AIIMSIt was during a church festival in Pala Kerala, that three young men, who had just completed their postgraduate studies, stood away from the revelry and discussed how to find a decent means of livelihood. One of them was a teacher at a 'parallel college,' but the other two had no job.
"Why don’t we start something of our own?" That thought, which took root in the minds of the 22–23-year-olds, has now become a nationwide success known as Brilliant Study Centre.
Sebastian G. Mathew, George Thomas, and Stephen Joseph started Brilliant as a small tuition centre in a Rs 400-a-month rented building. With just a handful of students then, it has now grown into a leading institution for medical and engineering entrance exam coaching. In the 2024 NEET-UG medical entrance exam, Kottayam district ranked third in the country due to the outstanding performance of students trained at Brilliant. These students came from various parts of Kerala and beyond, drawn to Kottayam by one factor—Brilliant Study Centre.
Brilliant Study Centre has, over four decades, produced hundreds of thousands of doctors and engineers. The three young men who started it as a means of livelihood are still leading Brilliant with the same passion and dedication. It is a partnership that has stood strong for 40 years.
Brilliant Study Centre began in a small room near St. Thomas College and Alphonsa College in Arunapuram, Pala. "Before we moved in, it was a computer centre. The room was dusty and in disrepair. We each borrowed Rs 1,000 from our respective families, paid Rs 1,500 as an advance for the space, cleaned and painted it ourselves, and set up classrooms with makeshift curtains," recalls Stephen Joseph.
The original name of the centre was 'Brilliant Computer Centre'. They simply replaced 'Computer' with 'Study', thus creating the name Brilliant Study Centre.
In its second year, when the need arose for a physics teacher, Santhosh Kumar, with an MSc (Physics) and BEd in hand, joined the team. When students started asking if they could receive entrance coaching, it was Santhosh who suggested they begin. Thus, the team expanded to four members, and in 1986, the entrance exam coaching started. Of the first batch of ten students, four secured engineering admissions, and one gained admission to medical school.
The founders aggressively propagated their students’ success in the entrance exams, distributing leaflets and handouts featuring their results at nearby colleges. As word spread, student enrolments grew. The centre moved to a larger space at CT Kottaram College and, by 2000, shifted to its own campus in Mutholy.
The Brilliant team left no stone unturned in ensuring top-quality coaching. They consulted experts, including retired professor Gracy Mathai, and even arranged transport for her to teach at the centre because of her poor health . They meticulously studied entrance exam guidebooks, compiled frequently asked questions, and developed a structured training programme. This commitment to excellence continues to this day, with a strong focus on recruiting top faculty members.
A major turning point came when Fr. Antony Nirappel invited Brilliant to Kanjirappally, allowing students to receive entrance coaching alongside their school studies. The success of these students further cemented Brilliant’s reputation. Meanwhile, the founders received government job offers—Sebastian was selected as a Sub-Inspector, while George, Stephen, and Santhosh became schoolteachers. However, after ten years, they left their government jobs to fully dedicate themselves to Brilliant.
Brilliant’s reach extended beyond Pala, with branches opening in Ernakulam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottakkal, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Thrissur. The institution also established an integrated coaching programme in Qatar and an office in Dubai. In 2005, Ninoj Job Kannampally secured the top rank in the Kerala Engineering Entrance Exam. In 2009, Jebin George secured the All India First Rank in the AIIMS entrance exam and also topped the Kerala Medical Entrance Exam. These achievements brought in an influx of students from across the country.
Brilliant had always relied on classroom-based training, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid transition to online learning. The team swiftly set up an online platform and developed 30 studios at the Mutholy campus for high-quality virtual classes. Today, students from around the world can access Brilliant’s courses, with 90,000 students currently enrolled across online and offline formats. The institution now employs 3,500 teaching and non-teaching personnel.
Brilliant has also developed an AI-powered e-learning app with an advanced doubt-clearing system, ensuring students receive the best possible guidance. The institution continues to place students in top educational institutions across India, including the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), where 27 out of 30 selected Malayali students were from Brilliant.
In 2024 alone, 4,900 students from Brilliant secured MBBS admissions in premier colleges across India, while 9,730 students were admitted to IITs, NITs, IISc, and other top engineering and science institutions. Over four decades, Brilliant has helped produce nearly 1,00,000 doctors and 1,50,000 engineers.
With no shortage of entrance coaching centres in Kerala, what sets Brilliant apart?
Direct involvement of directors: Despite its massive growth, the four founders still personally oversee operations and meet twice a week to discuss strategies.
Teamwork: The four founders built Brilliant together, and they have nurtured a second line of leadership by appointing long-time faculty members as general managers and assistant directors.
Commitment to excellence: There is no compromise on study materials or teaching quality. Students actively evaluate their teachers, and faculty members are ranked based on feedback. Dedicated mentors ensure rigorous training.
Rapid adaptation to change: Brilliant swiftly embraces advancements and new methodologies.
