Competitive Examinations Centre

India needs self inspired, committed and competent bureaucrats. An attempt is made by Jnana Prabodhini Competitive Examination Centre (JPCEC) to send such value based service oriented officers in administrative system since 1995. The objectives of the Centre are as follows:

  • To assess competitive aptitude of students in the border states of India and provide them mentoring to develop their abilities to achieve success in competitive examinations.
  • To send more and more clean, efficient and value based officers in the administrative system. 
  • To build a network of officers to get moral support, guidance and share best practices in Good Governance for better contribution. 

The theme of Jnana Prabodhini’s education model is “Know Your Self, Know Your System, and Know Your Society”. Various activities to develop Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Attitude and Motivation of the students are organised at the Centre. The activities aim at Intellectual, Mental and Spiritual development of the students’ personality. Various programs are run at the Centre for graduate students for this purpose:

  • Full year Complete Batch (earlier known as Regular or Facilitation Batch), targeting successful first attempt at UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains.
  • Mission Mains Batch for UPSC CSE Prelim appeared students for developing thinking and writing skills.
  • Prerana Batch for Mains appeared students for training the students for Interview (Personality test)
  • Ability Development Program for skills training for the senior students.
  • Several personality development activities under SEVA (self enhancement through voluntary action) platform are conducted.
  • Various field activities to take experiences of the world to add in the personality.

More than 1500 officers have been selected through the UPSC Civil Services Examination and more than 1500 officers have been selected through the MPSC examinations. JPCEC’s officers are working all the states of India, and all the districts of Maharashtra and in 9 countries across the world. These officers are regularly in touch with us.

Our Programs

1) Complete UPSC Batch

For success in the Civil Services Examination, the role of proper guidance and mentoring is crucial. This program aims to give inputs for value – addition during preparation for Civil Services Examination. It is assumed that the candidates have completed some Comprehensive or Preparatory Course for UPSC preparation or have done self study and completed the reading of the basic 40 recommended books and/or have gone through some websites.

Inputs included in the Batch:

  • 1)   In-depth orientation for all subjects of Mains and Prelims
  • 2) Comprehensive coverage of GS-1, 2, 3 through guided videos by JPCEC toppers
  • 3)    Complete teaching of Ethics & Essay papers
  • 4)    Orientation for optional subjects mastery
  • 5)    Daily assignments for thinking and writing skills
  • 6)    Weekly current events lectures and group activity for value addition
  • 7)    Seminar for thinking and presentation skills
  • 8)    Sectional tests + 0th Attempt for Mains [Total 30 descriptive tests]
  • 9)    Prelims Test Series with discussions
  • 10) ‘Meet the toppers’ sessions and talks by senior officers

JP Special Inputs:

  • 1) Study skills & study habits development
  • 2) Planning, self monitoring and self regulation techniques
  • 3) Critical thinking skill training: read, write & speak critically
  • 4) CoApt testing & counseling – to build positive thinking & temperament through Competitive Aptitude Nurturance Centre (JPCANC)
  • 5) Study room with lots of free spaces & motivating surrounding
  • 6) Group work, peer checking & collaborative learning with mentors
  • 7) Self-Enhancement through Volunteer Activities (SEVA)
  • 8) Regular counseling by mentors having 30 years of experience.

Additionally, experiential learning inputs, personality development inputs through indoor and outdoor modules, group mentoring, preferential access to JP Study Room are unique features of this batch. Full time self study preparation is mandatory for the students of this batch. Students may join coaching for optional subjects elsewhere, if required. This batch has started on 1st July, 2024. Admission process for the 2025-26 batch will start in March 2025.

2) Mission Mains Batch

This batch is for students who have given the UPSC Prelims exam and want to prepare for the Mains examination. This batch has started on 1st July, 2024. Process for admission for the Mission Batch 2025 will start in March 2025.

Plan of Mission Mains 2024

  • 1) 24th June to 31st August 2024 – Ten weeks program for writing practice
  • 2) General Studies section-wise orientation, one major or two minor sections in a week
  • 3) Monday to Wednesday/Thursday – Daily 8/10 question (100/125 marks) answer writing of one section followed by discussion. Thrice/four times a week writing for a major section.
  • 4) Friday – 125 marks test on the same section. Individual paper checking  
  • 5) Saturday – Essay writing test and Ethics writing on alternate Saturdays, (Optional subject writing is not part of program, but some facilitation may be arranged additionally)

– Total 8 section wise tests (1000 marks) and discussion, 4 essay tests (500 marks)
– Two full UPSC Mock Test simulations in August end and September (1250 marks) with one test checking
Faculty : 2022 and 2023 UPSC rankers and JP Mentors with good scores and teaching abilities·  Officers as Guest Faculty for every section for special tips and practical field examples
– Individual and group mentoring for GS papers, Ethics, and Essay with inputs on planning, improvements in answer quality and writing style, exam approach and positive attitude.

