Bengaluru: A significant number of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers promoted from Karnataka’s State Civil Services are showing reluctance to attend the mandatory Induction Training Programme (ITP) at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie. Of the 26 promotee IAS officers from Karnataka nominated for the 128th ITP scheduled to begin on February 2, 2026, only one officer has sought permission from the state government to attend the training.
The remaining 25 officers have neither applied for permission nor confirmed their participation, raising concerns within administrative circles over compliance with mandatory service rules.
Induction Training Programme Mandatory Under IAS Rules
The Induction Training Programme is compulsory for all promotee IAS officers – both from State Civil Services (SCS) and Non-SCS cadres – under the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954. Completion of ITP is essential for confirmation into the IAS cadre, and officers who do not undergo the training technically remain unconfirmed.
The 128th ITP will be conducted from February 2 to March 13, 2026, spanning six weeks. The programme includes four weeks of in-house training at LBSNAA and a two-week study tour aimed at providing officers with an all-India perspective on governance, public administration, and contemporary public management challenges.
Officers Promoted as Far Back as 2016 Yet to Attend Training
Among the 26 officers nominated from Karnataka, seven officers were promoted in 2016 and have not attended the induction training even after nearly a decade. The list also includes officers promoted in later years – two from 2018, four from 2019, eight from the 2020 batch, three from 2021, and two from 2022.
According to officials, repeated communications were sent to all nominated officers urging them to participate in the programme.
“All the officers on the list sent by LBSNAA were asked to participate in the ITP. However, only one officer has taken permission from the government and is going,” said Jagadeesha K.G., a 2005 batch IAS Officer and Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR).
National Participation Limited Despite Large Nomination List
A total of 547 officers from across India, including 26 from Karnataka, have been nominated for the ITP this year. However, as per LBSNAA guidelines, only around 150 officers will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, making this a one-time opportunity for promotee officers awaiting confirmation.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, through the Department of Personnel and Training (Training Division), organizes the ITP annually at LBSNAA for both direct recruits and promotee IAS officers.
Distribution of IAS Recruitment Sources
As per existing norms, approximately 60% of IAS posts are filled through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Around 36% of IAS vacancies are filled through promotions from State Civil Services, while 4% are filled by Non-SCS officers. Officers from SCS become eligible for promotion to IAS after completing a minimum of eight years of service.
Fear of Losing Posts Cited as Key Reason for Reluctance
A senior IAS officer familiar with the issue attributed the reluctance primarily to fears of losing key postings during the training period.
“After being promoted to IAS, many officers get good posts. They do not want to leave those posts. ITP lasts for about one and a half months, and officers worry that someone else may be posted in their place during this gap,” the officer said.
This fear, he added, has led to several officers retiring without ever attending the mandatory training.
Promotees Technically Unconfirmed Without ITP
The same senior officer pointed out a serious administrative anomaly arising from this trend.
“Since ITP is mandatory and confirmation is issued only after completing the training, many promotee officers are, in reality, not confirmed IAS officers. They continue in their posts only as long as they remain within the State and do not go on Central deputation,” he said.
This situation raises questions about adherence to service rules and the long-term impact on cadre management and inter-state or central postings.
Purpose of ITP: All-India Perspective and Administrative Skills
According to the official communication from LBSNAA, the ITP aims to equip promotee officers with a broader understanding of national governance issues, policy formulation, and administrative leadership.
“The objective of the programme is to develop core skills, attitudes, and an all-India perspective required for administrators in the current public management environment,” the academy’s letter stated.
