The most important reason for applying for the civil service exam is getting exposure to a platform where you can help each section of the society serving the greater good. UPSC preparation requires a lot of effort, hard work, and dedication. It is needless to say that becoming an IAS officer is a dream for many. The life of an IAS officer is filled with challenges and opportunities. Right from rigorous studies to a foundation course and district training, it is all about dealing with different situations and shaping the entire personality of an individual.
IAS Officer Training
Millions fill the form every year to join LBSNAA for IAS officer training. It is the final step that trains a person to become an efficient IAS officer before joining the duty and serving the nation. Many people might think that the life of an IAS officer is full of dignity, pride, rewards, and perks, but with that comes responsibility and round the clock observation of things happening around.
History of LBSNAA
All those who apply and clear the civil service exam will spend a year enjoying the scenic beauty of Mussoorie. An IAS officer’s journey will start in Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), located at the beautiful hill station of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.
It all started back on 15th April 1958 when the then Home Minister, Govind Ballabh Pant, announced in the Lok Sabha for setting up a National Academy for training the civil service recruits. The academy came to be known as the National Academy of Administration at Mussoorie in 1959. In October 1972, it was renamed the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
Training Period of IAS Officer in LBSNAA
After you successfully clear the UPSC exam, you receive a letter from the authorities to join LBSNAA, where the actual training of IAS officers starts. The training period is mostly divided into a time frame of 2 years. Officers are given a foundation course regarding different topics that will help them while they go for their actual district posting.
Segregation of the 2 years Training Program
Foundation Course
The candidates who are recommended for the Grade-A posts are invited to join the 3 months foundation program at LBSNAA. The Grade-A posts can be for IAS, IPS, or IFS. After 3 months, the candidates of different services join their respective departments or academies for training. Therefore, IAS officers remain in LBSNAA, but IFS and IPS officers move to their institutes for training.
Phase-1
The Phase-1 training program is of 15 weeks that includes the Bharat Darshan program. As the name suggests, it is the complete tour of the India program. During the Bharat Darshan training program, the IAS probationers are set up in small groups before they are taken for a tour of India. This helps them inculcate the habit of working together in a group. The program includes land management modules, project management, e-gov., policymaking, national security, etc. The day starts at 6 AM with exercise, then the lectures and the evening ends with cultural activities.
District Training
The District training is a whole year training program. The training is given at the district level. The officers become part of any particular district and study their administrative setup.
Phase-2
An IAS officer reaches Phase-2 after clearing Phase-1. This means they have undergone all sorts of training and case studies for a year. Now it is their chance to interact with colleagues and share their experience from Phase-1. It is a group study where all probationers discuss their experiences in different administration setups, the challenges, and how they resolved them.
This is an interesting way of gaining experiences by listening to each other’s scenarios. It is considered a group study or a case study. This program helps in development by learning through various experiences.
Assistant Secretaryship
After completing the Phase-2 discussion and induction session, the IAS probationers are sent to their respective deputation. Now they are real-life stars because now they have to practically work under the joint secretary in the ministries for the next few months. This is on-the-job training where they will get knowledge of practical work.
LBSNAA IAS Training
The IAS officer Curriculum is for 26 weeks. The day starts at 6 AM. The trainees gather at the Polo ground to exercise for 60 minutes. After exercise, the officers are given half an hour to return to their room and get ready for their morning session. The morning session starts at 9.30 A.M.
The morning session is usually divided into 5 to 6 sections which are scheduled before lunch. Also, there are different courses like social, economic, political science, law, ICT, etc. In the evening, the IAS probationers are supposed to gather for extra-curricular activities. For enjoyment, there are some cultural activities held before dinner.
Extra-curricular Activities at LBSNAA
During and after dinner, the officers interact and socialise with each other. This is the time when they learn from each other’s experiences. Some of the extracurricular activities that the officers can participate in are namely-
#. Short treks.
#. Community services.
#. Rock climbing.
#. Paragliding.
#. River rafting.
#. Horse riding.
During the training period, officers are also sent on trekking on the Great Himalayas Range to learn to live in extreme conditions. Officers are encouraged to choose an activity and develop a hobby. These activities loosen up the mind and also help in relaxing from the hectic day.
Organising Clubs
Many clubs organise various activities. These clubs are –
#. Film Society.
#. Officers’ Club and Mess.
#. Society for Contemporary Affairs or Social Services.
#. Computer Society.
#. Hobbies Club.
#. Adventure Sports.
#. Management Circle.
#. Alumni Association.
#. Rifle & Archery Club.
#. Fine Arts Association.
#. Nature Lovers’ Club.
#. House Journal Society.
The Career Path of IAS Officer
The career path of an IAS officer normally begins after 2 years. Also, it tends to vary after probation, depending on the allotted cadre. The different stages of promotion are –
#. Phase-1: Training sessions at LBSNAA.
#. Training at the district level in the allotted cadre.
#. Phase-2: Training at LBSNAA, which includes a foreign attachment for a full week with one of India’s diplomatic missions abroad.
#. Central Government attachment at a nominal position for three months as an Assistant Secretary.
#. Posting as Joint Magistrate/SDM/Sub Collector.
#. Posting as Municipal Commissioner (DDO/CDO).
#. Posting as DM or Collector.
#. Posting at State Secretariats as a Director or Joint Secretary level.
#. Deputation to the Central Government can be opted for during any stage of service after you have served for a few years.
#. Principle or Additional Secretary in the State Secretariat or Central Secretariat.
#. Chief Secretary of a State.
#. Cabinet Secretary.
Final Words
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To be an IAS officer is a matter of pride and honor. This article has complete information about the training period of IAS. What do you guys think about it?