In a groundbreaking effort to democratize coding education, three IIT Delhi alumni have developed a smartphone-based platform enabling thousands of students from government schools and polytechnics to learn coding without the need for expensive computers.
- CodeYogi enables coding on smartphones using a browser-based editor.
- Over 60,000 students are actively building tech projects on affordable phones.
- The platform grew from a six-month bootcamp to a nationwide nonprofit.
What happened
CodeYogi was founded by three IIT Delhi graduates—Prashant Chaudhary, Rakesh Sehgal, and Priyanka Sethi—who recognized the gap in accessible tech education for students from low-income and rural backgrounds. Starting in 2020 as an online bootcamp for government ITIs and polytechnics in Uttarakhand, the initiative grew into a large-scale foundation registered in early 2025. Their innovation was to design a mobile-first platform allowing students to code in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript directly through a phone browser, bypassing the need for laptops or desktop computers.
This approach has enabled over 300,000 students from more than 100 districts across nine Indian states to participate in coding education. Currently, around 62,000 learners actively build websites, AI tools, and software projects using affordable smartphones costing under Rs 10,000. The founders’ personal experiences with limited educational resources shaped their dedication to creating an inclusive environment for talent that traditionally lacked proper guidance or infrastructure.
Why it feels good
CodeYogi’s story resonates deeply because it proves how technology can bridge educational divides often attributed to geography or income level. Students like Arjun, who code late at night on a simple mobile device, embody the empowerment that comes from having access to modern skills regardless of socioeconomic status. The initiative also demonstrates how community-focused efforts can scale effectively, addressing challenges like unreliable computer labs by shifting learning entirely onto devices students already own.
Moreover, the founders’ journeys—from humble beginnings to IIT graduates committed to giving back—highlight the power of perseverance and empathy in social innovation. Their work offers hope to many hardworking youth who might otherwise be excluded from the booming tech sector, promoting equitable opportunity and inspiring a new wave of digital creators across India.
What to enjoy or watch next
Keep an eye on CodeYogi’s expanding network as they continue to refine the smartphone coding platform and extend outreach to even more students in underserved regions. Their evolving ecosystem represents a promising model for other countries facing similar educational barriers, combining grassroots engagement with cutting-edge technology to nurture future programmers.
For those interested in how technology can transform education, following CodeYogi’s progress offers insight into innovative solutions that are accessible, scalable, and impactful. Watching the projects and startups emerging from these learners will reveal how smartphone-based coding education could reshape India’s tech landscape in the coming years.