Central government employees across India are now required to complete specific competency-linked online courses each year. This new mandate, announced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, April 2, 2026, aims to significantly enhance public service capabilities and efficiency. These mandatory courses, accessible via the Integrated Government Online Training (IGOT) portal, will directly influence employees' Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs), marking a pivotal shift in the government's approach to skill development and performance assessment.

What Happened?

Union Minister of State for Personnel, Jitendra Singh, informed the Rajya Sabha about this significant policy change. He stated that the government has adopted a comprehensive competency-based capacity building approach. This new strategy places a strong emphasis on role-based learning, ensuring continuous skill development for all government personnel. The primary goal is to align training programs directly with the specific requirements of various governmental roles, thereby fostering a more skilled and adaptive workforce.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is at the forefront of implementing this initiative. They have explicitly mandated that all Central government employees, including officers from the all-India services, must successfully complete these competency-linked courses annually. These courses are carefully mapped to an individual's specific role and level within their organization. Ministries, Departments, and Organisations (MDOs), along with Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs), are responsible for prescribing the necessary comprehensive assessments. Successful completion of these courses and assessments on the IGOT portal will be a crucial factor reflected in each employee's Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs).

Minister Singh further elaborated on the underlying structure supporting this initiative. He mentioned the Framework of Roles, Activities and Competencies (FRAC), which is designed to precisely align all government positions with clearly defined roles, activities, and required competencies. These competencies span behavioural, functional, and domain-specific skills, ensuring a holistic development approach. This framework provides the backbone for identifying the exact training needs for each role, making the online courses highly relevant and effective for skill enhancement.

In a separate discussion during the parliamentary session, Minister Singh also addressed a query regarding the engagement of consultants by various ministries and departments. He clarified that while the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017, administered by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, outline the fundamental principles for engaging consultants, the specific details and data regarding these engagements are maintained independently by the respective Ministries and departments. This distinction highlights that the primary focus of the announcement was on internal capacity building rather than external resource management, although both are critical aspects of government functioning.

Key Highlights

All Central government employees and All-India service officers are mandated to complete annual competency-linked online courses.
These mandatory courses are to be completed on the Integrated Government Online Training (IGOT) portal.
Course completion and comprehensive assessments will be reflected in employees' Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs).
The initiative is part of a new competency-based capacity building approach focusing on role-based learning and continuous skill development.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is responsible for mandating these courses and assessments.
A Framework of Roles, Activities and Competencies (FRAC) underpins the initiative, defining required skills for government roles.
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Jitendra Singh, announced this policy change in the Rajya Sabha on April 2, 2026.

Why Does This Matter?

This new mandate signifies a proactive step by the government to modernize and professionalize its workforce. For the common citizen, this means potentially better and more efficient public services. When government employees are continuously updating their skills and competencies, they are better equipped to handle public queries, implement policies effectively, and deliver services with greater expertise and empathy. It translates into smoother interactions with government offices, quicker processing of applications, and overall improved governance that directly impacts daily lives, from passport applications to pension disbursements.

Furthermore, linking these training outcomes to annual performance appraisals introduces a new layer of accountability and motivation. Employees will have a clear incentive to engage with the learning process, knowing that their professional development directly influences their career progression. This move can lead to a more merit-based system, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the bureaucracy. Ultimately, by investing in its human capital through structured and mandatory training, the government aims to build a more responsive, skilled, and effective administration capable of addressing the evolving needs and challenges faced by the nation, thereby enhancing trust and confidence in public institutions.