Hundreds of students gathered to protest outside Drishti IAS coaching center in Mukherjee Nagar, North West Delhi, after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sealed the basement of the institute. This action was part of a larger effort to shut down illegal coaching centers following a tragic incident on Saturday, where three civil services aspirants lost their lives.
Drishti IAS, which is run by educator and YouTuber Vikas Divyakirti, was one of seven coaching centers targeted by the MCD. Among these, six were located in Central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar. The crackdown has been significant, with the MCD sealing the basements of 20 coaching centers that were being used as libraries or classrooms without proper authorization.
This sealing has affected coaching centers in both Rajindra Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar including Drishti IAS =since the tragic event on July 27.
MCD Seals IAS Drishti After Tragic Deaths
In Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar, UPSC aspirants held a big protest outside Drishti IAS after its basement was sealed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The MCD is taking action against coaching centers running unauthorized classes.
Drishti IAS, a well-known institute run by educator and YouTuber Vikas Divyakirti, was one of six centers affected. The crackdown happened after three IAS students tragically died in the basement of another institute, Rau’s IAS Study Circle, in Old Rajinder Nagar.
During the protest, students chanted ‘We Want Justice,’ and videos of the event spread widely on social media. The MCD sealed the basements of five other coaching centers in Old Rajinder Nagar, which were being used as libraries or classrooms without proper permission.
The action was triggered by a flooding incident on July 27, which resulted in the deaths of three IAS aspirants—Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nevin Delvin from Kerala. They drowned in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle. Since this incident, the MCD has taken action against a total of 20 coaching institutes for similar violations.
Also Read: 3 IAS Aspirants Died in Delhi Coaching Centre Flood
MCD Cracks Down on Illegal Basements in Delhi’s Coaching Centers
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has sealed the basements of several prominent coaching centers, including Drishti IAS in Mukherjee Nagar, Vaji Ram and Ravi IAS hub, and SriRam IAS Institute in Rajinder Nagar, following a recent basement tragedy.
Officials reported that three basements in Vaji Ram and Ravi IAS hub were sealed. Notices were posted at these locations, highlighting violations of MPD-2021 regulations. Similar notices were placed at other sealed coaching centers.
The MCD is targeting illegally operated basements and removing structures blocking stormwater drains as part of an anti-encroachment drive. Platforms and ramps outside coaching centers in Old Rajinder Nagar have been removed.
Civic commissioner Ashwani Kumar stated that the sealing drive will extend to other parts of the city where basements are being used for commercial purposes.
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi mentioned that, as of July 28, the MCD had taken action against 13 basements in Rajinder Nagar, with six more sealed on July 29. The MCD also sealed a basement in Mukherjee Nagar and carried out anti-encroachment measures in the area.
Students Facing Challenges Due to Crackdown
The recent crackdown has created difficulties for students preparing for the civil services exams. Many coaching centers use their basements as libraries, which are now closed following recent incidents.
A UPSC aspirant from a Mukherjee Nagar coaching center shared, “I have my UPSC Mains in a month and a half, but the library at my center is shut. All my study materials and books are inside, and I can’t access them.”
The student continued, “We received a message late Sunday night to collect our books from the library by 6 a.m. the next day. I was asleep and couldn’t get there in time. Most of us are focusing on UPSC Mains preparation.”
Also Read: CBI Charges Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Liquor Policy Case
MCD Seals IAS Drishti After Tragic Deaths FAQs
Q.1. Why did students protest outside Drishti IAS?
Ans. Students protested after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sealed the basement of Drishti IAS, which affected their access to study materials and books.
Q.2. What triggered the MCD’s crackdown on coaching centers?
Ans. The crackdown was triggered by a tragic incident where three IAS aspirants drowned in a basement of another coaching center, Rau’s IAS Study Circle, on July 27.
Q.3. Which coaching centers were affected by the MCD’s action?
Ans. The MCD sealed several coaching centers, including Drishti IAS in Mukherjee Nagar, and others in Old Rajinder Nagar, for operating unauthorized basements.
Q.4. How has the sealing affected students preparing for exams?
Ans. Many students are struggling as they cannot access their study materials stored in the sealed basements, disrupting their preparation for civil services exams.
Q.5. What measures is the MCD taking against illegal coaching centers?
Ans. The MCD is sealing unauthorized basements used as libraries or classrooms and removing encroachments to ensure compliance with regulations and improve safety.
