Along with competitive examinations guidance, 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 Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chhattisgarh. All the past students of JPCEC who have become officers and experts in other sectors, are part of a network that builds connections across generations, hierarchies, regions and professions,
1) Networking of Officers
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. Vertical interactions make officers able and confident to face various challenges in the system while working. We have more than 650 officers across all the states and Union Territories of the country (see map), and more than 700 officers across all the districts of the state of Maharashtra (see map).
We also organise a get-together – Melava every year or alternate year. Accomplished senior officers share their experiences and insights with the newly inducted and other officers. We are in constant touch with the officers selected through UPSC or MPSC examinations through WhatsApp groups. There are also two focussed learning groups – 1. Climate Change and Environment, and 2. AI and Future Technologies.
Apart from the service officers, we also have an active group of Officers’ Spouses for interaction and sharing experiences of engaging in activities to contribute to the society.
2) 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/-. A detailed Test Report will be generated on the basis of your scores on the various competencies. Individual counseling to discuss the test results and provide suggestions for appropriate steps to be taken, will be arranged offline or online as per availability.
3) Critical Thinking Course
‘Critical Thinking Course’ is a 4 credit (or full credit), NEP 2020 compliant course for undergradute and postgraduate students. This course is based on the contributions in Critical Thinking research by Carl Bergstrom, and experience of the members of the Critical Thinking Group in Jnana Prabodhini. The course contains workshops and modules on Opinion Line, Dispositions, Argumentation and Reasoning, Observation Skills, Questioning Skills, Logical Fallacies, Cognitive Biases and Decision Making. This course is taught by Dr. Savita Kulkarni and Dr. Deepak Gupte in collaboration with Amol Phalke and Dr. Aditya Ponkshe of Samajik Shastra Adhyayan Kendra (Social Sciences Studies Centre) at Jnana Prabodhini.
This Course 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 also taught for Government Officers, social workers, youth volunteers and educators. Such training activities have been conducted in Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, DISOM, Jnana Prabodhini and IISER Pune.
4) 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. We also coordinate with Jnana Prabodhini’s other departments – Educational Resource Centre, Educational Activity and Research Centre, Rural Development – Natural Resources Development and Border States Study Group for these activities.
The SEVA program involves-
- Activity based teaching in schools of rural areas and in remote and aspirational states.
- Participation in community of remote areas for building water harvesting structures.
- Exposure to rural issues and solutions mechanism.
- Enhancing quality of life in different areas.