What Happens After UPSC Is Cleared And How Are IAS Officers Trained

Lakhs of youth appear for one of the toughest exams in the country, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), every year. Only a few are able to crack the exams and interview, and get selected. Now, we all have heard of the hard work required to crack UPSC, but what happens after one does so? What kind of training does an IAS officer get? IAS officers have to undergo special training first. Only after the completion of the training, they are deployed in the field. Where do they get trained? Well, those who pass the UPSC exams are trained at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).

Candidates who crack the UPSC exams and are selected for the posts of IAS, IPS, IFS and IRS are sent to train here. Every IAS, IPS, IFS and IRS officer has to first do a foundation course whose duration is four months. During this time, they are taught the basics of administrative service. In phase one, these officers are also taught about law, public administration, economics and Indian politics. Reportedly, candidates get different experiences while training here. Trips are also organised so that the to-be officers can get practical knowledge, right from the field.

Trainees are taken on Himalayan study tours and village tours to name a few. A 40-day India tour is also organised for some candidates that help them understand the difficulties of rural areas and their society better. After these activities, candidates are allotted cadres and sent off for practical training.

What happens after the first phase of training?

The second phase of officer’s training kicks off right as they return from the field. The trainees return with practical and on-ground experience and share their stories and challenges along with experiences they faced during their training. The next step is to complete theoretical training. Based on their on-ground practical experiences, they are further explained the nuances of their field. For example, an IAS trainee will be given more insights about public administration and governance and how to overcome them.