Sanskriti IAS Fees, Admission Counselling, Course Structure and Classroom Experience

May 23, 2024

16 Minutes

Sanskriti IAS

Introduction

Hey everyone! As a UPSC Content Strategist at Josh Talks, I've been reviewing various coaching institutes for the UPSC exam to help fresh aspirants. So far, I've been focusing on English medium institutes. But, I realised there's a huge community of aspirants in India who prefer Hindi as their medium. To give our Hindi-speaking audience a better understanding, I decided to visit Sanskriti IAS, a reputed institute known for its strong Hindi medium UPSC coaching programs.

Although their website had a lot of information about their courses, faculty and results, I wanted to experience the atmosphere and assess how a first-time Hindi-speaking graduate would feel on their initial visit. Join me as I share my experience and explore what Sanskriti IAS offers for Hindi medium UPSC aspirants!

Reaching Sanskriti IAS

The first thing I did while researching Sanskriti IAS was to call the number listed on their website to schedule an appointment for a visit and trial class. This is a step I recommend to all potential UPSC aspirants considering Sanskriti IAS or any institute for that matter. By calling beforehand, you can ensure you attend a trial class during your visit. Otherwise, you might end up waiting for a trial class after attending their counselling session.

Following their instructions, I planned my visit for a 5:30 PM trial class. To arrive early, I aimed to reach the institute by 4:45 PM. If you are travelling by Delhi Metro, reaching Sanskriti IAS is pretty easy. Simply de-board at the GTB Nagar Metro Station (Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar) and exit from Gate No. 2. From there, you can easily catch an e-rickshaw or an auto-rickshaw for the short ride to Sanskriti IAS. A shared e-rickshaw from GTB Nagar Metro station to Sanskriti IAS costs just 10 rupees. I did the same. The institute is located approximately 1.7 kilometres away from the metro station, and the journey typically takes around 7-8 minutes.

For those unfamiliar with the area, Sanskriti IAS is situated just steps ahead of Drishti IAS and adjacent to Dhyeya IAS. It's a relatively small office compared to some coaching centres. I have created a stepwise directional guide to make things easy for you.

Directions to reach Sanskriti IAS, Mukherjee Nagar

Reaching the Front Desk of Sanskriti IAS

Upon entering the Sanskriti IAS office, I was greeted by an attendant who kindly inquired about the reason for my visit and directed me to their front desk. I explained that I had called them earlier to inquire about their demo class and admission counselling session. I mentioned they had invited me to attend a session at 5:30 pm. However, upon arrival, I was informed that the class was to begin at 6:30 pm instead. The staff politely suggested I might have misheard the timing on the phone call.

After a brief discussion, they directed me to an admissions counsellor. As I settled in, the counsellor took out a brochure, and a staff member thoughtfully brought me a glass of water.

Admission Counselling at Sanskriti IAS

The counsellor asked about my background to better understand my needs and recommend the most suitable course. He then opened the brochure and started explaining how things work at Sanskriti IAS. I've summarised everything in the following points:

Counselling at Sanskriti IAS

General Studies Preparation

Sanskriti IAS offers a comprehensive GS program for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, covering all subjects through 620-650 lectures over two years. This combined Prelims and Mains coaching includes daily lectures from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, starting from May 20th. Sanskriti IAS runs all its courses in hybrid mode. This implies that students can choose to attend these lectures in-person or watch online lectures from the comfort of their homes.

Repeat Classes

Sanskriti IAS's repeat class policy stands out as a valuable benefit for students. After completing five months of coaching, the institute allows students to revisit past subjects or topics by allowing them to attend lectures from other batches if they need to strengthen their understanding of a topic or catch up on a missed chapter.

CSAT

Sanskriti's CSAT classes typically commence sometime in June or July and run for a period of 4-5 months. With a focus on daily practice, the program incorporates lectures that are two hours each, held five days a week. The students receive printed class notes to supplement the lectures. In the course, students regularly take scheduled topic-wise tests, which allows them to assess their understanding of the material and identify areas that might require additional focus. The counsellor asserted that this structured routine provides a well-rounded foundation for tackling the CSAT exam.

