In a stark aftermath of a tragic incident, days after three UPSC aspirants drowned in the flooded basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Delhi, rival coaching centers have embarked on a controversial spree of poaching distraught students by offering 'free education' and monetary support for those affected by the tragedy.

To clarify the harrowing incident, on July 27th, heavy rainfall in Delhi led to the flooding of a basement at Rau's IAS Study Circle—a space illicitly utilized as a library. "For the unversed, three young lives were lost (Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nivin Dalwin)" during this calamity. The basement, lacking an adequate escape route, became a death trap for the three students who unfortunately found themselves there at the wrong time.

The loss of Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nivin Dalwin has incited a strong backlash and protests from the UPSC community, highlighting the grave risks posed by inadequate infrastructure in educational settings. "The three unfortunate students, who were in the basement at that time, had nowhere to escape and died due to drowning." This statement underscores the dire circumstances under which these young aspirants met their untimely demise.

Amidst this escalating dissatisfaction and grief among the students and wider community, coaching institutes located in Delhi's Rajendra Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar are seen as exploiting the situation. These institutes have seemingly bypassed ethical considerations in a rush to attract the students of Rau's, who are understandably distressed and potentially seeking new guidance. This strategy of offering allurements such as free tuition and financial aid might seem benevolent but is tinted by the underlying motive of capitalizing on a catastrophe—a scenario evoking the image of vultures circling a feast.

In the wake of the tragic deaths at Rau’s IAS Study Circle, rival coaching centers have intensified their efforts to attract affected students, offering significant monetary support and educational opportunities. Some coaching centers announced a sum of ₹10 lakhs for the families of Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nivin Dalwin, using financial aid as a strategic move to entice students to switch loyalties during this vulnerable time.

The rivalry among UPSC coaching centers in Delhi has escalated as they deploy aggressive recruitment tactics, actively poaching students enrolled at Rau’s IAS Study Circle. This situation reflects a competitive instinct that overshadows the community's need for solidarity and respect during a period of loss.

Last Friday, 2nd August, Sriram’s IAS allowed UPSC aspirants from Rau’s IAS Study Circle to use their classrooms and libraries. Vajiram and Ravi took a step further by inducting students from the rival coaching center for free, highlighting the competitive tactics used by these institutions and raising questions about the ethical implications of such actions.

Furthermore, Drishti IAS and Next IAS joined this trend by extending similar offers, including providing ₹10 lakh compensation to the three deceased students. This wave of offers and the rapid response by rival coaching centers might appear supportive at first glance. However, they reveal a competitive underbelly within the coaching industry, where institutions vie for students not just on the merit of their educational services but through opportunistic offers of financial aid and free services. The community of UPSC aspirants is currently navigating a phase where ethical boundaries are being tested by the very institutions meant to guide them towards public service.

MCD Seals Basement of Drishti IAS, Owned by Vikas Divyakirti, for Illegally Running Study Centre, Students Hit the Streets in Protest

On a recent Monday, 29th July, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) took a significant enforcement action by sealing the basement of Drishti IAS in Mukherjee Nagar, North-West Delhi. This basement, part of a building owned by Vikas Divyakirti, had been used illegally as a study centre for UPSC coaching.

This crackdown by the MCD on illegal usage of basements for educational purposes comes shortly after a tragic event where three UPSC aspirants lost their lives in a similar setting. They drowned in a flooded basement at another coaching institute, Rau’s IAS Study Circle, highlighting the dangers of such misuse of properties.

The action against Drishti IAS was prompted by a wave of recent concerns regarding safety standards at coaching centers. In response to the sealing, videos have emerged on social media showing UPSC aspirants protesting vehemently outside the Drishti IAS building. These students are voicing their frustrations and fears over the potential disruptions to their studies and the safety risks associated with studying in basements.

Further intensifying the scrutiny on coaching centers, on 26th June earlier this year, a proactive student named Kishor Singh Kushwah had filed a complaint on the Public Grievance Portal of MCD. His complaint targeted several coaching centres in South Patel and Old Rajinder Nagar. Kishor’s complaint was a forewarning to the authorities, as he highlighted the risk of major accidents due to the operation of coaching classes and libraries in basements, specifically naming Rau’s IAS Study Circle among other potentially hazardous locations.

Kishor Singh Kushwah’s persistent warnings about the safety hazards in coaching centers came tragically to light following the deaths at Rau’s IAS Study Circle. In his complaint, he starkly noted, “Despite not having permission, they are running a classroom without NOC (No Objection Certificate) in the basement. They are running test classes, which are affecting the lives of students and staff. There is a possibility of a major accident.” 

Rau’s IAS Study Circle was one such establishment that, notably, was operating a library in its basement without any official permissions, leading to a fatal incident where three UPSC aspirants drowned. Despite repeated warnings through formal complaints, the response from the authorities was lacking. Kishor Singh Kushwah’s concerns were initially disregarded by the authorities; he reached out to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) multiple times, writing on 15th July and again on 22nd July, pressing for urgent action to prevent any mishaps. Yet, the municipality’s inaction persisted.

In his communication, Kushwah emphasized, “The responsibility for such incidents lies entirely with the administration. The government should take appropriate steps and take concrete action against such establishments.” 

The gravity of the situation was only recognized following the catastrophic event on 27th July, which resulted in the deaths of three students. In a reactive measure, the MCD then took decisive action, sealing not just Rau’s IAS Study Circle, but an additional 13 coaching centers in Old Rajinder Nagar for various rule violations.

The aftermath saw an even more significant crackdown, with 20 coaching centers being sealed for not adhering to the established norms. These closures underline a systemic failure to enforce safety standards proactively. Had these regulations been stringently applied earlier, following the initial complaints, the three young lives could potentially have been spared.

The delayed response by the AAP-controlled civic body, despite being flagged on three separate occasions, underscores a critical lapse in governance and the urgent need for reforms to ensure such tragedies are not repeated. The response only post-tragedy raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms and the prioritization of student safety in educational environments.