About Us
At BackBenchers, we believe in you. Your dreams and aspirations matter deeply to us. Our team of creative writers, counselors, faculty members, and admissions officers is dedicated to transforming your vision into reality—crafting impactful applications that reflect your personality, style, and ambition. We don’t just guide; we Lead.
With years of experience and a passion for delivering the best for the best (students), we specialize in test preparation, admissions counseling, supplementary essays, and more. We work closely with each student to understand their niche, requirements, and goals, ensuring every application is a true reflection of who they are.
From subject selection to offer letters, we manage every aspect of the application process with meticulous attention to detail, craftsmanship, and unbounded commitment to excellence. Our mission is simple: to empower our students to perform at their best and to pursue further learning through customized guidance enriched by our unique teaching methodology.
We strive to build lasting relationships with our students, helping each one excel in their chosen field and live their dream. Our goal is to carve a path for aspirational and visionary students, providing them with nothing less than the Best.
Company Founded
Launched with passion to redefine college applications with guided direction, personalized coaching, and a student-first approach.
The Beginning of Growth
To accommodate our growing student base and expanding team of experts, we moved from a visionary yet compact office space to a larger one.
Expansion 2.0
Just when we thought BackBenchers had grown enough, we were met with a flood of enthusiastic young minds eager to achieve new heights with us. It was only natural that our office space expanded to match our growth!
Expanded to Middle East
Driven by growing global demand and our vision for impact, we took our next big leap—launching our second branch in Dubai.
Diversification: iConifer
Expanding our legacy of excellence, we introduced iConifer—a specialized arm to guide ambitious graduates towards global master’s programs.
The Journey Continues...
We're building what's next—with you.
Our Founders
🎓 Parents love him.
😌 Students vibe with him.
♟️ Stress? Blocked. Goals? Achieved.
Founder and Director, Aditya is our head honcho of admissions (and part-time mind reader). He doesn’t just know admissions, he gets it, inside out, upside down, and in three different time zones. With a brain like a finely indexed admissions encyclopedia and people skills of someone who could probably talk a Google Form out of crashing, he’s the real deal.
Aditya’s superpower? Making the complicated feel simple, the chaos feel organized, and the pressure feel… oddly calming.
He’s the one everyone turns to when the stakes are high and the spreadsheets start to blur. His advice? Gold. His instincts? Scarily accurate. His track record? Let’s just say it speaks fluent acceptance letters.
He’s not just the boss—he is the boss. But more than that? He’s the reason the whole team believes big things are possible—and then goes out and proves it.
(And yes, there are extra brownie points if you can beat him at chess. But no one has. Yet.)
Pro tip: If you want to bribe him to get something done, just a home-cooked bowl of rajma-rice would do.
Partner and Director, she’s part admissions ninja, part operations sorceress, part snack fairy, part plant therapist. (We checked – yes, she is just one person. Somehow.)
If Aditya’s the brain, Smriti’s the heartbeat – rhythmic, essential, and completely unbothered by chaos. Whether it’s directing students through master’s admissions, leading operations with precision, handing out surprise treats, or whispering sweet nothings to the office plants, she’s always there, exactly when and where the team needs her. She’s calm under pressure, allergic to drama, and secretly powered by logistics and love. Things don’t just run around her. They bloom.
The Team
Smitha K.R.
Senior Verbal Trainer
(SAT, ACT, GRE, & GMAT)
Sukrit Jaie
Vice President - Admissions
Prerna Melody Stephen
Senior Manager - Operations
Deepa Vaswani
Senior Manager - Operations
Anisha Chhetri
Head - Editorial & Creative Department
Ashi Agrawal
Senior Content Writer
Aakib Mattoo
Senior Creative Writer
Aakanksha Negi
Senior Faculty
(Mathematics & Physics)
Palak Gupta
Senior Faculty
(Mathematics & Physics)
Srishti Dwivedi
Senior Content Writer
Vartika Pandey
Verbal Trainer
(PSAT, SAT, & ACT)
Tanya Chawla
Faculty – Mathematics & Economics
(PSAT, SAT & AP)
Fazil Buchh
Creative Writer
Khushboo Goswami
Senior Executive - Operations
Atul Rajput
Software Development Engineer
Mahipal Saurot
Manager - Accounts
Jiarul Rehman
Sr. Executive - Facilities Management
Sunil Kumar
Sr. Executive - Facilities Management
Azhar Malik
Executive - Facilities Management
Surendra Yadav
Executive - Facilities Management
Smitha K.R.
