UPSC IAS Coaching in Allahabad (Prayagraj) | Drishti IAS Prayagraj | NEXT IAS | Unacademy | Shri Yatharth IAS | Dhyeya IAS

May 29, 2024

22 Minutes

Introduction

As a content strategist at Josh Talks, I've been assigned the task of reviewing UPSC coaching institutes across India to help aspirants select the best coaching for their needs. After several brainstorming sessions with my team, I realised that the most genuine reviews come from first-hand experiences. Therefore, I have been personally visiting and reviewing UPSC coaching institutes in Delhi to provide aspirants with the most accurate information possible.

However, the UPSC coaching scene is no longer confined to the streets of Old Rajinder Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar in Delhi. To broaden our scope, I decided to explore coaching institutes in other major cities as well. In this informative article, I'll share my insights and experiences with UPSC coaching institutes in Prayagraj.

Please note that I have not ranked any of these institutes. Instead, I have shortlisted some prominent UPSC coaching centres in Prayagraj and reached out to them like a new aspirant to gather as much information as possible. My goal is to help aspirants in Prayagraj understand how these institutes work and what they offer so fresh aspirants can make informed decisions. 

Drishti IAS Prayagraj

Drishti IAS, Prayagraj Photos

Founded and led by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, Drishti IAS has quickly become one of the top institutes for UPSC coaching in India. Founded in Mukherjee Nagar, it gained popularity as the first Hindi-medium UPSC coaching institute and later expanded into English-medium coaching. The institute has now grown to multiple cities, including Indore, Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Jaipur. Given its significance, I explored Drishti’s upcoming courses in Prayagraj and opted for telephonic counselling.

Telephonic Counselling

Although I called the Prayagraj centre of Drishti, I was connected to a counsellor in Delhi. The counsellor explained that all calls to Drishti are handled from their central location in Delhi. This became an issue later on, as the Delhi-based counsellor was unaware of specific challenges faced by aspirants in other cities. When I asked about relocating to Prayagraj, the counsellor couldn't provide guidance on suitable areas for students. As an aspirant, speaking with a local counsellor would have been more helpful for understanding the local context. Nevertheless, the counsellor asked me the usual questions and provided details about their GS (Prelims and Mains) Foundation Course and combo courses.

Course Features

1. GS (Prelims and Mains) Foundation Course: This course comprehensively covers all General Studies (GS) subjects required for both the Prelims and Mains stages of the UPSC exam. The course is delivered through 2.5 to 3-hour lectures every day, and the syllabus is designed to be completed within 12-15 months.
2. Commencement of GS Foundation Course: The upcoming batch for the GS Foundation Course at Drishti IAS Prayagraj will commence on June 4, 2024. Classes are scheduled to begin at 8 AM, aiming to establish a consistent study routine for aspirants early in the day.
3. Recorded Lectures: Enrolled candidates will have access to recorded lectures of all classes for a period of 3 years.
4. Monthly Current Affairs Magazine: For updates on latest developments and news relevant to the UPSC exam, Drishti IAS provides a monthly current affairs magazine. This magazine is delivered directly to the candidates' addresses to ensure that they have access to comprehensive and well-organised current affairs material.
5. Prelims Test Series: The course includes a comprehensive Prelims Test series consisting of 90 tests, with 75 tests focused on the GS portion and 15 tests dedicated to the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) paper. This extensive test series helps candidates assess their knowledge, identify strengths and weaknesses, and practice time management for the Prelims exam.
6. Mains Test Series: After the completion of the GS syllabus, candidates will have the opportunity to participate in 24 full-length Mains tests. These tests simulate the actual Mains exam environment to allow aspirants to practise answer writing, improve time management skills, and get a realistic assessment of their preparation level.
7. Answer Writing Assessment: Drishti IAS offers a unique feature where candidates can submit 500 of their Mains answers for evaluation by experienced invigilators. This personalised feedback can help aspirants identify areas for improvement in their answer writing skills and refine their approach to tackle different types of questions.
8. Doubt Clearing: To ensure that candidates receive adequate support throughout their preparation journey, Batch Coordinators are appointed for each batch. These coordinators are responsible for addressing doubts, providing clarification on concepts, and guiding students on their study plan.
9. No Live Lectures for Ethics & Essay Preparation: Lectures on Ethics, delivered by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, and Essay lectures will be available in recorded format. This is because Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is currently not actively taking live lectures.
10. Faculty: The counsellor told me that the faculty members at the Drishti IAS Prayagraj centre will be different from those at the Delhi centre. The Prayagraj centre will have its own team of experienced and qualified teachers who will deliver the lectures and guide the students.

