In this post let me give you some tips on how to choose best IAS coaching centre.
UPSC has become one of a main source of employment nowadays. Increased awareness and unemployed engineers have given rise to heavy competition in UPSC civil services examination. 11 Lakh candidates apply for UPSC prelims and 5 lakh would appear for it. Thousands of them are getting coaching from the institutes. So because of increasing demand, the number of coaching centres starts to rise. Faculties working in reputed institutions are opening new institutes and so in Chennai, you can see an IAS academy in every corner of streets at Anna Nagar. But if we are planning to join in an institute we won’t be getting any sufficient reviews and information if none of our friends are already preparing for UPSC. Many of the aspirants from south Tamilnadu knows only Shankar IAS academy and Manidhaneyam. So reading this post may help you to choose best IAS coaching centre.
Choose Best IAS Coaching Centre:
I have listed top 10 IAS coaching centres in my previous post. But students pinged me that it is hard to choose best IAS coaching centre among those top 10 coaching centres. Those 10 institutes which I have mentioned are not the ultra best IAS academies. IAS academies depend on the quality of faculties. So there may also be some well-known academy with good faculties. I would inform you in my post if I come to know about any such academies.
Self Preparation vs IAS academies:
Should I need to join IAS academy? It depends on the individual skill and perceptions. If you are self-controlled, self-monitored, organized, can manage time effectively, can use the internet effectively you can prepare for UPSC without joining any IAS academy. If you have any senior who is preparing for UPSC or having a study circle who have same frequency with you then you could start preparing from home without any doubt. Remember that guidance from seniors is important for UPSC mains but not mandatory for Prelims. Websites are sufficient to guide you.
Free IAS Coaching Centre vs Paid IAS Coaching Centre:
If you are serious about preparation first know how Manidhaneyam and STI works(Free IAS coaching centres). Remember you should be clear on what you should expect from free IAS coaching centre. No one(either free institutes or paid institutes) can guarantee you for clearing UPSC as it depends on your hard work, skill, and luck.
Manidhaneyam provides coaching to everyone for prelims. Entrance exam or open to all changes from year to year. But approximately 2000 aspirants will be given opportunity which is very high in number.
4 hours class on alternative days. It would have been nice if they arrange for daily classes. Faculties are very skilled in Manidhaneyam but they will be scheduled for classes in irregular periods. There will be history classes continuously but after a while, we will never be able to see him for a month or more. No defined goals in completing portions, so last minute rush will be there. Some may think these are a very big hindrance for their preparation and some may think these are common in free classes but I know how to use it effectively. Perception differs.
While considering paid IAS institutes like Shankar IAS Academy, Officers IAS academy, Indian IAS academy the problems mentioned above will occur but in a lesser manner compared with free academies. Think is it worth to spend thousands of rupees for this. If you are capable you can go for paid institutes.
Similarities:
there will be some similarities in both these institutions. both these institutions can provide you
- Guidance on how to clear UPSC
- What are all the books to read
- A bunch of friends for study circle, if you are good enough social
- Same chances of clearing prelims
- Set of mock tests
Dissimilarities:
Paid institutes top over free institutes in the following matters.
- Should spend more money for Paid institutes.
- More Time for Classes in Paid Institutes.
- Organised.
- Mock test discussion won’t be there in free institutes.
These disadvantages can be rectified using some methods by aspirants in free IAS academies. I will cover it in another article.
Paid institutes:
If you are not satisfied with free IAS academies or home preparation you have tons of choices to choose best IAS coaching centre. Visit at least 5 academies that you hear from friends, relatives or websites. You can also read our previous article on Top 10 IAS Coaching Centres. We can classify paid IAS institutes into two categories. First one is Populous paid institutes like Shankar IAS academy which has several hundreds of aspirants for each batch. On the other edge, we have Less Populous paid institutes like Indian IAS academy, Kamaraj IAS or Vetri Study circle would have lesser number of aspirants in each batch when compared with populous one. Both would have the same quality. Both of these have its own merits and demerits. Less Populous can give individual care because of less rush in classes. They can clear your doubts instantly and you won’t be feeling alienated. For bigger
Less Populous can give individual care because of less rush in classes. They can clear your doubts instantly and you won’t be feeling alienated.
For Populous Paid institutes, I can’t find any advantages which you can’t find in Less Populous paid IAS academies. If you figure out anything please mention in the comment and help other aspirants to choose best IAS coaching centre.
Sir..i have scored 80% in 10th & 74% in 12th std..will the preference be given by mnt for free coaching if I clear the mnt entrance test or to the candidates who have scored above 80%??. Also pls clarify how many will be selected by mnt for free coaching..
As per the notification you should have scored 80% in Higher secondary exam too. So you need to clear entrance exam. Approximately 2000 aspirants are studying in manidhaneyam every year.
Sir….., I got 78% in 10 std and 85%in 12 std CBSE. Would I be able to make into MNT free classes. How many students will be selected by MNT sir.
You have to clear entrance exam to get admission in mnt. Approximately 2000 aspirants
Dear Gokul, my nephew is a Msc Microbiologist, scored 80 % and he is 22 years old.He would like to appear in Civil service exams, He is in Nagercoil, is there any near by IAS coaching centre around.
I’m from thoothukudi,South of Tamilnadu. I wish to prepare through guidance from top acadamies, but through online. your opinion brother?
Baskaran M
[email protected]
9003872457
You can use Insightsonindia, Forumias, VisionIAS.in, Learningspacedigital.com, unacademy.com. These websites are enough for online preparation.
Sir I am Jai now I am doing 4th Yr B E Civil. I want prepare for UPSC after the completion of course please give suggestion
Sir do u think shankar n time r kamaraj institutes hv same qlty of Upsc coaching ??
Thanks for sharing such an informative article
Aspirtants will get a idea now by referring this article to pick the best UPSC coaching in Chennai
-kamarajiasacademy
Coaching institute is not obligatory to become an IAS officer. However, it can be crucial. Because a
best IAS coaching bounds the candidate to study in a positive and disciplined manner. A reputable coaching center always hires experienced tutors who can guide the aspirants to the best way to crack the assessment. They can train you by using their expertise and sharing study material, questions and solutions. They can clear your doubts and prepare you for combating the IAS challenges.
Very helpful blog, I really like it. Thanks for sharing.