Where are the UPSC hotspots in Delhi?

enrouteI
February 22, 2024

The UPSC civil service exam, one of the toughest exams in our country, attracts lakhs of aspirants every year. As compared to other prominent Indian examinations like JEE, NEET, CAT and many more, the success rate for UPSC is less than one percent. But still, this exam continues to hold great importance and is considered the top choice for the majority of the students in the nation. Reasons for this are multiple. One of the most important ones is that after clearing it, aspirants enter the nation’s bureaucracy and work closely with other prestigious leaders, which in turn has its perks. Secondly, UPSC is not stream-specific, which is the main reason that aspirants from all over different backgrounds (science, commerce, management, medical) can sit for the same. But with its success rate very low, UPSC preparation is a key challenge for the aspirants. The journey is equally important and throughout the preparation requires great patience, perseverance and a proper study environment and, for that, Delhi caters the best.

It’s not surprising to anyone that Delhi is well-known as a perfect hotspot for preparation for UPSC. Not just UPSC, but the city offers a great environment for many competitive exams. This article shall focus on major Delhi colonies that are best known for preparing for UPSC exams.

WHY DELHI FOR UPSC?

`(Source- Reddit; the old Rajendra Nagar of Delhi)

(Source- DNA India; Mukherjee Nagar of Delhi)

Every year, many aspiring students, filled with hope, some carrying their dreams while some trying to fulfil those of their parents, with great zeal and motivation come to Delhi. These students, despite coming from different states of India, religion, caste, hold different values and beliefs, have one thing in common and that is to become an IAS officer. Their only goal is to clear the UPSC exam. For them, coming to Delhi is crucial for their career because the city offers them a perfect, vibrant aura and required resources that they need during their preparation.

Some of the important UPSC hubs are old Rajendra Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Karol bagh, Laxmi Nagar. All of them are famous for the preparation of many other competitive exams as well.

These regions have emerged and developed over the period of time. There are many prestigious UPSC coaching centres (Vajirao IAS, Drishti IAS, Shri Ram IAS and many more) that offer the finest assistance to the students in the famous mohallas of Rajendra Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Karol bagh etc. Most of the Aspirants, since they come from middle class or poor background, take up ‘loans’ to enrol themselves in these coaching institutes. All these regions have well-known English medium coaching centres, but one will find the majority of the hindi medium coaching institutes in Mukherjee Nagar. Since Mukherjee Nagar is also close to the north campus of University of Delhi, the region is also filled with many college students.

Apart from having renowned coaching institutions, another factor for these spots to emerge as an educational hub is the pocket-friendly accommodation. There are many PGs, student hostels available at affordable prices that attract many students. One can surely find 2 to 4 people living in one small room. Some also pay a little extra to live individually in one room. In places like Old Rajendra Nagar of West Delhi, more than 70% of the students living in the vicinity are from different regions, making the place more cosmopolitan than any other region of Delhi. These PGs and hostels are nearby coaching institutes that actually prevent student’s unnecessary travel expenses. But the travel facilities are also not very costly. The metro linkages of various regions offer a smooth journey and costs around 1000 to 1500 rs per month. Apart from that, local DTC buses, autos, electric rickshaws are also an ideal choice for the students.

(Source- Navbharat Times; Advertisements of various coaching institutes in Mukherjee Nagar)

(Source- Hindustan Times; students in a PG of Old Rajendra Nagar)

For living, good and hygienic food is equally important for the aspirants. There are numerous food thelas on the lanes of Mukherjee Nagar and Rajendra Nagar that provide food at cheaper rates. To get healthier food, many students go for Dabbawalas (tiffin service) that provide home-cooked meals. Besides these food stalls, there are many chai tapris where students, after their classes or during their study break, come and refresh themselves with a cup of tea. These chai tapris also act as a spot where students from various backgrounds assemble and interact with each other, talking about their classes, strategies and preparation. The stalls and every other poll on the road are also packed with advertisements that remind students about UPSC preparation at every moment.

There is a lot of other assistance available. The most important one is the availability of libraries and bookstores in the vicinity of the coaching institutes and PGs. The majority of them are open 24×7, providing required study materials for the students. Another major factor for these spots to be suitable for is safety. One can easily find students walking freely on the lane at around 2:00 am in the night, while others studying late at night come for a cup of tea. Therefore, these places are safe for living and provide a perfect and disciplined environment for civil service examination.

There are also some movies and web series made to portray the lives of UPSC aspirants that are shot in Mukherjee Nagar and Rajendra Nagar.

One recent example is the 2023 blockbuster 12th Fail starring Vikrant Messy. The movie is based on the real life events of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma and IRS Shraddha Joshi. It beautifully captures the fearless journey of Manoj Kumar who works hard day and night to crack the world’s toughest exam, UPSC civil service examination. In order to show the real life scenarios, the movie’s director Vinod Chopra shot the majority of its scenes in the lanes of Mukherjee Nagar. Similarly, Prime Video’s web series ASPIRANTS is another great example which is shot in old Rajendra Nagar. The series is about three friends, Abhilash, Guru and SK situated in Rajendra Nagar and their constant efforts to crack UPSC. The series gives an insight into the actual life of an aspirant, the struggles they encounter, their failures and how they cope.

(Source- The Times of India; a still from 12th Fail where Manoj (on the left) and Shraddha (on the right) are sitting in a UPSC coaching)

(Source- Film Companion; cast of ASPIRANTS in Old Rajendra Nagar)

Mukherjee Nagar and Rajendra Nagar have in them a lot of emotions. Their lanes have experienced an aspirant’s victory for clearing the UPSC exam, their happiness, an aspirant’s heartbreak and tears for not getting success, an aspirant’s constant patience for trying again and again, an aspirant’s fear of losing, an aspirant’s anger and frustration, through many years. Some achieved success while some who didn’t, surely had a lot to learn from there. Therefore, these places of Delhi itself tell many tales depicting a myriad of emotions.

REFERENCE

navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/education/education-news/mukherjee-nagar-famous-for-upsc-civil-services-exam-know-in-5-point-why-a-large-number-of-students-come-here-for-preparation/articleshow/101016033.cms
youthdestination.in/3-best-places-to-live-in-delhi-for-upsc-preparation/
thepatriot.in/education/old-rajender-nagar-26207
www.thebetterindia.com/252874/delhi-upsc-exams-tips-old-rajinder-nagar-civil-service-aspirants-finances-pgs-libraries-how-to-get-tutions-classes-stay-india-gop94/
theprint.in/ground-reports/some-upsc-aspirants-dont-quit-mukherjee-nagar-even-after-failing-they-become-the-bhaiyas/1894903/?amp
www.localsamosa.com/2021/05/31/heres-why-west-delhis-rajendra-nagar-is-a-home-to-all-upsc-aspirants/