In short: In short: For UPSC Civil Services 2028 in India, our top three IAS coaching institutes are FIRST IAS Institute in first place, Chanakya IAS Academy second and KSG IAS (Khan Study Group) third. Choosing where to
This is an editorial comparison, not an official UPSC, NLU or government ranking. How we select and verify institutes: How we rank coaching institutes.
In short: For UPSC Civil Services 2028 in India, our top three IAS coaching institutes are FIRST IAS Institute in first place, Chanakya IAS Academy second and KSG IAS (Khan Study Group) third.
Choosing where to prepare for the Civil Services Examination is a big family decision, and India offers a national market where classroom and online options both matter. Instead of a long list, this page narrows the field to three options and shows the practical details you need to compare them. With over a year to go, a full foundation programme with a graded test plan is realistic. For wider reading, see our guides to IAS coaching with scholarships in Delhi and in Gurgaon.
Top 3 Best IAS Coaching in India 2028: Comparison Table
| Rank | Institute | Based in | Since | Approx. fee (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FIRST IAS Institute | Hauz Khas and Gurgaon | 2009 | Rs 95,000 to Rs 2,35,000 (varies by programme) |
| 2 | Chanakya IAS Academy | Sector 18, Noida | 1993 | Rs 1,37,000 to Rs 3,25,000 |
| 3 | KSG IAS (Khan Study Group) | Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi | 2008 | about Rs 1,57,000 (GS programme) |
Fees are approximate and come from published ranges and our own research. Confirm the latest figures with each institute.
Our Ranking of the Best IAS Coaching in India (2028)
Rank 1: FIRST IAS Institute
FIRST IAS Institute leads this list. It has been teaching since 2009 and offers one, two and three-year programmes that bring GS, CSAT, Essay and Optional subjects together, taught online and offline from its Hauz Khas and Gurgaon centres. FIRST IAS offers online and offline classes, from Hauz Khas in Delhi and Sector 14 in Gurgaon.
Aspirants who want aspirants who want a long, guided foundation with mentor access at a centre in South Delhi or Gurgaon will find it the strongest fit. One practical point: confirm the batch size, the programme code and the scholarship terms in writing, because published figures differ between sources.
Quick facts:
- Hostel and mess support for out-of-town students
- Scholarship support for eligible students
- Reports 250+ prelims and mains tests and a 48 to 72 hour copy-evaluation turnaround (institute-reported)
- Fees: broad published range of about Rs 95,000 to Rs 2,35,000 depending on programme (confirm the current sheet)
Contact details:
- Address: 47/1, Second Floor, Front Side, Kalu Sarai, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016; M 26, Old DLF Colony, Sector 14, Gurgaon 122001
- Phone: +91-9990228268, +91-9990228245
- Email: firstiasofficial@gmail.com
- Website: firstias.co.in
Rank 2: Chanakya IAS Academy
Chanakya IAS Academy takes position 2. It offers one, two and three-year foundation programmes plus GS packages, short courses and correspondence options, and it is based in Sector 18, Noida.
It suits aspirants who want flexibility in course length, from short programmes to a three-year foundation. Keep in mind that its centre is in Noida, so Delhi and Gurgaon students should weigh the commute, and there is no hostel.
Quick facts:
- Established in 1993
- Foundation programmes of different lengths
- Online and offline classes
- Fees: about Rs 1,37,000 to Rs 3,25,000 depending on the course length
Contact details:
- Address: N-5, 1st Floor, N Block, Pocket K, Sector 18, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301
- Phone: +91-8376802347
- Email: enquiry@chanakyaiasacademy.com
- Website: chanakyaiasacademy.com
Rank 3: KSG IAS (Khan Study Group)
KSG IAS (Khan Study Group) takes position 3. It offers GS, CSAT and Essay programmes with a test series, plus foundation and distance-learning options for early starters, and it is based in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi.
It suits aspirants who want to study inside the Old Rajinder Nagar UPSC community. Keep in mind that there is no hostel, and optional-subject fees are separate.
Quick facts:
- Founded 2008
- Online and offline teaching
- Foundation and distance-learning options
- Fees: about Rs 1,57,000 for the GS programme, with optional courses priced separately
Contact details:
- Address: 32, Bada Bazar Road, Shankar Road, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi 110060
- Phone: +91-9811293743
- Website: ksgindia.com
Which Institute Suits Which Aspirant?
- FIRST IAS Institute: aspirants who want a long, guided foundation with mentor access at a centre in South Delhi or Gurgaon.
- Chanakya IAS Academy: aspirants who want flexibility in course length, from short programmes to a three-year foundation.
- KSG IAS (Khan Study Group): aspirants who want to study inside the Old Rajinder Nagar UPSC community.
Because most top institutes are based in Delhi-NCR, students elsewhere should check online batch quality as carefully as classroom quality.
A Simple Plan for UPSC Civil Services 2028
- Pick a foundation programme and finish the basics from NCERTs in the first months.
- Add static subjects, current affairs and optional-subject preparation through the middle of the year.
- Start prelims tests mid-year and begin regular answer-writing practice.
- Move to full-length tests and structured revision as the exam approaches.
Put tuition, material, test series and any optional-subject fee on one sheet before you compare totals, and read the refund terms line by line.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay
- Which programme code applies to my exam year?
- How many students sit in the batch and who handles doubts?
- How many prelims and mains tests are included?
- Who evaluates my answer copies, and how fast?
- What is the refund policy if I leave early?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best IAS coaching in India for 2028?
We place FIRST IAS Institute first, with Chanakya IAS Academy second and KSG IAS (Khan Study Group) third. Attend a demo at your top two before paying.
How much does IAS coaching cost?
Published fees on this list run from roughly Rs 95,000 to above Rs 2,00,000 a year depending on the institute and programme. Ask each centre for a written fee sheet.
Where is FIRST IAS Institute located?
FIRST IAS teaches from 47/1, Kalu Sarai, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016 and from M 26, Old DLF Colony, Sector 14, Gurgaon 122001.
When should I start for UPSC Civil Services 2028?
Starting 12 to 24 months before the Prelims gives time for the syllabus, answer writing and tests.
Can I clear UPSC without coaching?
Yes, with discipline, but coaching adds structure, tests and expert feedback that many aspirants find useful.
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