New Training Policy To Upgrade Skills Of Gujarat Babus

The policy will ensure that training is delivered within a specific timeframe, especially for those due for promotion. To make this a reality, the state has started deputing officers to vacant training posts. Secretaries from 28 departments have been asked to nominate officers from their teams.

According to an order issued by Deputy Secretary Rajendrasinh Rathod and guided by Kamal Dayani, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department, the focus is on filling vacant posts at Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) — the state's premier training institute — and its eight regional centres.

The new training policy is being prepared with a focus on Common Foundation Courses for newly recruited officers and employees, and structured training modules for officers advancing in their careers.

Rathod’s order mentions that the idea was introduced during the 10th Chintan Shivir in 2023, and the GAD later approved it. The new training policy will cover institutional training for officers and employees of all cadres and levels across all departments of the state government.

To implement this, it is essential to fill the vacant posts in training institutions. Therefore, departments have been asked to submit applications for deputation.

Secretaries have been informed that to ensure timely training and capacity building for all government officers and employees, capable officers with administrative and training expertise must be deputed from their departments.

The Deputy Secretary also acknowledged that due to vacancies in various cadres at SPIPA and its regional centres, there have been operational challenges in administration and training, which is why applications for deputation have been requested by July 20.

The state government had established the Apex Training Institute of the State in 1962, which was renamed SPIPA in 1974. This institute also runs a Civil Services Study Centre. Its current Director-General is Hareet Shukla, who also serves as the Principal Secretary of the Administrative Reforms & Training Division (ARTD).