Avadh Ojha, a prominent UPSC coach and educator, has recently made a surprising entry into the political arena, having joined Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the lead-up to the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. This move comes after a series of failed attempts to secure a political ticket from major national parties. Earlier this year, Ojha revealed in an interview with The Lallantop that he had sought tickets from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. Specifically, he had hoped to run for a Lok Sabha seat from Prayagraj with the BJP and from Amethi with Congress. However, his aspirations to represent these parties were not realized. Despite his setbacks, Ojha's entrance into the AAP marks a dramatic shift in his political journey, as he now stands poised to campaign for the party he once criticized.
Before venturing into politics, Ojha had built a reputation as one of India’s most respected UPSC educators. In 2005, after failing to qualify for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he decided to turn his attention to teaching. He joined several prestigious coaching institutes in Delhi, including Vajiram and Ravi, NEXT IAS Academy, ABC Academy of Civil Services, and more recently, Pune's Iqra IAS. It was at Vajiram and Ravi, one of the most renowned coaching centers for UPSC aspirants, where Ojha became well-known for his teaching style, specializing in modern Indian history for the General Studies papers of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims and Mains.
Over the years, Ojha’s innovative approach to teaching, which combined history with current affairs and even mythology, earned him the admiration of his students. His engaging methods made his classes more interactive and memorable. This unique style not only set him apart from other educators but also made him a favorite among UPSC aspirants across the country. Many of Ojha’s students have gone on to hold key positions in the Indian bureaucracy, further cementing his status as one of the top educators in the field.
Ojha’s rise to fame, however, was accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic. As physical classes were suspended, he shifted to online teaching, launching a YouTube channel where he began posting educational content for UPSC and state service aspirants. His channel, which now boasts over nine lakh subscribers, has become a vital resource for students preparing for the UPSC exams. The shift to online teaching not only allowed Ojha to expand his reach across India but also earned him the title of an 'influencer.' His classes, delivered in his unapologetic style, quickly went viral, and many of his students and fans began creating reels and shorts that highlighted his bold approach to teaching. This viral content further fueled Ojha's popularity, turning him into a significant figure in the UPSC coaching industry.
Despite his success in education, Ojha’s political aspirations have always been an underlying part of his journey. Before settling on AAP, Ojha had reached out to several major political parties, including the BJP, Congress, and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). His attempt to secure a Lok Sabha ticket from Allahabad, Kaiserganj, or Rae Bareli with the BJP was reportedly rejected by the party leadership. Similarly, his efforts to run for the Congress ticket from Amethi were also unsuccessful, with the party choosing Gandhi family loyalist KL Sharma instead. When questioned about his attempts to seek tickets from opposing political parties, Ojha humorously likened himself to Lord Krishna from the Mahabharata, stating that he would join whichever side called upon him. He also referred to himself as a "Mauka-terian," an opportunist who would take advantage of any opportunity that came his way, referencing the popular phrase from the movie Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster.
Ojha’s eventual decision to join AAP appears to be motivated by his admiration for the party's education policies. He has previously praised Arvind Kejriwal’s efforts in education reform, but it was his belief in the AAP's vision for education that ultimately led him to take the plunge into politics. While Ojha had been critical of Kejriwal in the past, especially over the Delhi liquor scam, his decision to join the party demonstrates his willingness to adapt and change his views based on evolving circumstances. His bold political shift has raised eyebrows, especially considering his history of outspoken criticisms of Kejriwal. The BJP, quick to capitalize on this, shared old video clips where Ojha can be seen attacking Kejriwal over his handling of the liquor policy. In one such viral clip, Ojha had accused Kejriwal of hypocrisy for reversing his stance on alcohol, pointing out that while Kejriwal had once criticized the BJP for promoting alcohol sales in Gujarat, he had later embraced it as a revenue source when he realized the potential for elections in Punjab.
This apparent about-face on Kejriwal has not gone unnoticed. Critics have seized upon Ojha's previous remarks as proof of his opportunism. Nonetheless, Ojha has remained unapologetic, embracing his role as a political outsider willing to take on all sides. His entry into AAP, one of the rising political parties in India, is a testament to his pragmatic approach to politics. For Ojha, the objective has always been clear: to make an impact and play a key role in shaping the future of India’s political landscape.
As Avadh Ojha takes his first steps into active politics, it remains to be seen how his past experiences as an educator and his unapologetic style will shape his political journey. Will the history teacher, who once taught his students about the complexities of Indian history, be able to script his own political history? And more importantly, will his transition from a UPSC mentor to a political figure bring about the changes he envisions for Delhi’s education system and beyond? Only time will tell, but Ojha’s decision to join the AAP is certain to add a new and intriguing chapter to his already colorful career. With his distinct blend of candidness, boldness, and adaptability, Avadh Ojha is now a key figure to watch in the run-up to the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.
