Patheo Mitra (an IAS aspirant) moved from Kolkata to Delhi, the capital of civil services coaching, in April 2021 with the goal of cracking the civil services examination. He, like tens of thousands of other hopefuls, hopes to pass the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, for which he paid Rs. 2.5 lakh to enroll in a coaching center in Karol Bagh.
Mr. Mitra spends the rest of his money on rent and other living expenses in order to attend physical therapy lessons. Many reports that the coaching centers’ (for IAS aspirants) competitive attitude drives them to work harder in order to qualify for administrative services.
The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, however, have changed everything in the previous two years. The most sought-after coaching classes were required to broadcast their classes live on the internet. UPSC applicants were able to study from anywhere in India after switching to online sessions.
Even after the government lifted the limitations and permitted coaching schools to restart offline classes, many students preferred the online form because it allowed them to attend from the comfort of their own homes.
IAS Aspirants’ perspectives
Due to the COVID-19 guidelines, the students were able to attend classes online while living in Delhi after paying the full amount for the coaching sessions. As a result, Mr. Mitra and many other students like him returned to their hometowns to continue studying for their long-distance exams.
“I stayed in Delhi for a few additional days in the hopes of benefiting from the competitive environment that these centers create. But, despite the fact that physical classes have resumed, I returned to Kolkata in January and have no plans to return anytime soon,” he stated.
Those who chose online education from home from the start, in his perspective, got a better deal. “The caliber of teaching was maintained and there was continuity,” he said, citing the use of the same faculty for online classes.
Experts offer their opinions
The pandemic, according to D.P. Singh, a senior counselor at Rau’s IAS Study Circle, has changed the terms of the game.
“Previously, we didn’t have the capability of live-streaming classes. Due to pandemic constraints, we were forced to switch to online sessions, which performed great. The pupils also discovered that they didn’t need to pay money to attend classes in an expensive city like Delhi. Rather, they might attend the same classes from the comfort of their own homes, without sacrificing the quality of instruction, and invest the time in better preparation,” Mr. Singh explained.
However, he stressed, the institute will continue to offer both alternatives to students, with no content differences. “This aids outstation students who are apprehensive about moving to Delhi,” he added.
Many students indicated they found the transition to online learning unusual in the beginning. However, now that they’ve gotten used to the system, they’re finding it to be beneficial.
Cost-cutting
Lokesh Tiwari had also relocated from Kanpur to Delhi to prepare for the exam in the academic environment provided by the coaching centers. “But you quickly realize that the faculty is more essential,” he said, adding, “why would anyone want to sweat it out in a rented house in Delhi if the same faculty is available online?” We would rather study in the comfort of our own homes. It saves us money and relieves a lot of stress.”
Even students in Delhi are considering switching to online lessons to save time spent getting to and from the city center. However, not everyone believes that online learning is effective.
Chinsang Soibam of Manipur, who intended to stay in Old Rajendra Nagar, a hotbed of IAS coaching centers, and compete with other aspirants, thought the quality of online teaching was good. “However, whether it will work out, in the long run, remains to be seen,” Mr. Soibam said. “Physical lessons have their own charm and worth, and they teach you things like writing speed and other tips and techniques.”
Physical classes, he continued, instilled discipline in students because they did not have the option of skipping a class and watching the recording later.