Drishti IAS: History, Vikas Divyakirti, Courses, Learning App and Education Business
Drishti IAS has grown from a civil-services coaching institute in Delhi into a wider education brand serving UPSC and other competitive-exam aspirants. Founded in 1999 by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, the organisation became particularly known for its focus on Hindi-medium students and its accessible teaching style. Over the years, it has expanded through classroom programmes, online courses, a learning app and a dedicated publishing business. Its story also includes major changes in the Indian coaching market, growing competition from EdTech companies and increased scrutiny of coaching institutes. Today, Drishti IAS operates across several parts of the education sector rather than relying only on traditional classroom coaching.
How Drishti IAS Started in 1999
Drishti IAS was established in Delhi in 1999 by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti after he had already experienced both teaching and government service. Divyakirti had cleared the Civil Services Examination in 1996 and later worked with the Ministry of Home Affairs before leaving government employment. He returned to education and eventually established Drishti IAS, turning his experience with the civil-services examination into a teaching career. The organisation’s official profile continues to identify him as its founder and managing director.
The early identity of Drishti IAS was closely connected with students preparing for civil services in Hindi. At the time, a large part of the established coaching industry catered heavily to English-speaking candidates, creating an opportunity for an institute that could provide structured preparation in Hindi. Drishti built its reputation by focusing on students who wanted UPSC guidance in their preferred language and by developing study material suited to that audience. This Hindi-medium focus became one of the main reasons the institute developed a distinct identity within the coaching industry.
Vikas Divyakirti and the Growth of Drishti IAS
Vikas Divyakirti’s own career has played a major role in the public identity of Drishti IAS. Before founding the institute, he had experience as a teacher, UPSC candidate and government employee, giving him familiarity with both examination preparation and public administration. His decision to leave government service and return to education became the starting point for the organisation’s long-term growth. Over time, his lectures and online appearances also helped make him one of the most recognisable personalities in India’s civil-services education space.
His teaching style has been an important part of that recognition. Instead of restricting lessons to textbook definitions, Divyakirti often explains difficult subjects through everyday examples and conversational discussions. That approach helped Drishti IAS connect with students who found conventional classroom lectures difficult to follow. As online education expanded, his visibility also helped the institute reach students outside its physical centres.
Why Hindi-Medium Preparation Became Drishti IAS’s Strength
Drishti IAS’s focus on Hindi-medium preparation was more than a language choice; it became part of the organisation’s business strategy. According to reporting on the company’s growth, its early focus on Hindi-medium and state-board students helped it reach an audience that had fewer specialised coaching options at the time. The institute later expanded its offerings in English while continuing to maintain a strong Hindi presence. This allowed the brand to serve a larger group of aspirants without abandoning the identity that helped it grow.
The current Drishti ecosystem reflects this bilingual approach. Its online platform has separate Hindi and English programmes for examinations such as UPSC and UPPCS, while its publications business also carries material in both languages. This is particularly relevant for students who may understand subjects better in one language but need examination-specific resources in another. The ability to offer the same type of preparation across languages has helped Drishti broaden its audience.
Drishti IAS Courses and UPSC Preparation
Drishti IAS offers preparation for different stages of competitive examinations rather than focusing only on the UPSC preliminary examination. Its programmes include General Studies, CSAT, Mains preparation, essay writing, ethics, optional subjects, interview guidance and mentorship. The organisation also provides courses for state public-service examinations, allowing students preparing for different government recruitment exams to use its resources. Course names and batches change over time, so the current catalogue is a better indicator of its offerings than older coaching brochures.
Some of the major areas covered across Drishti’s education platforms include:
- UPSC General Studies
- UPSC Prelims and CSAT
- UPSC Mains
- Essay preparation
- Ethics and governance
- Optional subjects
- Interview preparation
- UPSC mentorship
- UPPCS preparation
- Other State PCS examinations
- UGC NET and selected teaching examinations
The breadth of these programmes shows how Drishti IAS has moved beyond its original classroom model. A student can encounter the brand at different stages, from basic foundation preparation to specialised optional-subject study and interview guidance. Its digital platform also makes it possible to study without being physically present at one of its centres. This combination of classroom and online education has become a central part of the organisation’s current model.
Drishti Learning App and Online Education
The Drishti Learning App is an important part of the organisation’s transition into digital education. The platform provides online courses for UPSC, UPPCS and other examinations, with separate programmes for subjects and preparation levels. Its course catalogue includes both Hindi and English options, allowing students outside major coaching cities to access structured classes. This digital approach also means that Drishti can reach students who may not be able to relocate to Delhi or another major coaching centre.
Online learning has changed the way students interact with coaching institutes. Instead of attending a fixed classroom schedule, aspirants can access recorded or scheduled lessons, study material and examination practice through digital platforms. Drishti’s online expansion has allowed its teaching content to reach beyond the physical locations associated with the brand. The learning app therefore represents an important part of the organisation’s effort to remain relevant as UPSC preparation becomes increasingly digital.
