Mussoorie: Cracking the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination may be one of the toughest academic achievements in the country, but clearing the examination does not necessarily guarantee a flawless journey through IAS training.
A Right to Information (RTI) reply obtained by The Times of India has revealed that 24 IAS probationers failed one or more examinations during their training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, over the last five years. Notably, 14 of these cases were recorded during 2025 and 2026 alone, indicating a rise in examination backlogs among probationers.
Despite these failures, academy officials clarified that no IAS probationer has been removed from service or discharged from training, as all officers eventually cleared their examinations within the permissible period.
Mandatory Two-Year IAS Training
Every year, nearly five lakh candidates appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, but only around 182 to 184 candidates finally qualify for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
After selection, IAS officers undergo a mandatory two-year foundation and professional training programme at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie before taking up their field assignments.
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The training combines classroom learning, field exposure, district training, physical fitness programmes and assessments across multiple subjects.
24 Probationers Failed One or More Papers
According to the RTI response, 24 IAS probationers failed one or more academy examinations between 2021 and 2026, with 14 failures occurring during 2025 and 2026.
However, academy officials stressed that these failures relate to individual subjects rather than the overall training programme.
The academy permits probationers to reappear in examinations, and almost all officers clear the backlog papers within a short period.
Language Test Among the Toughest Challenges
Several recently inducted IAS officers told The Times of India that the local language proficiency examination of the allotted cadre is among the most challenging assessments during training.
One 2023-batch IAS officer from Bihar, allotted the Telangana cadre, recalled scoring just three marks out of 20in the Telugu language examination during the first attempt.
“Since I opted for Telangana cadre, I had to take the Telugu test. I scored three out of 20 in my first attempt. I cleared it in the re-test,” the officer said.
The officer added that such experiences are common among probationers allotted states with unfamiliar regional languages.
Why Do Probationers Fail?
According to a 2022-batch IAS officer, the reasons are not necessarily academic inability.
He explained that many officers lose momentum after the intense preparation required for the UPSC examination.
“Soon after the UPSC exam and the hectic preparation that goes into it, many lose interest in academics for a brief while. That’s why they falter.”
The officer also noted that LBSNAA has significantly strengthened its curriculum and assessment standards during the past four to five years, making the examinations more demanding than before.
Subjects Covered During Training
IAS probationers are assessed across a wide range of disciplines designed to prepare them for governance and public administration.
The examinations include subjects such as:
- Law
- Basic Economic Principles
- Indian Economy
- Political Concepts
- Constitution of India
- Public Administration
- Management
- Behavioural Sciences
The minimum qualifying mark in each paper is 50 percent.
Four Years Available to Clear All Papers
LBSNAA officials clarified that there is no fixed limit on the number of attempts available to probationers for clearing academy examinations.
However, all officers are expected to complete the required examinations within four years of joining the service.
Deputy Director Gautam Thapliyal said the academy has maintained an excellent overall record despite individual failures.
“Marks obtained during the academy training are considered for the purpose of seniority of the batch. But despite individual failures in respective subjects, the overall pass percentage of IAS probationers between 2018 and 2026 has been 100%, and no probationer has been removed from service or discharged from training for failing to clear the academy examinations,” he said.
Disciplinary Action Against 14 Probationers
The RTI response also disclosed that 14 IAS probationers faced disciplinary proceedings during the same period.
The data showed:
- Six probationers from the 2022 batch faced disciplinary action.
- Eight probationers from the 2025 batch were proceeded against.
The increase coincided with the academy’s stricter enforcement of discipline.
Reasons for Disciplinary Proceedings
According to the RTI data, disciplinary action was initiated for violations including:
- Poor classroom attendance
- Missing Physical Training (PT) sessions
- Using electronic devices inside classrooms
- Other breaches of academy rules
While LBSNAA did not disclose individual details, serving IAS officers said the disciplinary mechanism is intended to reinforce the standards of discipline and professionalism expected from future civil servants.
No Impact on Final Service Entry
Despite examination failures and disciplinary proceedings, academy officials reiterated that all IAS probationers successfully completed training, resulting in a 100 percent overall pass rate.
The academy emphasised that probationers are given adequate opportunities to improve their performance through supplementary examinations while maintaining high academic and professional standards.
