In Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, three students tragically lost their lives when the basement they were in suddenly flooded. These young aspirants came to Delhi with dreams of joining the civil services, aiming to become IAS and IPS officers. They were preparing in tiny cubicle-like rooms within the narrow lanes of Old Rajendra Nagar. This area is not the only place where students' struggles are visible—such scenarios are prevalent in many cities across the country.
Old Rajendra Nagar: Every Inch Holds a Price
Student Rupendra, preparing in Old Rajendra Nagar, shares how everyone seems to be money-hungry in this area. Rooms as small as cubicles are rented for 20,000 INR. Basements are converted into libraries as an 'exit' for students. You'll find a basement library at every step, approximately 60 to 70 of them, each accommodating 300-400 students. They all follow a single formula: one entry, one exit. In the event of an accident, students cannot escape.
Mukherjee Nagar Faces Similar Conditions
Mukherjee Nagar, another major hub for IAS and IPS preparation in Delhi, faces similar conditions. A few months ago, a fire broke out in a coaching center, causing students to jump from heights like toys. The lack of facilities, high fees, and cramped residential conditions in places like Nehru Vihar are common complaints among students here. Om Agrawal, a student preparing for the past four years, mentions that they frequently raise these issues but have little time for constant protests or court cases. Recently, they protested demanding the closure of basement classes and libraries, and solutions for waterlogging and tangled wires in their locality.
Coaching Hubs in Prayagraj
Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) was once a major hub for UPSC coaching 15-20 years ago. Even though students now have to move to other states for preparation, the city still hosts many aspirants. Areas like Allapur, Daraganj, Teliarganj, and Baghaada have narrow lanes, dark rooms, and tangled wires, much like the conditions in Mukherjee Nagar or Old Rajendra Nagar.
Emerging Coaching Hubs: Lucknow, Jaipur, Patna
In recent years, cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, and Patna have been growing as coaching hubs. Brand-name coaching centers are setting up branches in Lucknow's Kapurthala and Aliganj areas. Similarly, Rajasthan's capital Jaipur and Bihar's capital Patna are also becoming UPSC coaching centers.
No Regulatory Body for Coaching Institutes
Educator Shashiprakash Singh, who has been teaching students in coaching institutes for nearly 15 years, points out that coaching institutes have become a big business. The main issue is the lack of a regulatory body to oversee them. These institutes are known for their arbitrariness. No rules or laws are strictly implemented, and there's no regulatory authority to monitor whether they follow any parameters before opening a coaching center.
