Vajiram and Ravi Fees 2024 and Admission Counselling Review - Vajiram and Ravi 10 Months Prelims and Mains GS Comprehensive Programme for CSE 2025

December 7, 2023

10 Minutes

Introduction

As a Content Strategist at Josh Talks, I recently undertook the task of visiting Vajiram and Ravi, a renowned UPSC coaching institute in Delhi, to gather first-hand insights into their admission and counselling procedures. My mission was to visit the institute and explore Vajiram and Ravi fees, fee structure, and admission process to provide a comprehensive overview.

Vajiram and Ravi Location and First Impressions

Vajiram and Ravi's main office is conveniently situated within walking distance from the Karol Bagh metro station on the blue line of the Delhi Metro. The building, adorned in yellow and off-white colours, perfectly reflects the institute's theme. Upon entering through the main gate, I noticed some benches provided for students to wait. The main reception area also caught my eye with its impressive appearance.

Vajiram and Ravi Admission Counselling Experience

Upon entering, I didn't spot anyone available for assistance. Despite the numerous desks on both sides, there was no one to greet newcomers. Taking the initiative, I approached one of the desks and expressed my interest in admission. The woman at the desk promptly asked me to take a seat, pulling out a course brochure in the process. As she started to enquire and asked about the year I was aiming for UPSC prelims, I crafted a backstory, mentioning that I am a 29-year-old professional in a Gurugram-based organisation. I stated that becoming an IAS officer was a long-time dream and I aim to take the exam in 2025. Before I could share more, she swiftly shifted focus to the course details, recommending the Vajiram and Ravi 10 Months Prelims cum Mains General Studies Comprehensive Programme for CSE 2025.

Vajiram and Ravi Admission Procedure

Vajiram and Ravi uses a 'first-come-first-served' system for admissions to their UPSC coaching courses, employing a token system. The admission counsellor highlighted that this token system has been curated because the number of admission applications they receive hugely outnumber the number of available slots. Under this process, students receive a specific date and time slot for each batch, during which they need to register and generate a token number by paying a non-refundable registration fee of ₹700/-.

It's crucial to note that Vajiram and Ravi doesn't initiate the admission process if a student fails to generate a token on the designated time and date. She told me that for my batch starting on February 1, 2023, the online registration is set to begin on January 22, 2024, between 9 am and 5 pm.

1. 1. Understand the Question:
   • The candidate has to visit Vajiram and Ravi admission page. On this page, they’ll find various course listings.
   • On this page, they have to choose their course and click on it to access a registration form, which requires basic student information such as name, contact details, date of birth, and state. Fill in these details carefully and proceed to the next step.
   • In the next step, candidates need to upload a clear passport-size photograph in jpg format, with a file size under 20KB.
   • After uploading the photograph, they have to upload an identity proof in pdf format.
   • The system will generate a unique token number once the ₹700/- registration fee is successfully paid.

   The deadline for admission into the Vajiram and Ravi 10 Months Prelims cum Mains General Studies Comprehensive Programme, following the generation of the token number, is January 30, 2023. Each student will be allocated a specific date and time slot to complete the admission process.

2. 2. Modes of Payment:

   Vajiram and Ravi accepts multiple payment methods

   • Net Banking
   • Credit/Debit Card
   • Demand Draft

   On asking, the counsellor revealed that the institute currently doesn’t accept UPI payments or cheques.

3. 3. Financial Assistance:
   • Vajiram and Ravi has teamed up with JODO, a financial services platform, and HDFC Bank to offer financial services to students.
   • EMI facilities are also available on Credit Cards but only for students paying fees online.
   • It is essential to note that these financial options are exclusively for students opting for Vajiram and Ravi’s classroom programs. Students seeking Vajiram and Ravi’s online courses can not avail these services.
   • During my discussion, the counsellor was stressing on using JODO. When I enquired about the HDFC Bank option, she said that JODO’s finance process was easier, faster and more hassle-free compared to HDFC bank. This is why they prioritise JODO over HDFC Bank while assisting students with financial assistance.

I'll attach a picture of the page where the counsellor explained the entire Vajiram and Ravi fees and admission process for your reference.

Vajiram and Ravi Fees 2024

It is to be noted that these courses don’t include CSAT preparation, Optional Subject Coaching or Essay Writing prep. For these, you’ll have to take up another course.

Vajiram and Ravi runs courses for optional subjects separately. Here’s a table showing Vajiram and Ravi fees for optional subjects, which run 6 days a week with 2.5 hour lectures. Check out our detailed blog if you’re confused about how to pick the right optional subject for UPSC .

I’ll attach the pictures of Vajiram and Ravi fees, fee structure and various optional courses at the end of this blog, for your reference.

