The Programme
Sponsored by the Department of Personnel and Training,
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions,
Government of India, the 44th Advanced Professional
Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) is a ten
months’ programme, designed for senior officers of the
All India Services, Central Services, Defence Services,
Technical Services and officers of State Governments.
The Programme is a unique blend of theory and practice
that gives the participants an exposure to the associated
concepts, skills and techniques. It also provides an
opportunity of peer-group learning. The purpose is to
enhance sensitivities and capabilities of the participants to
explore innovative options and choices. The programme
develops a critical analysis of policy and service delivery
mechanisms at inter-governmental, national, regional and/
or at the levels of local government. It aims at honing
practical knowledge and skills to deal with management and
policy analysis issues across the spectrum of governance.
About 1500 administrators/officers from All-India and
Central Services including those from the armed forces,
a few foreigners and teachers of Indian Universities have
participated in the programme since 1975, the year of
its inception. A good number of APPPA participants
have subsequently excelled in their respective services
and many of them have moved on to occupy important
positions in the Government of India and in the states. The
programme fosters a permanent alliance between the IIPA
and its participants. The activities of a vibrant IIPA Alumni
Association bears a testimony to this.
Aim
The aim of the programme is to enable participants to
develop a broad perspective and synergy to contribute
towards minimum Government and maximum governance.
It seeks to inculcate an attitude that augments efficiency
and service orientation towards citizens.
Objectives
APPPA seeks to enable the participants to:
• Understand basic concepts of Social Sciences, Public
Policy and Governance
• Develop their views on topical issues of Public
Administration and Governance in India;
• Analyze the factors that impact application of policies
4 and modalities there on;
• Apply analytical skills in decision-making;
• Design a framework for administrative reforms and
good governance; and
• Develop interpersonal skills and sensitivity towards
the needs of the people.
Outcomes
The overarching goal is to provide a dynamic and integrated
approach to the study of public policy and management.
As such, this programme is uniquely designed to help
participants prepare for the challenges and opportunities of
a career in public administration as they move up the ladder.
Upon successful completion of this course, it is expected
that participants will be endowed with critical and creative
skills to produce innovative solutions to problems, apply
research skills to their areas of functions and turnout to be
more responsible and effective administrators.
Eligibility
The programme is open to officers of the All India Services,
Central Services (organised and non-organized, technical
and non-technical), and the State Services as also to the
officers of the Defence Services subject to the following
eligibility conditions:
• At least 10 years of service in Group ‘A’ category,
• Should be a Deputy Secretary/Director or above in
the Government of India or in an equivalent position,
• Not more than 50 years of age as on 1st July, 2018 (53
years in case of officers belonging to Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes) and should not have undergone
a training programme of the duration of 12 weeks
or more, in India or abroad, during the preceding
five years from the date of commencement of the
programme.
Participants are selected and nominated by the Department
of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public
Grievances and Pensions, Government of India. The main
programme components are:
(A) Four academic-cum-training modules with various
streams including one elective;
(B) Experiential Learning;
(C) Dissertation and Viva-voce;
(D) Co-curricullar Activities; and
(E) Non-credit inputs
A. Academic Modules: During the first half of the
APPPA, spanning over the initial six months, the focus
is on concepts and applications. The streams have been
identified on the basis of their relevance to the issues of
governance and recent developments in the areas of study.
These streams have further been divided into four parts,
consisting of A.I: Basic Module: Theories and Concepts, A.II:
Thematic Module: Policy, Administration and Governance,
and A.III: Critical Concerns in Governance. In addition,
one elective stream out of four offered is to be opted for
by each participant to enable him/her to specialize in areas
of their interest. For an elective stream to be conducted,
at least eight participants have to opt it.
The details of the streams including electives are given in
the Programme Outline. The streams, with one credit,
shall have about sixteen lecture sessions and half credit
streams will be covered in eight to ten sessions.
B. Experiential Learning
B.I Experiential Presentations: A meaningful, fun-filled
exercise and popular amongst the participants of previous
batches, experiential presentations promote mutual
sharing of experience and expertise among participants.
The focus is on specific situations an officer has faced at
some point in his/her career. These presentations are
meant to highlight innovations in office administration or
in the field; best practices in organizational leadership or
project planning and implementation.
B.II Rural Field Study Visit: The purpose of this
component is to expose and sensitize the participants to
the socio-economic conditions prevailing in rural areas.
The participants are assigned a theme-based study focusing
on various aspects of rural development. They examine
the effectiveness of the service delivery mechanism and
assess the impact of rural development programmes. Small
groups of 9-10 participants visit identified rural areas in
different parts of the country and interact with village level
functionaries and panchayat members under the overall
co-ordination of a faculty member. The groups share their
field study reports of these visits which are useful for future
policy reference.
