Prepp IAS has discontinued their Foundation Course without even informing students. Students are not getting access to their classes and resources completely.

What i have heard, all of their faculties have left or thrown out (don't know the reality)

Students are still waiting for access to some subject classes.

Now i hear about their mentorship also on this community.

Student of Prepp IAS foundation course - what's the reality?

If things are true - what would happen with the future of students

Many UPSC aspirants invest ₹40,000–₹50,000 (or more) in online coaching and later feel that the actual course is very different from what was promised.

Based on my experience in the UPSC ecosystem and interactions with aspirants, here is a checklist that may help you make a better decision.

Checklist

1. Check credibility properly

Don't rely only on marketing material or Google reviews. Read Reddit and other public discussions to understand both positive and negative experiences.

2. Understand every course deliverable Ask clearly about:

Faculty , Live classes, Recordings, Test series, Mentorship, Answer writing, Doubt support

3. Get everything in writing in Official Mail

Don't depend only on verbal promises or WhatsApp chats. Ask for important commitments on the institute's official email.

4. Read the brochure carefully
If anything is unclear, ask questions before paying. Don't assume anything.

5. Verify selection claims
Don't rely only on short topper videos or advertisements. Try to verify how the topper was actually associated with the institute.

6. Clarify course details
Ask about:

• Course duration, Faculty, Recording availability
• What happens if a faculty member or mentor leaves midway

7. Negotiate the fee

Don't hesitate to bargain. Discounts are often available. Compare prices with other students if possible. You may also get better discounts towards the end of the month when sales teams are trying to achieve their monthly targets.

8. Read the refund policy carefully
Understand:

• Eligibility , Time limit, Refund amount, Process
• Whether its reasonable/logical

9. If joining a mentorship programme, ask:

• Who will be your mentor?
• What are their credentials?
• Can the mentor change midway?
• Take demo session with the mentor and understand approach
• How many students are assigned to one mentor?
• How many sessions are guaranteed every month?
• Duration of each session?
• Will your answers be evaluated by the mentor?
• What happens if committed sessions are not conducted?

10. Understand the quality of mentorship Ask whether mentorship sessions will be:

• Generic (same guidance for everyone), or
• Personalized, issue-oriented, and based on your preparation level, answer copies, and test performance.
• A mentorship programme should ideally focus on solving your problems, not just giving generic motivation.

11. Evaluate the quality of academic content yourself
Before joining, ask for sample content and check:

• Is it updated as per the latest UPSC pattern?
• Does it reflect recent PYQs and changing trends?
• Is it conceptually strong and well-researched?
• Does it look original, or is it generic content that could have been produced using AI tools?

Don't rely only on brochures or marketing claims.

12. Verify the quality of Prelims & Mains material
Ask for sample:

• Prelims MCQs
• Mains questions
• Answer evaluation (if available)

Judge whether the questions reflect the current UPSC trend rather than simply being lengthy or difficult.

This checklist is based on my experience and is not exhaustive.

If you think there are other important questions every UPSC aspirant should ask before joining an online coaching institute, please add them in the comments. It may help someone make a better decision.

Many UPSC aspirants invest ₹40,000–₹50,000 (or more) in online coaching and later feel that the actual course is very different from what was promised.

Based on my experience in the UPSC ecosystem and interactions with aspirants, here is a checklist that may help you make a better decision.

Checklist

1. Check credibility properly

Don't rely only on marketing material or Google reviews. Read Reddit and other public discussions to understand both positive and negative experiences.

2. Understand every course deliverable Ask clearly about:

Faculty , Live classes, Recordings, Test series, Mentorship, Answer writing, Doubt support

3. Get everything in writing in Official Mail

Don't depend only on verbal promises or WhatsApp chats. Ask for important commitments on the institute's official email.

4. Read the brochure carefully
If anything is unclear, ask questions before paying. Don't assume anything.

5. Verify selection claims
Don't rely only on short topper videos or advertisements. Try to verify how the topper was actually associated with the institute.

6. Clarify course details
Ask about:

• Course duration, Faculty, Recording availability
• What happens if a faculty member or mentor leaves midway

7. Negotiate the fee

Don't hesitate to bargain. Discounts are often available. Compare prices with other students if possible. You may also get better discounts towards the end of the month when sales teams are trying to achieve their monthly targets.

8. Read the refund policy carefully
Understand:

• Eligibility , Time limit, Refund amount, Process
• Whether its reasonable/logical

9. If joining a mentorship programme, ask:

• Who will be your mentor?
• What are their credentials?
• Can the mentor change midway?
• Take demo session with the mentor and understand approach
• How many students are assigned to one mentor?
• How many sessions are guaranteed every month?
• Duration of each session?
• Will your answers be evaluated by the mentor?
• What happens if committed sessions are not conducted?

10. Understand the quality of mentorship Ask whether mentorship sessions will be:

• Generic (same guidance for everyone), or
• Personalized, issue-oriented, and based on your preparation level, answer copies, and test performance.
• A mentorship programme should ideally focus on solving your problems, not just giving generic motivation.

11. Evaluate the quality of academic content yourself
Before joining, ask for sample content and check:

• Is it updated as per the latest UPSC pattern?
• Does it reflect recent PYQs and changing trends?
• Is it conceptually strong and well-researched?
• Does it look original, or is it generic content that could have been produced using AI tools?

Don't rely only on brochures or marketing claims.

12. Verify the quality of Prelims & Mains material
Ask for sample:

• Prelims MCQs
• Mains questions
• Answer evaluation (if available)

Judge whether the questions reflect the current UPSC trend rather than simply being lengthy or difficult.

This checklist is based on my experience and is not exhaustive.

