Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) of ten month duration is one of the five Long Term Domestic Programmes (LTDPs) conducted by Training Division, D/o Personnel & Training at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)- New Delhi. It has been conducting every year since 1975-76.

The objectives of this programme are to prepare the participants to make greater contribution to better governance, develop attitudes that focus on citizen services and also to strengthen leadership qualities in the civil service. It provides an opportunity to the participants to analyze major contemporary issues in governance, learn about recent developments in the social sciences and their application in administration; review their experiences by making a critical analysis of environmental and other factors, apply relevant concepts, skills and techniques relating to policy, behavioral and administrative sciences and to demonstrate their creative and analytical abilities individually and in groups. It also seeks to develop interpersonal skills and sensitiveness to the needs of the people with a view to making administration more responsive and result oriented.

The course covers classroom studies relating to various facets of administration viz, Social, Political, Economic, Legal and Administrative Systems, Organizational Behavior, Social Science and Research Methods, Operational Research, Information Technology in Management and Financial Management. Participants are also required to conduct rural and urban field studies and prepare a project report and dissertation. They are expected to select an area for specialization relevant to their present and likely future assignments from following fields of study: Advanced Information Technology and MIS, Comparative Development Experience, Project Management, Constitutional Law, Disaster Management, Economics of Regulation, Inter Governmental Relations, Management Systems, Organizational Needs Analysis, Public Expenditure Management, Public Organizational Theory, TQM, Finance, Personnel, Corporate or Public Sector Management, General Administration, Planning and Rural Development etc.

The officers should have at least 10 years of Group ‘A’ (class-I) service and be of the rank of Director/Deputy Secretary in the Government of India or holding an equivalent post for becoming eligible for APPPA course. The Programme is also open for senior officers (Group ‘A’) from State Services. This 10 month programme includes three semesters, rural and urban field visits in India and a two weeks foreign study tour.