Drishti IAS Centres and Physical Expansion
Although digital learning has become more important, physical classrooms remain part of the Drishti IAS model. The organisation’s official information lists centres and operations in cities including Delhi, Noida, Patna, Jaipur, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Indore and Ranchi. This geographic expansion is significant because civil-services coaching was traditionally concentrated in a few major education hubs. By opening operations in additional cities, Drishti has been able to reach students closer to their home regions.
The expansion also fits the institute’s original focus on students outside the traditional English-medium coaching market. Students from smaller cities and state-board backgrounds can now encounter Drishti through both physical centres and online programmes. That combination reduces the importance of geography in choosing a coaching provider. It also puts Drishti in direct competition with national EdTech platforms that can reach students without opening physical branches.
Drishti Publications and Its Growing Book Business
Books and study material have become another major part of the Drishti IAS brand. Drishti Publications operates a dedicated online store carrying books for UPSC, State PCS, Judiciary, UGC NET/JRF, CUET, CTET, CAPF and other examinations. Its catalogue includes textbooks, previous-year question papers, practice material, current-affairs publications, essay resources and optional-subject books. This publishing operation allows the organisation to remain part of a student’s preparation even when the student is not enrolled in a full classroom programme.
The publication catalogue also shows a strong emphasis on examination practice. Current products include solved UPSC Prelims papers, Mains question collections, state-level previous-year papers and practice-oriented books. Previous-year questions are particularly valuable to aspirants because they show the type and depth of questions an examination has actually asked. Drishti’s large catalogue of such material demonstrates how the organisation has built a business around the daily study needs of competitive-exam candidates.
Drishti IAS Current Affairs Resources
Current affairs is another major part of the Drishti education model. The publications store currently carries monthly current-affairs products, annual compilations and subscription-based material in Hindi and English. These resources are designed around the continuing need to connect recent events with UPSC and State PCS examination preparation. Unlike a standard textbook, current-affairs material has to be updated regularly because the information relevant to an examination changes throughout the year.
The organisation’s main website also publishes examination updates and educational content alongside its coaching information. It covers areas such as UPSC notifications, examination calendars, results, answer keys and analysis of important topics. This has helped turn the Drishti website into more than a promotional page for coaching programmes. For many students, it also functions as a regular source of examination-related information and study material.
Drishti IAS Beyond UPSC
The name Drishti IAS is strongly associated with the UPSC Civil Services Examination, but its current educational operations extend well beyond UPSC. Its publications catalogue includes material for State PCS examinations, Judiciary, UGC NET/JRF, CUET, CTET, CAPF and other competitive tests. The Learning App also carries programmes connected with examinations such as UPPCS and teacher-recruitment tests. This diversification allows the organisation to reach students who may never sit for the UPSC examination itself.
This expansion also changes the way the company should be viewed. Calling Drishti IAS only a UPSC coaching centre no longer describes everything it does. It now combines coaching, online education, publishing, current affairs and examination-specific resources under one brand. That broader model gives the organisation more ways to reach students and generate revenue. At the same time, it places Drishti in competition with a much larger group of education companies.
Drishti IAS Revenue and Business Growth
The scale of Drishti IAS’s business has grown substantially since its founding. Economic Times reported that the organisation recorded approximately ₹405 crore in revenue in FY2024, illustrating how large the coaching and educational-content operation had become. The figure should be understood as a financial-year figure rather than a current annual estimate. Its growth reflects revenue from education programmes, digital learning and related activities rather than simply the fees collected from one physical coaching centre.
The business environment around civil-services coaching has also become more competitive. Traditional coaching institutes now compete with digital platforms that can provide lectures and study material to students across India. At the same time, students have more choices when deciding whether to pay for classroom coaching, online courses, test series or individual study material. Drishti’s combination of these formats has been one way of responding to that changing market.
Physics Wallah Acquisition Talks
Drishti IAS also attracted attention when Physics Wallah explored a possible acquisition of the organisation. The discussions eventually ended without a deal, and Drishti continued operating independently. The episode was significant because it showed the growing commercial value of established civil-services education brands and the interest EdTech companies have in the UPSC market. It also highlighted that traditional coaching institutions are increasingly part of a larger education-business landscape.
The failed discussions did not mean that Drishti IAS stopped developing its business. Instead, the organisation continued to explore its own growth strategy while maintaining its existing education operations. This period also came as the coaching sector was adjusting to changes in student behaviour, digital learning and regulatory expectations. For Drishti, the challenge is to grow while keeping the identity that made the institute successful in the first place.
Drishti IAS and Regulatory Scrutiny
Like other large coaching organisations, Drishti IAS has faced scrutiny over the way coaching results and student selections are advertised. In 2024, the Central Consumer Protection Authority imposed a ₹3 lakh penalty on Drishti IAS over advertisements related to UPSC results. The regulator said the advertisements did not adequately disclose the specific courses or programmes through which the selected candidates had received assistance.
