The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) concluded its 126th Induction Training Programme, marking a significant chapter in the professional journey of eight newly inducted IAS officers from Sikkim. This training at LBSNNA complex in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand not only equips our officers with critical administrative knowledge but also connects them to the rich legacy of civil services in India.
A Historical Overview of Civil
Services in India
India's
history is steeped in traditions of structured governance. From the Mauryan
Empire under Chandragupta Maurya and his advisor Kautilya-whose Arthashastra detailed a sophisticated
system of tax collection and governance-to the administrative mechanisms of the
Gupta dynasty, Delhi Sultanate, and Mughal Empire, bureaucratic governance has
always played a central role in statecraft.
The
term civil servant was later introduced by the East India Company to
distinguish its administrative officials from military and other company
employees. Under Lord Cornwallis, the Covenanted Civil Service-reserved for
British officers-was introduced to strengthen imperial administration.
The
Charter Act of 1853 heralded merit-based recruitment through open competition,
leading to the formal establishment of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in
1853–54. Although British dominance persisted, the Indian Civil Services Act of
1861 marked the beginning of Indian participation, with Satyendranath Tagore
becoming the first Indian ICS officer in 1863.
Subsequent
reforms including recommendations by the Aitchison Commission (1886–87) and the
establishment of the Public Service Commission in 1926 following the Lee
Commission’s suggestions, gradually opened up civil services to more Indians.
Post-Independence, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police
Service (IPS) were formed as successors to the ICS.
Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of India’s civil services, emphasized the
importance of a committed, independent all-India service, calling it the “steel
frame” of India. The IAS was envisioned as a generalist service capable of
navigating diverse administrative challenges at both the state and national
levels.
Initially,
IAS training took place at the Metcalfe House in Delhi. In 1959, the National
Academy of Administration was established in Mussoorie, later renamed the Lal
Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. It emerged as the premier
institution for training officers of the All India Services, focusing on
leadership development, policy implementation, and good governance.
Sikkim Officers in the 126th
Induction Training
Eight
officers from the Sikkim State Civil Services (SCS) promoted to IAS
participated in this year’s 126th Induction Training Programme at LBSNAA. They
were Tashi Chocho, Tenzing Kizom, MT Sherpa, Anil Raj Rai, Tsewang Gyaccho, Dr.
AB Karki, Diki Yangzom, and Diki Rechung.
As
per the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DoPART), Government
of India, the Sikkim IAS cadre strength is 48-comprising 34 direct recruits and
14 promoted officers from SCS. This training prepares promoted officers to take
on responsibilities on par with their directly recruited counterparts.
Training Highlights: Curriculum
and Methodology
The
45-day induction training was meticulously curated to equip officers with
knowledge and skills in areas such as:
·
Governance
and Public Administration
·
Rural
Development, PDS, Agriculture
·
Health,
Education, Urban Development
·
Disaster
Management, Climate Change
·
Infrastructure,
Public Finance, e-Governance
·
Leadership,
HRM, Law & Order
·
Inclusion,
Gender, and Minority Issues
·
AI
Tools in Governance and Project Management
Each
day began at 6 am with physical fitness sessions including yoga, meditation,
zumba, gym, and jogging. Classroom sessions ran from 9:20 am to 5 pm, employing
diverse pedagogical methods like lectures, group discussions, peer learning,
case studies, and presentations.
Trainees
were evaluated based on a comprehensive grading system that included online
examinations, case study analyses, presentations, peer assessments, and overall
conduct.
All
participating officers demonstrated exemplary enthusiasm across academic,
cultural, and extracurricular activities. The course has not only enhanced
their understanding of governance but has also sensitized them to
socio-cultural, economic, and environmental issues—preparing them for future
leadership roles in Sikkim’s administration.
Bharat Darshan and Presidential
Address
During
the Bharat Darshan study tour, 97 trainees were divided into four groups and
traveled across the country to gain first-hand exposure to India’s
administrative diversity.
At
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President of India congratulated the officers and urged
them to adopt a national and inclusive approach in executing government
policies. She emphasized the importance of integrity and leadership,
encouraging officers to "inspire and lead by example."
The
Director of LBSNAA, in his address, inspired the trainees to evolve from
karmachari to karmayogi, advocating for a mindset of purpose-driven service.
The 126th Induction Training
Programme at LBSNAA has been a transformative journey for Sikkim’s promoted IAS
officers. With newfound insight, exposure, and a reinforced sense of duty, they
are now equipped to bring enhanced professionalism and dedication to the
day-to-day governance of the State.