Focus of the Batch

  • 1) ‘Perspective building’ for all sections and the UPSC Examination
  • 2)  Content building, improvement with ‘value addition’
  • 3) ‘Presentation skills’ through writing practice and tips

What students will learn in this Batch

  • 1) Understanding question, UPSC expectations, linkages with current events
  • 2) How to use online and offline sources – basic and advance level
  • 3) Time management – Before and during examination
  • 4) Structuring answers – Linkages and presentation techniques
  • 5) Peer checking and discussion to get sense of quality and sharing of knowledge

3) Prerana Batch for Personality Test

Every year after UPSC Mains Examination we conduct Prerana Batch for Personality Test (Interview) preparation. Students who have appeared for the Mains examination can join the Prepana Batch. This batch will provide you with best facilitation for Personality Test through experience sharing, personality profiling, group activities, village visit – study tours and Mock Interviews. The program has been successful and the results are reflected in the above average and 200+ interview marks to many of the program participants. Admissions for this Batch begin immediately after the Mains Examination.
Prerana Batch 2024 will begin from 8th October 2024. Please find more information here or contact on the details given below.

4) Ability Building Program

This is a 2 months – 30 hours batch for civil service aspirants who have given one or more attempts of the Prelims or Mains. This batch gets an abridged version of JP process inputs for CSE preparation, which include following modules – 1. Competitive Aptitude testing & guidance, 2. Study Skills, 3. Ability Building Workshops, 4. Critical Thinking Workshops, 5. Perspective building for compulsory papers, 6. Newspaper & Current Affairs analysis, 7. Individual guidance and 8. Personality Development inputs.

Meetings of our past student officers for knowledge sharing, informal gatherings and study groups are planned regularly. Vertical interactions make officers able and confident to face various challenges in the system while working.

This year’s ABP Batch has started on 1st August, 2024. For the next possible batch from November, 2024, please enquire in the office. Please visit this website for updates or contact on the details given below.

Allied activities of JPCEC

Along with competitive examinations training, JPCEC also focuses on academic research and training, based on the long experience of conducting study skills and aptitude building training. The Centre also conducts extension activities for students in border and aspirational states of India, like Arunchal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chhattisgarh.

Competitive Aptitude Assessment Test (CoApt)

Having worked in the field of coaching for competitive examinations for more than 30 years we designed a screening tool which will help students make an informed decision of entering the civil services journey. Different aspects which are important for students while preparing for any competitive examination are measured through this tool. This tool is useful for the students who are going to appear for any competitive examination or/and have already appeared for this examination at least once. 

The Competitive Aptitude Assessment Test (CoApt) is designed to measure the competencies of competitive examination aspirants. The competencies measured in the test are 1) Cognitive Skills and Abilities, 2) Study Skills and Study Habits, 3) Metacognition and Self Regulation and 4) Competitive Spirit which are important while studying for any competitive examination. The aim of the test is to help students identify the gap between the competencies they possess and the competencies they require in order to take the decision to undertake this journey of preparation for competitive examination.

You can apply for the CoApt Test by doing registration in the office on the payment of Rs. 1000 + 18% GST = Rs. 1180/-. Test Report will be generated on the basis of your scores on the various competencies.

Critical Thinking Course

‘Critical Thinking Course’ is a 4 credit (or full credit), NEP 2020 compliant course for undergradute and postgraduate students. It has been successfully offered in Ranade Industrial and Economic Institute for the students of their Master of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism (MAMCJ) program, and is being offered for the second time from August 2024, for more than 30 students. Soon it will also be offered to the undergraduate students of Deccan Education Society Pune University. This course is taught by Dr. Savita Kulkarni and Dr. Deepak Gupte in collaboration with Amol Phalke and Aditya Ponkshe of Samajik Shastra Adhyayan Kendra (Social Sciences Studies Centre) at Jnana Prabodhini.

Extension Programs of Competitive Exams Training in Border and Aspirational States

We conduct competitive exams orientation, Co-Apt Testing and Counseling, UPSC and State civil service examinations guidance for students of Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chhattisgarh states. In December 2023, JPCEC student volunteers conducted UPSC examination training for students in Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir.

