Global Student Prize 2025: Bihar’s Adarsh Kumar Becomes India’s Pride

India has a new reason to celebrate. On September 10, 2025, Adarsh Kumar, an 18-year-old from Champaran, Bihar, made it to the top 10 finalists of the Global Student Prize 2025. Out of more than 11,000 students from 148 countries, he is the only Indian on this global list.

Adarsh’s rise from a small village in Bihar to the world stage is proof of what grit and dreams can achieve. His story is not only inspiring for students but also a reminder of the untapped potential in rural India.

Let’s dive into why this moment matters and how Adarsh is changing lives.

Why the Global Student Prize Matters

The Global Student Prize, launched by the Varkey Foundation and Chegg.org, is often called the “Nobel for students.” It recognizes young changemakers between 12 and 18 who are solving real-world problems.

The winner receives $100,000 to expand their projects. In 2025, nearly 11,000 applications poured in from every corner of the world. From that pool, only 10 were chosen, including Adarsh.

For a country like India, where UNESCO reports that 250 million children face education gaps, Adarsh’s recognition is more than personal success. It is hope. It is proof that students can be catalysts for progress.

Adarsh Kumar: From Bihar to Global Recognition

Adarsh’s life reads like a story of resilience. He grew up in Champaran, a district with frequent power cuts and patchy internet. His mother, a single parent, worked as a domestic helper to support him.

At just 14, he left home with only ₹1,000 in his pocket. His mother even sold her savings to buy him a laptop. That laptop became his lifeline. With free online resources, Adarsh taught himself coding and soon turned his struggles into meaningful projects.

His Game-Changing Initiatives

Adarsh didn’t stop at learning for himself. He started creating opportunities for others:

• Skillzo Platform: A free mentorship program linking rural students with global experts. More than 20,000 children across India have learned coding, leadership, and entrepreneurship through it.
• Mission Badlao: Helped 1,300 families in his village access welfare schemes, improving their living standards.
• Community Work: Led vaccination drives for 2,000 villagers during COVID-19 and organized the planting of 3,000 trees to fight climate change. He also pushed for the construction of a government school in his community.
• Future Plans: If he wins the $100,000, Adarsh aims to launch SkillzoX, an AI-powered mentorship tool for rural youth, and start the Ignite Fellowship to support student innovators globally.

Today, he studies at Jayshree Periwal International School in Jaipur on a full scholarship. His journey proves that talent shines, no matter where you come from.

Why India is Celebrating

Adarsh’s achievement is not just about him. It is about India on the global stage. Here’s why his story matters:

• Spotlight on Bihar: Champaran, once famous for Gandhi’s satyagraha, is again in the headlines—this time for innovation.
• Inspiration for Youth: With half of India’s population under 25, Adarsh shows that small-town students can dream big and succeed.
• Highlighting Gaps: India still struggles with education dropouts—ASER 2024 says 35% of rural kids leave school before Class 10. Adarsh is proof of what happens when talent gets support.
• National Pride: Out of 11,000 global entries, he is the only Indian finalist. That alone is a huge reason to celebrate.

Social media is buzzing with praise. One user on X wrote: “Adarsh Kumar proves India’s youth can lead the world!”

The Other Finalists

Adarsh joins nine other extraordinary teens from across the globe. Together, they are changing more than 100,000 lives. Some highlights:

• Fatma Deniz Aydin (Turkey): Built learning tools for kids with cognitive challenges, reaching 10,000 students.
• Valeria Corrales (Spain): Runs a YouTube channel with free STEM lessons for 210,000 subscribers.
• Grace Liu (USA): Teaches research skills to millions through workbooks and workshops.
• Dalia Zidan (UAE): Launched a science journal and AI clubs for kids.
• Adama Finda Borway (Sierra Leone): Empowers 500 girls with digital and business skills.
• Gaston Diaz (Argentina): Shapes digital literacy laws for millions.
• Omar Ahmed (Egypt): Creates fun coding content for Arabic kids.
• Krishiv Thakuria (Canada, Indian origin): Builds AI tools for dyslexic children.
• Shohail Ismail (UK): Teaches AI skills to disadvantaged youth.

Each of them is proof that young people are not just the future—they are the present.

How the Top 10 Were Selected

The selection process was tough. Judges looked for impact, creativity, and the potential to scale. First, 50 semi-finalists were chosen in August. From there, the top 10 were announced in September. The winner will be revealed in November.

Adarsh’s projects stood out for their wide reach and ability to address real problems in rural India.

A Story That Inspires

Adarsh’s rise is more than a success story. It is a lesson. With one laptop and determination, he built solutions that changed thousands of lives. His story proves that you don’t need wealth or privilege to make a difference.

For Indian students, his journey is a reminder: your village, your background, or your struggles don’t define your future. Your ideas and effort do.

The Road Ahead

Adarsh Kumar’s journey makes every Indian proud. But it also challenges us to act. If one teenager can touch so many lives, imagine what millions of students together could achieve.

The Global Student Prize 2026 will open soon. So, what’s stopping you? Join a club, learn a new skill, or start a small community project. Who knows—you could be the next name on this global stage.

Adarsh’s story tells us one thing loud and clear: dream big, start small, and never give up.

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