- 06 February, 2026
Chennai, February 7, 2026: For committed Catholic youth dreaming of ethical leadership in India's public service, the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore's JD Academy of Excellence (JDAX) has initiated a life changing call to action—with admissions now open for its 2026-27 UPSC Civil Services programme and full scholarships available for deserving aspirants. JDAX is, initiated in the year 2021-22, transcending typical coaching by professionally providing expert faculty guidance, rigorous assessments, answer-writing drills, comprehensive test series, and personalised mentoring. It forges mission-driven leaders rooted in integrity, competence, and profound social responsibility.
A Decade Behind: Why Catholic Youth Must Act Now
While the Catholic community has contributed to nation-building far beyond its demographic proportion through schools, colleges, and hospitals, its representation in the Indian
Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and allied services remains disproportionately low. Other minority communities recognised this imperative almost a few decades ago. The Jain
community established dedicated coaching centres through its trusts and foundations. The Sikh community, through Gurdwara-affiliated organisations, provides systematic support for UPSC aspirants. The Muslim community has built coaching institutions and mentorship networks specifically to enhance civil services representation. It is now high time for the Catholic Church to mobilise its resources professionally to ensure our graduates equipped to be catalyst in Indian administration.
"We cannot afford to remain passive observers while our youth—bright, capable, and eager— struggle without structured guidance," says Rev. Dr. A. L. Anthony Sebastian, Director of JDAX, Coordinator, Education Apostolate, CCBI. "This is our moment to act."
Intensive One-Year Programme with Complete Facilities
From July 2026 to June 2027, JDAX offers both offline and online coaching options for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The programme includes expert faculty guidance, rigorous assessments, answer-writing drills, comprehensive test series, and personalised mentoring.
Located in a prime, safe, and secure area near Marina Beach in Chennai, JDAX provides separate hostel accommodation for both boys and girls, along with healthy home-cooked food—creating a nurturing environment where outstation aspirants can focus entirely on their preparation.
Inclusive Scholarship System
In a bold move towards inclusivity, JDAX provides two pathways to 100% scholarship: The Merit-Based Scholarship awards complete tuition fee waiver to the top 20 aspirants,selected through interviews assessing academic merit and socio-economic need. The Performance-Based Scholarship guarantees that every student who clears UPSC Prelims receives a full fee refund plus free Mains coaching.
Who Should Apply
Catholic graduates aspiring to national service and value-driven leadership are invited— especially those ready to become voices for the voiceless and agents of just governance. "Rise to Serve is not merely our motto—it is our mission," the Director affirmed.
Student Testimonies
Alka Ekka, a UPSC aspirant from Jharkhand.“JDAX Academy has been a strong ladder for my UPSC preparation, with experienced and cooperative faculty who supported me at every stage, and studying in English helped me overcome my initial language concerns.”
“While pursuing my Master’s degree in the Netherlands, I continued my UPSC preparation through JDAX’s online coaching, and after returning to India, the smooth transition to offline classes further strengthened my journey,” shared Ajinesh, a UPSC aspirant from Tamil Nadu.
Registrations are open from February to April 2026, with scholarship interviews in April and classes commencing July 3, 2026.
For admissions and enquiries:
JDAX Main Centre: #23, Santhome High Road, Santhome, Chennai – 600 004
Phone: +91 98406 75577 | +91 63799 23050 | +91 73057 46045
Email: upsc.jdax@gmail.com | Website: www.jdax.in
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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