Drishti IAS Prayagraj Fee Structure

Optional Subjects and Fees

Drishti IAS offers coaching for various optional subjects, with fees typically ranging around Rs. 50,000. The CSAT coaching fee is set at Rs. 10,000.

Final Remarks

In the past, I have visited the Pusa road centre of Drishti IAS as an aspirant and have attended one of their lectures. I compared it with the photos of Drishti IAS Prayagraj centre and found the theme of both the centres similar. Drishti IAS Prayagraj, in terms of infrastructure, is well-built and maintained. The counsellor was also cordial and answered all my queries well. Drishti’s course was a comprehensive one and combo courses cover almost each and everything required for UPSC preparation. The absence of a local counsellor may have been there but it didn’t matter much after he started telling me about the course as he explained each and everything well. However, the fee of the institute, compared to the other institutes in the city, is way higher. If Drishti fits your budget, it’s worth a try.

NEXT IAS Prayagraj

NEXT IAS Prayagraj Centre Photos

Since its inception in 2017 under Made Easy Group, NEXT IAS has become a household name in Delhi as well as across the country for UPSC CSE coaching. Their name has been among the trends due to their lineup of highly-renowned teachers and modern classroom facilities. Although its Prayagraj branch only had three reviews on Google, the prominence of the institute led me to call them and inquire about the latest batches of UPSC CSE coaching.

Telephonic Counselling Experience

I found the contact number for NEXT IAS Prayagraj on their official website and called them, but my first two calls went unanswered. After waiting for a while without receiving a callback, I dialled again, and this time one of their counsellors picked up. She inquired about the reason for my call but 'seemed to be in a hurry.' I politely explained that I live a hundred kilometres away from the institute and needed information about their courses to shortlist a suitable one for myself. 

After some persuasion, she began explaining the details. She recommended the GS Pre-cum-Mains Foundation Course and provided me with an overview. Throughout the call, the counsellor seemed rushed, and I had to repeatedly interrupt her to ask questions. She would answer briefly and then suggest visiting the institute for detailed information. Although it was around 5:30 PM, which might explain her haste, I continued asking questions to gather as much information as possible.

Course Features

1. About GS Foundation Course: The counsellor mentioned that the GS Foundation Course batch started on May 20th, which was 8 days ago. While there are no upcoming classroom batches at the branch, there are some online course options starting soon. She assured me that she’ll arrange access to recorded lectures of the previous classes, which will allow me students to catch up quickly.
2. Batch Timings and Strength: The classroom lectures in the GS Foundation Course span 3 hours, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, six days a week. A batch at Next IAS Prayagraj typically accommodates between 150-250 students, and the counsellor indicated that the current batch size would likely be in the middle of that range.
3. Study Material and Duration of the Course: Students enrolled in the GS Foundation Course receive a total of 18 books covering all parts of the GS syllabus, along with printed class notes and PDFs. NEXT IAS promises to complete the course curriculum in 12 to 13 months.
4. CSAT: NEXT IAS Prayagraj also conducts separate classes for CSAT. Students can either pay a specific amount for these classes or opt for a combo course that includes CSAT.
5. Current Affairs: Regular current affairs sessions are part of the GS Foundation course. Each student receives a monthly current affairs magazine that compiles important events from the month. Additionally, resources like newspaper editorial analysis and daily compilations are available on the student portal.
6. Essay: The course details online also revealed that Essay classes are included in the NEXT IAS Foundation courses. In this case, the student can also write essays and ask for assessment to the teacher
7. Tests: In addition to regular class tests, students enrolled in the course can participate in their Test Series, which includes sectional and full-length tests for the prelims.
8. Demo Classes: NEXT IAS Prayagraj offers 5 trial lectures for fresh aspirants to evaluate the teaching quality before making a decision. Trial lectures take place every weekday at 5:30 PM. The counsellor gave me two options: attend these lectures and then decide, or take advantage of an ongoing offer with a significant discount on fees, valid only until the end of the day. I'll highlight the discount offer after revealing the fee structure of the institute.

