In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian education, where technology, tradition, and talent often collide, a quiet revolution is underway—one that didn’t begin with disruption, but with a single student’s honest question:
“If the book has everything, why should I listen to you?”
For Mr. Narasimha Mikkilineni, a passionate educator with over 20 years of experience in competitive exam coaching, that moment was not just a challenge—it was an awakening. It triggered a transformation in his teaching philosophy, leading to the creation of LACE (Logical Aptitude Conceptual Education)—India’s first OTT platform dedicated entirely to competitive exam preparation.
And in 2025, the nation recognized that vision by honoring him with the prestigious title of Indian Education Icon of the Year.
A Pioneer in Purpose-Driven EdTech
While many education platforms in India aim to scale through flashy technology and mass enrollment, LACE took a different road—quality over quantity, logic over memorization, mentorship over marketing.
Founded during the pandemic lockdown, LACE was built not just as another online course portal but as a platform that redefines the very ethos of learning for government job aspirants. It is India’s first OTT platform for competitive exams, delivering high-quality training content with an affordable annual subscription starting at just ₹599. But for Narasimha, it was never about going digital for the sake of it—it was about delivering learning with dignity, access, and intention.
Breaking Barriers—Not Just Teaching
India sees over 12 million students preparing annually for various competitive exams—from SSC and banking to railways and state-level government posts. Most of these aspirants come from small towns and rural regions, often spending lakhs on coaching and accommodation in cities just to chase their dreams.
Narasimha saw this system not as a pipeline of opportunities but a treadmill of inequality—crowded classes, profit-driven centers, exhausted trainers, and students left behind.
Through LACE, he flipped this model:
- Live & recorded sessions
- Capped batches of 25 students
- Personal attention
- Minimal theory, maximum understanding
- Real-time application through problem-solving, not cramming
And unlike traditional offline institutes, LACE’s flexible format meant students could study from their hometowns, avoid migration costs, and still access top-tier mentorship.
What Makes LACE India’s First Competitive Exams OTT?
LACE isn’t just another online coaching platform. It’s structured as an education-based OTT app—just like how Netflix changed entertainment.
- Affordable Subscriptions (₹599–₹999/year)
- High-quality aptitude and reasoning content
- Full syllabus coverage with video lessons
- Comprehensive practice materials—absolutely free
- Available anytime, anywhere
Whether a graduate wants to crack SSC CGL, a state PSC, IBPS Bank PO, or even GRE and SAT, LACE provides logical, clear, and concise teaching—free from the clutter of jargon or memorized formulas.
From One-Classroom to National Impact
Back in 2008, Narasimha had already started capping his classes to 25 students per batch—a rarity in a time when crowded auditoriums were the norm. He believed that “Even if I serve 50 students, they should get 100% of my effort.” That philosophy is the cornerstone of LACE.
And while many doubted the effectiveness of online teaching, his one-hour focused classes and self-practice model quickly proved successful. In fact, many students who had failed in traditional coaching formats found clarity and direction through LACE.
One of the biggest wins? Breaking the inertia.
Convincing students and parents that shorter, logic-based, personalized coaching was not only more effective but also healthier was Narasimha’s biggest challenge—and ultimately, his greatest achievement.
The DNA of LACE: Logic > Rote
“I don’t teach formulas. I teach how to think,” says Narasimha.
His insight came from years of analyzing aptitude-based exams: most arithmetic problems stem from three core logical frameworks, not from memorized tricks.
By helping students unlearn shortcuts and relearn concepts in relatable, real-world ways, LACE has redefined how Indian students prepare. It’s no longer about just passing the test; it’s about building confidence, competence, and critical thinking.
Going Global—LACE in GRE & SAT Prep
With the same passion and precision, LACE has expanded into international entrance test prep. Their “Target 320” GRE batches have yielded phenomenal results—13 out of 20 students scoring above 320, a record in Hyderabad. SAT batches with just five students have produced scores above 1450 and even 1500.
For Narasimha, “scaling doesn’t mean crowding”—it means precision, personalization, and performance.
Why This Award Matters
Being crowned Indian Education Icon of the Year 2025 is not just a personal milestone—it’s a symbolic one for every student who couldn’t afford coaching, every parent burdened by cost, and every small-town learner who was told they didn’t have access to the best.
LACE stands as a testament to what happens when a teacher listens, evolves, and empowers—when learning is treated as a journey, not a business.
The Road Ahead
While LACE continues to expand, Narasimha remains grounded. His vision is clear:
“If entertainment can reach every home in India, so can education. Real, affordable, transformative education.”
In the coming years, LACE aims to:
- Launch regional language versions of its OTT content
- Partner with rural institutions to offer hybrid learning
- Enter UPSC and state PSC coaching with a similar high-touch, low-cost model
And through it all, Narasimha remains the same—a humble educator with a mission to uplift, not just to instruct.
Final Word
In a time where EdTech often means more tech and less education, LACE and Narasimha Mikkilineni have proven that true innovation doesn’t come from algorithms—it comes from asking better questions and caring deeply about the answers.
By giving students the power to learn on their own terms—and proving that small classes can lead to big results—he hasn’t just built an app.
He’s built a movement.
