upGrad is targeting 40% revenue growth in FY26 for its bootcamps and certification courses, as demand for short-term, job-linked learning gains traction in both domestic and global markets.
“We are aspiring for about 40% year-on-year growth in our overall bootcamps business, and we’ll be in profitability this year,” Anuj Vishwakarma, chief operating officer at upGrad, told FE.
A bootcamp course is a short, intensive, and hands-on training program designed to quickly impart practical skills in a specific field.
He added that this segment is already contributing meaningfully to the company’s overall margins.
Unlike long-form academic degrees, these offerings are designed as short-duration, industry-aligned modules tailored to specific learner needs.
upGrad currently operates in three broad areas within this segment: university partnerships for early-stage skilling, global certifications for working professionals, and free modules aimed at boosting learner engagement.
The bulk of the projected growth is expected to come from upGrad’s partnerships with Indian universities. The company provides certificate programs that universities can offer to their students. Many of these programs are co-developed with leading enterprises such as Microsoft and PwC to ensure industry relevance.
The edtech platform is also planning to enable internships through these corporate partnerships. In many cases, universities themselves are funding these add-on modules to enhance employability outcomes.
“Universities want to start early and get their students job-ready—these short-term programs are becoming an integral part of that shift,” Vishwakarma said.
The company is also seeing steady adoption from enterprise clients, particularly in international markets. upGrad offers globally recognised certifications through partnerships with international organisations, covering areas such as project management, analytics, marketing, and leadership development.
According to Vishwakarma, pricing for overseas clients is approximately 30% higher than for Indian clients. upGrad co-founder Ronnie Screwvala had earlier told FE that markets like the US are showing strong demand for certification courses—and also present higher pricing potential, which the company intends to leverage.
Beyond the push from universities and corporates toward proactive upskilling, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is also fuelling the rising demand for bootcamps and certification programs.
upGrad is integrating AI capabilities into many of its short-duration modules. Rather than offering AI as a standalone course, the company is embedding it within role-specific learning paths to maximise impact.
“Instead of offering generic GenAI courses, we’re embedding AI within existing roles—like helping a marketer become better with GenAI. Learners today want contextual relevance, not just buzzwords,” Vishwakarma stated.