NEXT IAS Prayagraj Fees 

When I asked about the course fees, the counsellor provided different amounts for various combinations of coaching courses for UPSC CSE. To ensure accuracy, I cross-checked these prices with those listed on their online portal, and they matched. Here are the details of the fees charged by NEXT IAS Prayagraj for their courses:

Discount Offer on Fees

NEXT IAS counsellor told me over the phone that there is a huge discount offer running till evening but when I opened their website the combo price was the same as the discounted price she was pitching to me. She had said that the offer was only valid till the evening but it was still there when I checked the next day.

NEXT IAS Prayagraj Location

Next IAS Prayagraj is situated at 31/31, Sardar Patel Marg, Agnipath Colony, Civil Lines, Prayagraj. Located just a few metres away from Dhyeya IAS, the location has easy access to public transport as well as ample parking space for students travelling on personal vehicles.

Final Thoughts

I had an average experience during my telephonic counselling by Next IAS Prayagraj as the counsellor didn’t seem to be interested in explaining everything in detail. However, looking at the course inclusions, demo class options, comprehensive current affairs coverage and a positive outlook in the market, NEXT IAS can be a good option for your coaching. Book your demo lectures and take an informed decision.

Unacademy Prayagraj

Unacademy Centre - Prayagraj Photos

Several e-learning platforms for UPSC coaching have emerged in India over the past few years, but Unacademy is the most popular of them all. The platform initially excelled in the online space and then expanded to offline classroom coaching programs. Recently, Unacademy expanded its classroom programs to Prayagraj, which prompted me to call them and inquire about their UPSC coaching programs in the city.

Telephonic Counselling

My call was answered by a counsellor named Shivani. She was extremely humble and asked me a few questions, including my age and previous attempts at the UPSC exam. I explained that I live in Jaunpur, nearly 100 km from Prayagraj, and I was planning to move to the city to pursue a regular classroom course for UPSC coaching. After noting down my details, she recommended that I join Unacademy’s Foundation batch for UPSC CSE coaching, which was scheduled to start in the next few days.

Course Details

1. Course Duration and Timings: Unacademy’s Foundation batch includes one General Studies class every day. According to their curriculum, it takes between 15 to 18 months to complete the CSE GS syllabus. Students can choose between a morning batch starting at 8:30 AM and an evening batch starting at 5:30 PM.
2. Batch Strength and Class Duration: To avoid overcrowding, Unacademy limits each batch to 150 students. Initially, the lectures are about 2.5 hours long, but as students adjust to longer sessions, the duration increases to 3 hours.
3. Mentorship: Unacademy provides one-on-one mentorship for students. In-house mentors are available 9 hours a day, and students can study at the institute for up to 12 hours, consulting mentors as needed for guidance.
4. Current Affairs: There are regular current affairs sessions, and students receive Unacademy’s monthly current affairs magazine, which compiles important events of the month. Special lectures are organised if news events are particularly significant for UPSC preparation.
5. Practice and Testing: Students in this course receive daily Prelims and Mains questions for practice. The course includes General Studies sectional, integrated, and full-length tests at appropriate times, as well as CSAT tests.
6. Study Material: Unacademy's course books are written by their educators, who have distilled content from over 60 books into 20 course modules, deemed sufficient for UPSC preparation. Students also receive class notes and PDF handouts.
7. Recorded Classes: Students have access to live lectures for remote attendance and recorded lectures if they miss any classes. This access is available until their subscription period ends.
8. Trial Lectures: When I inquired about a demo lecture, the counsellor initially mentioned there was no provision for one, but she could give me a tour of the building and classrooms. After some persuasion, she agreed and invited me to their centre the next morning, also sending me a demo card for class access.

