Upskilling-focused edtech platform Simplilearn witnessed a contraction in its top line during the fiscal year ended March 2025, as a sharp decline in its self-learning business weighed on overall revenue. However, aggressive cost rationalisation helped the company significantly reduce its losses during the year.
According to its consolidated financial statements sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Simplilearn’s operating revenue fell 26% year-on-year to Rs 556 crore in FY25 from Rs 750 crore in FY24.
Self-learning revenue collapses, live programs drive growth
Founded as a digital upskilling platform offering courses in cybersecurity, cloud computing, data science, digital marketing and project management, Simplilearn operates across postgraduate programs, master’s programs and professional certifications.
The biggest drag on revenue came from its online self-learning segment. Income from self paced courses plunged 95% to Rs 23 crore in FY25 from Rs 451 crore in FY24, shrinking its contribution to just 4% of operating revenue.
In contrast, Simplilearn’s live learning programs continued to scale. Revenue from this segment jumped 65% to Rs 565 crore in FY25 from Rs 341.5 crore a year earlier, underlining the company’s strategic shift toward instructor-led and cohort-based offerings.
Including other income of Rs 22 crore, Simplilearn’s total income stood at Rs 578 crore in FY25.
Sharp cost cuts help contain burn
On the cost side, Simplilearn undertook deep expense rationalisation during the year.
Employee benefit expenses, the largest cost head, fell 42.5% to Rs 187 crore in FY25 from Rs 325 crore in FY24. Advertising and marketing expenses declined 35% to Rs 134 crore, while the cost of materials consumed dropped 11.5% to Rs 162 crore.
Depreciation expenses rose marginally by 10% to Rs 63 crore, while subscription costs increased 50% to Rs 24 crore. Finance costs remained modest at Rs 6 crore for the year.
Overall, Simplilearn’s total expenses declined 29% to Rs 621 crore in FY25 from Rs 879 crore in FY24.
Losses narrow despite exceptional charge
With revenue under pressure but costs falling faster, Simplilearn reduced its net loss by nearly 60% to Rs 43 crore in FY25 from Rs 107 crore in FY24.
Notably, the company booked an exceptional expense of Rs 141 crore during the year, primarily related to amortisation of its content library. Since this charge is non-cash in nature, the adjusted loss remains lower than headline figures suggest.
On a unit economics basis, Simplilearn spent Rs 1.12 to earn a rupee of operating revenue in FY25, improving from Rs 1.17 in the previous fiscal.
Cash position and funding
As of March 2025, Simplilearn reported cash and bank balances of Rs 145 crore, down from Rs 236 crore a year earlier. Its current assets remained largely flat at Rs 319 crore.
According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, Simplilearn has raised over $118 million in funding to date, with Blackstone and GSV Ventures among its lead investors.
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