If you think there are other important questions every UPSC aspirant should ask before joining an online coaching institute, please add them in the comments. It may help someone make a better decision.

Many UPSC aspirants invest ₹40,000–₹50,000 (or more) in online coaching and later feel that the actual course is very different from what was promised.

Based on my experience in the UPSC ecosystem and interactions with aspirants, here is a checklist that may help you make a better decision.

Checklist

1. Check credibility properly

Don't rely only on marketing material or Google reviews. Read Reddit and other public discussions to understand both positive and negative experiences.

2. Understand every course deliverable Ask clearly about:

Faculty , Live classes, Recordings, Test series, Mentorship, Answer writing, Doubt support

3. Get everything in writing in Official Mail

Don't depend only on verbal promises or WhatsApp chats. Ask for important commitments on the institute's official email.

4. Read the brochure carefully
If anything is unclear, ask questions before paying. Don't assume anything.

5. Verify selection claims
Don't rely only on short topper videos or advertisements. Try to verify how the topper was actually associated with the institute.

6. Clarify course details
Ask about:

• Course duration, Faculty, Recording availability
• What happens if a faculty member or mentor leaves midway

7. Negotiate the fee

Don't hesitate to bargain. Discounts are often available. Compare prices with other students if possible. You may also get better discounts towards the end of the month when sales teams are trying to achieve their monthly targets.

8. Read the refund policy carefully
Understand:

• Eligibility , Time limit, Refund amount, Process
• Whether its reasonable/logical

9. If joining a mentorship programme, ask:

• Who will be your mentor?
• What are their credentials?
• Can the mentor change midway?
• Take demo session with the mentor and understand approach
• How many students are assigned to one mentor?
• How many sessions are guaranteed every month?
• Duration of each session?
• Will your answers be evaluated by the mentor?
• What happens if committed sessions are not conducted?

10. Understand the quality of mentorship Ask whether mentorship sessions will be:

• Generic (same guidance for everyone), or
• Personalized, issue-oriented, and based on your preparation level, answer copies, and test performance.
• A mentorship programme should ideally focus on solving your problems, not just giving generic motivation.

11. Evaluate the quality of academic content yourself
Before joining, ask for sample content and check:

• Is it updated as per the latest UPSC pattern?
• Does it reflect recent PYQs and changing trends?
• Is it conceptually strong and well-researched?
• Does it look original, or is it generic content that could have been produced using AI tools?

Don't rely only on brochures or marketing claims.

12. Verify the quality of Prelims & Mains material
Ask for sample:

• Prelims MCQs
• Mains questions
• Answer evaluation (if available)

Judge whether the questions reflect the current UPSC trend rather than simply being lengthy or difficult.

This checklist is based on my experience and is not exhaustive.

If you think there are other important questions every UPSC aspirant should ask before joining an online coaching institute, please add them in the comments. It may help someone make a better decision.

Many UPSC aspirants invest ₹40,000–₹50,000 (or more) in online coaching and later feel that the actual course is very different from what was promised.

Based on my experience in the UPSC ecosystem and interactions with aspirants, here is a checklist that may help you make a better decision.

Checklist

1. Check credibility properly

Don't rely only on marketing material or Google reviews. Read Reddit and other public discussions to understand both positive and negative experiences.

2. Understand every course deliverable Ask clearly about:

Faculty , Live classes, Recordings, Test series, Mentorship, Answer writing, Doubt support

3. Get everything in writing in Official Mail

Don't depend only on verbal promises or WhatsApp chats. Ask for important commitments on the institute's official email.

4. Read the brochure carefully
If anything is unclear, ask questions before paying. Don't assume anything.

5. Verify selection claims
Don't rely only on short topper videos or advertisements. Try to verify how the topper was actually associated with the institute.

6. Clarify course details
Ask about:

• Course duration, Faculty, Recording availability
• What happens if a faculty member or mentor leaves midway

7. Negotiate the fee

Don't hesitate to bargain. Discounts are often available. Compare prices with other students if possible. You may also get better discounts towards the end of the month when sales teams are trying to achieve their monthly targets.

8. Read the refund policy carefully
Understand:

• Eligibility , Time limit, Refund amount, Process
• Whether its reasonable/logical

9. If joining a mentorship programme, ask:

• Who will be your mentor?
• What are their credentials?
• Can the mentor change midway?
• Take demo session with the mentor and understand approach
• How many students are assigned to one mentor?
• How many sessions are guaranteed every month?
• Duration of each session?
• Will your answers be evaluated by the mentor?
• What happens if committed sessions are not conducted?

10. Understand the quality of mentorship Ask whether mentorship sessions will be:

• Generic (same guidance for everyone), or
• Personalized, issue-oriented, and based on your preparation level, answer copies, and test performance.
• A mentorship programme should ideally focus on solving your problems, not just giving generic motivation.

11. Evaluate the quality of academic content yourself
Before joining, ask for sample content and check:

• Is it updated as per the latest UPSC pattern?
• Does it reflect recent PYQs and changing trends?
• Is it conceptually strong and well-researched?
• Does it look original, or is it generic content that could have been produced using AI tools?

Don't rely only on brochures or marketing claims.

12. Verify the quality of Prelims & Mains material
Ask for sample:

• Prelims MCQs
• Mains questions
• Answer evaluation (if available)

Judge whether the questions reflect the current UPSC trend rather than simply being lengthy or difficult.

This checklist is based on my experience and is not exhaustive.

If you think there are other important questions every UPSC aspirant should ask before joining an online coaching institute, please add them in the comments. It may help someone make a better decision.

Prepp IAS closed Foundation program in between without even informing to students. Is this True? Any Prepp IAS Foundation Course student?