Drishti IAS
Drishti IAS (VDK Eduventures Pvt Ltd) is an Indian EdTech coaching company offering bilingual online courses, test series, classroom programmes, and publications for UPSC Civil Services and State PCS exam aspirants, delivered via the Drishti Learning App, nine physical centers, and Drishti Media.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Drishti IAS does
Drishti IAS, operated by VDK Eduventures Pvt Ltd, is an Indian EdTech coaching company specializing in preparation for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination and multiple State Public Service Commission examinations. Founded by Vikas Divyakirti, a former Indian Police Service officer, the company delivers bilingual (English and Hindi) content to a B2C base of individual aspirants. Its product surface spans GS Foundation Courses (online and pendrive formats), All India Test Series for UPSC Prelims and Mains, optional subject courses, interview guidance with mock interviews, mentorship programmes, and the ASMITA scholarship initiative providing sustained support across Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages.
The company operates a multi-format technology stack: the Drishti Learning App (available on Android, iOS, and Windows) serves as the primary delivery platform for video lectures, study materials, and practice quizzes, complemented by a web platform and a separate test-series portal. Content is supported by Drishti Media (bilingual YouTube channels in English and Hindi) and Drishti Publications (books and the monthly Drishti Current Affairs Today magazine, sold via Amazon and the company's own e-store). Customer support runs on Zendesk, and payments are processed via third-party gateways. The company also operates nine physical classroom centers across major Hindi-belt aspirant hubs including Delhi (Karol Bagh and Mukherjee Nagar), Noida, Patna, Jaipur, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Indore, and Ranchi.
Monetization is diversified across subscription-based online courses, one-time pendrive course sales, subscription test series, classroom programmes with structured batch-based enrollment, one-time publication sales, and professional services for interview guidance. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the company runs periodic sales (e.g., New Session Sale offering up to 50% discounts) and maintains a tiered refund policy. Marketing is primarily product-led and community-led, leveraging freemium content, daily current affairs quizzes, topper testimonials, and YouTube-driven brand building rather than paid acquisition. The company remains privately held with no disclosed institutional funding, though it faced an Rs 8 lakh CCPA fine in recent enforcement action against misleading coaching advertisements.
Drishti IAS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Drishti IAS
- Legal name
- VDK Eduventures Pvt Ltd
- Website
- https://drishtiias.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Drishti IAS (VDK Eduventures Pvt Ltd) is an Indian EdTech coaching company offering bilingual online courses, test series, classroom programmes, and publications for UPSC Civil Services and State PCS exam aspirants, delivered via the Drishti Learning App, nine physical centers, and Drishti Media.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Drishti IAS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Test Preparation Services (UPSC and State Civil Services Coaching)
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Honors & Advanced Coursework Tutoring (non-AP/IB) (EDANAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Note-Taking, Reading & Comprehension Strategies (EDANADAC)
Keywords
Where Drishti IAS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Delhi
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices9 records
Markets served
Drishti IAS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Online Course Subscriptions: Subscription-based access to video courses, study materials, and test series through the Drishti Learning App and website. Users can purchase individual courses or comprehensive programmes.
- Pendrive Courses: One-time purchase of offline video courses delivered via USB drive, providing access to recorded lectures without internet dependency
- Test Series: Subscription-based access to All India Test Series for UPSC Prelims, Mains, and various State PCS examinations
- Publications: Sale of books and monthly magazines (Drishti Current Affairs Today) through Amazon store and Drishti web store
- Classroom Programmes: In-person coaching programmes at physical centers across India, with structured schedules and batch-based enrollment
- Interview Guidance Programme: Mock interview sessions and personality test preparation for candidates who have cleared Mains examination
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | GS Foundation Course |
| Subscription | Annual | Test Series Subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pendrive Courses |
| Subscription | Annual | Mentorship Programmes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Drishti IAS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Drishti IAS provides coaching and learning resources for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and State Public Service Commission (PCS) examinations. Core offerings include comprehensive General Studies Foundation Courses in English and Hindi mediums, All India Test Series for Prelims and Mains, optional subject courses, interview guidance programmes, and state-specific exam preparation. These are delivered through the Drishti Learning App (iOS, Android, Windows), the drishtiias.com web platform, nine physical classroom centers across India, and offline pendrive and postal distance-learning formats. Supporting offerings include Drishti Publications (books and the monthly Drishti Current Affairs Today magazine), the ASMITA sustained-support initiative, and the Drishti Mentorship Programme.
