INSTITUTE NEWS

Programme for Assistant Section Officer Trainees, Government of Bihar

The foundation training programme for Assistant Section Officer Trainees, Government of Bihar was organised by IIPA in association with BIPARD from February 9-13, 2026. The objective of the programme was to familiarize the participants with the critical issues in governance with national perspective. During the programme, the participants learnt about power of ownership; neuro-linguistic programme, value-chain for small and marginal farmers; water agronomy management; etc. Around thirty participants attended the programme. Dr Mamta Pathania and Dr Amit Singh coordinated the programme.

Programme for Judicial Officers of India on Cyber Security & Digital Forensic Investigation

Capacity Building Programme for Judicial Officers of India on Cyber Security and Digital Forensic Investigation was organised by IIPA in association with I4C, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India on February 9-13, 2026. The objective of the programme was to ensure the attainment and maintenance of security properties of the user’s assets against relevant security risks in cyber environment. During the programme, the participants were able to learn about: IT Act; Digital evidences; Current scenarios and vulnerabilities; cyber space and attacks; online fraud; cyber forensic tools; DOT SIM fraud and Sanchar Sarthi Portal; Dark web; cryptocurrency; emerging technology; etc. Around twenty-seven participants attended the programme. Dr Surabhi Pandey coordinated the programme.

Programme on Role and Responsibilities of Municipal Elected Leaders

The Centre for Urban Studies at IIPA in association with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India and Government of Haryana organised a special training programme on Role and Responsibilities of Municipal Elected Leaders on February 11, 2026 at Thanesar for sixty-five councillors and chairpersons from all five cities of Kurukshetra district . The participants deliberated on role of councillors in regulatory, and investment functions as per laid down procedures, barriers and innovations along with take home points. Prof KK Pandey and Dr Amit Singh coordinated the programme.

Techno-Managerial Skill Development Programme for Technical Officers of DRDO

Techno-Managerial Skill Development Programme for Technical Officers ‘C’ of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was organised from February 9–20, 2026 in association with DRDO. Dr. Mayank Dwivedi, DG (HR), DRDO; Dr. Sanjay K. Dwivedi, Director (Personnel), DRDO; and Dr. Mehbooba Begum, Head of Training, DHRD, DRDO addressed the participants. The objective of the programme was to strengthen project management capabilities for effective planning, execution, monitoring, and delivery of defence R&D projects within time, cost, and quality parameters. During the sessions the participants were able to learn about: Understanding Self through MBTI; Effective Interpersonal Relations; Stress Management; Quality & Reliability Management; Managing Human Resources; Effective Leadership; etc. Around thirty-five participants attended the programme. Dr Neetu Jain and Dr Shweta Mittal coordinated the programme.  

Programme on Public Administration for Officer Trainees of IDES

A training programme on Public Administration for Officer Trainees of Indian Defence Estates Service was organised by IIPA in association with National Institute of Defence Estates Management, Ministry of Defence, Government of India from February 23-27, 2026.  Prof Suresh Misra and Dr Mamta Pathania coordinated the programme.

Programme on Project & Risk Management for Public Works

A two-week International Management Development Programme on Project & Risk Management for Public Works was organised by IIPA in association with the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme from February 23 to March 6, 2026. Participants from more than 12 countries engaged in sessions on infrastructure planning, risk mitigation, AI-enabled project management, financial appraisal & India’s best practices like PM Gati Shakti and resilient infrastructure. Dr Roma Debnath and Dr Pawan Taneja coordinated the programme.

Programme on Finance, Operations and Project Management

A Management Excellence Programme on Finance, Operations and Project Management was organised by IIPA in association with Indian Academy of Highway Engineers from February 23 to March 6, 2026. It was sponsored by Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway, Government of India. The objective of the programme was to impart essential management and administrative skills to enhance the participants’ effectiveness as decision-makers in organisational functioning and project implementation, with a focused orientation towards finance, operations, and project management. A total of 12 newly joined Assistant Executive Engineers participated in the programme. Dr Pawan Taneja coordinated the programme. 