Senior Verbal Trainer (SAT, ACT, GRE, & GMAT)
With over two decades of experience turning students into confident communicators and grammar whizzes, she’s the go-to mentor for all things English. Known for her knack for simplifying even the trickiest concepts (and for never losing a Scrabble game), she brings clarity, structure, and calm to every classroom. Whether it’s answering last-minute queries or easing pre-test nerves, her support is as steady as it is effective. Outside the classroom, she finds joy in experimenting with new recipes and volunteering at a special needs school.
Sukrit Jaie
Vice President - Admissions
Meet Sukrit: part admissions guru, part human GPS for the global college maze. With the patience of a monk and the strategic mind of a chess grandmaster, he guides you through the academic jungle like it’s just a leisurely stroll in the park (with deadlines lurking in the bushes). Helping his students manifest calm in a sea of essay meltdowns and deadline-induced existential dread, Sukrit is always ahead, sipping tea and plotting Ivy League checkmates. When he’s not reverse-engineering the Common App, he’s probably somewhere on a spontaneous road trip, playlist queued, GPS ignored, inner peace intact.
Prerna Melody Stephen
Senior Manager - Operations
Calendar synced, checklist ready, and precision mode always on—meet Prerna, an amazing administrator. With an astounding ability to remember who’s in which class, which test is coming up, and where that missing Zoom link went, she’s the persistent engine behind our academic machinery. Dependable, detail-obsessed, and always three steps ahead. And while she’s warm, patient, and always open to a quick chat. Sadly, she doesn’t accept bribes for rescheduling things if you are lazy.
Deepa Vaswani
Senior Manager - Operations
Queries regarding admissions? Test portal crashing? Confused about documents or deadlines? Don’t worry—Deepa’s already ten steps ahead. With tabs open, alerts pinging, and her multitasking mode always on, she navigates the chaos like a seasoned pro! From decoding admissions puzzles to guiding students through the maze of applications, she handles it all with faultless precision. Efficient, dependable, and razor-sharp, she’s the force behind smooth operations and seamless coordination across teams. A silent superpower whose loyalty runs deep and whose standards never waver, Deepa is the glue that holds it all together, the heartbeat of every successful process.
Anannya Shinde
Manager - Operations
Whether it’s filling out applications or brainstorming the best ideas for research projects, you will always find Anannya engrossed in her laptop, diligently guiding her students with a smile. With Anannya around, you've always got that extra hand to rely on in a pinch, and when you're searching for innovative ideas, she's the secret sauce in the sandwich! With a box of salad as her favorite fuel, she is always willing to lend a helping hand. Her enthusiasm is contagious, her guidance is reassuring, and presence simply charismatic.
Sobia Abdin
Head- Learning and Development
With a keen eye for both fashion and content, Sobia orchestrates the perfect symphony of words and ideas to create compelling essays that leave a lasting impression. Her days are filled with ideation and brainstorming sessions, where she crafts strategies for essays. With each meeting, she guides students and parents through the essay-writing process, ensuring every word reflects their unique story and aspirations. But Sobia doesn't just stop at brainstorming; she's also a master of execution. She is both a writer and a collaborator, devising approaches to essay meetings and implementing innovative techniques to elevate students' work. With her blend of professionalism and panache, she transforms ordinary essays into extraordinary works of art.
Anisha Chhetri
Head- Editorial & Creative Department
The one with oversized glasses, a pleasant smile, and an inimitable skill for drafting phenomenal essays for students while constantly backing her team — that’s Anisha. She’s a mentor, a team player, our part-time movie critic, a whole-lot friend, and the quiet force behind some of our most powerful stories. With her, every challenge feels a little less daunting and a lot more exciting!