Unacademy Prayagraj Fee Structure

Total Fees: The fees for Unacademy’s GS Foundation Course, which includes classes, test series, current affairs, CSAT, and mentorship, are set at ₹1,55,000.

Discounted Fees: The counsellor informed me that there is a limited-time 40% discount on the course, reducing the price to ₹93,000 until May 31st.

Payment Methods: Students can pay the full fee amount through various channels, including Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, Netbanking, NEFT/RTGS/IMPS, or Cheque.

EMI Options: Unacademy has partnered with Bajaj Finserv and Propelld to provide an EMI facility for students who meet the eligibility criteria.

Final Remarks

The telephonic counselling with Unacademy Prayagraj was quite detailed, and the counsellor explained everything thoroughly. She covered every aspect of the course curriculum and ensured I understood it well. I also checked the 3D view of Unacademy Prayagraj centre on Google and found the infrastructure and interiors to be good.

The counsellor mentioned a few teachers in the course, including Mr. Ramesh Singh for Economy and Dr. Khyati Khare, but unfortunately I had not heard their names. I advise aspirants to visit Unacademy Prayagraj and focus on the teaching quality above all else. Research online, ask the centre for details, watch YouTube lectures of these teachers, and use every available resource. If you find the teaching quality satisfactory, everything else in Unacademy Prayagraj centre is good and your preparation is in safe hands.

Shri Yatharth IAS Prayagraj

Shri Yatharth IAS photos

Almost every UPSC aspirant, regardless of their preparation status, knows Awadh Ojha sir. He is a renowned figure in the UPSC coaching industry, with his videos frequently going viral on social media and YouTube. During my research, I discovered that several people searched for Avadh Ojha sir coaching name and that is when I came across Shri Yatharth IAS, a Prayagraj-based UPSC CSE coaching institute, which operates under the guidance of Ojha sir. Their official website states that the curriculum has been designed by Ojha sir himself, and he also conducts lectures and guidance sessions. Intrigued by their unique approach to the exam, I decided to reach out to them after exploring their website.

Telephonic Counselling Experience

My call was answered promptly, and the counsellor, like all the others, asked about my background. These questions typically covered my plans for the exam, target year, previous experience with the exam, location, and medium of preparation. After gathering this information, the counsellor recommended Shri Yatharth IAS's flagship course, "Dwij." He explained that the curriculum and study material for this course have been designed and curated under the guidance of Awadh Ojha sir. Then, he proceeded to explain its features.

Course Features

1. About Dwij Programme: The Dwij Programme at Shri Yatharth IAS consists of over 950 lectures, totalling more than 2200 hours of learning spread across approximately 14 months. The course, taught in English medium, includes 7.5 hours of classes every day. These 7.5 hours are equally divided into three categories: General Studies, Revision Sessions, and Current Affairs. Here’s a breakdown of what is taught in these sessions:

• General Studies (2.5 hours daily): Students study the standard course curriculum and make class notes.
• Revision Sessions (2.5 hours daily): Faculty help students thoroughly revise previously covered topics and conduct daily tests comprising 10 MCQs and 1 Mains question.
• Current Affairs (2.5 hours daily): Teachers compile significant developments in various fields and share them with students from day one. The institute also conducts newspaper reading sessions and trains students on how to approach editorials. Each session includes 30 MCQs and 2 Mains questions.

