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    The Cost: Civil Services Coaching Fees; Living In UPSC CSE Hubs

    By Rahul Shrivastava
    5 Mar'22  13 min read
    The Cost: Civil Services Coaching Fees; Living In UPSC CSE Hubs
    Synopsis

    About 10 lakh write the Civil Services Exam (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to senior administrative (IAS), diplomatic (IFS) and law-enforcement (IPS) services each year. Less than 1% reach the interview stage of the UPSC CSE. For the first two, Prelims and Mains, candidates prepare for years, often at coaching hubs in Delhi, Bengaluru, Prayagraj (Allahabad). Coaching for general studies and CSAT alone can cost over Rs 2.5 lakh; optional subjects in UPSC Prelims syllabus and UPSC Mains syllabus cost extra. With help from aspirants, Careers360 has estimated the costs of studying and living in these hubs. 

    The Cost: Civil Services Coaching Fees; Living In UPSC CSE Hubs
    Synopsis

    About 10 lakh write the Civil Services Exam (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to senior administrative (IAS), diplomatic (IFS) and law-enforcement (IPS) services each year. Less than 1% reach the interview stage of the UPSC CSE. For the first two, Prelims and Mains, candidates prepare for years, often at coaching hubs in Delhi, Bengaluru, Prayagraj (Allahabad). Coaching for general studies and CSAT alone can cost over Rs 2.5 lakh; optional subjects in UPSC Prelims syllabus and UPSC Mains syllabus cost extra. With help from aspirants, Careers360 has estimated the costs of studying and living in these hubs. 

    The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's central agency which conducts many exams to recruit candidates for both civil services as well as defence services. With roughly 10 lakh applicants each year, the Civil Services Exam (CSE) is one of its most competitive exams. Through it, candidates are selected to serve in the administrative, police, foreign and other services as IAS, IPS, IFS officers at the pan-India level.

    Cracking the Civil Services Examination typically involves years of preparation, especially for the first two rounds of the three-part selection process — the Preliminary and Main rounds, popularly known as UPSC Prelims and Mains. While coaching is not necessary for everyone, many candidates do opt for it for a systematic, disciplined approach to covering the UPSC Prelims syllabus and UPSC Mains syllabus. These two rounds typically sift out all but 0.2% of the total number of applicants. These top candidates appear for the final round, the interviews.

    Also Read | Budget For SSC CGL, CHSL: Where Can You Prepare For SSC Exams, How Much Does It Cost?

    UPSC Civil Services Exam: Coaching Hubs

    Where UPSC CSE coaching is concerned, some cities and locations have emerged as prime centres. At present, the top coaching institutes are ones operating in Delhi, Prayagraj (Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh, and Bengaluru in Karnataka. Based on information gathered from candidates training in these locations, Careers360 has put together cost estimates for living and studying at these centres to help future candidates and their families budget.

    While signing up for paid civil service exam coaching is not necessary, it helps candidates access exclusive study materials, developing discipline and time management, and analyse where they stand as compared to other candidates.

    In India, almost every state has coaching institutes for the preparation of CSE exam but when it comes to getting quality coaching, students opt for Delhi, typically considered the Mecca of CSE exam preparation. Apart from Delhi, the two other prominent cities for CSE preparation are Prayagraj and Bengaluru. Given below are the top coaching institutes in these cities and their fee structures. And because the fee is rarely the only expense, we have also attempted to provide estimates of cost of living, travel and entertainment in these cities, based on the responses of candidates currently preparing there.

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of coaching institutes all across India are offering online classes. In the details given below, wherever “online” is mentioned, consider it as an initiative started by coaching institutes to ensure preparation is not hampered by the pandemic.

    UPSC CSE Coaching In Delhi

    Dr. Mukherjee Nagar which is located in North Delhi is the hub of IAS exam coaching centres in Delhi. There are more than 50 coaching centres here and draws most of the CSE aspirants. Every year thousands from across the country come to Delhi to prepare for CSE and most of them prefer residing at Dr. Mukherjee Nagar.

    The second prominent area for CSE preparation is Old Rajinder Nagar located in Central Delhi. It is very close to the Karol Bagh metro station (Blue Line). There are more than 25 coaching centres, including branches of the ones in Dr. Mukherjee Nagar.

    Delhi: UPSC Exam Coaching Cost

    The following are the major institutions for UPSC CSE coaching in Delhi

    Vajiram and Ravi, Old Rajinder Nagar

    Courses / Programmes

    Duration

    Fees (In Rs)

    General Studies Prelim-Cum-Mains

    36 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    1,60,000

    CSAT

    12 weeks (2 hours per day)

    19,000

    Optional Subjects

    Duration

    Fees (In Rs)

    Public Administration

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    Geography

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    Political Science

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    Commerce and Accountancy

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    Economics

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    Sociology

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    History

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    Anthropology

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    Philosophy

    16 weeks (2.5 hours per day)

    50,000

    Psychology

    18 weeks

    50,000

    Mathematics

    24 weeks

    62,000


    ALS, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Karol Bagh and Shalimar Place

    Many coaching institutes accept payment in installments but will charge more for the same course. In the table below and later, the fee shown will be the amount charged for a “one-time payment”. If the institute charges more for payment in installments, that will be mentioned separately.