Brilliant is also deeply committed to social responsibility. Each year, hundreds of bright students receive free or subsidised education. Sixty percent of its students benefit from scholarships, and the institution offers free coaching for economically disadvantaged students through the Student Maitri Programme. It also partners with the Kerala government to provide training for Scheduled Caste students. Notably, Brilliant offered free coaching to Gopika, a student who lost her family in the Pettimudi landslide. She is now pursuing an MBBS at Palakkad Medical College.
During the pandemic, Brilliant contributed Rs 45 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and Rs 40 lakh for Wayanad flood relief. Despite financial challenges, it ensured that all employees received full salaries during the lockdown.
From an initial investment of Rs 1,500, the founders of Brilliant Study Centre have come a long way, yet their ultimate goal remains unchanged—to achieve the best results and stay at the forefront of entrance exam coaching. Their relentless pursuit of excellence is what makes Brilliant truly stand out.
In the 2024 NEET exam, national first-rank holder Sreenand Sharmila received a prize of ₹1 crore. Year after year, 90% of top entrance exam ranks belong to Brilliant students.
Students securing top ranks in medical and engineering entrance exams receive scholarships ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10 lakh, along with gold medals. The same recognition is extended to top scorers in exams like NEET, JEE Advanced, JEE Main, UCED, IISER Aptitude Test, and CUSAT Common Admission Test, with cash prizes and awards presented in grand ceremonies.
Sharing the same dream, working with one mind—together for four decades! The four visionaries behind Brilliant Study Centre, Pala, have now set another rare record: a partnership that has stood strong for 40 years. They remain directors of the private limited company as well. Despite the passage of time and the institution’s growth, their greatest satisfaction remains one thing—results. The most remarkable aspect? All four are still dedicated teachers.
"For us, entertainment isn't club memberships or foreign trips. Our greatest joy is being here, with the students. Guiding them towards their dreams is what truly fulfills us. We stand united for the institution's growth and the best results. Compromise is the foundation of any strong partnership," says George Thomas.
For us, entertainment isn't club memberships or foreign trips. Our greatest joy is being here, with the students. Guiding them towards their dreams is what truly fulfills us. We stand united for the institution's growth and the best results. Compromise is the foundation of any strong partnership.
George Thomas
Every morning at 9 AM, the four directors arrive at the Mutholy campus and stay there until 9 PM. Their involvement extends from academics to hostel meal quality. "Each of us takes charge of different areas—Sebastian and Santosh oversee finance and administration, while Stephen and I handle academics. I also look after marketing," George Thomas explains.
The leadership team is equally committed to nurturing the next generation of administrators and delegating responsibilities within the institution. Notably, they have no involvement in any other business ventures. Even more uniquely, they have never brought their spouses or children onto the director board. However, the next generation is slowly making its way into the institution through various roles. Sebastian G. Mathew’s son, Ajin Sebastian; Santosh Kumar’s son, Srihari Santosh; Stephen Joseph’s children, Dr. Sethu Stephen and Geethu Stephen; and George Thomas’s son, Tomin Thomas, are all now contributing members of the Brilliant team.
Brilliant has never taken a single bank loan to date. "From the very beginning, every bit of revenue generated has been reinvested into the institution. Even today, that remains our approach. Whether it’s constructing new buildings or acquiring assets, we fund it all from our own resources," says Stephen Joseph.
For decades, students aspiring for admission to the country’s premier educational institutions have placed their trust in Pala’s Brilliant Study Centre for entrance exam coaching. "In our first entrance coaching batch, we had just 70 students across two divisions. There was no room for a single extra student. When a parent insisted on enrolling his child, we had to show him the space constraints. However, he noticed a small gap between two desks and decided to place a chair there for his child—complete with a writing board. Until recently, that chair remained at the centre," Stephen Joseph recalls.
Even today, securing a seat in Brilliant’s entrance coaching batches is a challenge. Over 15,000 students are currently enrolled in the repeater batch at the Mutholy campus. The year-long course and the influx of students have transformed the face of Mutholy. The surrounding areas of Brilliant’s campus now house around 155 hostels, accommodating anywhere from 30 to 500 students each. Some families have converted their homes into hostels, while others have constructed new buildings for student accommodation.
"In our first entrance coaching batch, we had just 70 students across two divisions. There was no room for a single extra student. When a parent insisted on enrolling his child, we had to show him the space constraints. However, he noticed a small gap between two desks and decided to place a chair there for his child."
Stephen Joseph
"All hostels adhere to strict guidelines. Fees and meal plans are standardised. The monthly revenue from hostel fees alone runs into crores of rupees. Beyond this, the additional expenses of students and visiting parents also contribute significantly to the local economy," say the Brilliant founders.
From small stationery shops to supermarkets, bakeries, and restaurants, numerous businesses have flourished in and around Mutholy, all thanks to Brilliant Study Centre.
Four decades down the lane, Brilliant has risen to become one of the country's top coaching institutions. Along the journey, it has grown from a one-room establishment with a modest investment of Rs 1,500 to an entrepreneurial success with a valuation exceeding Rs 3,000 crore. And, a 'brilliant' inspiration for startups too.
(This article originally appeared in the 28 February, 2025 issue of Dhanam Magazine)
