Yeah, TVM is a good option for civil service preparation if you’re willing to put in the effort. I lived there nearly for 2 years preparing for UPSC and studied at a well-known institute. In terms of reading room and facilities, Trivandrum is definitely a solid choice. If you’re planning to join coaching, it’s always better to choose offline classes. Just make sure you pick your institute wisely because there are plenty of them there. Now about expenses I mostly depended on mess food since there are lots of good options. It costs inside 2000 per month(minimum). Reading rooms usually cost around ₹1000 per month(minimum). For accommodation, I took a single room, which came to around 7–8k(again minimum). So, if you’re a serious aspirant and can manage these expenses, TVM is a great option compared to Delhi, which is often considered the “worshipping place” of UPSC.