Tests and Assessments

In UPSC preparation, regularly scheduled topic-wise tests are a key component. At Sanskriti IAS, aspirants can expect 1-2 monthly tests on the topics covered during the period, in addition to the regular 4-5 practice questions provided after completing each unit of a subject. The counsellor told me that this multi-pronged approach that combines lectures, class materials, and frequent tests ensures a well-rounded foundation for tackling the CSAT exam.

Optional Classes

Sanskriti IAS also offers optional subject batches that typically commence by July and run for 6-7 months. The class timings are designed to complement the GS program and run from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM. This allows students to attend their optional subject lectures in the morning, followed by a convenient break before the GS lectures begin at 11:30 AM. As the counsellor explained, this schedule is strategically designed to facilitate a smooth transition between classes and optimize learning efficiency.

GS Mains Crash Course

Sanskriti IAS offers additional support for students who qualify for the UPSC Mains exam. Following the Prelims, successful students from Sanskriti IAS are provided access to a special GS Mains crash course, designed for fast-tracked preparation. This program grants participants access to the institute's library, providing a dedicated study space. On asking whether I would be able to have the access to this course and the library if I clear the state civil services exam, the counsellor stated that although it's given exclusively to the students, who make it through UPSC prelims, but I'll get the access if I make it through the state exam. The main benefit of the library is the presence of faculty members who frequently visit to address student questions and clear doubts on the spot.

Test Series 

The prelims test series at Sanskriti IAS begins between September and October and offers a total of 30-35 tests. These tests include topic-wise tests, sectional tests, mixed subject tests, and full-length tests. However, the full-length tests in this test series are limited to no more than five.

QAD- Question-Answer Discussion

Sanskriti IAS also provides discussions on previous year questions (PYQ) and model question-answer sessions. These are designed to help students understand how UPSC frames its questions and impart strategies for answering them. Notably, these lectures are in recorded form, which eliminates the chance of having a real discussion or debate.

Essay Writing Classes

Sanskriti IAS also offers essay classes as part of their combo packs. These lectures are conducted live and include an additional 10 essay tests.

Prelims Question Bank

Students who join Sanskriti IAS also receive a prelims question bank, which is updated annually by their team, and the counsellor mentioned that the questions in the bank are at par with the UPSC exam in terms of the difficulty level.

Recorded Class Lectures

Sanskriti IAS also offers students the option to view missed lectures through their portal. Students can access their regular lectures, which they couldn’t attend, for an unlimited number of times for a minimum of 2 years and up to a maximum of 3 years, depending on the course they choose.

Counselling Modules

The counsellor also handed me three magazine-sized booklets. The first was the Sanskriti IAS brochure, the second contained extensive information about the UPSC exam, and the third was a syllabus overview of the History Optional course. This overview was created by Mr. Akhil Murti, a revered faculty member of the institute and a prominent figure in UPSC coaching circles, especially for Hindi medium students.

Modules given to aspirants during Sanskriti IAS Counselling

Faculty Lineup at Sanskriti IAS

1. Mr Akhil Murti - History
2. Mr Amit Kumar- Ethics
3. Mr A K Arun - Indian Economy
4. Mr CBP Srivastava - Indian Constitution and Governance
5. Mr Kumar Gaurav - Geography and Environment & Ecology
6. Mr Rajesh Mishra - Indian polity and International Relations
7. Mr Ritesh R Jaiswal - General Science, Science and Technology

Sanskriti IAS Fee Structure

Note: 

1. The students opting for installment options need to pay their installment 40 days from the payment of the first installment.
2. The students who take Combo 1 package get Prelims Question Bank and a set of all the UPSC-related original NCERT books.

Payment Methods Accepted by Sanskriti IAS

Sanskriti IAS accepts fees from almost all kinds of payments, which I am listing down below

1. Credit Card
2. Debit Card
3. Digital Wallets
4. UPI (Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe etc)
5. Netbanking/IMPS/NEFT/RTGS
6. Cash
7. Demand Draft
8. Cheque

Fee Refund Guarantee by Sanskriti IAS

I have been exploring UPSC coaching institutes all over Delhi for the past few months, but I have never heard this in a counselling session. The counsellor at Sanskriti IAS told me that if you pay your fees in advance and do not feel satisfied with the coaching after a month, the institute offers a 100% fee refund. However, there are a few conditions: the student must have attended the course regularly and should have made class notes diligently.

