Who Wins the Battle of UPSC Coaching? Khan Sir vs Drishti IAS – The Ultimate Showdown Revealed!

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Khan Sir and Drishti IAS are two of the most recognized names in the world of competitive exam preparation in India. Many students preparing for government jobs or the UPSC Civil Services Examination want to know which is the best between Khan Sir and Drishti IAS.

Introduction

In India, exam aspirants have many options for coaching. Khan Sir and Drishti IAS are among the most popular choices. They have helped thousands of students prepare for tough exams like UPSC, SSC, banking, and state government posts. Both have different teaching styles and unique advantages.

About Khan Sir

Khan Sir, whose real name is Faizal Khan, was born in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, in 1993. He started his career in Patna and now runs Khan GS Research Centre. His centre quickly became famous due to his humorous and engaging teaching style. Khan Sir explains complicated concepts in a simple local dialect and uses real-life examples to help students understand topics easily.

  • Teaching Style: Khan Sir mixes humor with learning. He tries to make every topic easy to understand, even for beginners.
  • Subjects Covered: General Studies, History, Geography, Polity, Current Affairs, and more.
  • Language: Mostly Hindi, sometimes English as needed.
  • Fees: Extremely low, starting from just ₹200 per class, which makes him very accessible to poor students.
  • Online Reach: Over 24 million YouTube subscribers. He offers free lectures and also runs paid online courses.
  • Philosophy: Education for all. Khan Sir often gives free classes and is committed to making learning affordable and accessible.
  • Awards: Khan Sir has received several awards and is widely respected for his contributions.

About Drishti IAS

Drishti IAS is one of India’s oldest and most respected coaching institutes. Established in 1999, it is based in Delhi and has several branches across major cities.

  • Teaching Approach: Expert faculty, structured programs, detailed study materials, and regular mock tests.
  • Subjects Covered: Complete UPSC syllabus including GS, optional subjects, CSAT, and current affairs.
  • Language: Hindi and English medium available. Multiple centers nationwide.
  • Fees: ₹2,50,000 for offline coaching and ₹1,00,000 for online coaching. Scholarships and discounts are sometimes available.
  • Offline and Online: Offers both classroom coaching and online learning platforms.
  • Student Support: Personalized mentorship, doubt clearing sessions, and strong counseling services.
  • Results: Drishti IAS has produced many top UPSC rankers. It is known for its consistent track record.
  • Infrastructure: Large, well-equipped classrooms with digital boards, screens, and comfortable seating.

Teaching Style Comparison

FeatureKhan SirDrishti IAS
StyleHumorous, RelatableStructured, Professional
LanguageMostly HindiHindi & English
Batch SizeSmaller, more personal online reach250+ per batch in some centres
Doubt SessionsDuring lectures/YouTube commentsScheduled, sometimes crowded
InteractionHigh online engagementFace-to-face + online options
FeesVery low (₹200/lecture)High (₹2,50,000 offline, ₹1,00,000 online) 

Student Experiences

  • Khan Sir:
    • Students appreciate his simple explanations, jokes, and stories.
    • Many poor students feel inspired by his affordable classes.
    • His reach through YouTube allows learners from villages and cities to connect.
    • Some say his topics are more general and may not cover deep UPSC details.
    • His impact is higher among beginners and state-level exam aspirants.
  • Drishti IAS:
    • Students value the quality of study material and regular testing.
    • Classes are big, sometimes making it hard to ask questions.
    • The faculty are experienced, and they encourage doubt resolution and motivation.
    • The institute is better for those who want a rigorous, exam-focused environment.
    • Many successful UPSC candidates are alumni of Drishti IAS.

Detailed Feature Breakdown

Study Material

  • Khan Sir:
    • Uses anecdotes and locally relevant examples.
    • Materials are brief but easy to understand.
    • Online course notes are available via YouTube and mobile apps.
    • Ideal for self-starters and beginners.
  • Drishti IAS:
    • Study packages cover prelims, mains, and optional subjects.
    • Materials include detailed notes, practice questions, test series, and current affairs.
    • Regular updates and access to a wide range of books.

Infrastructure

  • Khan Sir:
    • Main center in Patna.
    • Mostly online and app-based programs.
    • Offline classes are smaller and focused.
  • Drishti IAS:
    • Large buildings in Delhi and other cities.
    • Big classrooms with digital screens and modern amenities.
    • Facilities for Hindi and English medium aspirants.

Course Fees

InstituteOffline FeesOnline FeesFree Content
Khan Sir₹200/class, low batch₹200/class, online appYouTube channel
Drishti IAS₹2,50,000 full course₹1,00,000 full courseDemos, some notes

Additional Features

  • Khan Sir:
    • Runs motivational sessions for students.
    • Offers free classes for poor students.
    • Known for his secular and patriotic values. Often discusses topics with national interest.
    • Faces challenges but stays committed to low fees.
    • Has faced some controversy but remains popular.
  • Drishti IAS:
    • Strong guidance for answer writing and current affairs.
    • Personalized mentoring available for students.
    • Dedicated portal for personality tests, ethics, and strategy sessions.
    • Batch strength can be high; more suited for disciplined students.

Why Choose Khan Sir?

  • Budget-friendly for poor and middle-class students.
  • Engaging lectures make boring topics interesting.
  • Flexible online learning options.
  • Simplifies complex topics. Suitable for beginners.
  • Massive online outreach for remote learners.

Why Choose Drishti IAS?

  • Well-structured courses for UPSC with expert teachers.
  • Thorough study material and regular exam practice.
  • Greater discipline and exam focus.
  • Offline interaction with faculty and peers.
  • Track record of successful candidates.

Limitations

  • Khan Sir: May not cover every UPSC-specific topic deeply. More suited for foundation building and general studies.
  • Drishti IAS: Higher fees may not suit all students. Big batches sometimes limit personalized mentoring.

Final Word: Who Is Best?

The answer depends on personal needs:

  • Choose Khan Sir if looking for affordable, engaging, and beginner-friendly education. His teaching style is fun, and his classes are accessible to all, especially for those just starting preparation or from weaker economic backgrounds.
  • Choose Drishti IAS for full-scale UPSC preparation, access to expert faculty, detailed study materials, and regular testing. It is ideal for serious aspirants ready for focused and disciplined study in a classroom setup.

Both are excellent in their own ways. The choice depends on budget, location, readiness for hybrid learning, and which teaching style suits individual preferences. Aspirants should think about their needs and then choose accordingly.

FAQs

Q: Is Khan Sir good for UPSC?

A: Yes, for basic concepts and general studies. However, for deeper subject preparation, consider combining with another resource.

Q: Is Drishti IAS the best for UPSC?

A: Drishti IAS is renowned for its coaching track record, especially for serious UPSC aspirants. Many toppers are alumni.

Q: Do both institutes offer online classes?

A: Yes, both Khan Sir and Drishti IAS have online learning platforms.

Q: Can poor students join Drishti IAS?

A: Fees are high, but scholarships and discounts are available for eligible students. Khan Sir is more affordable.

Q: Does Khan Sir provide notes and books?

A: Yes, through his YouTube channel, app, and select paid courses.

Q: Are mock tests provided?

A: Drishti IAS offers regular mock tests and personal feedback. Khan Sir may not have extensive mock test series for UPSC but provides general guidance.

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