    Courses / Programmes

    Fees (One-Time Payment, In Rs)

    General Studies Extensive - Offline

    1,40,000

    Installment - 1,60,000

    General Studies Extensive - Online

    1,25,000

    General Studies Strategist - Offline

    1,53,900

    General Studies Strategist - Online

    1,25,000

    General Studies - Offline

    75,000

    General Studies - Online

    53,100

    General Studies Foundation

    (2-Year Weekend Foundation Programme for Undergraduates)

    Can be upgraded to General Studies Extensive Programme anytime



    30,000

    Optional Subjects

    Fees (In Rs)

    History

    Offline - 41,500

    Online - 29,999

    Public Administration

    Offline - 41,500

    Online - 29,999

    Political Science

    Offline - 41,500

    Online - 29,999

    Sociology

    Offline - 41,500

    Online - 29,999

    Anthropology

    Offline - 41,500

    Online - 29,999

    Special Offer (Package):

    General Studies Strategist + Optional Subject


    1,92,900


    Also Read | IBPS PO, SBI Clerk: Cost Of Online Coaching For Major Banking Exams

    Shriram’s IAS, GTB Nagar and Old Rajinder Nagar

    Courses / Programmes

    Fees (In Rs)

    General Studies - Offline

    1,60,000

    Packages: (Offline)

    General Studies + CSAT


    General Studies + Optional


    General Studies + Optional + CSAT


    1,75,000


    2,00,000


    2,15,000

    General Studies - Online

    1,25,000

    Packages: (Online)

    General Studies + CSAT


    General Studies + Optional


    General Studies + Optional + CSAT


    1,40,000


    1,60,000


    1,75,000

    CSAT

    21,000

    Optional Subjects

    Fees (In Rs)

    Public Administration

    45,000

    Political Science

    45,000

    Sociology

    45,000

    History

    45,000

    Anthropology

    45,000


    Drishti-The Vision, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar and Karol Bagh

    This institute is considered one of the best for teaching the UPSC syllabus in Hindi and for teaching Hindi Literature which is an optional subject.

    Courses / Programmes

    Fees (One-Time Payment, In Rs)

    General Studies Foundation (Prelims + Mains)

    1,25,000

    Installment - 1,30,000

    Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Online

    18,000

    Essay

    10,000

    Optional Subjects

    Fees (In Rs)

    History

    45,000

    Installment - 50,000

    Sociology

    45,000

    Installment - 50,000

    Geography

    45,000

    Installment - 50,000

    Public Administration

    45,000

    Installment - 50,000

    Hindi Literature (In recorded format)

    35,000

    Test Series

    Fees (In Rs)

    Prelims Test Series (GS+CSAT) (25 GS + 5 CSAT = 30 Tests)

    30,000

    Mains Test Series (General Studies) (20 Tests)

    18,000

    Test Series (Optional Subjects) (16 Tests)

    16,000

    Combo Packages

    Fees (In Rs)

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + CSAT + Test Series (Prelims)

    1,50,000

    Installment - 1,55,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + CSAT

    1,35,000

    Installment - 1,40,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + CSAT + Essay

    1,45,000

    Installment - 1,50,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + CSAT + Essay + Test Series (Pre) + Test Series-General Studies (Mains)

    1,67,000

    Installment - 1,72,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + Hindi Literature (Optional) (Video Class)

    1,52,000

    Installment - 1,57,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + History/Geography/Sociology/Public Administration

    1,60,000

    Installment - 1,70,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + Hindi Literature (Optional) (Video Class) + CSAT + Essay

    1,77,000

    Installment - 1,82,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + History/Geography/Sociology/Public Administration + CSAT + Essay

    1,85,000

    Installment - 1,95,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + Hindi Literature (Opt.) (Video Class) + CSAT + Essay + Test Series

    (Prelims) + Test Series-General Studies (Mains)

    1,99,000

    Installment - 2,04,000

    General Studies (Prelims+Mains) + History/Geography/Sociology/Public Administration + CSAT + Essay +

    Test Series (Prelims) + Test Series-General Studies (Mains)


    2,07,000

    Installment - 2,17,000


    Khan Study Group, Vijay Nagar and Old Rajinder Nagar

    Courses / Programmes

    Duration

    Fees (In Rs)