Programme on Mobilisation of Municipal Own Source Revenue

The Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) at IIPA organized a two-day special training programme on Mobilisation of Municipal Own Source Revenue from February 24–25, 2026. A group of 25 Municipal Commissioners, Dy Commissioners, Dy. Controller of Accounts, Finance Officers, Executive Officers, Engineers etc from 20 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Bihar, Punjab, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh attended the workshop. Programme was coordinated by Prof KK Pandey and Dr Amit Singh.

 NAMAMI GANGE 

 A two-day Capacity Building Programme under the IIPA-led Blended Capacity Building Programme for Stakeholders of river Ganga-Phase II was organised from February 2-3, 2026 for 25 District Ganga Committees (DGCs) of Uttar Pradesh aimed at strengthening district-level river governance.

 Under the IIPA-led Blended Capacity Building Programme for Stakeholders of River Ganga – Phase II, sponsored by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), a two-day Capacity Building Programme was organised on February 4, 2026 for 25 District Ganga Committees (DGCs) of Uttar Pradesh. The participating districts included: Firozabad, Garh Mukteshwar (Hapur), Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida), Ghazipur, Hamirpur, Hardoi, Hathras, Jalaun, Jhansi, Kannauj, Kanpur Nagar, Kasganj (Kanshi Ram Nagar), Kaushambi, Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mainpuri, Mathura, Mahoba, Mau, Maharajganj, Meerut, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Pilibhit.  

 The two-day Capacity Building Programme was organised from February 11-12, 2026 for 25 District of Uttar Pradesh was organised under the IIPA-led "Blended Capacity Building Programme for Stakeholders of river Ganga-Phase II" sponsored by National Mission for Clean Ganga. 

 Under the IIPA-led Blended Capacity Building Programme for Stakeholders of River Ganga – Phase II sponsored by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), an informative Ganga Samvad was organised at Miranda House, University of Delhi on February 13, 2026. The programme included a plantation drive led by Prof. V.K. Sharma, Project Investigator and the Principal of Miranda House Prof. Bijayalaxmi Nanda. Prof. Chirashree Ghosh delivered an expert lecture on the Yamuna river. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 250 students and around 20 faculty members.

 Under the IIPA-led Blended Capacity Building Programme for Stakeholders of River Ganga – Phase II sponsored by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), a two-day training programme was conducted from February 18-19, 2026 by IIPA enhancing the functional capacity of District Ganga Committees (DGCs). Officials and representatives from Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal actively participated in the interactive discussions.

 Under the IIPA-led “Blended Capacity Building Programme for Stakeholders of River Ganga – Phase II” sponsored by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), a two-day training programme was conducted on February 25, 2026. Officials and representatives from Bihar actively participated in the interactive discussions, covering ongoing NMCG initiatives, defined roles and responsibilities of DGCs, inter-state coordination, and community engagement strategies for sustainable Ganga conservation.  

NEWS FROM BRANCHES

 Mizoram Regional Branch

 The branch in collaboration with the Centre for Public Policy & Good Governance (CPPGG) organised a special lecture on Feb 9, 2026 at the Department of Public Administration, MZU, Aizawl under the leadership of Prof. Lalneihzovi, Senior Professor & Head, Department of Public Administration, Mizoram University. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Nupur Tiwary, IIPA faculty. The lecture unpacked Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s pivotal role as the architect of India’s Constitution.

 Karnataka Regional Branch 

 The branch organised a one-day training programme on the subject AI Procurement & Safe Use in Government: A Practical Framework for Administrative Officers on February 6, 2026 at the IAS Officers’ Association Building, Bengaluru. The programme was attended by around 50 government officials from various departments of the Government of Karnataka, including Project Directors, Technical Heads, and Under-Secretaries. Shri Bhoobalan, IAS, CEO, Centre for e-Governance (CeG), Govt of Karnataka; Shri T.M.Vijay Bhaskar, IAS (Retd), Chairman of the branch; and Shri Pankaj Kumar Pandey, IAS, Principal Secretary, DPAR (e-Governance), GoK spoke at the inaugural session. The introductory session on the Karnataka AI Cell and its initiatives was presented by Dr Shreevyasa, Project Director, Karnataka AI Cell, CeG. The training programme was conducted by Dr. Arvind Rao, Member, Voxel Analytics LLP and Associate Professor, Dept of Biostatistics and Computational Medicine, University of Michigan, USA. 

