Forum IAS Fees, Fee Structure and Academic Counselling Review

May 6, 2024

8 Minutes

Introduction

Greetings aspirants. Today, I'm sharing my firsthand experience of visiting Forum IAS, a renowned coaching institute for UPSC exam preparation. As a UPSC Content Strategist at Josh Talks, I was tasked with reviewing the admission process and fee structures of various coaching institutes, including Forum IAS. Despite finding detailed information on their website, I felt that a true assessment required a personal visit. So, I headed to Forum IAS's Karol Bagh center to experience how a fresh graduate, unfamiliar with the exam, would feel on their first visit. Join me as I recount my experience and provide insights into what Forum IAS has to offer.

Approaching Forum IAS

Getting to Forum IAS in Delhi was a breeze, thanks to the helpful directions I found online. I decided to take the metro, which is super convenient in Delhi. I got off at Karol Bagh station, and from there, it was just a quick walk of less than 300 meters to reach the center. The best part was that metro exit 4 led me right to the institute, making it really easy to find my way. To reach Forum IAS on Pusa Road by metro, you'll need to take the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro. If your nearest metro station is not on the Blue Line, simply reach Rajiv Chowk, a well-known station where you can change to the Blue Line. From Rajiv Chowk, Karol Bagh is just two stations away on the Blue Line, towards Dwarka.

Way from Forum IAS Pusa Road to Karol Bagh Metro Station

First Impressions

As I approached the main building, I couldn't help but notice the several options to enter the building, including a parking area, a lift, and a staircase, which were clustered in one corner. It was a bit overwhelming at first, trying to figure out the best way to reach the institute on the second floor. However, the building guard noticed my confusion and kindly stepped in to assist. He guided me towards the lift, which made navigating through the building much simpler.

Front face of Forum IAS (Pusa Road Branch)

Counseling and Institute Walk

As I made my way to the second floor where Forum IAS is located, I found the atmosphere to be welcoming. The front desk was a generic one and I couldn't spot anything special there. At the front desk, Nikita, their admission counsellor, greeted me and provided information about the institute's offerings. This initial interaction set the tone for my visit, as the team member answered my questions and provided insights into the UPSC Civil Services Examination in a professional manner.

Understanding the Teaching Approach of Forum IAS

During my visit to Forum IAS in Delhi, I was keen to understand their approach to teaching and the structure of their courses. I specifically inquired about the Foundation Course, considering it to be the most comprehensive offering. The team member I spoke with provided detailed insights into the teaching methodology and course structure, shedding light on the unique aspects of Forum IAS's approach.

Classrooms

The Karol Bagh Center of Forum IAS boasts four classrooms, with two smaller rooms accommodating 20-30 students and two larger rooms accommodating 60+ students. While the physical infrastructure is functional, some classrooms may feel cramped, especially the smaller ones. However, the institute's focus on providing a conducive learning environment outweighs any shortcomings in infrastructure. The presence of multiple classrooms allows for flexibility in scheduling classes and accommodating students, ensuring that they have a comfortable and productive learning experience. Additionally, the availability of teaching assistants and mentors further enhances the classroom experience, providing students with the necessary support and guidance to excel in their studies.

Tests and Assignments

After every lecture, students are given assignments that include questions from both Prelims and Mains perspectives. These assignments serve as a crucial tool for reinforcing the concepts learned in class. The prompt submission of these assignments, either on the same day or the next, ensures that students stay engaged with the material. The evaluation process is rigorous, with assignments being checked by the evaluation team, comprising members who have appeared for the exams but could not clear them due to various reasons. This adds a unique perspective to the feedback provided, as it comes from individuals who have firsthand experience with the exam. Furthermore, the practice of sharing notes before classes helps students prepare effectively, enabling them to actively participate in discussions and activities during the lecture.

Evaluation

Forum IAS takes pride in its prompt evaluation process, with papers, assignments, and tests being checked and shared with students within 24-48 working hours. This quick turnaround time is crucial for students to receive feedback on their performance and areas of improvement promptly. The feedback provided is comprehensive, including remarks and suggestions for improvements. Students are encouraged to reach out directly to teaching assistants or mentors if they face any challenges or require further clarification. The availability of one-on-one sessions with mentors, who are experts in different domains, adds significant value to the evaluation process. These sessions allow students to delve deeper into specific topics and seek personalized guidance, enhancing their understanding and performance.