Product overview
Drishti IAS is an EdTech platform specializing in UPSC and State PCS exam preparation, offering a multi-format learning ecosystem. The core offering consists of GS Foundation Courses (online and pendrive formats) and Test Series (Prelims & Mains), accessible through the Drishti Learning App (Android, iOS, Windows). The platform provides supplementary products including To The Point study materials, Mind Maps, NCERT Courses, and Distance Learning Programs. Interview preparation is supported through the Interview Guidance Programme with mock interviews. State-level exam preparation covers multiple state PSCs. Drishti Publications produces books and the monthly Drishti Current Affairs Today magazine. The ASMITA Initiative and Mentorship Programmes offer additional guided support. Drishti Media delivers content via YouTube channels. The product architecture is web-based with mobile apps, supported by third-party payment gateways and distribution through Amazon and app stores.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Drishti Learning App: Mobile and desktop application for UPSC and State PCS preparation with online courses, test series, and study materials
- Drishti Publications
- Drishti Media
- ASMITA
- Drishti The Vision
Products and services
- GS Foundation Course Comprehensive foundation course for UPSC Civil Services Examination preparation covering General Studies papers for both Prelims and Mains. Available in English and Hindi mediums through online and pendrive formats, with current promotional offers providing up to 50% discount during periodic sales campaigns.
- UPSC Test Series (Prelims & Mains) All India Test Series for UPSC Prelims and Mains examinations, available in English and Hindi, with free mock tests also offered. Covers the full UPSC syllabus through structured practice tests.
- Optional Subject Courses Specialized online courses for UPSC Mains optional subjects including Hindi Literature, Political Science & International Relations, History, Geography, and Philosophy. Pendrive courses also available for offline access.
- Interview Guidance Programme Mock interview sessions and personality test preparation for UPSC candidates who have cleared the Mains examination. Features toppers' mock interviews and expert feedback.
- State PCS Preparation Comprehensive preparation resources for State Public Service Commission examinations covering multiple states including UPPSC, BPSC, HCS, RAS, MPPSC, UKPSC, JPSC, and MPSC, with state-specific test series.
- Daily Free Mains Answer Writing Program Daily practice program providing two UPSC-standard questions with free evaluation, covering all GS papers and essay writing.
- Distance Learning Program (DLP) Postal/distance learning program providing study materials for self-paced preparation delivered physically to the learner.
- NCERT Course Online course utilizing NCERT textbooks for UPSC preparation. Free downloads of NCERT books also available to learners.
- Drishti Mentorship Programme Personalized mentorship programme including GS Mains Mentorship and Optional Subject Mentorship for focused preparation, providing guidance and support throughout the preparation journey.
- ASMITA Initiative Scholarly support program providing sustained academic and logistical support to UPSC aspirants beyond Prelims, covering Mains, Interview, and subsequent examination cycles. 11 candidates from ASMITA were recommended in the UPSC CSE 2025 final list including Ravi Raaz at AIR 20.
- Drishti Publications Books & Magazines Published books and the monthly magazine 'Drishti Current Affairs Today' available through the Drishti e-store and Amazon store.
- Drishti Learning App Multi-platform mobile and desktop application available on Android, iOS, and Windows providing access to online courses, test series, study materials, and practice quizzes. Operates on a freemium model with free content (quizzes, sample materials) and paid subscriptions for full course access.
Quantifiable outcome
- 11 candidates from ASMITA programme in UPSC CSE 2025 final list with Ravi Raaz securing AIR 20
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Drishti IAS
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Drishti IAS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
Drishti IAS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Drishti IAS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Testbook: Testbook is an online test preparation platform focused primarily on government exams (banking, SSC, railways) with selective UPSC offerings. It overlaps with Drishti IAS in the broader government-exam preparation space, particularly in test series and online mock tests.