Ashi Agrawal
Senior Content Writer
Headphones in, music on and thus starts the writing jam!! Powered by coffee and willpower, Ashi sits there poised with her pen ready to create the next essay to reach Big Ben. She weaves sentences with the grace of a spider spinning its web! But wait—there’s more behind the screen. From hunting typos with eagle eyes to helping find talent that truly flies, she's engaged in fixing websites and keeping things bright. A loyal friend with an ever-extended helping hand, you can count on her whenever you experience a snag.
Aakib Mattoo
Senior Creative Writer
The enchanting realm of storytelling is his true dwelling. Sometimes, the words dance exclusively for his own delight, while on other occasions, they perform a grand waltz for the amusement of his cherished clients. And when he is not found immersed in the world of words, he is probably out there somehere savouring cinematic buffet as a connoisseur of cinematic feasts. From masterpieces to masquerades of mediocrity, he devours them all.
Aakanksha Negi
Senior Faculty (Mathematics & Physics) & Product Lead (ACT & AP)
Ever seen someone explain calculus like it's poetry and turn vectors into vibes? That’s Aakanksha. Her class feels less like a lecture and more like a confidence boost with numbers. No drama, no chaos—just clean concepts, clear logic, and the occasional “aha!” moment that makes it all worth it. Ask her a doubt, and you’ll walk away not just with the answer, but with a little more belief in yourself, too. When not in a class, you can catch her either working away on a test blueprint with an ecstatic smile plastered across her face or endeavouring to get lost in a good book.
Palak Gupta
Senior Faculty (Mathematics & Physics) & Product Lead (SAT & AP)
From occasionally dominating super tic-tac-toe to valiantly losing at chess, Palak champions the true spirit of learning: persistence (with a reliable backup plan, of course). With her motto: learning is really just about never giving up, She’s known for making Math and Physics feel less like monsters and more like inside jokes —ones you’re finally in on. When she’s not busy solving the unsolvable, Palak flexes her greatest faculty power: reaching the top shelf without a ladder and charging you up with her warmth and smile.
Laiba Lateef Khan
Senior Content Writer
With a fashion statement that’s all her own and a habit of asking the weirdest, most unexpected questions, Laiba has a knack for spinning creative copies, and she sure does it like a pro. With a sixth sense for storytelling and an unmatched seventh sense for humour, every conversation with her leaves the calendar room guessing and laughing. And her words flow effortlessly, turning the ordinary into something memorable with her artistic flair and a whole lot of heart!
Srishti Dwivedi
Senior Content Writer
When Srishti is around, you can’t help but let out a relieved “phew!” She knows exactly how to calm you down with her counseling skills and always crafts the perfect write-ups to capture beautifully what you want the world to know about you. Storytelling is her true treasure. She reads your mind and becomes your voice, thanks to all the psychology she learned in college. Fun fact: She actually does spread kindness like confetti-- ask her for help, and you’ll quickly see why.
Vartika Pandey
Verbal Trainer (PSAT, SAT, & ACT)
Part grammar guru, part fiction fanatic, Vartika is on a mission to make English fun, fierce, and forever memorable. Off the clock? You’ll find her watching slice-of-life films (the more feelings, the better), defending the honor of not choosing a single favorite book, movie, or food (because honestly, how is that fair?), and geeking out over great dialogue. Fueled by coffee, creativity, and contagious energy, she doesn’t just teach lessons—she crafts experiences.
Tanya Chawla
Faculty – Mathematics & Economics (PSAT, SAT & AP)
With numbers on one side and market charts on the other, Tanya navigates the worlds of Mathematics and Economics with effortless precision. Whether she’s decoding derivatives or demystifying demand curves, she brings both structure and spark to every classroom session. A mountain soul at heart, she believes learning, much like a trek, is all about steady progress, strong fundamentals, and the occasional breathtaking view.
