Drishti IAS coaching center is one of the most well-known and respected coaching institutes in India for UPSC Civil Services (IAS) preparation. Founded in 1999 by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti and Dr. Taruna Verma, it has built a reputation for its rigorous academic training, comprehensive study material, and a strong focus on both Hindi- and English-medium aspirants.
If you’re a student preparing for UPSC or a state PCS exam, knowing what Drishti IAS coaching center offers can help you make an informed decision. In this article, we cover its courses, fee structure, locations, strengths, and some feedback – everything a serious aspirant should know.
Drishti IAS coaching center boasts a team of seasoned educators and subject experts. Their faculty selection process is rigorous: teachers are not only well-versed in their subjects but also tested for their teaching and presentation skills.
They offer a wide range of courses:
Drishti IAS offers both classroom-based (in-person) and live online courses. This flexibility is particularly useful for students who can’t relocate or prefer to study from home. Their online platform includes the Drishti Learning App, where students can access recorded lectures, study material, and mock tests.
Some online batches, especially the GS Foundation course, come with validity of up to three years, allowing students to revisit lectures and revise deeply.
Drishti IAS emphasizes current affairs in its curriculum, offering regular newspaper analysis sessions, updates, and specially designed classes for UPSC-relevant news topics.
Their test series is well-regarded, covering Prelims, Mains, CSAT, and optional subjects. Students also get evaluated answer writing practice, which is essential for UPSC Mains success.
For Hindi-medium aspirants, Drishti offers the Asmita Yojana, a scholarship test, through which selected students receive benefits such as free coaching, lodging, and other support.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the major courses and their typical fees:
| Course | Mode | Approximate Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| GS Foundation (Prelims + Mains) | Live Online | ₹ 1,00,000 (including GST) |
| CSAT | Online / Offline | Online ~ ₹ 15,000; Offline ~ ₹ 25,000 |
| Ethics (GS Paper IV) | Online | ₹ 25,000 |
| NCERT Foundation | Live Online | ₹ 12,500 |
| Optional Subjects (e.g., Psychology, Public Admin, Sociology) | Online / Offline | ~₹ 40,000–₹ 60,000 depending on subject & format |
| Offline GS + CSAT (3-year classroom) | Offline | ₹ 2,65,000 (approx.) |
*Note: Fees are approximate and may vary by batch, center, medium, or special offers. Always check Drishti IAS’s official website or contact their branch for the latest fee structure.
Drishti IAS has multiple branches in India. Some of the key centres include:
Their other centers are Prayagraj, Lucknow, Indore and Ranchi. They also offer their full course online, making it possible to join from anywhere in India.
The GS Foundation course is ideal for fresh beginners. It covers the entire UPSC syllabus for Prelims and Mains in depth, and since the online batch has a 3-year validity, students can pace their preparation.2.
Drishti IAS coaching center strongly emphasizes answer writing, which is often a weak spot for many aspirants. Their test series and evaluation help students improve significantly.
Whether you prefer live classes, replayable lectures, or self-paced study, Drishti supports all styles through its app and classroom model.
The Asmita Yojana for Hindi-medium aspirants is a big plus – not all top IAS coaching centres provide such targeted support.
UPSC exams test current affairs heavily, and Drishti IAS coaching center’s regular newspaper analysis sessions help students stay updated and integrate news with static syllabus.
Note: always check recent independent reviews before enrolling.
Drishti IAS Coaching Center remains a top contender for UPSC aspirants, especially for those who want a strong academic base, access to both online and offline modes, and a credible test series. Its flexible course structure, long validity, and scholarship options make it suitable for a diverse range of students.
However, like any coaching institute, it has its strengths and shortcomings. Before enrolling, every aspirant should carefully weigh the cost, course mode, and personal learning style. Ultimately, success in UPSC depends not just on coaching, but consistent effort, disciplined study, and smart revision — coaching is a tool, not a guarantee.
Read about similar institutes.
