Acharya Prashant, a renowned Indian spiritual teacher and philosopher, has touched millions with his profound teachings on Advaita Vedanta, blending ancient wisdom with modern relevance.
Born in Agra, his journey from an IIT-IIM alumnus to a global voice for self-awareness and veganism embodies India’s rich spiritual heritage, inspiring a conscious and compassionate lifestyle.
Profile
- Full Name: Prashant Tripathi
- Stage Name: Acharya Prashant
- Born: March 7, 1978
- Age: 47 years old
- Birthplace: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher, Author, YouTuber, Social Reformer
- Height: 175 cm (5’9”)
- Religion: Hindu
- Parents: Awadhesh Narain Tripathi (Father), Sita Tripathi (Mother)
- Siblings: Two
- Spouse: None
- Children: None
- Relationship: Single
- Net Worth: ₹5–25 Crore ($600,000–$3,000,000)
Early Life & Education
Prashant Tripathi was born on March 7, 1978, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, to Awadhesh Narain Tripathi, a bureaucrat, and Sita Tripathi, a homemaker.
The eldest of three siblings, he grew up in Uttar Pradesh, primarily in Lucknow and Ghaziabad, due to his father’s transferable job.
Known for his mischievous yet contemplative nature, he excelled academically, earning an NTSE scholarship and recognition from the state governor for setting a benchmark in board examinations.
Prashant completed his early education at City Montessori School in Lucknow and other schools in Uttar Pradesh, adapting to multiple locations due to his father’s job.
He graduated with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Delhi in 1999, topping his class.
In 2003, he earned an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. He also cleared the UPSC exam in 2000 with an All India Rank of 184, briefly joining the Indian Civil Services (IRPS) before pursuing spirituality.
Career
Acharya Prashant began his career in corporate roles at GE Capital and ECS Private Limited, while teaching a self-designed course, Perspective in Leadership through Literature, at MBA institutions on weekends.
In 2006, at age 28, he founded Advait Life-Education to promote “intelligent spirituality.” In 2010, he started Himalayan retreats for self-awareness, and by 2011, he began uploading recorded sessions to YouTube.
In 2015, he established the PrashantAdvait Foundation, a non-profit promoting Vedantic wisdom, offering free courses on 17 forms of the Bhagavad Gita and 60 Upanishads at institutions like IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad.
His YouTube channel, with over 57 million subscribers and 6 billion views by 2025, features discourses on spirituality, climate change, veganism, and social issues.
He has authored over 160 books, including bestsellers like Karma: Why Everything You Know About It Is Wrong (topped Nielsen Bookscan in August 2021) and Advait in Everyday Life.
His foundation’s 2024 Largest Gita Exam involved 7,314 students, and he engages with over 80,000 students globally.
Awards & Nominations
- 2020: YouTube Gold Creator Award – 1 Million Subscribers
- 2022: PETA India’s Most Influential Vegan Award
- 2022: Karya Siddhi Award, iMD Awards (International Men’s Day)
- 2023: PETA India’s Most Influential Vegan Award
- 2024: India Book of Records – Largest Online Bhagavad Gita Examination
- 2025: India Book of Records – Longest Discourse Hours on Vedanta (February 5)
- 2025: Outstanding Contribution to National Development Award, IIT Delhi (April 26)
- 2025: Most Impactful Environmentalist Award (June 5)
- 2025: Best Animal Welfare Organisation Award, PrashantAdvait Foundation (June 8)
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @acharya_prashant_ap
- Facebook: Acharya Prashant
- YouTube channel: Acharya Prashant
Personal Life
Acharya Prashant, 47, is unmarried and has chosen a celibate life dedicated to spirituality, advocating brahmacharya (abstinence) and minimalistic living.
Standing at 175 cm (5’9”), his Pisces zodiac sign aligns with his compassionate, introspective nature.
Based in India, he promotes veganism, environmental consciousness, and women’s empowerment, believing family culture drives overconsumption.
Net Worth
Acharya Prashant’s net worth is estimated between ₹5–25 Crore ($600,000–$3,000,000).
His income derives from YouTube ad revenue (₹61.6 lakh monthly per YouTuber), book sales (over 160 titles), online courses, and donations to the PrashantAdvait Foundation, all reinvested into non-profit ventures. Estimates vary due to his non-profit focus.