Fazil Buchh
Creative Writer
Trained in research, wired for storytelling, Fazil brings a scholar’s depth and a writer’s flair to every student narrative he shapes. He’s part narrative ninja, part brainstorming buddy, and fully committed to helping you write essays that sound like you, only sharper. With a background in media research and a soft spot for stories that make you feel things, he’s great at spotting the hidden brownie points in your journey and turning them into essay gold. As a creative writer, he helps applicants transform scattered ideas into sharp, compelling essays that truly reflect their voices. Expect honest feedback, a few laughs, and lots of “wait, that’s actually a great line” moments along the way. Outside the word-world, Fazil is a film nerd, poetry junkie, and weekend trekker who believes the best stories are the ones you live—and then rewrite until they stick.
Khushboo Goswami
Senior Executive - Operations
The heartbeat of our Operations team, Khushboo, is like a map’s legend to our office. Welcoming everyone with bright eyes and an infectious smile, she is always there to support with enthusiasm, be it behind-the-scenes work or assisting parents and students (even listening to your rants). Request her help once, and she will happily sneak you into Aditya Sir's office (even without an appointment) and is always ready to deploy her secret remedy: toffees!
Atul Rajput
Software Development Engineer
A core member of our tech team, Atul specializes in backend development and automation. With a talent for precise problem-solving and a passion for clean, efficient code, he ensures our software platforms and company workflows run smoothly. A enthusiast at heart, he transforms ideas into scalable, high-performance solutions. He works closely across departments—development, marketing, and more—to keep our tech stack and systems seamlessly integrated. His motto? Clean code, strong coffee, and reliable tech—always built with the team in mind.
Pooja Haldar
Executive - Operations
Armed with a formidable smile and a love for black coffee stronger than your Monday blues, she’s our go-to person for everything from client queries to university portal registrations. Whether it’s verifying documents or assisting the Admissions team behind the scenes, she ensures no file goes unchecked and no task goes undone. Quietly efficient and always alert, she’s the reason our backend doesn’t ever backfire!
Vishvkant Goswami
Operations Support Executive
Laptop blazing, phone buzzing, and creativity dialled up to eleven, that’s Vishvkant, the Rajinikanth of the Operations team. Calm and composed until inspiration strikes, he swings into action like a superstar, crafting video edits and designs so sharp they deserve their own blockbuster release. Sweet, approachable, and always wearing his trademark smile, he’s living proof that behind a calm exterior lies a relentless creative force and a true team player who’s always ready for the next big scene.
Mahipal Saurot
Manager - Accounts
Commutes from Mathura to Delhi daily? This legend’s perseverance reflects in how he single-handedly manages the accounts department with ease! Seated in the accounts room, he manages every detail with precision. In his free time, he’s glued to the news, so if you’re keen on the latest scoop or current affairs, he’s your go-to guru!
Jiarul Rehman
Sr. Executive - Facilities Management
He is a committed individual who is always ready to handle outside office challenges. From managing office events to diving into tedious tasks, he nails it all! You just need to inform him about the task and forget about it—because you can be assured that he will get it all done with utmost perfection. As a cinema lover, we doubt anyone would ever be able to beat him in the game of Pictionary.
Sunil Kumar
Sr. Executive - Facilities Management
He is that unsung hero of our amazing team who always goes the extra mile to help others. A human radio of interesting stories, but he will only let it all open while doing the activity that he loves the most—swinging the car while sitting behind the steering wheel. A secret? He can often be caught daydreaming about biryani peppered with scrumptious spices.
Azhar Malik
Executive - Facilities Management
Our viral reel champion, the brand ambassador of GOOD VIBES in the office, will astound you with his popularity—millions of views and always on the dot at 10 a.m. He’s the office’s coffee maestro, so just offer a little bribe and watch him take care of your daily caffeine quest. Popping up all over the place, chatting and spreading smiles like confetti, and if you are feeling down, he’ll even pester you until you’re laughing like a fool.
Surendra Yadav
Executive - Facilities Management
This cricket aficionado is a whiz at tracking every record, whether it's for the office or live scores. His favorite thing in the world? Swooping in like a hero just in time to save the day, all while never saying NO and flashing that signature smile. PS: He can chat about his undying love for Bollywood and MS Dhoni for hours. So, when you need movie updates or any office assistance, you know exactly who to turn to!