During December 2023-March 2024 JPCEC student volunteers conducted UPSC training for eight weeks for the students in Naharlagun, Itanagar. Students of JPCEC traveled and stayed in Naharlagun by rotation, two volunteers for one week each, and one volunteer for the entire 8-week duration, and conducted the program. In March, 2024, Dr. Savita Kulkarni conducted career guidance workshops and administration of the Co-Apt Test for 150 students in Roing, Tezu and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh. These students are being counselled online. This entire program was supported by Globant CSR.

In 2024, we are again collaborating with RIWATCH, Roing to conduct 2 months duration APPSC training program for the students of Arunachal Pradesh. The program will be conducted from 14th October to 14th December, 2024 in the campus of RIWATCH, at Khinjili Village, Roing, Lower Dibang Valley District. This program is supported by Globant’s CSR. Please refer to the poster in the Image Gallery for information.

Self Enhancement through Volunteer Action (SEVA)

Self Enhancement through Volunteer Action (SEVA) is an important Experiential Learning input. It is a student driven platform towards the development of urban and rural society with special focus on adolescents, youth and women empowerment. It includes learning through study tours, village/slum visits and projects for practical, first-hand experience of national problems and administrative systems.
 The SEVA program involves-

  1. Activity based teaching in schools of rural areas
  2. Participation in community of remote areas
  3. Exposure to rural issues and solutions mechanism
  4. Enhancing quality of life in different areas
  5. Opportunities for rural urban conglomeration

JP Study Room

Full day Study Room facility is available for students who are preparing for competitive examinations. One study room is reserved for female students. Sufficient space is also available for group discussions. Study Room students can also participate in the open sessions by senior officers and mentors. The Study Room facility is given on priority to students enrolled in current or past programs of JPCEC and those who are actively engaged in activities at Jnana Prabodhini. The rules for the Study Room are as follows:
1. The Study Room will be open from 7 AM to 11 PM.
2. There is no Air Conditioning or Wi-Fi facility in the study rooms.
3. Attendance is mandatory and attendance is recorded twice a day in morning and evening slot.
4. Attendance for weekly Upasana is mandatory, failing to attend Upasana will result in cancellation of Study Room membership.

Our Mentors

Dr. Savita Kulkarni

Head, Competitive Examinations Centre

Dr. Savita Kulkarni has more than 30 years of experience in teaching and mentoring civil services aspirants. She specialises in teaching study methods and skills such as reading skills, notes making, critical thinking, and comprehension. She has done her Ph.D. in Critical Thinking method from Savitribai Phule Pune University and has developed the Competitive Aptitude Assessment Test (CoApt) based on her research.

Dr. Vivek Kulkarni

Chief Mentor, Competitive Examinations Centre

Dr. Vivek Kulkarni has more than 30 years of experience in teaching and mentoring civil services aspirants, and building network of officers. He specialises in teaching study methods and skills such as planning, essay writing, comprehension, and metacognition. He has done his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay.

Our Team

Piyush Ozarde

Deputy Head

Mr. Piyush Ozarde is a past student of Jnana Prabodhini and JPCEC, and has worked as a Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellow (PMRDF) in Tripura for three years. He is also a PhD student in Economics Area at IIM Ahemadabad, with his thesis topic ‘Conflicts and Development: Does Democratisation Matter?’, studying the impact of women’s leadership, democratic processes and social network structures on local conflicts in rural India.

Umesh Ramteke

Centre Coordinator

Mr. Umesh Ramteke has completed MA in History, along with qualifying B.Ed., SET and NET in History. He is a past student of JPCEC, and has worked as an office, programs, and study room administrator, and as Coordinator for various programs and extension activities of JPCEC for more than seven years. He is the Lead Coordinator for the training activities conducted in Arunachal Pradesh. He is also a poet and writes in Marathi and Hindi.

Swati Bokil

Accounting and Documentation

Mrs. Swati Bokil has B.Com. degree and manages the accounting, finances and documentation of the Centre.

Shrimant Kale

Office Assistant

Shrimant kaka looks after the office infrastructure, maintenance and hospitality for the office members and guests.

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Image Gallery

For Full Image Gallery Click Here

Read our brochure for more information.
Our Annual and CSR Activity Reports:
1. Annual Report 2016-17
2. Annual Report 2018-19
3. Annual Report 2019-20
4. Annual Report 2020-21
5. Annual Report 2021-22
6. Annual Report 2022-23
7. Annual Report 2023-24
8. Globant CSR Co-Apt Testing Report 2024

For more details, contact: 020-24207134, e-mail: [email protected]
Address: First floor, Jnana Prabodhini Bhawan, Sadashiv Peth, Pune – 411030
Follow us on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jpcompetitiveexaminationcentre/
For programs focusing on leadership development and foundation of civil services designed for undergraduate students, visit https://www.jpnetrutwavikas.org/