Ensure IAS Fees, Admission Process, Counselling and Trial Class Experience

June 9, 2024

13 Minutes

Introduction

Hello everyone, being a Content Strategist at Josh Talks UPSC, I've been exploring the UPSC coaching institutes in Delhi to provide aspiring candidates with valuable, firsthand information in order to allow them to make an informed decision while selecting the best UPSC coaching for them.

Ensure IAS caught my eye during my visit to Chahal IAS a few days ago since its main office is located just above Chahal IAS. Most aspirants know that Ensure IAS was started by Mr. Sachin Jain, a 2016 batch IRS officer and two-time UPSC CSE qualifier, after he quit the services. When I looked it up online, I found that the institute claims to support its aspirants even after the course is finished. Another thing that attracted my attention was that Mr. Sachin Jain is accessible to every student for one-on-one counseling whenever needed. So, I decided to step into the shoes of a fresh aspirant and attend a lecture to help new aspirants get an idea of how Ensure IAS imparts coaching.

Approaching Ensure IAS

I called Ensure IAS to inquire about their admission process. The executive on the call was pleasant and polite, answering all my questions. She started by asking for my personal and academic details and then invited me to visit the institute. Before I could request a trial lecture, she had already scheduled my visit and demo class for 1:30 pm.

Reaching Ensure IAS

Ensure IAS is located on the main Old Rajinder Nagar Road, where many coaching centers are situated. From the Karol Bagh Metro station, walk about 100 meters towards Old Rajinder Nagar (ORN). At the intersection, turn left, and you’ll see Ensure IAS on the right side of the road. It is above Chahal IAS Academy, near the building that houses two eateries, Domino's and Xero Degrees. Opposite this building is the large Rau’s IAS Circle building and Vajiram and Ravi’s main office.

As I climbed the stairs, I saw small direction boards with arrows guiding me to their office. It was on the second floor, with the entrances to Xero Degrees and Ensure IAS adjacent to each other. Upon entering, I was greeted by three receptionists who offered me a seat and some water. After having water, I was asked to attend the class first as the lecture had started early. I attended the lecture and was then escorted back to their office. I’ll share my classroom experience with you later in the blog.

Counselling Experience

After returning from the lecture, I was given an A4-sized paper detailing the different sections explaining how coaching is carried out at Ensure IAS, along with their differentiators. I was asked to read the paper and wait in their waiting room until my turn for counseling.

While waiting, I had a conversation with two fresh aspirants. I asked them what they look for in coaching and what brought them to Ensure IAS. Like me, they were drawn by the promise of extended support for students and one-on-one guidance. 

After a while, I was called in for the counseling session. The counsellor's office was located near the reception area. Umesh, the counsellor, explained each part of their courses in detail and assured me that students are prioritized above everything else at their institute. He even offered me some books to read before starting the classes to gain a basic understanding of the syllabus. The session was satisfactory and informative.

Fee Structure of Ensure IAS

Terms and Conditions for Ensure IAS Fees

1. Registration Fee: An amount of ₹20,000/- must be paid to reserve a seat. This amount will be deducted from the total fee.

2. Cheque Installments: Cheques for installments must be provided within 5 days of registration. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the registration amount.

3. Class Access: Access to WhatsApp groups and classes will be granted after the payment of ₹70,000/-.

4. Recorded Classes Access: Access to recorded class videos and the app will be provided after the full fee is paid.

5. Cheque Penalty: A penalty of ₹5000/- will be charged if a cheque bounces for any reason.

6. Non-refundable Fees: The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances.

7. Installment Penalty: If installments are not paid on time, a penalty of ₹1000/- per day will be charged.

Ensure IAS Class Experience

I was taken to the Ensure IAS classroom building, located a few steps from the Karol Bagh metro station, adjacent to Jeewan Hospital and the Croma Store. The floor was aesthetically pleasing, with new, modern, and well-built interiors. The counsellor had sent a person to accompany me to the classroom building, and he informed the receptionist that I was there for a demo lecture. I was asked to wait in one of their offices until the teacher arrived.

The demo lecture was an Ancient History class by Mr. Ranjan Singh, focusing on the history of Southern India and its dynasties, including the Chalukyas, the Pandyas, and the Cholas. As the lecture started, I listened and observed. When the teacher noticed me, he politely paused the lecture and asked if I was from another batch. He explained that he noticed a new person in the classroom and felt it was unfair to continue without giving me a brief about his teaching method.

He took about 5 minutes to explain how he had divided India into different zones, covering them one by one. He mentioned that while discussing a specific dynasty or kingdom, he would first explain their political history, including founders, rulers, periods, and political developments, and then move on to other aspects such as economic systems, art and culture, and local governments.

