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Anand Kumar (Super 30) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 28, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1 January 1973

Age52 Years

BirthplacePatna, Bihar, India

ProfessionIndian Mathematician, Columnist

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseRitu

FamilyMother - Jayanti Devi; Brother - Pranav Kumar (Violinist)

Anand Kumar (Super 30) Biography

Anand Kumar is an Indian mathematician and educator from Patna, Bihar, best known for founding the Super-30 program that provides free coaching to under‑pr

Early life and background

Anand Kumar was born on 1 January 1973 in Patna, Bihar. He grew up in Patna and completed his schooling at Patna High School before attending Bihar National College and Patna Science College. Mathematics attracted him from a young age; during college he published work on number theory in journals such as The Mathematical Gazette and Mathematical Spectrum. Financial constraints affected his early plans — offers from institutions abroad could not be pursued after the death of his father, and his family coped with limited means.

To help support the household, his mother prepared and sold homemade papad, and Anand contributed by delivering them after college. Rather than taking a postal department job that was offered to him, he chose to teach. In 1992 he rented a small classroom and launched the Ramanujan School of Mathematics, which grew from just a couple of students to hundreds within a few years.

Career

Anand Kumar built a reputation as a dedicated teacher and columnist focused on making advanced mathematics accessible. In the early 2000s he began developing the concept that would become Super-30 after encountering a promising student who could not afford standard IIT-JEE tuition. Super-30 formally began in 2002 as a selective program run under the Ramanujan School of Mathematics. Each year the institute holds a competitive exam to choose 30 students from underprivileged backgrounds and provides them with a year of free coaching, study materials, food, and lodging. Family members have been closely involved in the program: his mother prepares meals and his brother assists with management.

Super-30 achieved notable early results. The first batch produced 18 successful IIT-JEE candidates, with subsequent batches showing steady improvement; several batches recorded near-total qualification rates for the exam. By 2014, 308 of the 360 students trained since the program’s inception had qualified for their goals. Super-30’s work brought broader recognition: in 2009 the program was included in the Limca Book of Records, and in 2010 it received the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Shiksha Puraskar from the Bihar government. Time magazine listed Super-30 among its Best of Asia selections that year.

His outreach extended through media coverage and documentaries. Super-30 and Anand Kumar have been profiled on the Discovery Channel and by the BBC; Al Jazeera produced a documentary as well. He appeared on the Indian quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2017. His efforts earned him an honorary Doctorate of Science (DSc) from Karpagam University in December 2014.

Public profile

Anand Kumar’s Super-30 attracted national attention and also inspired portrayals in popular culture. The 2011 film Aarakshan featured a character influenced by his work, and a biopic announced in 2018 cast Hrithik Roshan in the title role. His life and the Super-30 story have been chronicled in a biography titled Super 30: Anand Kumar, authored by Biju Mathew and published in Hindi and English; the book was released by the Chief Minister of Bihar.

The program’s prominence also brought challenges. Reports describe confrontations with competing coaching interests in Patna and allegations raised by some former students regarding Super-30’s reporting of results; Anand Kumar has denied such claims. Legal proceedings related to these disputes have occurred. After threats and an attack on a staff member, the state provided him with security personnel.

Awards and recognition

Among the honors that have acknowledged his work are national and international mentions: Super-30 was highlighted by media outlets and visited by foreign personalities. In 2023 the Government of India awarded Anand Kumar the Padma Shri. He was also granted a UAE Golden Visa by the Dubai Government in February 2024.

Latest updates

In recent years Anand Kumar has continued to lead Super-30 while remaining a public figure for education reform and equal opportunity in competitive exams. His program continues to attract media interest, and his stated aspiration for his students remains high — he has expressed hope that they will achieve the highest distinctions in science and scholarship.

Public image and personal life

Known colloquially as the Super-30 man, Anand Kumar is married to Ritu, an alumnus of IIT Roorkee. He is approximately 168 cm tall, with black eyes and black hair. He follows Hinduism and lists A. P. J. Abdul Kalam among scientists he admires. Filmmaking influences include James Cameron. His family background includes his mother Jayanti Devi and a brother, Pranav Kumar, who is a violinist.

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Career Highlights

  1. Founded Ramanujan School of Mathematics in 1992 and grew it from a handful of students to hundreds.
  2. Launched Super-30 in 2002 to provide free IIT-JEE coaching to 30 underprivileged students each year.
  3. Super-30 featured on Discovery Channel and covered by BBC, Al Jazeera and other outlets.
  4. Honoured with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Shiksha Puraskar by Bihar government and listed in Limca Book of Records (2009).
  5. Received an honorary DSc from Karpagam University (2014) and the Padma Shri (2023).
  6. Super-30 inspired portrayals in film and a published biography.
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Anand Kumar (Super 30) born?

1 January 1973

What is Anand Kumar (Super 30) known for?

Indian Mathematician, Columnist

What is Anand Kumar (Super 30)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Anand Kumar (Super 30) married to?

Ritu