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

Booking a Demo Lecture at Sanskriti IAS

After understanding the course details, I requested a demo lecture, which had been promised to me. The counsellor promptly provided me with an entry pass for the trial lecture. It's worth noting that Sanskriti IAS offers 4-5 demo lectures for new aspirants. In my opinion, this is excellent, as aspirants paying fees of over a lakh deserve to be satisfied with the quality of teaching and classrooms.

Trial Class Pass from Sanskriti IAS

Around the Classroom Building of Sanskriti IAS

The main office of Sanskriti IAS is located about 1.5 kilometres from the institute’s classroom building. Without me having to ask, the counsellor arranged for a scooter, and an attendant dropped me off at the classroom building. This building had three classrooms adjacent to each other.

Classroom building of Sanskriti IAS

I reached the classroom building at 6 PM, with the lecture scheduled to start at 6:30 PM. With 30 minutes to spare, I decided to explore the nearby market. I discovered that within walking distance, students have access to a stationery shop, multiple food options, dairy shops, and confectionery markets. So, whether they want to grab a quick bite before class or need to buy a pen, everything is conveniently available.

Classroom Review of Sanskriti IAS

As I entered the classroom, I noticed it was a long room with hundreds of seats, a few LED TVs and two projector screens, one at the front and one in the centre. I estimated the seating capacity to be around 350-400, with approximately 150-170 students present. The seats were mediocre compared to those in leading coaching institutes in the area, despite the fees at Sanskriti IAS being on par with those institutes. There was no place to keep my bag except on my lap, and the chairs lacked writing pads, which is evident from the pictures.

Chairs at Sanskriti IAS classes

However, the air conditioning was good, and the cleanliness was impeccable. The speaker system was also well-fitted, and the teacher's voice was clear. One thing unique about the front LED TV was that it was only showing what was written on the board while the other screens showed feed from the camera that was fitted in front of the teacher. This ensured that I was able to see what the teacher had written on the board even when the teacher was standing in front of the digital board, a problem that I have faced several times in the past.

Sanskriti IAS Classroom in Mukherjee Nagar

Drinking Water and Toilets at Sanskriti IAS

I found the washrooms in the building to be clean and well-maintained. There were two water points: one outside the building and another inside. The inside water point was clean and the area well-maintained. However, the outside water point was not satisfactory, with water spillage making the surroundings damp and attracting mosquitoes. The support staff frequently refilled the water cooler with 20-liter cans as students filled their bottles. I observed that these water cans were not branded; instead, they appeared to be locally sourced or refilled at the centre itself.

Drinking water at Sanskriti IAS, Mukherjee Nagar

Trial Class Review- Sanskriti IAS

The class I attended was a Geography lecture by Mr. Kumar Gaurav, the final lecture of the Geography course curriculum, focusing on disaster management. I entered the classroom at 6:20 PM and took a seat towards the back. Normally, I prefer sitting at the extreme back, but in this classroom, the last row seemed too far away. Even from my seat, which was around the sixth row from the back, the teacher appeared distant.

Mr. Gaurav entered the class at 6:39 PM and began by discussing what students should do after completing the subject. This discussion continued for about 20 minutes, and the actual class began around 7 PM. He started by dictating information about droughts and floods, making the students write three pages consecutively. He dictated so quickly that my fingers began to hurt. After the dictation, he explained the topic. This cycle of dictation and explanation continued until 8:50 PM, with each dictation session spanning 2-3 pages, which the students had to write rapidly. Observing the students around me, it was evident that everyone was struggling to keep up.

In my opinion, the excessive dictation could have been reduced in favor of more in-depth explanations. The primary role of UPSC coaching is to help students understand concepts and develop a perspective on topics. The information he dictated is already available in written form in Sanskriti IAS course modules and reference books. While this is subjective, as a student with three years of preparation experience and over seven years of connection to the UPSC coaching domain, I do not prefer this teaching style. This doesn't mean that the teacher wasn't conveying the concepts well, but I had issues with his approach.