After reviewing all the details in the institute's brochure, I was curious and asked the counsellor about the essay writing course, which I couldn't find mentioned anywhere. She informed me that the essay writing courses, spanning 2.5 months, start between June and October and the course fee is ₹12,500/-.

Features of the Vajiram and Ravi 10 Months Prelims Cum Mains General Studies Comprehensive Programme for CSE 2025

1. 1. 400 Class Lectures: This course features 400 classes, including 280 for General Studies and 180 for current affairs, totaling over 1000 hours of teaching. The students enrolled in this course attend 2.5-hour sessions everyday, 7 days a week.
2. 2. Yellow Books: Vajiram and Ravi provides a set of 29 annually updated resource books for UPSC Civil Services Examination, known as Yellow Books to all the enrolled students. These are developed by their experienced faculty members.
3. 3. The Recitals Magazine: Vajiram and Ravi also launches its monthly compilation of current affairs in magazine form, "The Recitals" to allow students to remain updated during the course.
4. 4. Prelim Tests: Students enrolled in this course receive 30 Prelims Tests with detailed explanations for both current affairs and general studies. This series usually starts in November and ends in May.
5. 5. Weekly Mains Writing Programme: This program is focused on answer-writing skills and includes practice tests with feedback from experienced evaluators of the institute.
6. 6. Main Exam Tests: The institute ensures regular distribution of UPSC Mains exam questions, followed by feedback, model answers, and explanatory classes for students.
7. 7. Interview Guidance Programme: Although reserved for students who clear the UPSC Mains exam, the institute conducts mock interviews and provides training for the final stage of the UPSC CSE.
8. 8. Mentor Support Programme: Vajiram and Ravi also offers both offline and online mentorship. The counsellor told me that these counsellors are the aspirants, who have either appeared thrice in UPSC Mains or at least an interview. These counsellors support students by helping them understand what they're good at and recommending best practices on how to prepare for UPSC. They also provide feedback on Mains answers and assist students in developing preparation strategies.
9. 9. Extended Access to Resources: Following the completion of the 10-month course, Vajiram and Ravi extends student support through an additional 10-month Mains Support Programme. This includes access to an online current affairs portal, monthly current affairs MCQ tests, MSP classes, MSP Test Series with sectional and full-length tests, mentor support, and explanatory videos.

After explaining this course to me, she also asked if I’d be interested in a 2-year course at the institute. The details of the course are listed in the picture below

My Review:

Since I started preparing for UPSC, Vajiram and Ravi's name has consistently held a reputation among aspirants for being one of the finest IAS coaching institutes in the country. I had tried to get an admission in Vajiram and Ravi during my preparation days but could not do it as I failed to generate a token on the date. However, this time when I actually went inside their coaching institute for the first time as an aspirant, I made a few observations:

• I asked to attend a class to get a feel for Vajiram and Ravi's teaching, but the counsellor said they don't offer trial classes, not even recorded ones. I believe it is a bit unfair for the students and they deserve to know what they're paying for.
• Vajiram and Ravi fees are at par with the leading coaching institutes but their courses are shorter and have fewer inclusions. The essay writing classes and CSAT preparation were absent from their courses.
• One more surprising observation I made was that although Vajiram and Ravi provides students with recorded lectures, it only allows them to watch a recorded lecture for 360 minutes. On the other hand, Drishti IAS offers unlimited viewing hours and I have mentioned this in my previous blog on Drishti IAS fees.

Commenting on the teaching quality of the institute is not possible without actually sitting in a lecture and evaluating the procedure, so reviewing their coaching techniques isn't possible for me. Their courses, as per the word of mouth, are good, but fall short when it comes to add-ons.

Reference Pictures of Vajiram and Ravi Fees

FAQs

Q: What is the payment method of Vajiram and Ravi?

A: Vajiram and Ravi currently accepts payments through Online Banking, Demand Drafts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards. Right now, the coaching institute does not accept payments via UPI and cheques.

Q: Can we pay in installments in Vajiram and Ravi?

A: Yes, but only through third-party vendors with whom the institute has partnered. Vajiram and Ravi has collaborated with JODO, a financial service provider, and HDFC Bank to offer loans and convenient installment options for aspirants. For taking installments please note that you need to have a good credit score depending on the finance partners requirement

Q. Can we get concession in Vajiram and Ravi?

A: No. Vajiram and Ravi does not offer any discount or concession on their fees.

Q: Which one is best Drishti or Vajiram and Ravi?

A: To compare Drishti IAS and Vajiram and Ravi, please check out our detailed blog on Drishti IAS fees and admission counselling review. Both have their own pros and cons. Drishti IAS is more popular for Hindi Medium and Vajiram and Ravi for English Medium.