There are no boundaries when it comes to helping others and finding fulfillment in the process. Those who choose to walk the path of service and self-reflection often go on to inspire others deeply. Along their journey of embracing life to the fullest, these visionaries achieve monumentally. Business Outreach Magazine remains committed to showcasing exceptional leadership and the profound impact these individuals have on millions of lives.
30 Under 30 Edition 2025 is a celebration of excellence, recognizing some of the brightest minds shaping the future of business. Among them is Chirag Jain, Managing Director of Student Gallery, who believes that success is not just about scaling one of Northeast India’s most trusted and comprehensive educational supply companies—it’s about building a legacy that serves a greater purpose. Staying true to our editorial ethos of empowering the entrepreneurs of our time, Business Outreach seeks the driving force behind every leader’s journey. Student Gallery was founded in 2001 in Guwahati, Assam, with a clear mission: to transform India’s fragmented school supply system into a more efficient, accessible, and impactful model.
A Legacy Born from Fabric and Purpose
Chirag takes us back to 2003, when Student Gallery was still a modest school uniform manufacturer, led by his father, Subhash Jain—a seasoned textile expert known for his eye for quality. That year, Delhi Public School, Guwahati, approached Subhash for a fabric consultation. Impressed by his precision and profound understanding of textiles, the school entrusted him with uniform production. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for a journey built on trust, craftsmanship, and long-standing relationships.
Following the success with DPS, the Sarala Birla Group of Schools soon followed, along with a growing number of reputed institutions across the Northeast. By 2006, Student Gallery had already expanded into Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal—not through aggressive marketing, but through word-of-mouth and an absolute dedication to quality and service. In 2008, the company launched one of its earliest innovations: a Smart Card system that allowed students to purchase school supplies using prepaid cards, while parents received real-time SMS alerts—a forward-thinking solution well ahead of its time. By 2013, Student Gallery had established a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kolkata, equipped with over 250 automated machines, making it one of Eastern India’s largest integrated educational supply hubs.
From Son to Successor: Reinventing the Business Amidst Crisis
The true inflection point came in 2020. Chirag Jain’s college graduation coincided with a global lockdown and his father’s sudden hospitalization due to COVID-19. With schools shut, supply chains paralyzed, and operations in limbo, Chirag—only 21 at the time—was thrust into leadership under extraordinary circumstances.
Rather than waiting for things to return to normal, Chirag took decisive action. He digitized Student Gallery’s backend systems, established a centralized warehouse, and launched a direct-to-home delivery model. Securing emergency government approvals to classify school supplies as essential goods, he ensured learning continued even as classrooms remained closed.
He overhauled the company’s logistics, introduced real-time inventory analytics, and streamlined last-mile delivery to reach students across even the most remote parts of Northeast India. More than 50,000 educational kits—including books and stationery—were delivered directly to students’ homes, enabling online learning to continue uninterrupted.
Scaling with Purpose: The Student Gallery of Today
Under Chirag’s leadership, Student Gallery has transformed into one of India’s most comprehensive and technology-enabled educational supply companies. Student Gallery has become a one-stop destination for education essentials, offering everything from school uniforms and books to ergonomic bags, shoes, classroom furniture, digital learning kits, and even full-scale school infrastructure.
Today, the company is ISO-certified, Trade Mark® registered, and proudly empaneled by the Ministry of Human Resource Development for the supply of NCERT books in Assam. It partners with over 150 publishing houses—including Cambridge, Macmillan, Saraswati, and Ratna Sagar. The company has also diversified into adjacent sectors, providing uniforms for healthcare, corporate, and industrial clients. At the same time, it continues to lead with purpose—launching India’s first bamboo-cotton school uniforms to promote environmental responsibility and student well-being.
When the Floods Came: Turning a Crisis into a Cause
Later in 2020, Assam was hit by devastating floods. Schools were destroyed, and entire communities were displaced. During his visit to the affected regions, Chirag witnessed how education had taken a back seat. One parent told him, “Education won’t put food on our table.” That moment changed everything.
Determined to restore access, Chirag Jain launched an education revival campaign. He partnered with local authorities to set up temporary learning centers, mobile classrooms using repurposed buses, and financial aid programs to encourage families to send their children back to school. His initiative led to a 60% increase in enrollment in flood-affected areas.
Education, Evolved: A Vision for the Future
Chirag’s educational journey has always mirrored his entrepreneurial one—shaped by curiosity, action, and aspiration. A former Head Boy of Delhi Public School Guwahati, he went on to study management at HR College, University of Mumbai, where he led clubs, organized large-scale events, and built a strong foundation in leadership. Later, at the London School of Economics’ Summer School, he studied strategic management, learning alongside peers from over 30 countries and gaining exposure to global business dynamics.
In 2023, he was selected for the prestigious Academic Incubator Program at IIM Ahmedabad. Now preparing for a global MBA, Chirag’s next chapter is focused on building a tech-first, sustainable education platform for emerging markets in Southeast Asia and Africa. As he says: “You don’t need to come from privilege to build a legacy. You need clarity of purpose, relentless execution, and a heart committed to something greater than yourself.”