2. Batch Capacity: Each Dwij Programme batch accommodates between 50-60 students, ensuring every student receives ample attention and focus from the teacher. Honestly, studying in a class of 50-60 people is significantly better than being in a class with 200+ students.

3. Study Material: Students in the Dwij Programme receive a set of old and new NCERT e-books and course books for each GS subject, all created under the guidance of Awadh Ojha sir.

4. Test Series: The programme includes a prelims test series with 15-20 sectional and combined tests, and 2-3 full-length prelims tests.

5. Awadh Ojha Sir’s Classes: Curious about Awadh Ojha sir's involvement, I asked the counsellor about his role. The counsellor mentioned that Awadh sir was currently out of the city for some work but would return to teach at the centre once he was done. The answer lacked conviction, but the counsellor assured me of his return.

6. Mentorship Programme: The Dwij Programme also includes a mentorship programme for preparation guidance. Although the counsellor didn’t mention this on the phone, I found this information on their website.

7. Extended Current Affairs Support: Besides the daily current affairs classes, the institute promises to provide current affairs material to students until UPSC CSE 2026.

8. Trial Classes: Like its counterparts, Shri Yatharth IAS also provides 3-4 trial classes for fresh aspirants so that they can get first-hand experience of how everything works.

Shri Yatharth IAS Prayagraj Fees

• Dwij Course Fees: The course has been priced at ₹1,30,000/-

• Special Fee Discount Offer: The counsellor told me that the latest batch of Dwij Programme has commenced on 20th of May and if I decide to join the batch, I’ll be provided access to recorded lectures of the past 10 days as well as the study material. He said that presently, Shri Yatharth IAS is offering a flat discount of 25% on the course fees.

• Discounted Cost of Shri Yatharth IAS’s Dwij Course- ₹97,500/-

• EMI Facility: These fees can also be paid through installments. For that, Shri Yatharth IAS has partnered with an online finance platform called “JODO”.

Location of Shri Yatharth IAS Prayagraj

Nestled in the well-connected Civil Lines area, Shri Yatharth IAS Prayagraj is located on the 7th floor of Tulsiani Grace building, above the Nexa Showroom on Stretchy Road in Civil Lines, Prayagraj. The location of the institute seems to be prime and going by pictures on Google, it’s easily approachable and the surroundings are not cluttered at all. The 360-degree view also shows an ample car parking area. Additionally, the central positioning in Civil Lines ensures that students have access to various amenities and transportation options.

Final Remarks

The telephonic counselling experience at Shri Yatharth IAS was satisfactory, with the counsellor answering almost all the questions I put forward. Some of the features, including a batch size of 50-60 and a dedicated mentorship programme, made the institute stand out, as none of the other institutes in Prayagraj offer such features in their courses. However, one thing that put me off was the lack of conviction in the counsellor’s answer regarding Awadh Ojha sir’s classes. Keeping the above details in mind, visit the institute, attend trial classes and think well before making your choice.

Dhyeya IAS Prayagraj

As I scrolled through the Google links and blogs, I came across this name. I had heard of it several times and had also spotted their office in Mukherjee Nagar, which I also have mentioned in my Sanskriti IAS review. On researching further, I was convinced that Dhyeya IAS is a prominent name in UPSC Civil Services coaching for Hindi-medium aspirants. So I called them up and introduced myself as an aspirant, who wants to start UPSC CSE preparation for 2025.

Telephonic Counselling

When I called the institute, my call was answered on the first attempt by one of the counsellors. They greeted me warmly and humbly asked if I was inquiring about English or Hindi coaching. I explained that I am a graduate living around 100 km away from Prayagraj and am currently shortlisting UPSC coaching institutes to start my journey. I mentioned that I wanted to gather information beforehand so that when I decide to travel to the city for admission, I have a good idea of where to go. The counsellor understood my situation and began explaining details about the upcoming batch, the "General Studies IAS Premium Batch" for UPSC Civil Services, scheduled to start on June 3, 2024.

