Here are five top UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) coaching institutes in Kerala, based on their reputation, offerings, and student success rates:
- Shankar IAS Academy (Thiruvananthapuram)
- Chahal IAS (Kochi)
- Kerala State Civil Service Academy (Thiruvananthapuram)
- Lead IAS Academy (Thiruvananthapuram)
- Enlite IAS Academy (Thiruvananthapuram)
1. Shankar IAS Academy
About us:
Established in 2004, Shankar IAS Academy has a legacy of success, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Known for its superior faculty, structured methodology, and innovative teaching techniques, the academy offers comprehensive programs for Prelims, Mains, and Interviews. It also boasts high success rates in UPSC exams.
Past Result:
Shankar IAS Academy has consistently produced UPSC toppers. Recent notable selections include Malavika G. Nair (AIR 172) and Akash A. L. (AIR 210) from the 2023 batch or Aashna Chaudhary (AIR 116) and Melvyn Varghese (AIR 155) in recent years. The academy has emphasized its contributions by producing numerous candidates ranking in the top 200 over the years.
Top Faculty:
- Dr. Vaishnavi S D: Economics (General Studies and Optional), Ph.D. in Health Economics.
- Mr. K M Pathi: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (General Studies); Visiting Faculty at LBSNAA.
- Mr. Ganesh V K: History (General Studies).
- Ms. Rajitha Shivashankar: Sociology (Optional) and Society (General Studies).
- Mr. Sakthya Krishnan: Polity (General Studies).
- Mr. Gowtham A R: Geography (Optional and General Studies)
Course Offering:
Integrated Prelims and Mains Program:
Comprehensive coverage of the UPSC syllabus, including General Studies and CSAT.
Optional Subjects:
Subjects like Geography, Public Administration, and Sociology.
Test Series:
Regular Prelims and Mains test series with detailed feedback.
Interview Guidance:
Mock interviews conducted by retired civil servants and experts.
Foundation Program:
For beginners, focusing on NCERTs and basic concepts.
Fee Structure:
- General Studies (Prelims + Mains): ₹80,000–₹1,11,000
- CSAT Classroom Course: ₹22,000
- Optional Subject: ₹33,000
- Combined Package (GS + CSAT + Optional): ₹1,66,000
- Test Series: ₹9,500 (Prelims GS + CSAT).
Google Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)
AcademyCheck Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Visit Coaching: https://academycheck.com/coaching/shankar-ias-academy-thiruvananthapuram?utm_code=123
Best for Geography, Sociology, Ethics & Essay Writing.
2. Chahal IAS
About us:
Chahal IAS Academy in Kochi is a premier coaching institute for UPSC aspirants, known for its student-centric approach and strong emphasis on consistent results. With a reputation for personalized mentorship and rigorous preparation strategies, it has become a popular choice for civil services aspirants in Kerala.
Past Result:
Chahal IAS Academy in Kochi has achieved notable success over the years, with a growing number of its students clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Here’s an overview of the past few years’ results from the Kochi branch:
2023:
- Over 85 students from Chahal IAS (Kochi) cleared the Civil Services Examination.
- 12 candidates ranked within the top 200.
- Notable selections included aspirants with Sociology and Public Administration as their optional subjects.
2022:
- Around 75 students qualified for the UPSC exam.
- 8 candidates secured positions in the top 300.
- The academy's rigorous interview preparation program was cited as a key factor by several successful candidates.
2021:
- Approximately 65 students cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
- Noteworthy performances included aspirants who excelled in General Studies and Ethics, reflecting the academy’s focus on these areas.
2020:
- 50+ students achieved success, with many hailing from non-metro areas of Kerala, showcasing the academy’s outreach.
- A significant number of qualifiers were first-time aspirants, highlighting the effectiveness of the foundation courses.
Top Faculty:
- R. Khan: Renowned for his expertise in General Studies, particularly in current affairs and polity.
- Anupam Singh: Ethics and Essay writing expert, focusing on building analytical skills and answer-writing strategies.
- Dr. Neelima B.: A Sociology faculty known for her practical teaching style and in-depth syllabus coverage.
- George Mathew: Geography mentor, combining theoretical insights with map-based learning.
Course Offering:
- Foundation Course: Designed for beginners, covering Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test with optional subjects.
- Optional Subjects: Popular options like Sociology, Public Administration, and Geography are offered with expert guidance.
- Mock Tests & Interview Prep: Rigorous test series for Prelims and Mains, along with mock interviews for final-stage preparation.
- Workshops: Regular sessions on answer-writing techniques, time management, and personality development.
Fee Structure:
- Foundation Course (Prelims + Mains + Interview): ₹1,40,000 – ₹1,50,000
- Prelims Only Program: ₹40,000 – ₹50,000
- Optional Subjects (Sociology, Geography, Public Administration): ₹30,000 – ₹40,000
- Mains Only Program: ₹60,000 – ₹70,000
- Interview Guidance Program: ₹10,000 – ₹15,000
Google Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4/5)
AcademyCheck Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Visit Coaching:
Best for History, Public Administration & Political Science, Geography.
3. Kerala State Civil Service Academy
About us
Operated by the Government of Kerala since 2005, this academy offers affordable coaching with a focus on inclusivity. Its programs cover all stages of the UPSC exam, from foundational training to mock interviews.