    Foundation Course:

    General Studies, CSAT, Essay, Test Series (P.T/Mains/Integrated)


    9 months


    1,57,000

    Advance Foundation Course:

    Foundation and Basic of GS, Cognitive Development, Writing Skills Development & Personality Development


    Foundation Course: General Studies, CSAT, Essay, Test Series (P.T/Mains/Integrated)






    2 years





    Online - 1,85,000

    Offline - 2,24,000

    Foundation Course - Weekend


    1,57,000

    Optional Subjects


    Fees (In Rs)

    Political Science and International Relations


    40,000

    Geography


    40,000

    Sociology


    40,000

    Test Series


    Fees (In Rs)

    Prelims

    Mains

    Integrated (Prelims+Mains)


    12,000

    18,000

    25,000

    Distance Learning and Mentoring Programme-(General Studies)



    35,000

    Viva Guidance

    One Week (After publication of the result of UPSC CSE Mains)



    2,000

    Essay Module

    1 week

    7,000


    Delhi: Cost Of Living

    Students attending UPSC exam coaching in Dr Mukherjee Nagar typically reside in Gandhi Vihar, Indira Vihar, Nehru Vihar, Wazirabad, Sant Nagar, Hudson Line, Vijay Nagar and neighbouring areas where there are paying guest accommodations and flats aplenty.

    Dr. Mukherjee Nagar is also very close to GTB Nagar metro station (Delhi Metro’s Yellow Line) and Delhi University’s North Campus. There are a lot of street food stalls, dhabas, restaurants, confectionery and sweet shops. This area has a plethora of books and stationery shops as well. Apart from this locality, students hangout at GTB Nagar Metro station area, also known as Camp, Hudson Line and Kamla Nagar Market.

    The Rajinder Nagar location is more expensive and therefore, most students studying there prefer to stay in low-cost localities like Patel Nagar, Baljeet Nagar, Inderpuri, Ramesh Nagar and Tilak Nagar. Like Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, this location too has many books and stationery shops and eateries including many street-food stalls. The nearby Karol Bagh market and the Gaffar market are the main places for students to hangout. Connaught Place, or Rajiv Chowk, the heart of Delhi and a major hangout in the city, is very close to this location. It has plenty of shops, right from high-end brands to small stores and food chains.

    Both areas are fairly well-connected with metro lines, bus routes and para-transport options such as auto-rickshaws. Apart from coaching fees, students will have to spend on local transportation, books, food and rent among others. Given below are the rough estimates of costs based on inputs from aspirants who are preparing for the CSE exam in Delhi.

    Particulars

    Amount (In Rs)

    Rent or PG

    (Cost varies with locality)

    4,500 - 12,000 per month

    Books and Study Materials

    (Books are one-time purchases)

    3,500 - 6,000

    Newspapers and Monthly Magazines

    500 - 600

    Food

    2,000 - 3,500 per month

    Travel

    1,000 - 1,500 per month

    Additional


    Weekend leisure and entertainment

    500 - 1,000 per weekend

    Miscellaneous

    1,000 per month


    UPSC CSE Coaching In Prayagraj

    The CSE preparation institutes in Prayagraj are famous for Hindi-medium students and students who wish to write the CSE in Hindi-medium typically go there.

    Compared to Delhi, Prayagraj is slightly cheaper in terms of coaching fees and living expenses. The majority of students here are from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand and are from Hindi-medium backgrounds. They are the ones making Prayagraj a coaching hub.

    The following are some of the popular coaching centres and the costs of the courses they offer.

    Prayagraj: CSE Coaching Cost

    Drishti-The Vision, Civil Lines

    Courses / Programmes

    Fee (One-Time Payment, In Rs)


    General Studies

    95,000

    Installment - 1,00,000

    CSAT

    18,000

    Installment - 22,000

    Optional Subjects

    Fee (In Rs)

    Hindi Literature (Video Classes)

    33,000

    Installment Fee - 35,000

    History or Geography

    35,000

    Installment - 38,000

    Essay

    10,000

    Installment - 10,000

    Test Series (Prelims)

    10,000

    Installment - 10,000

    Test Series (GS Mains)

    18,000

    Installment - 18,000

    Combo Package

    Fee ( One-Time Payment, In Rs)

    GS (IAS + UPPSC) + CSAT + Hindi Optional + Essay + Test Series (PT + GS Mains)

    2,00,000

    Installment - 2,11,000

    GS (IAS + UPPSC) + CSAT + Other Optional + Essay + Test Series (PT + GS Mains)

    2,02,000

    Installment - 2,14,000


    Dhyeya IAS, Civil Lines

    Courses / Programmes

    Fee (In Rs)

    General Studies Of Prelims And CST (Exclusive Of GST)

    70,000

    Complete IAS Coaching (Exclusive Of GST)

    1,34,000

    Optional Courses

    Fee (In Rs)

    History

    20,000

    Geography

    20,000

    Political Science

    20,000

    Sociology

    20,000

    Hindi Literature

    20,000


    Prayagraj: Cost Of Living

    Given below are the rough estimates of what a candidate preparing for the Civil Service Exam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, might expect to spend on various things other than coaching. Students prefer staying and hanging out in localities like Chhota Baghara, Allahpur, Katra and Mumfordganj. The following cost estimates have been compiled with inputs shared by students studying in Prayagraj.

