In the age of ICT we must not continue/stick to traditional classroom coaching but give a try to virtual classes. There are so many good youtube channels and websites (like mrunal, studychacha,pib,studydhaba, clear ias etc etc)that are providing GS and optional papers insight in a great way. The resources; audio,video and textual are innumerous.. my suggestion is that rather than wasting time and money over coaching institutes go for home-ICT based study.
But since you want to know about IAS academies I am providing you a piece of information based on my own research…
starting from the “so-called” top institutes
-Vajiram and Ravi is decent but they provide only regular classes(not good for delhiites living far from their institute)…moreover their classes for 2017 GS is full.. All four batches are full. They are charging 1 Lakh 33 thousand this time which is very high.
-Sriram’s coaching is also one among “so-called” reputed institutes…but same time is highly expensive which costs around 1 Lakh 50 thousand for GS(Pre+MAins+CSAT).
-Rao coaching is average but the magazine “Focus” is good. Rao institute has raised its fees from 1 Lakh 25 thousand (which was same till Aug 2016 Batch)to 1 lakh 35 thousand (for all of its upcoming batches… starting from october2016). (I feel sad for the owner of this money minded institute.)
-ALS is charging 99k for GS(Pre+mains+CSAT). not too expensive but at the same time not soo productive.
-Chanakya, Vision IAS(known for its test series), KSG, Byjus, Dristi, Nirvana are average to below average institutes.
that is all I know!
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thankyou