Rau’s IAS Study Circle has long been one of Delhi’s recognised choices for UPSC preparations. Many aspirants – even today – consider it when looking for serious coaching that covers the entire UPSC journey: from foundation to Prelims, Mains, optional subjects, and interview prep. According to Rau’s IAS Academy Review, on paper, their courses are broad in scope and well-structured for full-fledged Civil Services Exam preparation. But lately, its legacy has become a double-edged sword: while many trust Rau’s history and brand, recent controversies and reports have shaken confidence for some students. You could say the reputation is intact — but it comes with a growing list of caveats.
Rau’s IAS Academy Ratings on Various Platforms
| Justdial | 4.2/5 |
| Education-portal listings | Widely listed among prominent institutes for UPSC CSE coaching |
| Reddit / Aspirant-forum feedback | Mixed: some praise the good test series and material; others complain about batch size, inconsistent teaching, or poor optional-subject support. |
| Public news coverage | Media reports have seriously affected their reputation due to a fatal flooding incident in their basement branch. |
Pros & Cons of joining Rau’s IAS Academy
| Pros of Joining Rau’s IAS Academy | Cons / What to Watch Carefully |
| Offers a complete package for UPSC — Foundation course UPSC + Prelims, Mains, CSAT, optional subjects, test series, and interview guidance. | Big batch size in many courses — personal attention can suffer. |
| Provides both offline (Delhi classrooms) and UPSC online/live-online modes — helpful for aspirants from outside Delhi or remote towns. | Quality of online batches and optional-subject sessions appears uneven: some batches reportedly get weaker faculty or rushed coverage. |
| Test series, mains answer-writing drills, regular assessments — these help build exam temperament and get aspirants used to the UPSC CSE exam format. | Infrastructure & safety concerns surfaced in 2024: a tragic basement-flooding incident harmed trust. |
| Legacy Institute (est. 1953) — many aspirants feel comfortable enrolling in a name that’s seen multiple generations of officers and aspirants. | Course fees are relatively high — it demands serious commitment to get returns. |
| Convenient for those who prefer one-stop full-spectrum UPSC coaching instead of juggling multiple tutors/institutes. | For highly competitive aspirants expecting cutting-edge optional-subject teaching or 1-on-1 mentoring, newer or smaller coaching institutes might offer more personalized support. |
A Detailed Review of Rau’s IAS Study Circle
If I were you, sitting at my desk trying to decide where to spend my (already limited) time and money for UPSC, I’d treat Rau’s as a tool, not a guarantee.
What works at Rau’s (when things go right)
- Their “Integrated General Studies course” tries to bundle Prelims, Mains, CSAT, optional-subject coaching, test series, and interview guidance — which helps if you want a one-stop shop.
- According to Rau’s IAS Academy Review, many aspirants say that the test-series + mains answer-writing modules gave them structure and regular discipline, which is valuable when preparing for the UPSC Exam or UPSC CSE prelims.
- For people who can’t relocate to Delhi but still want to benefit from a reputed institute, UPSC online/distance-learning options provide flexibility (assuming good self-discipline).
What you must be careful about
- In large batches, getting one-on-one doubt-clearing or optional-subject depth may be difficult. If you depend heavily on coaching to push you, you might feel lost in the noise.
- The 2024 flooding tragedy — when water logged the basement library, and three UPSC aspirants lost their lives — seriously affected trust in safety standards at Rau’s.
Rau’s IAS Study Circle Founder
Rau’s IAS Study Circle was set up in 1953, making it one of the oldest IAS coaching institutes in India. Over the decades, it has built a reputation for serious UPSC coaching and has seen thousands of aspirants pass through its corridors. While there’s no flashy “celebrity founder” mentioned, the value some aspirants find in Rau’s is simply its long legacy and experience.
According to Rau’s IAS Academy Review, that legacy comes with longstanding institutional knowledge — syllabus design, batch planning, test-series management, optional-subject networks, and alumni linkages. For many old-school aspirants, that history feels like a safety net compared to brand-new coaching centres chasing trends.
The Vision of Rau’s Study Circle
- To provide a holistic path for UPSC exam preparation — from the foundation level syllabus to mains, optional subjects, and interview guidance.
- To combine structured classroom learning and upsc online/distance options, so candidates from across India can access good coaching even if they can’t relocate.
