Mussoorie/New Delhi: As many as 213 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer trainees were required to reappear in examinations during their training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration(LBSNAA) between 2020 and 2026 due to poor performance in various assessments, according to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
According to a report by The Times of India, the data reveals that while the academy maintains rigorous academic and practical evaluation standards, no IAS probationer was found using unfair means during examinations during the period under review.
1,079 IAS Officer Trainees Underwent Training in Six Years
According to the RTI data, a total of 1,079 IAS officer trainees underwent training at LBSNAA between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2026.
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The annual intake remained relatively stable, with the number of trainees ranging between 182 and 187 each year.
The academy’s two-year induction programme is designed to prepare newly recruited civil servants for field administration through classroom instruction, district attachments, physical training, and governance-based assessments.
AGMUT Cadre Recorded Highest Number of Reappearances
Among all cadres, the AGMUT Cadre registered the highest number of officer trainees who had to retake examinations.
Cadre-Wise Reappearances at LBSNAA (2020–2026)
| Cadre | Number of Trainees Who Reappeared |
|---|---|
| AGMUT | 21 |
| Tamil Nadu | 18 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 16 |
| Bihar | 15 |
| West Bengal | 15 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 14 |
| Odisha | 13 |
| Maharashtra | 12 |
| Gujarat | 11 |
Several other cadres also reported smaller numbers of reappearances.
No Cheating Cases Reported
The academy confirmed that no IAS probationer was found using unfair means during examinations in the six-year period.
This reflects the strict disciplinary standards and professional ethics maintained during the training programme.
Training at LBSNAA Is Highly Demanding
A serving IAS officer, currently posted as a Chief Development Officer (CDO), told The Times of India that training at LBSNAA is rigorous and evaluates probationers on multiple dimensions.
According to the officer, the programme covers:
- Public administration
- Law and economics
- Governance and policy
- District and field attachments
- Physical fitness
- Leadership development
The officer noted that reappearing in examinations should not necessarily be viewed negatively, as the purpose of the evaluation system is to ensure that all trainees are fully prepared for real-world administrative responsibilities.
About LBSNAA
Located in Mussoorie, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration is India’s premier institution for training officers of the Indian Administrative Service and other civil services.
The academy’s two-year induction programme is aimed at transforming successful civil services candidates into field-ready administrators capable of handling complex governance challenges.
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