Centre Expands APAR-Linked iGOT Training to PSUs, Sparks Debate Over Online-Only Learning Model

The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has stated that this initiative supports a broader government vision of continuous learning, competency development, and accountability across the civil services. 

However, several government employees' associations have raised concerns about the use of only online modules for the training programme. 

Training For Staff

"While digital training is fine, the government also needs to revive and resume better training of staff through such courses in physical classrooms," sources say, adding, "most Ministries and departments have training centres, which are currently underutilised. The need of the hour is to evolve such modules to ensure better training of employees."

Most of the government employees' associations feel that the government needs to resume courses in physical classrooms, and not just digital courses, for employee training and appraisal. 

They also pointed out that more than five years have passed since the pandemic, and that it was time to move to regular modes of training.

It is always better to hold such courses in a practical form and not just online

— Representative of a Central government employees' union

Even as the India AI Impact Summit 2026 was held in the country, the government mandated that PSUs and other autonomous bodies complete APAR-linked courses on the iGOT. These courses, which are part of the Digital India Mission, were introduced by the Centre during the pandemic to ensure uninterrupted training for officials during the lockdown.  

Until now, only the Central government and All India Services (AIS) officers had to adhere to these norms. 

What Are These Courses

These courses vary by department, role, grade, and the training plan created for any cadre. Typically, three to six courses per level or role per year, and some related assessments, are required. 

APAR-linked courses assess three broad competency areas:

• Domain for job-specific knowledge,
• Functional for skills like decision-making and project management, and
• Behavioural for communication, ethics and leadership

All Central government employees are required to complete APAR-linked iGOT courses. They need to log in to the iGOT Karmayogi portal and verify their profile information. Employees need to ensure the completion status is properly reflected in APAR submissions for the current appraisal cycle to be eligible.   

DoPT Directive

The DoPT has issued a new directive mandating the completion of APAR-linked courses on the iGOT Karmayogi digital learning platform, as part of performance appraisal reporting for all Central government employees and officers. 

While the current mandate covers the Central government and AIS officers, the new directive encourages Ministries/Departments to extend similar requirements to employees of autonomous bodies and public sector enterprises (PSEs) under their administrative control by creating training plans and assessments on the iGOT.

The clarification of the Ministry came after "receiving references from several Ministries and Departments seeking clarification regarding completion of mandated courses by the employees of autonomous bodies and PSEs for performance appraisal".

"In this regard, it is reiterated that the provisions of the OM [Office Memorandum] are currently applicable to all Central government employees and officers belonging to the AIS. Further, the OM doesn’t restrict any Ministry/Department from mandating the same for any other set of employees within their administrative control," the order reads.

"The employees of autonomous bodies/PSE under the administrative control of Ministries/Departments are also encouraged to get onboarded on the iGOT Karmayogi portal and undertake courses available thereon," the order said.

The clarification by the DoPT, issued on 5 February 2026, states, “Mandatory consumption of APAR-linked courses on iGOT Karmayogi Platform and completion of comprehensive assessments” has reiterated earlier guidance issued on course completion and performance evaluation.

Advisory Compliance

The DoPT has also advised the departments to create clear training plans and regularly monitor course compliance to ensure seamless integration with performance reporting frameworks.

The Ministries and Departments desirous of mandating courses for assessments of employees of the autonomous bodies and public sector enterprises under their administrative control may do so by creating training plans and comprehensive assessments, and uploading them on iGOT, similar to how it was done for their own employees, it said.

iGOT Karmayogi

iGOT Karmayogi is a comprehensive digital learning platform initiated by the Central government to build capacity among government officials. It is part of the Mission Karmayogi national programme, and provides flexible, "anytime, anywhere" learning to enhance functional and behavioural competencies through over 1,600 self-paced courses. It was launched to support frontline workers during the pandemic, and the platform has evolved into a comprehensive digital ecosystem for government officials.