Latest news with #DrishtiIAS
India.com
10-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Bad news for Drishti IAS founder Vikas Divyakirti as Rajasthan court summons UPSC tutor for…
Bad news for Drishti IAS founder Vikas Divyakirti as Rajasthan court summons UPSC tutor for… As per media reports, Drishti IAS Founder Vikash Divyakirti had reportedly claimed that High Court judges are appointed through lobbying and not merit. By Abhijeet Sen Edited by Abhijeet Sen Advertisement Vikas Divyakirti- File image Bad news for Drishti IAS founder Vikas Divyakirti: In a matter of bad news for bad news for Drishti IAS founder Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, a Rajasthan court took cognisance of a criminal complaint filed against the UPSC tutor. As per media reports, the Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate Manmohan Chandel of Ajmer Court of the Rajasthan court observed that some comments made by Divyakirti in a claimed video do not fall within the ambit of constitutionally protected criticism or academic freedom. What has the Rajasthan court said? 'Prima facie, the offence under Section 353(2) and Sections 356(2) and 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 66A(B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, appears to be made out against the accused. Hence, cognizance is hereby taken of the offences under the aforementioned sections,' the Rajasthan Court has said. Advertisement === Not stopping here, the ACJ Mandoliya has also claimed that the statements made in the video by the Drishti IAS founder were derogatory towards the judges and the judiciary. What did Vikas Divyakirti say? As per what is alleged against the UPSC mentor, Divyakirti had reportedly claimed that High Court judges are appointed through lobbying and not merit and that judicial power is an illusion. Advertisement === 'A District Judge is not a big deal… he eats alone… To become a High Court Judge, one has to lobby… distribute sweets, and still the file may not move,' Divyakirti allegedly said. As a response to the summon, Divyakirti denied authorship and authorisation of the video that has been taken in question. Case of video edit without consent? As per a report by Bar and Bench, the UPSC mentor stated that he had no connection or control over the YouTube channel that uploaded the content. He has also suggested it may have been extracted and edited by third parties without his knowledge or consent.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
IAS centre head in the soup over judiciary remarks
AJMER: A judicial magistrate court in Ajmer has taken cognisance against Vikas Divyakirti, founder and managing director of Drishti IAS coaching institute, for allegedly making defamatory remarks against the judiciary, reports A petition filed by advocate Kamlesh Manowliya referred to a controversial YouTube video titled ' versus judge, who is powerful', wherein Divyakirti discussed "jugaad" (informal arrangements) in relation to judicial appointments and the collegium system.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
IAS coach faces legal action over ‘defamatory' remark against judiciary
Ajmer: The Judicial Magistrate Court No-2 here has taken cognisance against Vikas Divyakirti, founder and managing director of Drishti IAS coaching institute, for allegedly making defamatory remarks against the judiciary. The court presided over by Manmohan Chandel Tuesday charged Divyakirti under multiple subsections of Section 356 of the BNS Act 2023. Divyakirti has been directed to appear in person before the court on July 22. A petition filed in the court refers to controversial statements made by Divyakirti in a YouTube video titled "IAS versus Judge, who is powerful," where he allegedly made inappropriate comments about the process of becoming a high court or a Supreme Court judge. The complainant, advocate Kamlesh Manowliya, presented social media clips where Divyakirti discussed "jugaad" (informal arrangements) in relation to judicial appointments and the collegium system. The court was told that in the controversial video, Divyakirti allegedly claimed that files of potential judges could be delayed through govt red tape, even after collegium approval. He also allegedly made controversial comparisons between the powers of district judges and district magistrates, suggesting that judicial power is dependent on police cooperation. The complainant's legal team, including advocates Ashok Singh Rawat, Rajkumar Rawat and Rajesh Bhati, argued that such statements damage the judiciary's image.
