Drishti IAS Coaching Center Claimed

Introduction

Drishti IAS 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 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.

Why Choose Drishti IAS?

1. Experienced Faculty

Drishti IAS 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.

2. Comprehensive Course Offerings

They offer a wide range of courses:

• GS Foundation (Prelims + Mains)
• CSAT preparation
• Optional Subjects (Anthropology, Public Administration, Sociology, Geography, etc.)
• Ethics (GS Paper IV) course
• NCERT Foundation Course
• Test Series for Prelims, Mains, Optional Subjects, and CSAT

3. Multiple Modes: Offline and Online

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.

4. Long Validity for Online Courses

Some online batches, especially the GS Foundation course, come with validity of up to three years, allowing students to revisit lectures and revise deeply.

5. Current Affairs & Regular Updates

Drishti IAS emphasizes current affairs in its curriculum, offering regular newspaper analysis sessions, updates, and specially designed classes for UPSC-relevant news topics.

6. Strong Test Series & Answer Writing Practice

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.

7. Scholarship Programs

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.

Drishti IAS Courses & Fee Structure (2025)

Here’s a breakdown of some of the major courses and their typical fees:

*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.

Branches & Locations

Drishti IAS has multiple branches in India. Some of the key centres include:

• Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi – This is one of their flagship centres.
• Karol Bagh, Delhi – A major classroom centre with regular test series, doubt-clearing sessions, and large batch sizes.
• Noida Branch – Accessible for students in the NCR region.
• Jaipur Centre – Drishti also has a branch in Jaipur, which is helpful for aspirants from Rajasthan.

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.

Strengths & Benefits for Students

1. Strong Foundation for Beginners

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.

2. Answer-Writing Focus

Drishti strongly emphasizes answer writing, which is often a weak spot for many aspirants. Their test series and evaluation help students improve significantly.

3. Flexible Learning

Whether you prefer live classes, replayable lectures, or self-paced study, Drishti supports all styles through its app and classroom model.

4. Scholarship Opportunity

The Asmita Yojana for Hindi-medium aspirants is a big plus — not all top IAS coaching centres provide such targeted support.

5. Current Affairs Integration

UPSC exams test current affairs heavily, and Drishti’s regular newspaper analysis sessions help students stay updated and integrate news with static syllabus.

Challenges & Things to Consider

• Cost: While Drishti is comparatively more affordable than some premium IAS institutes, its offline 3-year program is quite expensive (~₹ 2.65 lakh).
• Batch Size: At popular centers, batch sizes can be large, which might limit individual attention.
• Student Reviews Vary:
  • Some students on Reddit praised the mentorship program, especially in regional branches like Jaipur. They appreciated their mentorship test and revision classes.
  • On the other hand, there are criticisms regarding higher fee and teaching quality. They also mentioned that institute promised a mixed of online and offline classes. However, there were recorded lectures shown in offline classes.
• Service Issues (according to some reviews): Some students have reported problems with course delivery, scheduling, and support in the online programs.

Note: always check recent independent reviews before enrolling.

Tips for Prospective Students

1. Visit the Centre: If possible, visit the Drishti IAS branch in person (e.g., Karol Bagh or Mukherjee Nagar) to attend a demo class and meet faculty.
2. Use the Trial/Scholarship Opportunity: Try qualifying for their mentorship test or scholarship (if eligible) — it can significantly lower your cost and give you added guidance.
3. Compare Course Options: Depending on your comfort and budget, compare online vs offline, and full foundation vs crash courses.
4. Plan for Test Series: Make sure to opt for a course that includes Prelims and Mains test series, as these are critical for exam preparation.
5. Balance Study + Revision: Use the 3-year validity of online batches wisely — keep revising regularly instead of rushing all content.
6. Read Recent Student Feedback: Check the latest reviews (Reddit, Quora, etc.) to understand student satisfaction, delivery quality, and any recent changes in policy or courses.

Conclusion

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.