Course Features

1. One Day One Class Model: Dhyeya IAS follows a unique model where students attend just one class per day. Each subject is fully covered before moving on to the next. The counsellor mentioned that teaching multiple subjects simultaneously can confuse students and hinder their preparation.
2. Batch Timings and Duration: Classes for this batch start at 7:30 AM and end at 10:00 AM. The institute claims to complete the General Studies syllabus for both the UPSC CSE Preliminary and Mains exams in about 14 to 15 months. However, from my experience and interactions with students from various institutes, GS courses often run late by a month or two.
3. Batch Strength: A batch at Dhyeya IAS Prayagraj accommodates no more than 100 students. The institute has fixed this number to make sure each student gets the attention of the teacher and is able to ask doubts conveniently.
4. Essay Classes: The course includes live essay writing classes, where students learn how to write essays for the Mains exam and get their essays evaluated by teachers.
5. Study Material: Each enrolled student receives 26 books (course modules) and printed notes for each subject, distributed as the classes progress.
6. Tests: Testing is a crucial part of UPSC coaching. Dhyeya IAS conducts surprise tests during regular classes to assess students' organic growth. Additionally, there are regular weekly tests, sectional tests, and full-length tests. When I inquired about the number of tests, the counsellor suggested visiting the centre for detailed counselling, which sounded like he didn't have the exact information at hand.
7. Answer Writing and Current Affairs: Dhyeya IAS Prayagraj regularly conducts answer writing sessions, and students can get their answers checked by teachers without any backlog. Current Affairs are covered through various means, ensuring students stay updated.
8. Optional Subjects and CSAT: Dhyeya IAS Prayagraj offers optional coaching for Geography, History, and Political Science and International Relations, all in Hindi medium. CSAT classes are conducted weekly, but the fees for CSAT and optional subjects are charged separately from the regular course fee.
9. Demo Lectures: The institute offers three demo lectures for aspirants to experience the classes before committing to the fees.
10. Accuracy Improvement Program: Dhyeya IAS also runs a separate program for candidates who complete their coaching but remain unsuccessful in their civil services examination attempts. This program includes revision and improvement sessions, with expert support provided until the students qualify. The classes for this program are held separately and are not included in the regular course thus requiring additional fees.

Dhyeya IAS Prayagraj Fees

Special Discount Offer- Pre to Interview Course

Towards the end of the call, the counsellor mentioned a special offer for their upcoming UPSC coaching batch. He told me about their "Pre to Interview" course, which included the General Studies Premium IAS Batch, CSAT course, Test Series, and Accuracy Improvement program. Originally priced at over ₹1,30,000, this package was available for just ₹78,000. He encouraged me to attend the trial lectures soon and pay the fee quickly, as the offer was only valid for a week.

Dhyeya IAS Prayagraj Location

Dhyeya IAS Prayagraj is conveniently located on the second and third floors of Shri Ram Tower at 17C, Sardar Patel Marg, Civil Lines, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Situated in the heart of Civil Lines, this prime location ensures easy accessibility for students from various parts of the city and surrounding areas. The central location is well-connected by public transport and looking at the pictures, the building has a private parking space as well. Additionally, a 360-degree view of the building on Google revealed that there was a large parking space directly opposite the tower, which makes it convenient for students commuting by personal vehicles.

Final Thoughts

Dhyeya IAS has a solid reputation in the Hindi-medium UPSC coaching industry, offering almost everything a fresh aspirant needs. The institute provides trial lectures, ample study material, and unique features like surprise tests and the Accuracy Improvement Program. With all these combined, visiting the institute for trial lectures is highly recommended if you're looking for Hindi-medium UPSC Civil Services Examination coaching in Prayagraj.

Also read: Chahal Academy Fees, Admissions, Classrooms, Counselling and Mentorship Review