The Print
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Print
Drishti IAS to continue independently 'for now', after considering Physics Wallah deal, funding via IPO
'At Drishti IAS, our decisions are always based on a long-term vision. Though we explored various funding options during last year, including Initial Public Offering (IPO) and discussions with a few strategic investors including Physics Wallah, we have decided to continue independently for now. We hope we'll keep doing better on our own, and if required, we'll explore other options as per circumstances in the future,' Drishti IAS CEO Vivek Tiwari told ThePrint. The institute said it will continue to run independently, as it has for several years. New Delhi: A few months ago, reports suggested that unicorn Physics Wallah was in talks to acquire Drishti IAS, which is among the oldest coaching institutes for civil services preparations. While they were dismissed as mere speculations, the IAS coaching institute has now said it was indeed exploring funding options last year, including through Physics Wallah, but ultimately decided not to go ahead with it. Four major coaching institutes—Drishti IAS, Chaitanya Academy, Rau's IAS Study Circle, and Sarathi IAS—were being considered for potential acquisition as part of a larger consolidation wave in the Indian EdTech and test prep market. With online-first players like Physics Wallah and Unacademy looking to strengthen their offline footprint and diversify into civil services coaching, talks with these legacy UPSC institutes had emerged as strategic opportunities to tap into a loyal student base, particularly in Hindi-medium and regional markets. Drishti IAS was founded in 1999 by popular teacher Vikas Divyakirti in Mukherjee Nagar. It became one of the most well-known institutes for Hindi-medium UPSC aspirants. The Delhi-based institute reported a revenue of Rs 405 crore and a profit after tax of Rs 90 crore in FY24. Vikas Divyakirti's popularity is such that he even appeared in the movie 12th fail, Videos of his classes and lectures receive millions of views on social media. The institute moved to Noida last year after infrastructure issues in Mukherjee Nagar were flagged, following the death of three UPSC aspirants in another institute in the Old Rajinder Nagar area, and fire incidents at other institutes in Mukherjee Nagar. Coaching institutes came under intense scrutiny by public and authorities for infrastructure lapses and licensing issues after these incidents. Sources at Drishti IAS said the institute remains profitable. Physics Wallah is known for offering affordable online coaching. It first gained popularity through YouTube and later launched online courses for JEE and NEET aspirants for admission in engineering and medical courses. But over the last few years, it has been expanding its offerings. It entered the UPSC coaching space after joining forces with OnlyIAS in 2022. The potential acquisition of Drishti IAS was seen as a strategic move to bolster Physics Wallah's offline presence and diversify its portfolio ahead of its planned IPO. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Drishti IAS relocating to Noida, Mukherjee Nagar may see exit of other coaching centres too
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PhysicsWallah's acquisition talks with Drishti IAS falls through; Drishti to continue as an independent company
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The proposed acquisition of the UPSC test preparation platform Drishti IAS by edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah has fallen through, say industry two companies had been in discussions over a potential strategic investment and acquisition for several months, but the talks have ultimately not an official statement to Economic Times Digital, Vivek Tiwari, CEO of Drishti IAS, said, "At Drishti IAS, our decisions are always based on a very long-term vision. Though we explored various funding options during last year, including IPO and discussions with few strategic investors, including PhysicsWallah, we have decided to continue independently for now. We hope we'll keep doing better on our own and if required, we'll explore other options as per circumstances in the future.'The development comes at a time when India's edtech sector is seeing increased focus on consolidation, operational efficiency, and profitability amid a more cautious funding environment. Several players are re-evaluating growth strategies, with partnerships and acquisitions being explored in 1999, Drishti IAS has built a strong brand in Hindi-medium UPSC preparation, offering both online and offline programmes. PhysicsWallah, which entered the unicorn club in 2022, has been expanding beyond its core NEET-JEE focus into categories such as UPSC, state exams, and professional now, Drishti IAS has opted to chart its own path forward as an independent player in the evolving education the fiscal year 2023–24 (FY24), Drishti IAS reported a revenue of Rs 405 crore. Profit after tax (PAT) stood at Rs 90 crore, underscoring both operational efficiency and sustained demand in the civil services preparation segment. With demand for quality UPSC coaching continuing to grow, the segment remains highly competitive, with both established players and digital-first platforms vying for market share.