Direct peers
- IASbaba: IASbaba is an online UPSC preparation platform offering daily current affairs, test series, and integrated learning programmes. It serves a similar aspirant base to Drishti IAS with a primarily digital delivery model and content-driven approach.
- Vajiram & Ravi: Vajiram & Ravi is a Delhi-headquartered UPSC Civil Services coaching institute offering classroom programmes, test series, and online courses in a similar multi-format model to Drishti IAS. It is one of the oldest and most recognised UPSC coaching brands, competing directly for the same aspirant base across Hindi and English mediums.
- Plutus IAS: Plutus IAS is a Delhi-based UPSC coaching institute providing online classes, test series, and interview guidance programmes. It targets the same UPSC aspirant segment as Drishti IAS with a comparable multi-format delivery approach.
- Unacademy: Unacademy is one of India's largest online learning platforms with a dedicated UPSC Civil Services vertical offering live classes, test series, and subscription courses. It is a direct competitor to Drishti IAS in the online UPSC segment, with a broader technology-driven delivery model.
- ForumIAS (Forum Centre): ForumIAS is an online UPSC preparation platform providing test series, current affairs, and mentorship programmes. It targets the same aspirant demographic as Drishti IAS with comparable subscription-based online offerings and active community engagement.
- ClearIAS: ClearIAS is an online UPSC preparation platform offering study materials, mock tests, and interview guidance with strong emphasis on free content and aspirant-friendly resources. It competes with Drishti IAS for the same online-first UPSC aspirant segment.
- Vision IAS: Vision IAS is a leading UPSC preparation institute based in Delhi, offering classroom programmes, online courses, test series, and interview guidance. It competes head-on with Drishti IAS across the full UPSC lifecycle and shares a similar bilingual, multi-format delivery approach.
- GKToday: GKToday is an online platform offering UPSC preparation content, current affairs, quizzes, and study materials. It competes with Drishti IAS in the online content and practice test space, particularly for aspirants seeking free and affordable resources.
Broad incumbents
- BYJU's Exam Prep: BYJU's Exam Prep is the test-preparation vertical of BYJU's offering UPSC, banking, SSC, and other government exam preparation through online courses, test series, and live classes. It is a broader incumbent covering multiple exam categories including UPSC, with greater scale and capital resources than Drishti IAS.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Drishti IAS social profiles
Digital presenceDrishti IAS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Drishti IAS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Drishti IAS subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Drishti IAS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Drishti IAS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Drishti IAS
What does Drishti IAS do?
Drishti IAS provides coaching and learning resources for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and State Public Service Commission (PCS) examinations. Core offerings include comprehensive General Studies Foundation Courses in English and Hindi mediums, All India Test Series for Prelims and Mains, optional subject courses, interview guidance programmes, and state-specific exam preparation. These are delivered through the Drishti Learning App (iOS, Android, Windows), the drishtiias.com web platform, nine physical classroom centers across India, and offline pendrive and postal distance-learning formats. Supporting offerings include Drishti Publications (books and the monthly Drishti Current Affairs Today magazine), the ASMITA sustained-support initiative, and the Drishti Mentorship Programme.
Is Drishti IAS a public or private company?
Drishti IAS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Drishti IAS founded?
Drishti IAS was founded in 1999. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Drishti IAS based?
Drishti IAS is headquartered in New Delhi, India, in the Asia region.
How does Drishti IAS make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Online Course Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are pendrive Courses, test Series, publications, classroom Programmes and interview Guidance Programme.
Who are Drishti IAS's main competitors?
Testbook is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are IASbaba, Vajiram & Ravi, Plutus IAS, Unacademy, ForumIAS (Forum Centre), ClearIAS, Vision IAS and GKToday. BYJU's Exam Prep is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Drishti IAS have an API?
No public API is recorded for Drishti IAS.
What industry is Drishti IAS in?
Drishti IAS's product category is Test Preparation Services (UPSC and State Civil Services Coaching). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAKAD, Honors & Advanced Coursework Tutoring (non-AP/IB), with a secondary code of EDANADAC, Note-Taking, Reading & Comprehension Strategies. Its NAICS code is 611691 and its SIC code is 8200.