    Particulars

    Amount (In Rs)

    Rent or PG

    (Cost varies with locality)

    3,000 - 8,000 per month

    Books and Study Materials

    (Books are one-time purchases)

    3,500 - 6,000

    Newspapers and Monthly Magazines

    500 - 600

    Food

    1,500 - 2,000 per month

    Travel

    500 - 1,000 per month

    Additional


    Weekend leisure and entertainment

    500 - 1,000 per weekend

    Miscellaneous

    1,000 per month


    Civil Services Coaching In Bengaluru

    Bengaluru, apart from being the IT capital of India, is also a major hub for CSE coaching in south India. It is preferred by the students from English-medium background. Jayanagar, a well-known Bengaluru locality, is believed to be the heart of IAS coaching centres in the city. It is close to the GR Education Institution. Jayanagar is one of the city’s oldest and most upscale areas. Currently, there are 36 coaching institutes in Bengaluru. The number of institutes for CSE preparation are increasing every year. Around 20,000 students across the country move to Banglore to take CSE coaching.

    Bengaluru: Cost Of CSE Coaching

    The following two are the top institutions for UPSC CSE coaching in Bengaluru.

    Rau’s IAS Study Circle, Koramangla

    Courses / Programmes

    Fee (In Rs)

    General Studies (Integrated) Program

    1,75,500

    Optional Subjects

    Fee (In Rs)

    Political Science

    Offline - 50,000

    Online - 45,000

    Public Administration

    Offline - 50,000

    Online - 45,000

    Sociology

    Offline - 50,000

    Online - 45,000

    History

    Offline - 50,000

    Online - 45,000

    Geography

    Offline - 50,000

    Online - 45,000

    Economics

    Offline - 50,000

    Online - 45,000

    Anthropology

    Offline - 50,000

    Online - 45,000

    Psychology

    Offline - 50,000

    Online - 45,000


    Also Read | UPSC IAS Exam (Prelims) Analysis 2021

    Shankar IAS Academy, Chandhra Layout

    Courses / Programmes

    Duration

    Fee (In Rs)

    General studies - Regular (Offline)

    Regular - 2 hours 30 min

    Weekend - 6 hours

    1,06,000


    CSAT - Regular

    Regular - 2 hours or 2 hours 30 min Weekend - 4 hours


    20,000

    Optional Subjects

    Duration (Per Day)

    Fee (In Rs)

    Public Administration - Regular (Offline and Online)

    2 hours 30 min

    30,000

    Psychology - Regular (Offline and Online)

    2 hours 30 min

    30,000

    Mathematics - Regular (Online)

    2 hours 30 min

    30,000

    Law - Regular (Online)

    2 hours 30 min

    30,000

    Agriculture - Regular (Offline and Online)

    2 hours

    30,000

    Geography - Weekend (Offline and Online)

    5 hours

    30,000

    Economics - Weekend (Offline and Online)

    4 hours

    30,000

    PSIR - Weekend (Offline and Online)

    4 hours

    30,000

    History - Weekend (Offline and Online)

    4 hours

    30,000

    Tamil Literature - Weekend (Offline and Online)

    3 hours

    30,000

    Anthropology - Weekend (Offline and Online)

    3 hours 30 min

    30,000

    Sociology - Weekend (Offline and Online)

    2 hours 30 min

    30,000


    Bengaluru: Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in Bengaluru is significantly higher than any other city in South India. Most students stay either in hostels or as paying guests with families. Jayanagar also has plenty of restaurants and shopping malls.

    As per estimates provided by aspirants preparing for the Civil Service Exam in Bengaluru, the cost of living is significantly higher than that of even Delhi. Given below are approximate amounts that a candidate must expect to spend while preparing for exams in Bengaluru.

    Particulars

    Amount (In Rs)

    Rent or PG

    (Cost varies by locality)

    3,000 - 10,000 per month

    Books and Study Materials

    (Books are one-time purchases)

    5,000

    Newspapers and Monthly Magazines

    400 - 600 per month

    Food

    5,000 per month

    Travel

    2,000 - 3,000

    Additional


    Weekend leisure and entertainment

    1500 - 2,000 per weekend

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