 The branch in collaboration with the IIPA Kalaburagi Local Branch organised a two-day training programme for Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Fellows (RGPRF) from February 20–21, 2026 at the Kalaburagi Zilla Panchayat Meeting Hall. It brought together 50 Fellows (one from each taluk of the Kalyana Karnataka region) and seven Panchayat Development Officers representing the districts of Ballari, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Raichur, Vijayanagara, and Yadgir. The objective was to strengthen the Fellows’ technical knowledge, administrative capacity, and domain expertise related to Panchayati Raj institutions. The inaugural session was presided over by T. M. Vijay Bhaskar, IAS (Retd.), President of the branch. Uma Mahadevan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, addressed the participants online as Chief Guest. Bhanwar Singh Meena, IAS, CEO of Kalaburagi Zilla Panchayat, and Dr. B. S. Gulashetti, Secretary of IIPA Kalaburagi Local Branch, were also present. The programme concluded with a valedictory session attended by Nalin Atul, IAS, Secretary of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB). 

 The branch organised a one-day training programme for senior level Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) Officers of Bangalore Division at the IAS Officers Association Building, Bengaluru on February 27, 2026. Shri T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, Chairperson of the branch made the introductory speech. The training programme was inaugurated by Shri Ramandeep Chowdhary, IAS, Secretary DPAR (AR), GoK. Shri Shivayogi Kalasad, IAS ( Retd); Shri Sreekanta Muthy, KAS( Retd); Dr. V. Rema, Assoc. Professor; Dr. V. Sudarshana, Assoc. Professor both from the Dept of Data Sciences & Analytics , Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru;  Smt.  Prema Pawar, Head of the Legal Cell Ex-officio Deputy Secretary, DPAR; Dr.Arvind Rao, Member Voxel Analytics and Professor at University of Michigan, USA and Dr.H.M. Shree Vyas Project Director, AI cell, DPAR(E-governance) also spoke on the occasion. 

 Rajasthan Regional Branch 

 The branch in collaboration with the Centre for Administrative Change and Prakrit Bharati Academy organized a series of workshops for students and professionals at Prakrit Bharti Academy, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur from February 9 to 14, 2026. On February 9, 2026, Dr. Satish K Batra, Chairman, IIPA, RRB, delivered a lecture on “Indian Economy Today”. On February 10, 2026, Prof. Anil Mehta, Secretary of the Branch, delivered a lecture on “How to Motivate Yourself?” On February 11, 2026, two lectures were organized, first on “Time Management for Happiness and Success” by Dr. Kamalini Dravid and second on “How to Study?” by Ms. Shreeepriya. On  February 12, a lecture on “How To Be Your Own Best Friend?” was delivered by Prof. Ramesh K Arora, Chairman, Management Development Academy. On  February 13, 2026, Dr. Sushila Pareek, former Professor of Psychology, University of Rajasthan delivered a lecture on “How to Develop a Positive Personality?” Prof. Ramesh K Arora, Chairman, Management Development Academy, presided. And on  February 14, 2026 a lecture on “Freedom Movement in India” was delivered by Shri S S Bissa, IAS (Rtd.), Visiting Faculty HCM RIPA, while Shri D R Mehta, IAS (Rtd.), former Chairman, SEBI presided.