I was pleasantly surprised that in a class of around 50-60 students, the teacher took the time to make me comfortable before proceeding. I have attended numerous demo lectures over the past six months, but I had never experienced anything like this. It made me realize that such personalized attention would be impossible in a class with 200 or more students, reinforcing my belief that batch size is a crucial factor when choosing a coaching institute, which I have emphasized in all my articles on UPSC coaching institutes.

Ensure IAS Classroom 

The classroom at Ensure IAS was well-equipped with all the necessary amenities. The seating capacity of the classroom was in the range of 70-90. The lighting was great, and there were speakers all around the room, providing clear sound. The digital board looked new, and the air conditioning was effective. The room was centrally air-conditioned with additional split ACs and wall fans. Although the classroom had plastic chairs, they were equipped with writing pads, making it comfortable to attend a 2.5-hour lecture.

Washrooms and Drinking Water

Although I didn’t get a chance to click pictures due to the crowd, I noticed that the washroom area at the institute was well-equipped and very clean. There was a cleaning checklist to ensure hourly cleaning. Similarly, the drinking water area was also clean, with an RO system in place to ensure the availability of clean water.

Brochure of Ensure IAS

The brochure of Ensure IAS is more of a success magazine than a course brochure. It showcases the achievements of the institute's founder, his journey at LBSNAA, his certificates, and the events he has been invited to. Additionally, the brochure includes details about the UPSC CSE, its syllabus, subjects, recommended books, and testimonials from toppers that the institute claims to have produced. However, it doesn’t list any course details, which I believe could have been better.

Ensure IAS Team

Although the brochure didn’t include the faculty lineup, the counsellor provided a set of photocopied pages detailing their courses and expert team. Here are the key members:

1. Mr Sachin Jain, Director of Ensure IAS (IRS-2016, AIR 286)
2. Mr Ankit Jain, Strategic Advisor of Ensure IAS (IPS-2018, AIR 222)
3. Mr Ranjan Singh, History Expert (10 years of teaching experience).
4. Mr Sandeep Rupella, Strategic Advisor of Ensure IAS (ACP, UPSC 2020)
5. Mr Rahul, Economy Expert (9 years of teaching experience)
6. Mr Vikram Singh, Essay Expert (UPSC 2020 Essay Topper)
7. Mr Vivek, Internal Security Expert at Ensure IAS (Assistant Director, Defence Ministry, UPSC 2013 Topper)
8. Mr Arpit, Current Affairs Expert at Ensure IAS.
9. Mr Prateek, Polity and International Relations Expert at Ensure IAS.
10. Mr Yogesh Kottawar, Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude Expert at Ensure IAS.
11. Mr Saroj Kumar Jha, Academic Advisor at Ensure IAS.
12. Mr Umesh, Senior Executive- Admin at Ensure IAS.

The institute believes that these experts bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to Ensure IAS, ensuring comprehensive guidance for UPSC aspirants.

Course Details of Ensure IAS

The counsellor informed me that Ensure IAS offers multiple GS programs for students, recommending a course based on their individual requirements. After our discussion, he advised me to enroll in the GS (1 Year) program, the features of which I will explain below. It is noteworthy that the details and features of all the courses at Ensure IAS remain the same, so whether one opts for the 2-year program or the 3-year program, the features will remain consistent.

Features of GS Courses at Ensure IAS

Ensure IAS’s 26 Best Course Features

Ensure IAS has listed 26 key features that they incorporate to enhance their courses and ensure a comprehensive preparation approach. Here are some important ones:

• SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) Based Guidance: Personalized guidance based on individual assessments.
• Daily Doubt Sessions: Regular sessions to address student queries and clarify concepts.
• Strategy Sessions by UPSC Toppers and Retired Officers: Insights and strategies shared by successful candidates and experienced officers.
• Expert Faculties and Ex-civil Servants: Experienced educators and former civil servants providing in-depth knowledge and guidance.
• Smart Notes and Mind Maps: Condensed study material and visual aids for effective revision.
• Weekly Prelims and Mains Tests Throughout the Course: Regular assessments to gauge preparation levels and improve test-taking skills.
• Skill Development Sessions to Link Static Topics with Current Affairs: Integrated approach to cover both static and dynamic aspects of the UPSC syllabus.
• Interview Guidance by UPSC Toppers with 200+ Marks: Coaching and mock interviews conducted by successful candidates scoring high marks.
• One-on-One Sessions with Mr. Sachin Jain: Personalized counseling and guidance sessions with the institute's director.

These features collectively ensure a '360-degree preparation' approach at Ensure IAS, aiming to provide comprehensive support and guidance to UPSC aspirants.

Ensure IAS’s Lecture Plan with Hours

Ensure IAS also provides a complete lecture plan to its students before the course begins. This helps students know in advance which subjects will be covered, which books will be taught, and how many classes it will take to finish the syllabus. Having this plan in hand allows students to prepare better and strategize their studies effectively.