Notable some UPSC achievers include:
Past Result:
The Kerala State Civil Service Academy is a state-supported institution, consistently producing successful candidates in both UPSC and Kerala PSC exams. It is popular for its affordable programs and high-quality mentorship.
Notable some UPSC achievers include:
- Aswathy Srinivas (Rank 40)
- Safna Nazarudeen (Rank 45)
- Sarath Sankar (Rank 113)
- Malavika G Nair (Rank 118)
Top Faculty:
The Kerala State Civil Service Academy (KSCSA) in Thiruvananthapuram boasts a team of experienced and reputed faculty members, including both retired and in-service college professors as well as domain experts. The faculty members cover a wide range of civil service subjects.
Some key faculty members mentioned in reviews and testimonials include:
- Philip Sir - Known for his expertise in General Studies.
- Vijayan Sir - A distinguished teacher for core UPSC topics.
- Nandakumar Sir - Praised for his approach to subjects like polity and governance.
Course Offering:
Civil Service Foundation Course:
Covers basic concepts and NCERT-based preparation.
Integrated Coaching Program:
For Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Optional Subjects:
Malayalam Literature, Sociology, Public Administration, etc.
Test Series:
Regular Prelims and Mains test series.
Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) Preparation:
Tailored for the Kerala state service exams.
Fee Structure:
- General Studies: ₹45,000–₹55,000
- Optional Subject: ₹20,000 approximately
- Evening & Weekend Batches: ₹30,000–₹40,000.
Google Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5)
AcademyCheck Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)
Visit Coaching: https://academycheck.com/coaching/kerala-state-civil-service-academy-thiruvananthapuram?utm_code=123
Best for Malayalam Literature, General Studies, Public Administration.
4. Lead IAS Academy
About us:
Known for its student-focused approach, Lead IAS started from a writing group of aspirants and evolved into a prominent coaching center. It offers personalized teaching to cater to individual student needs and emphasizes a strong mentorship program.
Past Result:
Lead IAS Academy is a growing name in Kerala, noted for its personalized approach to training. It boasts successful candidates in both UPSC and Kerala-specific exams, but detailed data on past results was not explicitly found.
Notable some UPSC achievers include:
- Vishnu Sasikumar (AIR 31)
- Nevin Thomas (AIR 225)
- Benjo P Jose (AIR 59)
- Kasturi Sha (AIR 68)
Top Faculty:
Lead IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram is recognized for its experienced faculty across various subjects, focusing on delivering comprehensive UPSC preparation. Here are some of the notable faculty members and their expertise:
- Sarath S: Academic Director, specializes in Prelims and Mains strategy training.
- Dr. Anuroop Sunny: Managing Director, an exam strategist with a reputation for detailed feedback and mentoring.
- Prof. Oomen Varghese: Essay specialist with 40 years of international teaching experience.
- Christy Varghese: Faculty for CSAT and expert in Vedic and mental mathematics.
- Sijin Gopi: Ethics faculty with 5 years of teaching experience.
Course Offering:
Full-time Integrated Program:
For Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Optional Subjects:
Geography, Sociology, and Public Administration.
Weekend Classes:
For working professionals.
Test Series:
Prelims and Mains test series with personalized feedback.
Answer Writing Sessions:
Special focus on Mains answer writing skills.
Fee Structure:
- Foundation Course (Prelims, Mains + Optional): ₹70,000–₹1,00,000
- Optional Subjects: ₹25,000–₹30,000
- Specialized Test Series: ₹10,000 approximately.
Google Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)
AcademyCheck Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Visit Coaching: https://academycheck.com/coaching/lead-ias-academy-trivandrum?utm_code=123
Best for Answer Writing Practice, Geography, Weekend Programs for Working Professionals.
5. Enlite IAS Academy
About us:
Positioned as one of Kerala’s premier civil services institutes, Enlite IAS focuses on innovative classroom programs and technology-driven learning. They offer optional subjects and personality development training to enhance students' overall readiness for UPSC.
Past Result:
Enlite IAS has gained attention for its focus on mentorship and result-oriented strategies. The academy has contributed to successful results in recent years, emphasizing both preliminary and mains preparation.
Notable some UPSC achievers include:
- Sidharth Ramkumar PK (AIR - 4, 2023)
- Archana PP (AIR - 40, 2023)
- Avinash Kumar (AIR - 17, 2022)
Top Faculty:
Some of the faculty members at Enlite IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram and their subjects include:
- Mahesh Kumar S: Some say he provides mentorship throughout the exam process
- Adv. Abhilash V P: Teaches Constitution, Indian Polity, and Governance
- Dr. Abu Cherian: Teaches General Science
- Surjith Sir: Some say he provides quality guidance
Course Offering:
Prelims Cum Mains Program:
Comprehensive syllabus coverage with regular assessments.
Optional Subjects:
Philosophy and Geography are prominently offered.
Test Series:
Known for its Prelims test series and answer writing practice.
Foundation Course:
Focuses on new aspirants and foundational concepts.
Interview Guidance:
Special sessions and mock interviews.
Fee Structure:
- GS Foundation (Prelims + Mains): ₹60,000–₹1,00,000
- Optional Subjects and Test Series: ₹15,000–₹25,000
- Comprehensive Packages: ₹1,20,000.
Google Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
AcademyCheck Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5)
Visit Coaching: https://academycheck.com/coaching/enlite-ias-academy?utm_code=123
Best for Philosophy Optional, Geography Optional, Mains Writing Skills.
