Kerala is considering to setting up a mentoring system for IAS and IFS probationers, mainly to give them some guidance and support in their first few years of service. The idea came up in a meeting of department secretaries held recently under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
The plan borrows the broad concept from what already exists for IPS probationers, where each trainee is linked to a senior officer. In the IPS setup, probationers get help on investigations, field situations, administrative issues and questions of ethics. Officials involved in the Kerala discussion said the state does not want a carbon copy of that model. What is being thought of is something lighter and optional, with a mix of online and occasional in-person interactions, rather than a very structured routine.
Some officials involved in the discussion said probationers often struggle during their initial postings and could benefit from an experienced hand to consult. At the same time, they pointed out that the system will only work if it is practical and does not add heavy responsibilities for senior officers.
After the meeting, the Chief Secretary asked the General Administration Department to work out a detailed plan. This would include who can be chosen as mentors, how often they should interact with probationers and what sort of reporting is needed, if any. Once the draft is ready, the government will take a final call on moving ahead.
The thinking behind the proposal is simple: new officers often need someone they can turn to in their early years, especially during difficult postings. At the same time, the system should not overload senior officers or create rigid rules that nobody can follow in practice.
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