Lucknow has emerged as one of the important destinations for UPSC Civil Services Examination preparation in North India. The city offers a wide range of coaching options, from established national institutes to experienced local academies. Aspirants can find classroom programs, hybrid courses, test series, mentorship
here is a useful comparison of 10 popular UPSC coaching institutes in Lucknow
Drishti IAS is one of the most recognizable names in civil services preparation, particularly among Hindi-medium aspirants. Its Lucknow centre provides UPSC preparation along with programs related to Prelims, Mains, mentorship and test preparation.
The institute is known for its extensive study material, current-affairs resources, answer-writing support and emphasis on conceptual understanding. Students preparing in Hindi as well as English can find relevant programs.
For 2026, Drishti’s Lucknow centre is listed for UPSC programs, and its official website also provides separate fee structures for mentorship and test-series programs.
Approximate fee: ₹1 lakh–₹2 lakh+ depending on the Foundation/GS program.
Best suited for:
Hindi-medium UPSC aspirants
Students looking for structured GS preparation
Aspirants who want extensive study material
Candidates seeking mentorship and test support
Location: Burlington Arcade Mall, Vidhan Sabha Marg, Lucknow.
Vision IAS is widely known for its structured UPSC preparation ecosystem, particularly its current-affairs resources, test series and answer-writing programs.
Its Lucknow centre offers classroom Foundation Courses. The institute’s current official listing shows a Foundation Course 2027 Module 1 at ₹1,35,000 and Module 2 at ₹1,70,000 for Lucknow. A Foundation Course 2028 is listed at ₹1,75,000, while a 2029 course is listed at ₹2,00,000.
Approximate fee: ₹1.35 lakh–₹2 lakh depending on the batch and course.
Best suited for:
English-medium aspirants
Students who value test-based preparation
Candidates looking for structured Prelims + Mains preparation
Aspirants who want strong current-affairs resources
Shubhra Ranjan IAS is particularly popular among aspirants interested in Political Science & International Relations (PSIR). The institute also offers broader GS preparation programs.
Its teaching methodology focuses on conceptual clarity, structured notes and answer-writing. Recent 2026 coaching information places its GS Foundation fees approximately in the ₹1.10 lakh–₹1.60 lakh range, while integrated GS + PSIR programs can cost approximately ₹1.65 lakh–₹1.85 lakh.
Approximate fee: ₹1.10 lakh–₹1.85 lakh.
Best suited for:
PSIR aspirants
Students who prefer structured notes
Candidates looking for GS + Optional integration
RACE IAS is a Lucknow-based institute offering UPSC and other civil-services preparation. Its integrated General Studies program covers both Prelims and Mains, while the institute also provides test series and scholarship opportunities.
One advantage of RACE IAS is its focus on UPSC and UPPSC preparation, which can be useful for candidates targeting both national and state-level civil services.
Its official website currently lists UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 at ₹499 under a discounted listing, while its broader test-series information lists a regular price of ₹3,000.
Approximate Foundation fee: ₹85,000–₹1.10 lakh.
Best suited for:
UPSC + UPPSC aspirants
Students looking for an integrated program
Candidates interested in affordable test-series options
ALS IAS is an established civil-services coaching brand with a presence in Lucknow. The institute is known for structured UPSC preparation, study material, classroom teaching and access to experienced faculty.
Recent 2026 comparisons place the approximate GS fee for ALS Lucknow in the ₹1.20 lakh–₹1.50 lakh range.
ALS can be considered by students who prefer a conventional classroom approach combined with structured study resources.
Approximate fee: ₹1.20 lakh–₹1.50 lakh.
Best suited for:
Students seeking structured classroom coaching
Aspirants looking for comprehensive GS preparation
Candidates who prefer an established coaching brand
Dhyeya IAS is another established option for civil-services aspirants in Lucknow. The institute offers preparation for UPSC, IAS, PCS and related examinations.
Recent 2026 coaching comparisons estimate its GS fee at approximately ₹65,000–₹95,000, placing it in a comparatively affordable segment.
Dhyeya can be an option for students who want classroom guidance without committing to some of the higher fees charged by premium institutes.
Approximate fee: ₹65,000–₹95,000.
Best suited for:
Budget-conscious aspirants
UPSC + UPPSC candidates
Students looking for comprehensive GS preparation
PW OnlyIAS combines online, hybrid and offline UPSC preparation. Its Lucknow centre offers UPSC offline and hybrid courses, while its broader platform provides Foundation, Optional, CSAT, Essay, Current Affairs, Test Series and Interview-related programs.
PW OnlyIAS is particularly attractive to students who are looking for cost-effective preparation and digital learning support. Its current online courses show multiple Foundation batches in the approximate ₹10,000–₹18,000 range, although these are specific online batches and should not be confused with the complete offline program fee.
Approximate fee: Highly course-dependent; online programs can start from around ₹10,000+, while complete offline programs are priced separately.
Best suited for:
Budget-conscious aspirants
Students comfortable with hybrid learning
Working professionals and college students
Aspirants who want online + offline flexibility
Chahal Academy is a national UPSC coaching network with a structured approach to Foundation courses, Optional Subjects, interview preparation and Prelims/Mains test series.
Recent 2026 comparisons estimate its Lucknow UPSC fee at approximately ₹70,000–₹1 lakh, depending on the program.
The institute follows a module-based approach, with emphasis on syllabus coverage, tests and performance tracking.
Approximate fee: ₹70,000–₹1 lakh.
Best suited for:
Beginners starting UPSC preparation
Students looking for structured modules
Aspirants seeking a relatively affordable option
Sarthak IAS is a Lucknow-based institute that focuses on UPSC and UPPSC preparation. It is located in the Kapoorthala/Aliganj area and has been associated with civil-services preparation for several years.
The institute emphasizes conceptual learning, answer writing, test practice and personality development. Local coaching listings currently identify Sarthak IAS as a UPSC/IAS/PCS preparation centre.
Some published listings place its full UPSC program around ₹1.20 lakh, although students should confirm the current batch-specific fee directly with the institute.
Approximate fee: Around ₹1.20 lakh.
Best suited for:
UPSC + UPPSC aspirants
Students seeking classroom-based preparation
Candidates interested in answer-writing practice
Samarpan IAS is a Lucknow-based institute offering preparation for UPSC Civil Services and various State PCS examinations.
Its stated approach combines teaching, mentorship and personalized guidance. The institute currently lists UPSC/IAS/PCS programs and test-series courses. Its online platform, for example, lists a GS Foundation IAS/PCS 2027 course at a discounted price of ₹25,000 at the time of checking.
Approximate fee: Course-dependent; complete classroom programs may cost considerably more than individual online courses.