 Jammu & Kashmir Regional Branch 

 The branch organised its 47th Annual General Body on February 23, 2026. Dr Ashok Bhan, IPS (Retd) was nominated as the Patron of the branch and Shri B. R. Sharma, was unanimously re- elected as Chairman for the next two years. The office bearers elected were Er. J. B. S. Johar – Vice Chairman (Jammu); Dr. G. N. Qasba – Vice Chairman (Kashmir); K. B. Jandial,– Vice Chairman (Central); Prof. Alka Sharma – Honorary Secretary; Vikrant Kuthiala – Honorary Treasurer; Prof. Anil Gupta – Joint Secretary (Jammu); G. M. Andrabi – Joint Secretary (Kashmir); Er. M. M. Gupta – Director, Seminars; Manoj Kumar Pandita – Joint Director, Seminars (Jammu); and Prof. Nasir Iqbal Bhat – Joint Director, Seminars (Kashmir). Dr. Arun Manhas, Director Industries, Jammu, and a life member of the IIPA –J&K Regional Branch conducted the elections as the Returning Officer. B R Sharma nominated a 15-member Executive Committee. They are Kuldeep Khoda, A. M. Watali, Dr. C. M. Seth, Prof. Rekha Choudhary, Prem Gupta, Manoj Prabhakar, Khawaja Bashir Ahmed, Narinder Khajuria, Ms. Seema Bhari, Rajeshwar Singh, Vinod Kumar Padha, Ansuya Jamwal, Nissar Ahmed, Bashir Ahmad Shah and Mubashir Amin Khan. Prof. Alka Sharma, Honorary Secretary, presented the Annual Report. Prof. Anil Gupta, Joint Secretary, presented the Statement of Accounts for the financial year 2024–25 on behalf of Shri Vikrant Kuthiala, Honorary Treasurer. The AGM was attended by over 70 members including members from Kashmir through video conference.

 Punjab and Chandigarh Regional Branch

 The branch in collaboration with the Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, organised the Sh. B.S. Ojha Memorial Lecture on February 25, 2026 at the Seminar Hall, ICSSR Complex, Panjab University, Chandigarh. The programme was held in fond memory of Late Sh. B.S. Ojha, IAS (Retd.), former Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana, and former Chairperson of the IIPA Punjab & Chandigarh Regional Branch. Prof. Ramanjit K. Johal, Honorary Secretary of the branch delivered the welcome address and paid rich tributes to Late Sh. Ojha. The Memorial Lecture titled “Good Governance under the Indian Constitution” was delivered by Prof. Balram Gupta, Professor Emeritus and Senior Advocate, who had also been Shri Ojha’s teacher. Shri Sarvesh Kaushal, IAS (Retd.), Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Punjab, his Son-in-law shared heartfelt reflections on his life. A special tribute segment was held in honour of Late Sh. B.S. Ojha, during which a citation was read and presented to his family members – His daughters, Prof. Anita Kaushal, Mrs. Namita Kaushal, his sons-in-law Shri Sarvesh Kaushal, former Chief Secretary, Punjab and Shri Sanjeev Kaushal, former Chief Secretary, Haryana;  Prof. N.K. Ojha, Dr. Pundreek Ojha, Dr. Vandana Sehgal. A vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Bharati Garg. 

 Bihar Regional Branch

 The branch conducted the 15-day training programme on Administration, Establishment and Finance for officials of National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology under Ministry of Tourism, Government of India from February 6 – 20, 2025 on the premises of NCHMCT, Noida (UP). The inaugural session was presided over by the Chairman of the Branch Sri Vijoy Prakash, IAS (Retd) and Sri Amitabh Ranjan, Registrar, IIPA as the Chief Guest. All together 30 sessions were held and members of Indian Administrative Service, Indian Civil Accounts Service, faculties of Secretarial Training, Professors of IIMs, central universities like DU and Jamia were the resource persons. Prof R. K. Verma, Secretary of the branch was the Director and Dr Nishant Kumar, Jt. Secretary of the branch was Coordinator of the programme. The valedictory session was held on February 20, 2026 in which the Registrar of IIPA distributed the certificates to the trainee officials. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Nishant Kumar, Joint Secretary and Shri Aswini Kumar Assistant Director of NCHMCT proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the Council.

 Howrah Local Branch 

 The branch organized a seminar on Present Scenario of Primary Education in West Bengal on February 28, 2026 at Sekhar Memorial Hall, Maria’s Day School, Howrah. The keynote speakers were Prof Bimal Sankar Nanda and Prof Suman Banerjee. Nearly seventy people attended the seminar. It was presided over by Dr Shankar Kumar Sanyal, Vice Chairman of the branch. Sri Ajay Chowdhury, Hony Secretary and Founder Secretary of the branch; Shri Amitava Datta, Member, EC, IIPA also spoke during the occasion. Prof Sachindra Nath Das, Joint Secretary of the branch gave the vote of thanks.