One incident particularly stood out to me. During the discussion, a student asked why the government had banned the export of several commodities like onions some time ago. The teacher's response was unsatisfactory, and I overheard the student saying, "Bata toh dete ke ban kyun kiya," towards the end. Instead of directly addressing the question, the teacher suggested reading several novels to gain understanding, even though the question was directly related to the topic of discussion.

My Experience at Sanskriti IAS

My experience at Sanskriti IAS was a mix of emotions. On one hand, they offer a lot of inclusions in their courses, such as Prelims Question Banks, a Mains Crash Course, and a refund policy. On the other hand, the classroom experience was not up to the mark. For some, seating might not be a significant factor, but I believe it becomes critical when you have to sit in the same type of chair for over 900 lectures. The absence of a writing pad on chairs and the tight seating arrangement can lead to discomfort and may hamper students' performance in class. From the perspective of a fresh aspirant, I would recommend every student attend the 5 trial lectures, thoroughly explore the study material, and then make an informed decision.

Also check out: Khan Global Studies Fees, Counselling, Course Structure and Resources

Accommodation Options and Libraries near Sanskriti IAS

Rao PG for Girls

Finding good accommodation away from home, especially when preparing for a highly focus-oriented exam like the UPSC, is very important yet difficult. So, I decided to browse the web for peaceful, clean, and affordable accommodation with good amenities. I came across Rao PG for Girls, which seemed like a good option with a Google rating of 4.7 after over a hundred reviews.

Additionally, the PG is conveniently located about 600 meters from the classroom building and 350 meters from the main office of Sanskriti IAS. After checking all this, I contacted the owner to inquire about pricing, amenities, and pictures. He sent me videos and pictures of the PG, and we discussed almost everything, including safety for women. I have included the pictures he sent and the list of amenities they provide.

Pictures

Rao PG for Girls, Mukherjee Nagar

Pricing of Rao PG:

• Triple Sharing Room: 8000/-
• Double Sharing Room: 10,000/-
• Single Room - 10,000/- to 14,000/- (depending on the size and condition of the room)

Note: The electricity bill is not included in the rent amount and has to be paid separately. The owner has installed sub-meters for each room.

Nobel PG for Boys

With similar parameters in mind for boys, I started looking for accommodation and came across Nobel PG for Boys. It had a 4.0 rating on Google, with many reviews praising the food quality and peaceful environment, ideal for aspirants. I contacted the owner, who also sent me pictures and videos of the rooms. Although the rooms are pretty basic, the building's location away from the crowded streets of Mukherjee Nagar helps students focus better on their preparation. It is also conveniently located 450 meters from the main office and 400 meters from the classroom building of Sanskriti IAS. Check out the pictures, amenities, and pricing of the PG below.

Pictures

Nobel PG, Mukherjee Nagar

Amenities

• 24x7 RO water supply.
• Daily Room and bathroom cleaning.
• High-speed WiFi.
• Air conditioning.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Price Range (depending on the condition and size of the room)

• Single room: 7,000/- to 10,000/- 
• Double sharing: 6,000/- to 8,000/-
• Triple sharing is only available for students, who come in a group of three.

Note: The electricity bill is not included in the rent amount and has to be paid separately. The owner has installed sub-meters for each room.

Gurukul Library

The high demand for libraries in UPSC coaching hubs shows how important they are for preparation. Near Sanskriti IAS, I found many libraries, but Gurukul Library seemed to be the best choice. It is open 24x7 and has great facilities like clean toilets, air conditioners, fans, RO water with a cooler, CCTV cameras, new furniture, power points at each desk and high-speed WiFi. The chairs are new and comfortable, and the desk size is satisfactory.

Gurukul Library is also close to the above-mentioned PGs, the Sanskriti IAS classroom, and Sanskriti IAS main office. Check out some pictures of the library and its prices.

Pictures

Gurukul Library at Mukherjee Nagar (Source: Google)

Pricing

For 12 hours: 1,300/-

For 24 hours(with a personal work desk): 1,700/-

Also check: Chahal Academy Fees, Classrooms, Counselling and Mentorship Review