An online platform to help candidates prepare for competitive exams was launched on Friday.

RICE Education, which prepares students for recruitment tests for government jobs, will now offer online courses for exams conducted by the public service commission, staff selection commission, railways and banks through an app called RICE Smart.

The course is a combination of online classes, pre-recorded videos, assessments (daily/weekly/monthly) and face-to-face doubt-clearing sessions.

“A number of students from the districts or the city outskirts were staying in Calcutta to attend classes which have been impacted by the pandemic restrictions. The online courses will make it possible for students to access the best teachers and prepare for government services,” said Samit Ray, chairman, RICE Group.

RICE Education has 19 centres in Bengal and has been coaching students since 1985.

“In the last 36 years, about 1.5 lakh students have found success through RICE and we believe that with the quality and affordable online support from RICE Smart, many more will attain success in government competitive exams,” said Ray.

Apart from doubt-clearing sessions, the on-site interaction will simulate the experience of in-person examination.

“The centres will replicate the exam experience allowing students to prepare for an exam,” said an official.

The platform is available as an app that can be downloaded from the Play Store.

The platform also gives students an option to download the app and experience the free demo classes before deciding to join the paid courses.

The rates are Rs 20,000 for the public service commission exams, Rs 15,000 for the exams conducted by the staff selection commission and the railways and Rs 8,000 for exams conducted by banks.