Drishti IAS fees vary by mode and duration. For the flagship GS Foundation (Prelims + Mains), expect ~₹1,00,000–₹1,25,000 (incl. GST) for live online batches, often with 3-year validity for recordings and revisions. Offline classroom programs (e.g., 3-year comprehensive with CSAT) are around ₹2,65,000. Optional subjects range ₹26,000–₹60,000, CSAT ~₹15,000–₹25,000 online/offline, and Ethics/NCERT lower at ₹12,500–₹25,000. Discounts like 10–15% for one-time payment or early enrollment apply in some batches (e.g., upcoming 2026 online batch starting May 29). Jaipur branch may offer more economical options (past reports ~₹85,000 for GS). Always confirm on drishtiias.com or contact the branch - no major hidden costs, but fees can fluctuate by batch/medium.
Yes, Drishti IAS is a solid choice for UPSC CSE, particularly strong in Hindi-medium and conceptual teaching (e.g., Ethics by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, Polity by Khanna Sir, Economy by Anand Sir). The Jaipur branch gets positive local feedback for cooperative management, good faculty in key subjects, and perks like free add-ons (test series, revisions) if you clear their mentorship test or Prelims. It's more affordable than Delhi flagship and suits Rajasthan aspirants. Reviews average 4–4.5/5, with praise for structured materials, current affairs, and answer-writing focus. However, some note larger batches limit personal attention, occasional syllabus delays, or variability in English-medium quality. For disciplined self-learners or Hindi-medium students, it's recommended—I've counseled many who succeeded here, especially with the app's flexibility.
Drishti IAS provides comprehensive options for beginners to advanced levels:
GS Foundation (Prelims + Mains) – core program, online/offline, 1–3 years.
CSAT, Ethics (GS IV), NCERT Foundation for basics.
Optional Subjects (e.g., Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, Public Admin, Psychology).
Test Series (Prelims, Mains, CSAT, Optional, Essay) with evaluations.
Current Affairs Crash Course, Interview Guidance, and Drishti Mentorship Programme.
State-specific like UPPCS/RAS in branches.
Online via Drishti Learning App (live + recorded, long validity); offline in Delhi (Karol Bagh/Mukherjee Nagar), Jaipur, Noida, etc. They cater to Hindi/English mediums, with hybrid flexibility post-COVID. Great for freshers building foundations or repeaters focusing on mocks/answer writing.
Asmita Yojana is Drishti's flagship scholarship for Hindi-medium UPSC aspirants, selecting ~50–100 talented students yearly. Qualifiers get free coaching, lodging, food, library access, materials, and faculty guidance—massive support for deserving candidates. Eligibility: Typically Hindi-medium students who've cleared UPSC Prelims (with attempts left) or perform well in Drishti's scholarship test (application fee ~₹500 in past). Apply via drishtiias.com/asmita. It's merit-based and highly competitive, aimed at boosting Hindi-medium results. English-medium has branch-specific mentorship tests (e.g., Jaipur) offering free test series/revision if cleared. If you're Hindi-medium and financially constrained, this is one of the best opportunities—I've seen it transform preparations for qualifying students.
Reviews are mixed but lean positive (4–4.5/5 on Google/Justdial, higher for Hindi-medium/Delhi flagship). Strengths: Excellent faculty (especially Ethics, Polity, Economy), strong test series, current affairs integration, app resources, and mentorship perks (free add-ons in branches like Jaipur if you qualify tests/Prelims). Alumni praise conceptual clarity, answer-writing practice, and affordability compared to premium institutes. Critiques: Large batches (less individual attention), occasional management/delivery issues (e.g., online glitches, syllabus pacing), and variability by center/medium—some English-medium students supplement elsewhere. Jaipur branch stands out for cooperative staff and value (e.g., free mains support post-Prelims). Recent Reddit/Quora feedback highlights it's "good for Hindi-medium" and economical in branches, but check latest on coachingfilter.com for balanced, updated views before enrolling.