Batch Size

Ensure IAS maintains a maximum batch size of 80 students, which is considered optimal for effective coaching. This ensures that even when the class is full, which is rare, there is ample opportunity for meaningful student-teacher interaction, making the learning process more efficient and personalized.

Emphasis on Standard Books

One of the fundamental beliefs of Ensure IAS administration is that the UPSC CSE paper is set from standard books. Therefore, the institute emphasizes the use of standard books for preparation and trains students to link the static content of these books with current affairs and issues of national importance. To substantiate this approach, the institute has included several questions from previous years’ papers in their brochure, which were directly sourced from these standard books.

5-Layered Arjuna Mentorship

Ensure IAS has devised their mentorship program, which proceeds in 5 steps. Here are the layers in ascending order:

Layer I - Counselling from Admission Counsellor

Layer II - Guidance from Academic Counsellor (Mentor)

Layer III - Guidance from Academic Advisor

Layer IV - Help from Subject Expert (Faculty)

Layer V - Sessions with Mr. Sachin Jain, Director, Ensure IAS

The institute claims that with this multi-pronged strategy, they ensure that students never leave the institute with any doubts in mind, whether it's about strategy, approach, academic queries, or stress.

Study Material

The institute offers more than 30 standard books for preparation, including expert-curated modules and standard preparation books. Ensure IAS believes that UPSC Civil Services exam preparation should be primarily based on standard books rather than multiple sources, as a majority of the exam questions are derived from these standard books and current affairs.

5-Step Teaching Methodology

The institute follows a pre-decided methodology for teaching, where students are guided through a structured process: first, they read, then understand, note, revise, and finally, take a test. This approach aims to ensure that classroom learning is uniform and impactful for all students.

CAT (Current Affairs Total)

The Current Affairs preparation is covered comprehensively in the course through classes, notes, handouts, and the institute’s monthly magazine. The magazine compiles important issues that occurred during the previous month, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the UPSC exam's dynamic current affairs component.

Testing at Ensure IAS

The counsellor at Ensure IAS emphasized that the institute places prime emphasis on testing to allow students to assess their progress. This also helps the institute assess students and provide them with feedback and necessary support. To achieve this, Ensure IAS conducts 10 types of tests, listed below:

1. Weekly Pre-Tests: Regular assessments to prepare students for the Prelims exam.

2. Weekly Mains-Tests: Regular assessments to prepare students for the Mains exam.

3. Surprise Tests: Unannounced tests to gauge spontaneous preparedness.

4. Sectional Tests: Tests focusing on specific sections of the syllabus.

5. Half-length Tests: Tests covering half the syllabus to improve time management.

6. Full Length Tests: Simulated exams covering the entire UPSC syllabus.

7. Test Series with 50+ Tests: Comprehensive series of tests covering all exam aspects.

8. CSAT Tests: Tests specifically designed for the Civil Services Aptitude Test.

9. Essay Tests: Tests to practice essay writing skills.

10. Open Book Tests: Tests allowing students to refer to study material during the test.

These tests are integral to the learning process at Ensure IAS, ensuring thorough preparation and continuous improvement for UPSC aspirants.

Optional Subject

Ensure IAS currently provides coaching exclusively for the Public Administration optional subject. The institute's director, Mr. Sachin Jain, has cleared UPSC CSE with the same optional twice, and the institute leverages his expertise, notes, diagrams, and charts to provide the best training to students opting for Public Administration. The curriculum of this optional course is taught from standard books through comprehensive lectures, and the course lasts for 3 months. It includes discussion sessions on previous years’ papers and separate sessions to discuss the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission report, which is essential for students attempting the Public Administration optional in UPSC CSE.

My Review 

From my first contact with Ensure IAS, my experience has been nothing short of excellent. The counselling session with Umesh was thorough and he left no doubts unanswered, demonstrating a clear commitment to helping prospective students. The institute's infrastructure, including the classrooms and common areas, stood out as among the best in the domain. Although I only attended one lecture by Mr. Ranjan, it was clear that he possesses a deep understanding of his subject and answered all questions with clarity.

The staff at Ensure IAS were consistently polite and helpful, enhancing the overall positive atmosphere of the institute. I was also pleased to be offered a one-on-one session with Mr. Sachin Jain, demonstrating their commitment to personalized guidance.

As an aspiring UPSC candidate considering coaching institutes, Ensure IAS has proven to be a strong contender. While the fees are on the higher side, the quality of teaching and the facilities justify the investment. I would strongly recommend prospective students to visit the institute, attend demo lectures, and take advantage of the opportunity to meet with Mr. Jain before making a final decision.