Pune University to start three-year integrated UPSC course

PUNE: Savitribai Phule Pune University is starting an integrated three-year course for undergraduate students aspiring to crack the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.
Those in their second year can enrol for the course. Classes will be conducted in the evening for two hours at the university’s Competitive Exam Centre.
“Till now, we had been running a one-year programme.But we realised that most students enrolled for the course after completing their graduation. In other states, students start preparing for the UPSC exam while studying, and crack the exam by the time they reach the age of 21-22,” said Jayant Umranikar, former director general of Maharashtra Police, who is spearheading the programme.
“Secondly, we do not see many Maharashtrian students in the top position, despite being in the administrative services, because by the time they move up the ladder, they have already attained the retirement age. Hence, those from other states who crack the UPSC at a younger age get selected for the top jobs,” Umranikar said.
The integrated course, which starts next month, will have an intake of 40 students. “We will call experts from outside to coach and groom students. The annual fee has been pegged at Rs40,000. A 12.5% concession will be given to the top four students,” said vice-chancellor Nitin Karmalkar.
In the second year, students will prepare for the preliminary exam, while in the third, they would be trained for the Mains examination. “Once they pass out, they will have another year of intense question paper solving, grooming and polishing of English language and communication skills. All this will give them an edge over others in the UPSC exam,” added Umranikar.