MTEDUCARE - MT Educare
Financial Performance
Revenue Growth by Segment
Consolidated revenue for FY19 was INR 249.35 Cr, a decline of 3.58% from INR 258.62 Cr in FY18. Historically, revenue grew 5% YoY in FY17 to INR 301.1 Cr. The school segment serviced 159,162 students in FY17, a 3.6% increase YoY. Robomate+ revenue was not separately broken out but was supported by a INR 14 Cr promotional campaign.
Geographic Revenue Split
The group operates 275 centers in over 160 locations across 12 Indian states. A significant portion of operations is concentrated in Karnataka through tie-ups with 22 Pre-University (PU) colleges, and in North India and Maharashtra through the Lakshya brand.
Profitability Margins
PAT margin improved to 4.0% in FY19 (INR 9.4 Cr) from a negative 51.0% in FY18 (INR -131.8 Cr loss). FY17 PAT margin was 6% (INR 17.2 Cr). The FY19 profitability was largely supported by one-time interest income earned on fixed deposits rather than core operations.
EBITDA Margin
EBITDA margin was 16% in FY17 (INR 49.1 Cr), down from 20% in FY16. Normalised EBITDA for FY17, excluding the INR 14 Cr Robomate+ campaign, was INR 63.11 Cr. Operating level interest coverage was weak at 1.44 times in FY19.
Capital Expenditure
The group undertook sizeable capital expenditure for new school and college projects in FY19, which led to a sharp decline in surplus liquidity from INR 106 Cr in September 2018 to INR 24 Cr by March 2019.
Credit Rating & Borrowing
Ratings were downgraded to CRISIL BB+/Stable/A4+ in May 2019 from BBB/A3+ due to stretched liquidity and weak interest coverage. By 2025, the company was classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) after defaulting on principal and interest payments to banks.
Operational Drivers
Raw Materials
As a service-based coaching entity, the primary cost driver is 'Employee Expenses' (teachers/staff), which accounted for INR 42.3 Cr (14% of revenue) in FY17. Advertisement expenses were also significant at INR 27 Cr (9% of revenue).
Import Sources
Not applicable as the company provides educational services; however, technology for the Robomate+ platform is developed internally through subsidiaries like Letspaper Technologies Pvt Ltd.
Key Suppliers
Not disclosed in available documents as the business is service-oriented.
Capacity Expansion
Current capacity includes 275 centers across 160 locations. Expansion is primarily achieved through strategic partnerships, such as the 2015 tie-up with Sri Gayatri Educational Society and the acquisition of CPLC in 2011.
Raw Material Costs
Employee costs grew 14% YoY in FY17 to INR 42.3 Cr. Procurement strategies focus on tie-ups with existing educational institutions (PU colleges) to utilize their premises, reducing fixed infrastructure costs.
Manufacturing Efficiency
Capacity utilization is measured by student enrollment; total students serviced grew 3.6% to 159,162 in FY17.
Logistics & Distribution
Distribution is primarily digital via Robomate+ or physical via its 160-location center network.
Strategic Growth
Expected Growth Rate
12-18%
Growth Strategy
Growth is targeted through the 'Robomate+' learning management system to capture the external student market, and through Pre-University (PU) college tie-ups in Karnataka (currently 22 colleges) which provide a steady student pipeline without heavy capital investment in new buildings.
Products & Services
Educational coaching for school boards, science and commerce college sections, and professional entrance exams including CA, MBA (via CPLC), Engineering, and Medicine (via Lakshya).
Brand Portfolio
Mahesh Tutorials, Robomate+, CPLC, Lakshya, UVA.
New Products/Services
Robomate+ online education app launched in 2015, targeting both internal and external students to diversify revenue streams.
Market Expansion
Expansion into North India and Maharashtra through the Lakshya brand and management entrance tests via CPLC.
Market Share & Ranking
One of the leading players in the Indian educational coaching industry in terms of centers (275) and student volume.
Strategic Alliances
Strategic partnership with Sri Gayatri Educational Society (2015) and acquisition of a 59.12% stake by Zee Learn Ltd (2018).
External Factors
Industry Trends
The industry is shifting toward hybrid models (physical + digital). MT Educare is positioned for this via Robomate+, but faces intense competition from new ed-tech startups and established local coaching centers.
Competitive Landscape
Intense competition from both organized national players and unorganized local coaching institutes in the K-12 and test prep segments.
Competitive Moat
The 'Mahesh Tutorials' brand (established 1988) provides a strong legacy moat. However, sustainability is threatened by high competitive pressure and the company's current financial distress (NPA status).
Macro Economic Sensitivity
Highly sensitive to Indian regulatory changes in the education sector and shifts in the national competitive exam landscape.
Consumer Behavior
Increasing preference for digital/app-based learning, which the company addressed through Robomate+.
Geopolitical Risks
Minimal direct impact as operations are 100% domestic across 12 Indian states.
Regulatory & Governance
Industry Regulations
Subject to state-level regulations for private coaching centers and national standards for professional courses like CA and medical entrance exams.
Environmental Compliance
Not applicable for educational services.
Taxation Policy Impact
The company has received various notices relating to direct and indirect tax matters as of 2025, the financial impact of which remains unquantified.
Legal Contingencies
The company is in default with banks and financial institutions, leading to NPA classification. Auditors issued a disclaimer of conclusion in 2025 due to inability to verify property, plant, and equipment and the impact of tax notices.
Risk Analysis
Key Uncertainties
The ability to continue as a 'going concern' is a major uncertainty given the 2025 auditor disclaimer and default on bank loans.
Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentrated in 12 states, with significant reliance on the Maharashtra and Karnataka markets.
Third Party Dependencies
High dependency on the financial flexibility of the parent company, Zee Learn Ltd (Essel Group), which has faced its own liquidity constraints.
Technology Obsolescence Risk
Risk that the Robomate+ platform may fall behind newer, better-funded ed-tech competitors.
Credit & Counterparty Risk
Trade receivables reached INR 121.03 Cr in FY17, indicating potential credit risks from government projects and institutional tie-ups.