B.III Urban Field Study Visit: It affords an opportunity
to the participants to deepen the understanding of
problems in urban administration and management and
the challenges in addressing them. The participants study
various urban development schemes and their impact on
the socio-economic conditions of the people including
those below the poverty line. The study also includes
interaction with the functionaries of the municipalities and
other development agencies. Like rural field study, groups
of 9-10 participants visit specific cities/ towns which are
selected on the basis of diverse issues in different regions.
The urban study reports too are shared and serve as good
policy inputs.
B.IV Foreign Study Tour: This component is organized
with a view to provide an exposure to the participants
on governance innovations in emerging/developing/
developed economies and draw practical lessons for India.
The participants visit important institutions/organizations
in these countries and interact with policymakers and
other government functionaries. On their return, they
are expected to prepare reports and make presentations,
highlighting the lessons learnt during the overseas visits.
The High Commissioners/Ambassadors of countries being
visited interact with the participants before and after the
study tour.
C. Dissertation and Viva-voce: This is an important
component of the APPPA programme leading to the
Master’s Diploma in Public Administration (MDPA)
awarded by IIPA. In addition, the participants, holding
post-graduate degree with at least 50 per cent marks
(recognized by Panjab University, Chandigarh as equivalent
to a post-graduate degree), will also be eligible for the
award of an M.Phil. (Social Sciences) degree of the Panjab
University. This degree may further serve as a pathway to
a Ph.D.
In the Dissertation, the participants are expected to
make an in-depth analysis of a specific problem and
examine its ramifications. In the early stages of the
APPPA programme, the research proposal, outlining the
research questions and the methodology to be adopted,
are presented before panel of experts and participants for
suggestions/comments. Each research proposal is finalized
after its approval by the concerned faculty supervisor. The
participants are advised to begin work on the dissertation
immediately thereafter. Subsequently, after the submission
of the completed dissertation, the participants appear in a
viva-voce.
The participants are expected to demonstrate their
analytical skills and make a contribution to the theory and
practice of Public Administration through the dissertation.
They are also expected to undertake a comprehensive
review of literature on the chosen subject area and select
a topic of interest as well as of relevance to the domain of
5
 public administration. There is a provision for participants of completion of various streams are indicated under
to undertake field visits, for the collection of the required ‘Timelines of the Programme’.
data, on the recommendation of the supervisor and the
To promote greater objectivity, each Dissertation is
approval of the concerned Programme Director. The draft
referred for evaluation, on the recommendation of faculty
dissertation, in the approved format, must be submitted
supervisor about its worthiness for the M. Phil./MDPA
to the faculty supervisor by March 5, 2019. The final
degree/diploma, to two external examiners, the average
dissertation, in four copies, must be submitted by March
of whose marks shall be taken for final score. The M.Phil.
15, 2019, and in any case before commencement of
programme carries a total of 24 credits and each credit
foreign study tour.
has 25 marks. The minimum marks required to pass the
IIPA library extends the facility of a ‘Digital Knowledge evaluation shall be: (a) 45 per cent in each course, and (b)
Repository’ (DKR@IIPA) which includes various content 50 per cent in aggregate. Successful candidates shall be
streams relating to the Institute’s intellectual outputs over classified as under:
the years. It has selected APPPA dissertations of previous
Percentage in Aggregate Division
years that can be accessed at: www.iipa.org.in/repository.
70% and above First Division with
html. Distinction
D. Co-curricular Activities: These activities include 60% and above but below 70% First Division
debates/sports and overall assessment. Debates will be 50% and above but below 60% Second Division
organized on contemporary issues during first six months
of the Programme. In addition, participants can opt for For the grant of IIPA’s Masters Diploma in Public
any sport activity subject to availability of facility in nearby Administration and Panjab University’s M.Phil., a total of
stadium. Overall assessment of participants shall be made 24 credits including 0.5 credit each for overall assessment
on the basis of academic performance and general conduct and debates/sports shall form the basis. Candidates
including punctuality, team work, interaction with faculty failing to obtain the minimum marks required to pass the
and co-participants, creativity and innovation, display evaluation would have to under go a fresh assessment in
of officer-like qualities and demonstration of leadership order to successfully complete the programme.
qualities. Awards
E. Non-credit Inputs: The APPPA also emphasizes on S. N. Awards Criteria
a set of non-credit inputs such as lectures/workshops/ 1. First Prize (Prof. V. K. N. Based on marks
seminars/panel discussions to broaden the vision and Menon Memorial Prize)
knowledge of participants through interactions with 2. Second Prize Based on marks
eminent personalities from the government, corporate 3. Third Prize Based on marks
and academic sectors including visits to institutions. 4. Directors’ Special Prize Based on overall
assessment
Evaluation 5. Best Dissertation Award Based on dissertation
(Sponsored by APPPA and viva-voce
The system of evaluation varies from stream to stream and Alumni Association)
includes written examinations, group presentations, case 6. Best Woman Participant Based on marks
comments, assignments, research proposals, individual Award (Smt. Kusumtai S. B.
