Gangtok, Sept 21 (IPR): A three-month foundation training programme for Probationary Officers of the 2026 Batch under the Sikkim State Civil Service and Sikkim Finance & Accounts Service commenced today at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Gangtok.
Organised by the ATI under the Department of Personnel, Government of Sikkim, the inaugural programme was attended by Secretary, Department of Personnel, Mr Rinzing C Bhutia, and Controller of Accounts-cum-Secretary, Finance Department, Mr Jiwan Subba.
Also present were Director, ATI, Mr Mahesh Sharma, Joint Secretary, Mr Chabilal Sharma, and 47 probationary officers who recently cleared the State Civil Service and State Finance & Accounts Service examinations.
Addressing the probationary officers, Secretary, Department of Personnel, Mr Rinzing C Bhutia, congratulated them on their selection and welcomed them to the state services.
Recalling his own experience of joining the state service in the 90s, he said that entering the civil service marked the beginning of an important responsibility towards society and urged the trainees to approach their careers with a sense of purpose and commitment to public service.
He informed that 47 candidates had been selected for the current batch and highlighted the regular conduct of competitive examinations as an important step towards providing young aspirants with timely opportunities to enter public service.
Emphasising the importance of the foundation training, Mr Bhutia urged the probationary officers to take the programme seriously and make full use of the sessions and interactions with experienced resource persons.
He added that while technology and artificial intelligence provide access to vast amounts of information, the practical knowledge and perspectives shared by experienced officers and resource persons remain valuable for understanding the complexities of public administration.
He also encouraged the probationary officers to share their professional experiences with their peers. Noting that several trainees already have experience in government departments, teaching, engineering and other sectors, he said such experiences could contribute to peer learning and enrich the training process.
Mr Bhutia highlighted the importance of building professional networks during the training period. He said that the opportunity to work and learn together would enable the probationary officers to develop a strong professional bond with colleagues across departments, which would be useful in resolving issues and facilitating coordination in the course of their service.
He further stressed the need for public officials to adopt a problem-solving and facilitative approach to administration, particularly in the delivery of public services. He encouraged the trainees to interact freely with resource persons and ask questions during the sessions, stating that the training period should be viewed as an opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and develop a deeper understanding of governance.
The Secretary highlighted the importance of placing officers in areas where their qualifications, experience and interests could be meaningfully utilised. He informed that their performance during the training would form part of the considerations for their subsequent postings and encouraged them to communicate their areas of interest to the Department and ATI.
Calling upon the probationary officers to build their careers through hard work, sincerity and efficiency, Mr Bhutia advised them to maintain professional conduct and allow their work to establish their reputation as public servants.
Controller-cum-Secretary, Finance, Mr Jiwan Subba, drawing from his own experience of undergoing foundation training, encouraged the probationary officers to learn from the practical situations they would encounter during their careers.
He emphasised that an officer’s conduct during challenging circumstances would shape their character and professional reputation, and stressed that integrity and honesty should never be compromised.
Mr Subba also highlighted the responsibility of the new generation of officers in shaping Sikkim’s development trajectory towards 2047. He touched upon the fiscal challenges before the state and stressed the need for prudent financial management, strengthening revenue generation and ensuring quality public expenditure.
He urged the trainees to understand the wider implications of administrative and financial decisions and to approach their responsibilities with a sense of ownership towards the state’s development.
Concluding his address, Mr Subba encouraged the trainees to actively participate in the training sessions, interact with faculty and resource persons and make full use of the opportunity to broaden their understanding of governance and public administration.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Joint Secretary, ATI, Mr Chabilal Sharma.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Director, ATI, Mr Mahesh Sharma, wherein he highlighted the importance of the training in preparing the officers for their respective responsibilities, with emphasis on professional competence, financial discipline, integrity and public service.
Faculty, ATI, Mr Nitin Chettri, conducted the proceedings of the inaugural programme.
The three-month foundation training will comprise intensive sessions in Sikkim, along with a training component in New Delhi at a later stage. The programme will include classroom sessions, practical exercises, field visits and interactions with experienced officers and resource persons, providing the probationary officers with exposure to various aspects of administration and public service.
The training is aimed at equipping the newly recruited Under Secretaries and Accounts Officers with the knowledge, skills and professional orientation required to discharge their responsibilities effectively in the state government.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK