The Department of Personnel and Training is entrusted with the implementation of Assistant Secretary Training Programme to provide exposure to the young IAS officers to Government of India functioning at early stage(s) in their career after their District training and before they proceed for Phase II to LBSNAA.

2. This Programme started in 2015 as per the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister when 2013 batch officers were posted as Assistant Secretary in Ministries/Departments. This programme is a crucial part of the 2-year induction training of IAS officers and has been meticulously designed to offer them a comprehensive understanding of the Government of India's functioning, and to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective leaders and change agents. Starting with the 2021 Batch, the programme was made an integral part of induction training. So far, 1400 IAS officers have undergone the Assistant Secretary Programme since its inception.

3. The objectives of this programme are to familiarize young officer trainees with the structure and functioning of the Central Government and to provide them with a national perspective on policy formulation and implementation. The hands-on training and exposure to flagship schemes, coupled with the practical experience gained through desk attachments and the preparation of policy analysis papers, are integral parts of the programme.

4. The Assistant Secretaries are attached with various Ministries/Departments of Government of India, handling flagship schemes/programmes/missions. They are given pre-joining reading material as part of their learning related to the concerned Ministries/Departments through “Gyan” portal of LBSNAA and iGOT platform which includes annual reports of last financial year(s), Acts administered and flagship schemes/important programme details of the concerned Ministries/Departments.

5. As the programme is now part of the 2 year Induction Training of IAS officers, the emphasis is laid more on hands on learning by assigning them independent charge in the respective Ministries/Departments as Desk Officer/Under Secretary in the respective Ministries/Departments. They also get an opportunity for formal interaction with dignitaries like Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Vice President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon'ble MoS(PP) and heads of national agencies and organizations.