- To maintain legacy-based discipline, batch-wise consistency, and broad syllabus coverage, giving aspirants a stable platform.
- According to Rau’s IAS Academy Review, its vision is to offer test series, answer-writing practices, and systematic revision — helping aspirants build exam temperament and time-management skills needed for UPSC CSE prelims and mains.
- To remain a known name among “top UPSC CSE coaching” institutes in Delhi — giving aspirants confidence in brand history, resources, and outreach.
- Rau’s IAS Study Circle Delhi Review, Fees And Contact Details
Why Rau’s IAS Academy for IAS coaching?
- If you want complete UPSC support—prelims, mains, optional subjects, interview — under one roof.
- If you need flexibility (online batches) because you can’t be in Delhi or relocate.
- If you value institutional legacy and want to study under a name that’s been preparing aspirants for decades.
- If you appreciate structured batch planning, test series, and regular assessments, it helps manage a long, grueling process like the IAS Exam.
- If you’re willing to put in consistent, hard work, because even the best coaching can’t replace individual effort.
- Chanakya IAS Academy Delhi Review 2025
Courses Offered & Fee Structure
| Course | Fee |
| General Studies Integrated (Full UPSC course: Prelims + Mains + CSAT + optional + mock & interview support) | ₹ 1,75,500 (offline/on-campus) |
| Online / Live-online batch (for remote aspirants) | ₹ 95,500 approx |
| Optional-Subject Courses (Mains optional papers) | ₹ 50,000 (offline) |
| Test Series / QIP / Mains Answer-Writing Modules / Interview Guidance (Add-ons) | Varying fees depending on program — check enrolment sheet |
Toppers of Rau’s IAS Academy
| Topper’s name | Year Rank | Year |
| Aditya Srivastava | 1 | 2023 |
| P K Sidharth Ramkumar | 4 | 2023 |
| Ruhani | 5 | 2023 |
| Ankita Agarwal | 2 | 2021 |
| Utkarsh Dwivedi | 5 | 2021 |
Contact Details & Location (Delhi Campus)
- Rau’s IAS Study Circle Delhi Campus (Old Rajinder Nagar) — 11B, Bada Bazar Road, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi 110060
- Rau’s IAS Study Circle CP Campus (for optional/special batches) — 309, Kanchenjunga Building, 18 Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001
- Phone / Contact (as per listing) — 011-4078 6050 / 98101 84722 / 90136 54269 etc.
- Website — raulias.com (for course details, registration, online batches)
Final Verdict: Is Rau’s IAS Study Circle the Right Choice for You?
Rau’s IAS Study Circle is a reasonable bet if you treat it with sense, caution, and self-discipline. It’s not a magic ticket to success. According to Rau’s IAS Academy Review, the institute offers the infrastructure, syllabus coverage, and legacy support that many aspirants look for. But in recent times, you’ve got to be extra careful: check batch sizes, verify current faculty quality, and above all, don’t depend only on the institute—plan a strong self-study and revision strategy.
For someone starting fresh, especially from outside Delhi, or wanting a full-spectrum UPSC CSE exam preparation under one roof (with option for UPSC online), Rau’s might give a fair chance — but outcomes will depend heavily on how seriously you take it. If you prefer small-batch mentoring, peer competition, optional-subject depth, or a safer environment, you might also consider newer or alternate coaching centres.
At the end of the day, clearing the IAS Exam isn’t about the institute alone. It’s about consistency, clarity, hard work, and a bit of grit. Rau’s can be a stepping stone — but you still need to climb.
FAQ
A lot of beginners go for Rau’s because the foundation programs cover everything from basics to advanced portions of the civil service exam.
Yes, Rau’s has online classes along with offline classroom programs in Delhi. Many aspirants outside Delhi choose the online mode, especially for UPSC prelims and regular answer-writing practice.
Fees are on the higher side compared to smaller institutes. The foundation courses and GS integrated programs are priced quite high, so it’s worth checking the syllabus coverage, faculty details, and whether the teaching style suits you before registering.
The test series is one of the popular parts of Rau’s. Many students say that regular tests, answer writing, and evaluation helped them understand the demands of UPSC Mains and get used to time pressure.
No institute is enough alone for the IAS exam. Even with a reputed coach like Rau’s, you’ll still need your own notes, consistent revision, and careful use of resources like the UPSC official website, previous year papers, and daily current affairs.
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