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Journalism of Courage
What is the training schedule currently?
The 1,000-odd recruits in every batch start their careers in the services with a four-month foundation course that is held at four centres: Mussoorie, Bhopal, Nagpur and Hyderabad. Usually, IAS, IPS and Indian Foreign Service probationers go to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, while officers of other services are split among National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration & Management, Bhopal, and Dr MCR Human Resource Development Institute of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad. At the end of the foundation course, the probationers travel across India on a two-month Bharat Darshan, following which they begin training at the specialised academies of their respective services. This phase of training (called Phase I training) lasts 15 weeks — IAS probationers are at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, IPS at Hyderabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, etc. After completing the Phase I training, IAS probationers take up field postings in their respective cadres, which lasts for nearly eight months. They then return to LBSNAA for six weeks of Phase II training, at the end of which they are considered qualified IAS officers, and sent to their cadres.
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How is this proposed to be changed?
As per the rules governing the All India Services (IAS, IPS, Indian Forest Service) IAS officers can be posted with the central government on deputation only after serving for nine years in their home cadre, except in cases where they become Private Secretary to a Minister. Around two months ago, the PMO suggested that in order to ensure that an IAS officer who comes on central deputation already has some idea of working at the Centre, all officers should serve for three months with the central government at the time of their training. This could also be part of an effort by the Centre to connect with field-level officers, and is likely to be a much more sustained engagement than the UPA-I idea of convening meetings of DMs and SPs in 2004-05.
When will the new system start?
The decision was taken this month. Views of states were sought, but only a few responded. Odisha complained that officers of the 2013 batch had already started working. A total 187 officers of the 2013 batch have been called to the capital on August 31, and will start their deputation with central ministries the following day. Between two and five officers will be attached to each ministry.They will work as Section Officers, but will have the newly minted designation Assistant Secretary, so that no egos are hurt in the IAS working alongside the Central Secretariat Service. IAS officers will learn Central Secretariat work under their respective joint secretaries. Flats at the Pragati Vihar hostel on Lodhi Road, and some new flats on Minto Road are being readied for the officers.
Will this system of training continue in coming years?
Some things may change. Because the plan was thought up late, the 2013 batch has had to be put through the three-month deputation after the formal completion of their training. From next year, this is likely to be made part of IAS officers’ eight-month field posting at the end of the Phase I training — split between five months in the states and three months at the Centre. As of now, the new system will be restricted to the IAS.
Will the central government training produce better officers?
According to senior IAS officers, including some who have been associated with the LBSNAA, officers who are attached to ministries with a significant central government role, along with the involvement of District Magistrates — such as Rural Development, Agriculture, Health & Family Welfare, Environment, Water Resources, HRD, etc. — are likely to benefit from the central government training. “Postings with other Ministries may not be fruitful,” said an officer.
