IIPA's 50th Advanced Programme: Dr. Jitendra Singh Inspires Defence and Civil Services

The programme is designed for senior officers from various Indian services, including defence and central services, at the rank of Deputy Secretary/Director or higher.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Chairman of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), engaged with senior officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Civil Services during the 50th (Golden) Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPA) at the IIPA campus today. This event marks a significant milestone for the APPA, a 10-month long course sponsored by the Department of Personnel and Training, also overseen by Dr. Jitendra Singh.

The programme is designed for senior officers from various Indian services, including defence and central services, at the rank of Deputy Secretary/Director or higher. Upon completion, participants are awarded a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Public Policy from Punjab University. Since its inception in 1975, IIPA has been conducting this course to enhance the capabilities of officers in public administration.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple portfolios including Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, expressed his pride in being part of the golden APPA. He emphasized the importance of advanced courses for government officers to prepare them for future challenges, aligning with Prime Minister Modi's vision of a future-ready bureaucracy.

Dr. Singh highlighted the government's commitment to capacity building through initiatives like ‘Mission Karmayogi’, aimed at transforming civil servants by enhancing their efficiency and contribution to nation-building. He encouraged continuous learning and peer learning among the officers, sharing his own commitment to learning new things daily.

He stated that the APPA is designed to align with the Mission Karmayogi framework, equipping officers with the necessary competencies to tackle the challenges of 2047 in the Amrit Kaal era. The programme aims to foster the right attitude, skills, and knowledge for citizen-centric governance.

Dr. Singh shared his experiences in public service, stressing the shift from a rule-based to a role-based approach under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, aimed at empowering citizens. He advised participants to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills and shared instances of joint cooperation between District Magistrates and Army Officers in militancy-affected areas.

The Minister also discussed the government's focus on grievance redressal, developing indices for future development models, and the creation of a ‘Vision Document’ for administrative reforms. He urged officers to stay updated with changing technologies and utilize Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, while also maintaining a human touch through initiatives like the Human Desk for post-grievance feedback.

Highlighting India's achievements, Dr. Singh mentioned the SWAMITVA programme as a model for land reforms globally and assured that the National Quantum Mission would be transformative for the future. He also took feedback and suggestions from the participants for future improvements.

Shri S.N. Tripathi, Director General of IIPA, expressed gratitude for Dr. Singh's continuous guidance and leadership, acknowledging his support for many positive interventions. Dr. Nila Mohanan, Joint Secretary (Training) at the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), credited Dr. Singh for his direction in executing such training programmes.

The interaction also saw the presence of Shri Amitabh Ranjan, Registrar IIPA, Prof. Neetu Jain, and Dr. Saket Bihari, with around 30 senior officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Civil Services attending the programme.