Campus Talk: How Mumbai University plans to provide an edge to its undergraduates aspiring for UPSC career

As part of the landmark initiative aimed at strengthening the representation of Maharashtra students in India’s civil services, Mumbai University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chintamanrao Deshmukh Institute for Administrative Careers, operated by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), on Monday.

The MoU paves the way for undergraduate students at Mumbai University-affiliated colleges to receive structured training for competitive exams like the Union Public Service Commission and the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) alongside their degree programmes.

Starting from the first year of undergraduate studies, students will be able to opt for 2-credit elective courses per semester in subjects such as Indian Polity, Geography, Economics, Science, Technology, and Personality Development. The curriculum has been developed under the guidance of experienced professionals and will be delivered online.

Calling it a historic move, Dr Ravindra Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University, said this initiative was made possible due to the flexibility introduced in higher education through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

“Students can now integrate competitive exam training into their formal education. These optional open elective courses will prepare students not only academically but also help them develop critical skills like communication and ethics,” he added.

Established in 1987, the Chintamanrao Deshmukh Institute for Administrative Careers is the first such institute set up by a civic body to help local youth prepare for civil services. The institute proudly states that nearly 100 of its students have joined the prestigious IAS and IPS, while more than 400 have cleared the MPSC and become state-level officers.

Mahadev Jagtap, the director of the Institute, said this partnership is expected to bridge the gap between academic education and competitive exam readiness. “Traditionally, civil services preparation begins after graduation, and students spend multiple years in the process. With this initiative, we aim to introduce it much earlier, at the undergraduate level, so that by the time they graduate, students will have a clearer understanding,” he said.

“In collaboration with Mumbai University, we have designed a dedicated foundation course for this purpose, which can be taken by any Class 12 pass-out to learn more about civil services,” he added, further saying that entering the civil services circle early on can be beneficial for students who really want to pursue it as a career.

Highlighting the practical impact of early preparation, Saurabh Rao, TMC Commissioner, said, “The sooner students start preparing for exams like the UPSC, the better their chances of success. These courses will provide four credits annually and are designed to enhance writing, speaking, and overall personality development.”