Course overview and cohort
The Special Foundation Course, organised jointly by NCA-F and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, ran from 15 September to 5 December 2025. It brought together 176 officer trainees from 15 All-India and Central Civil Services selected through the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2024. The programme combined academic modules, experiential learning and cross-service exposure to build esprit de corps and public-service ethos.
Designed to familiarise new entrants with India’s administrative, socio-economic and political landscape, the curriculum included lectures from eminent bureaucrats and subject experts, interactive workshops, rural and urban immersion programmes, and a Himalayan study tour. The course also emphasised physical fitness and cultural engagement through Khel Samagam (Sports Week), One-Act Play competitions and inclusive events such as Purple Fest.
Minister’s message: competence, dharma and humility
Delivering the valedictory address, Dr Pemmasani exhorted Officer Trainees to become subject matter experts in their fields, saying competence is the bedrock of credibility in public service. He argued that officers who master their domains will be better placed to formulate policy, shepherd implementation and inspire public trust.
Dr Pemmasani underscored the moral dimension of service: “Dharma is your compass staying true to it enables you to reject corruption and act with integrity.” He warned against ego, urging trainees to practise self-awareness and to consider how their actions affect citizens and colleagues. “Ego is your enemy,” he said, adding that teamwork not competition strengthens public institutions.
Voices from the academy and course highlights
The ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries including Shri Sriram Taranikanti, Director of LBSNAA; Ms Vandana Gupta, Controller General of Communication Accounts, Department of Telecommunications; and Ms Madhavi Das, Director General of NCA-F. Dr Kamal Kapoor, Course Director, and Shri Shailesh Bansal, Course Coordinator, presented an overview of the course modules and activities.
Participants benefited from guest sessions by Padma awardees, sports laureates, economists, an astronaut, and leaders from academia and industry. The varied faculty exposed trainees to policy design, digital technologies, finance, governance and grassroots engagement, reinforcing a multidisciplinary approach to administration.
Awards, recognition and final rites
At the valediction, NCA-F recognised meritorious trainees across multiple categories. Awards included Best Overall House, Best House in Himalayan Study Tour, Best in Rural–Urban Immersion, Best Overall Officer Trainee, Best in Academics and Best in Sports. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms Preeti Mahto, Deputy Director General, and the rendition of the National Anthem.
Ms Madhavi Das used the occasion to emphasise lifelong learning and humility, reminding officers that public trust is a responsibility, not an entitlement. Shri Taranikanti urged graduates to break silos, build synergies across services and engage local communities in janbhagidari for sustainable change.
Why it matters
Special foundation courses play a crucial role in shaping the outlook of new civil servants, equipping them with administrative tools, ethical moorings and collaborative habits needed for large-scale public administration. By blending academic rigour with sporting and cultural activities, NCA-F seeks to produce officers who are resilient, empathetic and technically competent.
Officials and training directors said the cross-service interactions and exposure to field realities strengthen coordination across ministries and departments a vital ingredient for effective governance in a federal democracy.
Further information
For more details about the Special Foundation Course and NCA-F’s training portfolio, refer to official releases from the Department of Telecommunications and LBSNAA.
