New Delhi: Senior IPS officers will now undergo annual training in ChatGPT, generative AI, cybersecurity, evidence-based policymaking and wellness, as part of a new capacity-building framework for All India Services officers.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has informed States and Union Territories about the training requirements following a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) directive. The prescribed courses will be completed through the iGOT Karmayogi platform, with performance in mandatory courses linked to officers’ Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs).
24 Courses Divided By Years Of Service
As the cadre-controlling authority for the Indian Police Service, the MHA has selected 24 courses for IPS officers.
The courses are divided into four categories based on an officer’s years of service. Each category contains six courses, of which the first three are mandatory and will contribute to the annual appraisal process for the financial year 2026-27.
Officers will have to complete all mandatory courses before appearing for the comprehensive assessment linked to the programme.
Early-Career IPS Officers To Focus On Technology And Cybersecurity
Officers with up to nine years of service, covering the 2018 batch onwards, will undertake courses on emerging technologies, search and seizure procedures under the NDPS Act and cybersecurity fundamentals for leaders.
The modules are offered by institutions including the Wadhwani Foundation, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy and the National E-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Their additional courses cover personal finance, feedback as a leadership tool and the handling of mobile devices at crime scenes.
Mid-Career Officers To Study New Criminal Laws
Officers with more than nine and up to 16 years of service, covering the 2011 to 2017 batches, will receive training in emerging technologies, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the interoperable criminal justice system.
The BNSS has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), making familiarity with the new legal framework important for police officers.
Other courses in this bracket focus on managing and leading teams, noting and drafting, and effective use of feedback.
Senior IPS Officers Get AI And Policy Training
For officers with more than 16 and up to 25 years of service, covering the 2001 to 2010 batches, the training moves towards leadership, technology and policy-oriented skills.
Their six courses include:
- Introduction To Emerging Technologies
- Evidence-Based Policymaking
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- The Art Of Storytelling
- ChatGPT And Generative AI Tools For Government Officials
- Change Management In Digital Transformation Projects
The inclusion of ChatGPT and generative AI reflects the growing role of AI tools in government work, communication, research and decision-making.
Seniormost Officers To Add Wellness Training
Officers with 25 years or more of service, covering the 2000 batch and earlier batches, will undertake courses that substantially overlap with the preceding category.
This group will also have access to a module on integrative wellness, offered by Rashtriya Raksha University.
The inclusion of wellness alongside technology, cybersecurity and leadership highlights the broader approach adopted for senior civil servants.
Training Linked To Annual Appraisal
One of the key features of the new framework is its connection with the Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR).
The first three courses prescribed for each service bracket are mandatory. Officers must complete these courses before taking the comprehensive assessment for the 2026-27 financial year.
The move places greater emphasis on continuous professional learning rather than training only at specific stages of an officer’s career.
Building A Future-Ready Police Leadership
The new IPS training framework combines policing skills with emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital transformation.
For younger officers, the focus includes operational policing and technology. Mid-career officers are being introduced to new criminal laws and integrated justice systems, while senior officers are being trained in policymaking, AI and organisational change.
The annual iGOT requirement could therefore create a more structured system of continuous learning across the IPS.
As policing increasingly relies on digital evidence, cyber capabilities, data and emerging technologies, regular capacity building is becoming an important part of preparing officers for changing operational and administrative challenges.
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