The issue matters because selection numbers can strongly influence how students choose coaching institutes. The CCPA’s order focused on whether advertisements gave consumers enough information to understand what the reported selections actually represented. This does not mean that every result associated with Drishti IAS was invalid, but it does show why coaching advertisements need to be precise about student participation and course details. For an informational article, the regulator’s findings should be presented accurately rather than turning the matter into a broader accusation.
Drishti IAS and the 2024 Coaching Centre Controversy
Drishti IAS also came under attention during the wider regulatory crackdown on Delhi coaching centres in 2024. The action followed the deaths of three UPSC aspirants at Rau’s IAS Study Circle after flooding in a basement. Authorities subsequently inspected coaching centres across Delhi, including facilities operated by Drishti IAS.
A basement at Drishti IAS’s Mukherjee Nagar centre was sealed during the inspections after authorities raised concerns about its use. The situation generated criticism and discussion around safety standards in the coaching industry. Vikas Divyakirti also addressed the wider controversy publicly as questions about student safety, building rules and coaching-centre regulation received national attention. It is important to distinguish this regulatory action from the separate tragedy at Rau’s IAS Study Circle.
Drishti IAS and AI-Based Learning
Drishti IAS has also begun discussing the use of artificial intelligence in its digital learning approach. Its educational material describes AI-enhanced learning as part of the direction of its online preparation platform. The move reflects a wider change in competitive-exam education, where technology is increasingly being used to support personalised study and digital learning. Drishti’s interest in AI shows that the organisation is trying to adapt its established teaching model to newer forms of education.
The long-term value of these technologies will depend on how useful they are to actual students. UPSC preparation still requires reading, writing, revision, analysis and sustained practice, so technology cannot replace the basic work involved in preparing for the examination. Digital tools can, however, make access to study material and practice more convenient. For an organisation with both classroom and online operations, that creates room to combine traditional teaching with newer learning tools.
What Is Drishti IAS Doing in 2026?
In 2026, Drishti IAS remains active across classroom coaching, digital learning and educational publishing while responding to a more competitive market. Recent reporting has described the organisation as going through a period of adjustment as the coaching industry changes and digital education becomes more important. The institute continues to rely on its established strengths, including its Hindi-medium reputation, Vikas Divyakirti’s public profile and its large base of educational content.
The next phase of Drishti IAS will likely depend on how well it balances its traditional identity with changing student expectations. Students now have access to free lectures, inexpensive online courses, printed study material and specialised test platforms from many providers. Drishti’s advantage is that it already operates across several of these areas instead of depending on just one format. Its ability to maintain trust while expanding its digital and educational offerings will be central to its future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drishti IAS
1. What is Drishti IAS?
Drishti IAS is an Indian education organisation that provides preparation resources and coaching for UPSC and other competitive examinations. It was founded in Delhi in 1999 by Dr. Vikas Divyakirti. The organisation now operates through classroom programmes, online learning, mentorship and educational publishing.
2. Who is the founder of Drishti IAS?
Dr. Vikas Divyakirti is the founder and managing director of Drishti IAS. Before establishing the organisation, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination and worked in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He later returned to education and built Drishti IAS into a major civil-services education brand.
3. Is Drishti IAS only for UPSC preparation?
No. Although UPSC preparation remains at the centre of the brand, Drishti’s current education and publishing operations cover several other examinations. Its resources include State PCS, Judiciary, UGC NET/JRF, CUET, CTET, CAPF and other competitive examinations. The Drishti Learning App also offers courses beyond the UPSC syllabus.
4. Does Drishti IAS offer Hindi and English courses?
Yes. Drishti provides educational resources in both Hindi and English. Its digital platform includes separate programmes for examinations such as UPSC and UPPCS, while Drishti Publications also sells books and current-affairs material in both languages. The bilingual approach is an important part of the organisation’s development.
5. What is Drishti Learning App?
Drishti Learning App is the organisation’s digital education platform for online courses and examination preparation. It offers programmes covering UPSC, State PCS and other competitive examinations, including foundation courses and subject-specific preparation. The platform allows students to access Drishti’s educational programmes without relying entirely on physical classroom centres.
Conclusion
Drishti IAS has developed far beyond the small coaching-centre model with which it began in 1999. Its growth has been shaped by Vikas Divyakirti’s teaching career, its early focus on Hindi-medium UPSC aspirants and its gradual expansion into English-medium education, online learning and publishing. The Drishti Learning App and Drishti Publications have given the organisation additional ways to reach students, while its wider examination catalogue has taken the brand beyond UPSC alone. At the same time, regulatory scrutiny and stronger competition have created new challenges for the organisation.
The story of Drishti IAS is ultimately a story of how civil-services education has changed in India. What began as a classroom-focused institute has become a larger education business built around coaching, digital platforms, books, current affairs and public-facing educators. Its future will depend on whether it can preserve the trust and teaching identity that helped it grow while adapting to the expectations of students who now have more choices than ever. For anyone researching Indian UPSC coaching, Drishti IAS remains an important example of how the sector has evolved.
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