Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions on 18th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed participants of a 15-day refresher course for lateral entry officers on August 18, 2026, emphasizing the role of emerging technologies in transforming governance. The session highlighted the necessity for continuous learning and effective communication as officers work toward the "India '47" vision. Key action items include the integration of feedback to refine training curricula and the adoption of digital tools for government program delivery.
Key Points / Main Content
Technological Integration in Governance
Emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and digital tools, are rapidly evolving administrative processes.
Civil servants are tasked with using these tools to deliver flagship government programs while maintaining institutional sanctity and constitutional responsibilities.
The government is focusing on digital tools to improve the ease of implementation and monitoring of various programs.
Professional Development and Continuous Learning
The 15-day refresher course serves as a mid-career platform for Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries to engage in two-way communication and dialogue.
Officers are encouraged to remain "curious learners" to keep pace with the rapidly changing administrative environment.
The curriculum covers diverse areas such as policy analysis, digital transformation, municipal finance, public health, and education.
The Role of Lateral Entry
Approximately 63 officers have entered the government through the institutionalized lateral entry mechanism to bring in fresh talent, ideas, and work cultures.
These officers are described as the "architects of India '47," requiring a mindset oriented toward professional development and public administration.
Communication Strategies
Effective communication is identified as an essential requirement for responsible governance.
Officers must develop skills to engage at four levels: colleagues, political functionaries, the media, and the general public.
There is a growing need to adapt to the social media environment to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Institutional Outreach and Feedback
The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) is expanding its outreach to integrate with Central and State governments, elected bodies, and the private sector.
The Minister emphasized the importance of obtaining candid and anonymous feedback from participants to improve faculty performance and course content.
Impact Analysis
Lateral Entry Officers (Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries)Impact
These officers are positioned as key drivers of governance transformation and are expected to merge their professional experience with the requirements of the civil service. They are affected by the need to continuously update their technical and communication skills.
Action Required
Officers must actively participate in the 15-day refresher course, engage in two-way dialogue, and provide constructive feedback on the training curriculum to ensure its relevance.
Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and Training BodiesImpact
Institutions are tasked with expanding their scope beyond traditional government training to include corporate and private-sector participants while integrating with other agencies.
Action Required
IIPA must implement mechanisms for gathering anonymous feedback and adapt course curricula to include evolving topics like AI and social media communication.
Government and Political FunctionariesImpact
The quality of governance and the monitoring of flagship programs are expected to improve as officers become more proficient in digital tools and communication.
Action Required
Functionaries need to engage with officers who are now being trained to operate with greater transparency and better communication outreach to the public and media.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions who addressed the 15-day refresher course for lateral entry officers.
15-Day Refresher Course for Lateral Entry officers: A mid-career training program designed for Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries to enhance skills in emerging technologies and governance.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions: The primary ministry responsible for the professional development and training initiatives for civil servants.
Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA): The premier training institution mentioned as central to expanding outreach and integrating public administration courses across government and private sectors.
Lateral Entry: An institutionalized mechanism in the Indian civil services used to recruit professional talent from outside the traditional cadre into senior government positions.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
AI, Quantum, Cybersecurity and Digital Tools are
Rapidly Transforming Governance: Union
Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
15-Day Refresher Course for Lateral Entry officers Provides
Platform for Dialogue, Continuous Learning and Feedback,
says Dr. Jitendra Singh, reminds them of their role as
architects of India '47 envisaged by PM Sh Narendra Modi
Government Officers Need Strong Communication Skills to
Engage with Government, Political Functionaries, Media and
Citizens: Dr. Jitendra Singh
प्रव तथ: 18 AUG 2026 4:42PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions,
Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that AI, Quantum,
Cybersecurity and Digital tools are rapidly transforming governance and emphasised the need for
continuous learning and adaptation among civil servants as governance processes and technology evolve
rapidly.
Addressing participants of the 15-Day Refresher Course for Lateral Entry Joint Secretaries, Directors and
Deputy Secretaries, the Minister said that the rapidly changing administrative environment requires
officers to remain curious learners and continuously update their knowledge and skills.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the refresher course should be viewed as an opportunity for two-way
communication and learning through dialogue, rather than merely a platform for delivering lectures. He
emphasised that participants, having acquired substantial professional experience and maturity, should
actively engage in discussions and provide feedback on their learning requirements.
The Minister highlighted the rapid pace of technological change, noting that developments in Artificial
Intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and digital tools are increasingly influencing
governance and administrative processes. He stressed that continuous learning is essential for officers to
effectively understand and respond to these emerging technologies.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also emphasised the additional responsibility of civil servants to use emerging
technologies and digital tools for delivering flagship government programmes while maintaining their
constitutional responsibilities and the institutional sanctity of government. He noted that the Government
has also focused on improving ease of implementation and ease of monitoring of programmes.Referring to the curriculum of the refresher course, the Minister highlighted areas including policy
analysis, digital transformation, municipal finance, public health, cybersecurity, education and government
communication. He suggested that government communication should also encompass public
communication, given the expanding communication responsibilities of government officers.
Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed that effective communication has become an essential requirement for
responsible governance. He identified four key levels of communication for government officers—
communication with government functionaries and colleagues; political functionaries; the media; and the
common people. He noted that the changing communication environment, including the growing role of
social media, makes it increasingly important for officers to develop the ability to communicate
effectively with different stakeholders.
The Minister highlighted the importance of institutionalising processes for bringing in fresh talent, fresh
ideas and fresh work culture from different sectors. Referring to the institutionalised approach adopted for
lateral entry, he informed that about 63 officers have so far entered through this mechanism. He also
described the 15-day refresher programme as a form of mid-career course, aimed at supporting officers
during their professional journey.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also highlighted the importance of expanding the outreach of institutions such as the
Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and integrating them with other institutions and agencies
working under similar mandates. He noted that such outreach extends across Central and State
Governments, public institutions and elected bodies, with courses also being developed for corporate and
private-sector participants.
Emphasising the importance of feedback in improving training programmes, the Minister encouraged
participants to communicate their requirements and suggest ways in which the curriculum could be
modified, improved and further shaped. He also suggested mechanisms for obtaining candid and
anonymous feedback on faculty and course content so that training programmes can continuously
improve.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the participants of the course have an important role as architects of India '47
envisaged by PM Sh Narendra Modi, and urged them to approach the programme with an open and
learning-oriented mindset. He emphasised that the changing nature of governance makes continuous
professional development and dialogue essential for public administration.***
NKR/AK
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