Mussoorie: The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie launched the 100th Foundation Course on Monday, welcoming 660 officer trainees from 19 Civil Services. These include the All India Services, various Central Services, and the three services from Royal Bhutan.
The inaugural session was graced by Mr. Sriram Taranikanti, Director of LBSNAA, who served as the Chief Guest for the occasion. The 14-week intensive course will conclude on November 28, 2025.
Course Leadership and Coordinators
The course team is headed by Ms. Aswathi S., a 2013 batch IAS officer from Karnataka cadre, serving as Deputy Director and Course Director. Supporting her are Associate Course Coordinators:
- Ms. Priyanka Das
- Ms. Ritika Narula
- Ms. Shanmuga P. Mishra
- Ms. Deep Jagdip Contractor
- Mr. Rajesh Meena
- Mr. Chandrasekar S
- Mr. Premkumar V R
- Mr. Arvind Kumar
- Mr. Gautham Thapliyal
- Ms. Aakanksha Kulshreshtha
- Ms. Ankita Dhanda
- Mr. Romeo Vincent Tete
- Mr. Sachiv Kumar
Aim and Structure of the Foundation Course
The Foundation Course is designed to instill a shared understanding of government functions and foster camaraderie among the civil services, facilitating smoother governance. This foundational training prepares fresh recruits with the essential skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for their roles as public servants.
The curriculum blends academic learning with co-curricular activities to provide a holistic training experience.
Academic Curriculum and Pedagogy
Officer trainees receive academic instruction covering:
- Law
- Public Administration
- Management
- Economics
- Political Concepts
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
One selected language
The training employs a diverse pedagogical approach that includes lectures, case studies, films, group discussions, and management games, ensuring interactive and practical learning.
Co-Curricular Activities for Holistic Development
Beyond academics, the Foundation Course offers a variety of co-curricular activities such as:
- Short weekend treks
- One-week high-altitude trek
- Cultural fetes
- One-week village visits
- Optional extra-curricular modules
- Engagements through various clubs and societies
These activities aim to foster team spirit, physical fitness, and a deeper understanding of rural India.
About the Foundation Course
The Foundation Course is an annual event conducted over 15 weeks for fresh entrants to the All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS), Indian Foreign Service, and Central Group ‘A’ Services. It serves as an orientation to the socio-political and administrative environment of India, equipping officers to shoulder the responsibilities of public service effectively.
LBSNAA is globally recognized not only for its focus on capacity-building but also for fostering inter-service camaraderie and cooperation, which is the unique hallmark of the common Foundation Course.
Read also: IAS Officer Shelesh Nawal Re-Designated as Deputy Director (Senior) at LBSNAA
