environment for our students, both academically and emotionally. We are not here waiting for your marks, results, or success stories. We aim to focus on each ‘student story’ rather than just success stories.
At EduTap, your success is our commitment, but along with that, we know how important it is to build trust and a relationship with our students. It is not mere words for us, we mean it when we say that we truly have got your back.
One particular instance comes to my mind when I say that. Around two weeks ago, one of my former students requested a call with me. She had taken mentorship from EduTap in 2020 and had successfully cleared the RBI Grade B exam the following year. Now as she is considering leaving her job at RBI, she wanted to talk to me first. When I asked her why she wanted to discuss this with me, her answer was simple: “Sir you were the only person who genuinely guided me back in the day,” she said.
You see, that is how it works. You are just guiding them, like you wanted someone to guide you at some point, keeping their best interests in mind. And the result is beautiful. You unknowingly form a trusted relationship for life.
This is what we love doing, this is why we started in the first place.
4. How does EduTap ensure students stay motivated and on track during their preparation journey?
A lot of our initiatives help students stay on track. These include workshops and webinars, 1-on-1 strategy calls with teachers, and mentor talks. We also invite senior officials to share their experiences with students, where students get to learn a lot from their lifestyle. These platforms help them ask their queries openly and talk to people they aspire to become one day.
Our idea here is that at no point should the student feel lost or directionless. Share your problems, ask your queries, and our team will be delighted to make things clear for you.
5. What are some of the key achievements or milestones EduTap has accomplished since its inception?
We have come a long way. Don’t get me wrong, we still have a long way to go. But starting from a one-room home office to the office we now operate from, which has dedicated teams and departments, we certainly have come a long way. Honestly, more than statistics and figures, what makes sense to me is the number of lives we have touched or try to reach each day. I see it from that perspective. By trying to consciously add value to the lives of students and also to the lives of everyone working at EduTap each day, I personally have become more conscious, more self aware. That brings a sense of fulfilment. That is one personal milestone worth mentioning.
6. What has been your biggest takeaway/ lesson after so many years of mentoring students?
The biggest lesson I have learned working in this industry over the past few years is that the education ecosystem needs to evolve. It needs to change from its current model of trying to fit everyone in a box. There’s a need to go beyond selections, ranks, successes, and failures. And it’s time to give our students the space and freedom to be and become. To be, who they truly are, and become, what they want to become, without worrying about society’s approval of their choices.
Let’s understand this with an example. Many students decide to get into competitive exam preparation or pursue any career path mainly because of their parents. And others do it may be because they have seen someone do well in that field. They often follow these paths blindly, without asking themselves an important question: Do I truly want to do this? If yes, then what is it that is motivating them to take this step. This is where our counselling sessions come in. If you call us with an enquiry about a course, we will make sure you are taking the right decision for yourself. Even if that means at the end of the call, you decide not purchase the course from us, or plan to change your field altogether.
I have personally done that many times, asked students to not go for RBI Grade B exam or some other exam they have called to enquire about. Because I knew that the preparation process or the job itself wasn’t the right fit for them, and that they could excel in another field.
If we can help you ask yourself tough but honest questions, and if we are able to help you find the reason behind pursuing something, that is our biggest reward. The thought that we have taken you closer to your ‘true’ self and helped you find your ‘why’ gives us unparalleled happiness—something that no amount of money can buy.
7. How does EduTap plan to expand or evolve in the future to reach more students?
We know why we started, and we keep reminding ourselves that every day. Staying closely attached to our vision of touching as many lives as possible, we are planning new projects. One of these projects is very close to my heart as we go beyond books in this one. Here we’ll talk about emotions, mental health, and a lot more. We all know whenever competitive exams and studies are involved, it takes a toll on our mental and physical health. While everyone is offering classes, notes and tests, no one talks about the struggle that the mind goes through. For the longest time it has been brushed under the carpet. But now, we will talk about it, mainly because we know this problem exists, and needs to be addressed. We know, we understand, and we are here to help.
