Is Delhi still the best city for IAS coaching compared to other cities in India?

Yes, Delhi is still considered the best city for IAS coaching in India, although strong alternatives are emerging in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Here’s why Delhi continues to dominate:

✅ Presence of Top IAS Coaching Institutes:
As per the latest rankings (source: blog.oureducation.in), Delhi is home to top IAS coaching institutes like Plutus IAS (#1 in India),, and many more. These institutes have a long history of producing toppers and offer highly structured classroom programs, test series, and study material.

✅ Best UPSC Faculty and Mentorship:
Institutes in Delhi, especially around Karol Bagh and Old Rajinder Nagar, attract some of the best and most experienced UPSC faculties in India. Students also benefit from expert mentorship programs that are harder to find elsewhere.

✅ Vibrant UPSC Preparation Environment:
In Delhi, particularly areas like Old Rajinder Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, and Karol Bagh, you'll find a complete ecosystem — top libraries, affordable PGs/hostels, discussion groups, bookstores, and a peer environment that constantly motivates aspirants.

✅ Batch Size and Personalized Attention:
Institutes like Plutus IAS maintain small batch sizes (35–40 students), ensuring better interaction and doubt-solving — a huge advantage compared to larger batches elsewhere.

✅ Comprehensive Study Material and Test Series:
Delhi-based coaching centers set the standard when it comes to UPSC test series, notes, and prelims-cum-mains programs, which are used by aspirants across India — even by students who are preparing from other cities through online programs.

However, what has changed slightly:

👉 Rise of Other Cities:
Places like Bengaluru (with IAS Baba and Insights IAS) and Hyderabad (with La Excellence IAS) are gaining popularity, especially for online/offline hybrid programs.

👉 Expansion of Online Learning:
Top Delhi-based institutes like Plutus IAS now offer high-quality online courses. So technically, you don't have to live in Delhi to access the best classes — but the offline atmosphere of Delhi still remains unmatched for full-time serious preparation.

Conclusion:
➡️ If you want the best offline experience with maximum exposure, Delhi is still the #1 choice for IAS coaching in 2025.
➡️ But if you are comfortable with online preparation or prefer a less crowded and more affordable city, good options are emerging elsewhere too.

Hope this helps you choose wisely for your UPSC journey! ✨