Navigating Education Inflation and Career Planning: Insights from Aditya Agarwala, only on the Simple Hai! Show.

On the latest episode of the Simple Hai! Show, senior finance journalist Vivek Law hosted Aditya Agarwala, Co-founder of invest4Edu, for a detailed conversation on rising education costs, financial planning for children, and career guidance. For parents, young investors, and students, these insights offered a clear roadmap to prepare for the future with confidence, financial discipline, and adaptability.

From Market Analyst to Education Planner

Agarwala began by sharing his own journey. Having worked in the equity markets since 2007, he revealed that during the COVID-19 lockdown, he and his co-founders wanted to find a deeper purpose. They used their financial expertise to create a platform that helps parents plan education expenses and career choices for their children. He also highlighted a key issue — the frequent mismatch between what students study and the careers they eventually pursue.

The Harsh Reality of Education Inflation

A major part of the discussion focused on education inflation. Agarwala explained that while general inflation averages 3–5%, education costs are rising at 8–12% every year. This means education costs can double within 6–7 years.

He stressed that planning should not only focus on money but also on children’s aptitude, interests, and goals. Many parents are now choosing global boards like IB (International Baccalaureate) and even sending their children abroad for undergraduate studies, marking a shift from the older trend of only pursuing postgraduation overseas.

Shifts in Education Trends and Career Paths

When asked about changing education patterns, Agarwala said more students from Tier 1 cities are going abroad after 12th grade. This shift is tied to career aspirations and long-term plans like overseas employment and citizenship.

On the career side, Agarwala highlighted how invest4Edu uses psychometric testing to guide students. New-age careers such as digital marketing, sports, music, and content creation are now gaining recognition and financial viability. However, he admitted that some parents still struggle to adapt, which is why workshops are conducted to encourage open dialogue.

Advice for Young Investors

The show also touched upon India’s new wave of young investors who entered the markets during the pandemic. Agarwala cautioned against speculative trading in derivatives, calling them risky for those without deep knowledge. Instead, he urged young investors to focus on disciplined investing and mutual funds. He reminded that derivatives should be used for hedging, not speculation.

Also Read: Unlocking Your First Crore: Kailash Kulkarni Shared Insights on Mutual Fund Investing in India

Managing Education Costs and Loans

On managing education expenses, Agarwala advised starting early with a balanced portfolio of equity, debt, mutual funds, EPF, and gold. He underlined the power of compounding as the biggest advantage for parents who plan in advance.

For education loans, he recommended that borrowing should not exceed 40% of the total education cost, with 30% being ideal. He warned that loans covering 80–100% of expenses often lead to severe financial and mental stress for students and families.

AI and Technology in Education Planning

Agarwala also shared how AI is transforming education planning. With tools like AI-powered education journey planners and multilingual chatbots such as Edu AI, platforms like invest4Edu are reaching parents in Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 cities.

AI enables personalised guidance, from identifying career paths to suggesting study destinations, assisting in test preparation, and even planning for postgraduate studies. This, he said, is helping democratise access to high-quality education and career advice.

The conversation between Vivek Law and Aditya Agarwala on Simple Hai! highlighted a critical but often overlooked challenge: education inflation. With costs rising at double the rate of normal inflation, families need structured financial planning, career counselling, and realistic expectations.

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