New Delhi: The Assistant Secretary Programme for newly recruited IAS officers has emerged as a cornerstone of induction training, designed to familiarize young administrators with the Union Government’s policy-making and governance framework.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that the initiative aims to instill a national perspective among officer trainees before they take up field responsibilities.
Early Exposure to Policy and Governance
Launched in 2015 with officers of the 2013 batch, the programme provides direct exposure to policy formulation and administrative processes at the Central level. The structure reinforces a whole-of-government approach, underlining citizen-centric governance and inter-ministerial collaboration as the foundation of effective administration.
Since 2023, the programme has been restructured and fully integrated with the induction process. It now runs for eight weeks before Phase II training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
Hands-On Training with Ministries and Departments
IAS officers are attached to different Ministries and Departments, serving as Assistant Secretaries in roles similar to Desk Officers or Under Secretaries. They work on identified problem statements, analyzing policy challenges and suggesting practical solutions.
Through hands-on assignments, they gain first-hand exposure to flagship schemes, governance processes, and technological innovations in administration. So far, 1,580 IAS officers have participated in the programme.
Building Capacity for National Goals
The programme is a key element of the Government’s capacity-building efforts. It prepares officers to align with India’s national goals, adopt a citizen-first approach, and appreciate the diversity of policy priorities.
By familiarizing young officers with the Central Secretariat and its functioning, the programme equips them to become effective administrators and inspired leaders in their respective cadres.
