Training for new batch of IAS, IPS recruits begins with strict Covid-19 protocols

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The training for newly recruited IAS, IPS and other all-India services officers of 2020 batch started at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, with strict COVID-19 protocol compliances. This is at a time, when daily Covid-19 cases in India continue to rise and the Govt. agencies don’t want to take any chances.

For the common foundation course, scheduled between October 12 and December 18 this year, all the trainee officers have to report to the academy with a ” negative” RT-PCR test result. Incidentally, out of over 800 candidates who qualified this year, only 428 trainee officeres are joing the programme this year, as for the remaining, they have sought and are given exemptions and will be appearing for the next years exam to improve their rank.

These 428 trainee officers will be housed in double-occupancy rooms, where they get individual kits with N95 mask, thermometer, sanitiser and a set of Covid-19 safety instructions.

The trainee officers are instructed to self-monitor on a daily basis and report any issue to doctors at the on-campus medical centre. The first week of training course will be conducted online from their respective hostel rooms.

The officers are further instructed to maintain all protocols prescribed by the Union government including masks and social distancing during physical classes, starting from October 19.

The foundation course is statutory for every officer who has cleared the Civil Services Exam. Following this training the officers are formally inducted into services.

The training programme looks to develop a spirit of camaraderie and esprit de corps amongst the officers of all the participating services.

The young trainees have been advised not to undertake visits outside the academy unless essential, and wear masks and strictly observe social distancing off-campus. In the event of any trainee testing positive during the course, he or she will be shifted to a Covid-19 care centre set up by Uttarakhand government, with a separate team of doctors and nurses, on the campus itself.

The foundation course is common for every officer who has cleared the Civil Services Exam, following which the officers are formally inducted into services. The training programme looks to develop a spirit of camaraderie and esprit de corps amongst the officers of all the participating services.