Essay Writing and Ethics

One of the key highlights of Forum IAS's approach is its emphasis on essay writing and ethics. The institute recognizes these as crucial areas where students can significantly improve and excel. To address this, Forum IAS begins paying extra attention to these areas from October onwards, allocating additional time for practice. This focused approach helps students develop a better understanding and command over these topics, ultimately improving their performance in the exam. By dedicating specific resources and time to these areas, Forum IAS ensures that students are well-prepared and confident in tackling these aspects of the UPSC exam.

Books and Study Material

Forum IAS provides comprehensive study material to its students, including 18 Forum Red Books and 13 Prelims Toolkit books. These books cover a wide range of topics, including previous year questions, mock questions, and a Current Affairs magazine. The study material is meticulously curated to align with the UPSC exam syllabus, ensuring that students have access to relevant and high-quality resources. By providing all necessary study material, Forum IAS aims to streamline the preparation process for its students, enabling them to focus more on understanding concepts rather than hunting for study material.

Current Affairs

Forum IAS understands the importance of current affairs in the UPSC exam and provides extensive resources and support in this area. Students receive daily, monthly, and quarterly PDFs covering current affairs, ensuring that they stay updated with the latest events and developments. Additionally, Forum IAS conducts specialized classes on current affairs, with renowned faculty members such as Dipin Sir, who is known for his expertise in this field. These classes are designed to cater to both Prelims and Mains-oriented current affairs, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The focused approach towards current affairs ensures that students are well-prepared to tackle this section of the exam effectively.

Pre-Foundation Classes

Forum IAS offers pre-foundation classes to its students, aimed at helping them understand the fundamental concepts of various subjects. These classes are recorded and made available on the student portal, allowing students to access them at their convenience. The availability of these pre-recorded sessions adds flexibility to the learning process, enabling students to revise concepts or clarify doubts as needed. By providing these pre-foundation classes, Forum IAS ensures that students have a strong foundation in key subjects, setting them up for success in the UPSC exam.

Fee Payments at Forum IAS

Modes of Study (For Foundation Course)

Forum IAS offers two modes of enrollment for its Foundation Course, with different fee structures:

Offline Mode

• Fee: Rs. 1,35,000

• Payment Mode: One-time payment

• Benefits: Students attending classes in person

Hybrid Mode

• Fee: Rs. 1,68,300 (after a 10% discount on the original fee of Rs. 1,87,000)

• Payment Mode: One-time payment to avail of the discount

• Benefits: Access to recorded sessions, Flexibility to choose between attending classes in person or online and ease of study mode flexibility for classes, lectures, and test submissions.

Payment Options at Forum IAS

Forum IAS accepts fee payments through various sources listed below

• Cash

• Debit/Credit Card

• Account Transfer/Net Banking

• UPI

• NEFT/RTGS

• Cheque

EMI Option

Forum IAS provides an EMI option through a third-party facility called Liquiloans. Here's how it works:

• The base fee of Rs. 1,87,000 is divided into 6 equal parts for EMI.
• A processing fee of approximately Rs. 1870 is charged.
• Required documents for EMI application include:

This payment flexibility ensures that students can choose a payment option that best suits their financial situation

My Review

My interaction with Nikita at Forum IAS was extremely positive. She patiently answered all my questions and made me feel comfortable throughout our discussion. At no point did I feel unwelcome or ignored; instead, she showed genuine interest in our conversation. She personally accompanied me and gave me a tour of the center, which I appreciated. Her approachability and willingness to listen created a safe space for me to ask questions and seek clarification. 

However, I was disappointed that I was not allowed to attend a demo class, as experiencing the class as a student would have given me a better understanding of the teaching methodology. Attending the class would have answered the biggest question in every review: "Does it deliver what it promises and believes in?" Unfortunately, I was unable to answer this question. When I raised this concern with the counselor, I was informed that they were not allowed to permit anyone to attend a demo lecture.Overall, my experience at Forum IAS was pleasant, and I would recommend it to others based on the professionalism and warmth of the staff.

Also read: Drishti IAS Fees 2024, Fee Structure and Academic Counselling Review