Chavan memorial award)
presentations, writing a dissertation and any other
method considered appropriate. The participants should 7. Award for co-curricular Based on participation
strictly adhere to the assignments submission deadlines activities during APPPA and contribution
as would be indicated by the concerned stream In-charge Note: As a matter of policy no two awards are given to any
in the beginning of the relevant stream. Broadly, dates one participant.

6
Timelines of the Programme Session Timings
Course Commences : July 2, 2018 On each working day, there will be five sessions as follows:
Streams under A.I : July 3 - August 17, 2018
Forenoon Sessions
Streams under A.II and A.IV : August 20 - September
28, 2018 Session-I 09:30-10:40
Evaluation of A.I and B.I streams : August 31, 2018
Session-II 11:00-12:10
Workshop on Research : September 18-20,
Proposal Presentation 2018 Session-III 12:20-13:30
Dissertation : September 24, 2018 – Afternoon Sessions
March 4, 2019*
Streams under A.III, B.II and : October 3 – 29, 2018 Session-IV 14:30-15:40
B.III (to continue) Session-V 15:55-17:05
Evaluation of A.II, A.IV and B.I : October 12, 2018
Streams Tea /coffee will be served at 10:40-11:00 hours, 12:10-
Forward Area Visit : October 30 – 12:20 hours and 15:40-15:55 hours while lunch recess will
November 2, 2018
be between 13:30-14:30 hours.
Streams under A.III, B.II and : November 5-22, 2018
B.III (conclude)
Urban Study Visit - Mysore, : November 25 - 30,
Attendance and Conduct
Pasighat, Pune, Sonipat and 2018 As per the requirements of the Department of Personnel
Varanasi
and Training, attendance in all lectures, seminars
Rural Study Visit - 1 or 2 villages : December 1-8, 2018
from rural areas in districts of discussions, etc. is compulsory. In case of an emergency,
East Siang, Pimpri-Chinchwad, the participant may seek prior permission from the
Mysore, Sonipat and Varanasi Programme Director for his/her absence. Participants are
Preparation for Presentation : December 10-17,
and Report on B.II and B.III 2018
expected to be present in the class before the start of each
session. They are expected to conduct themselves at all
Evaluation of B.II and B.III : December 18-21,
2018 times in a manner befitting senior officers. If a participant
Evaluation of A.III Streams : December 24-31, absents himself/herself either in the forenoon (FN) or in
2018 the afternoon (AN), it will be treated as half day leave.
Mid-term Review of January 2-4, 2019 Likewise, if he/she does not attend APPPA for the entire
Dissertation (Methodology and
Literature Review) day, it will be treated as one day leave. The leave(s) thus
Dissertation : January 7– March 4, availed will be reported to his/her parent Department on
2019* a monthly basis. In terms of the Department of Personnel
Last date for submission : March 5, 2019 and Training, Government of India, the officer(s) may
of Dissertation to Faculty
Supervisor be withdrawn from the course by the Director, Indian
Return of Dissertation by : March 11, 2019 Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi in case
Faculty Supervisors their performance is unsatisfactory.
Final submission of Dissertation : March 15, 2019
Foreign Study Tour : (Two : March 18-30, 2019 Course fee
groups1 of countries to
be chosen: (Australia and A total amount of Rs. 9,68,000/- (Rupees nine lakh sixty
Indonesia), (China and Vietnam), eight thousand only) out of which an amount of Rs.
(France and Mozambique), 5,80,000/- (Rupees five lakh eighty thousand only) towards
(Germany and Kenya), (Spain
and South Africa)) domestic component and an amount of Rs. 3,88,000/-
Viva Voce : April 17-19, 2019 (Rupees three lakh eighty eight thousand only) to cover
Convocation : April 30, 2019 cost of preparation of dissertation/field visits/foreign visits,
Note: There are some seemingly overlapping activities which connote is to be remitted by the Cadre Controlling Authorities/
that those activities will be undertaken concurrently.
* Participants are expected to pursue Dissertation work alongwith other
Sponsoring Authorities to the Registrar, Indian Institute of
curriculum. Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi.
7
1
Participants will be divided into two groups and each group will visit a pair of countries.