Foreign Service Institute

The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) was established in 1986 by the government of India primarily to cater to the professional training needs of the Indian Foreign Service and the Ministry of External Affairs. FSI has diversified its activities to include courses for foreign diplomats in its efforts at building bridges of friendship and cooperation with countries around the world and courses of interest to staff and officers at all levels of the ministry of external affairs as well as other civil Services.

Initially, the training of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers consisted of a three month preliminary course of lectures in Delhi followed by 18 months in foreign universities as students under the general supervision of the Indian representative in the country concerned, which was followed by training for about a year at headquarters in India.

Training Programmes in FSI

Officer Trainees (OTs)

The total training period for Probationers in India – LBSNAA, Mussoorie, FSI New Delhi: Desk and field attachments should not exceed a total of 15 months. In principle, the time distribution would be: (i) LBSNAA, Mussoorie (3 months); (ii) FSI – First Phase ( 5 months); (iii) On the job training with the desks of MEA (2 months): (iv) Field attachments, namely, District, Army, Bharat Darshan, Mission Attachment, etc. (3 months); (v) FSI – Second Phase (1 month) followed by (vi) Pre-departure attachment with the concerned Territorial Division, including brief attachment with other relevant line Ministries (1 month).

Training Programmes MCTP-I

Objectives

To impart the knowledge, insights and skills to support challenging career transition
To acquaint the officers with functioning of legislative and judicial institutions
To prevent obsolescence by exposing them to the latest concepts and techniques in the functional areas.
To improve thought processes and analytical ability in order to uncover and examine problems and take decisions in the best interests of the government and organisation;
To equip the officers with new sets of skills, shaping them into effective negotiators.

The training methods adopted are lecture, group discussions, exercise, case studies, field visits and rural immersion.

DURATION: 4 Weeks

ELIGIBILITY: This course is for IFS officers with 5-8 years of service

Training Programmes MCTP-II

Objectives

To prepare the officers for higher positions, broadening their outlook in regard to their role and responsibilities in the organisation and outside;
To prevent obsolescence by exposing officers to the latest concepts and techniques in the specialized fields.
To improve thought processes and analytical ability in order to uncover and examine problems and take decisions in the best interests of the country and organisation;
To prepare officers as more effective negotiators and communicators by improving their analytical and tactical skills.

DURATION: 3 Weeks distributed at (i) FSI; and (ii) premier international institutions

ELIGIBILITY: This course is mandatory for officers of Gr. IV of IFS (Director Level).

Training Programmes MCTP-III

This is an existing mandatory phase of MCTP for officers of Gr. III of IFS (Joint Secretary level). The current structure of the training programme might require some fine tuning, to avoid any duplication with the earlier phases. The FSI might also explore identification of more national/international institutions which could be co-opted for dealing with some of the modules with specialised domain expertise.

Training Programme for Grade - I IFS B

Objectives

To impart the requisite functional knowledge for meeting the challenges in career transition.
To equip the participants with new sets of skills essential for representational grade officers.
To acquaint the officers with domestic issues of concern.

DURATION: 24 working days

ELIGIBILITY: Officers promoted to Grade I of IFS (B)

Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats

Objectives

To initiate mutual cooperation and understanding and forge a common bond among the diplomats of the participating countries.
To sensitize and provide better understanding to the participants about critical international and regional issues, world is confronting with.
To acquaint the participants with political, economic, social and cultural realities those sway the foreign relations.
To acquaint them about India’s history and Culture.
To make participants aware of India’s view on contemporary issues so they can analyze it in right perspective.
To hone Diplomatic skills

DURATION: One Month

ELIGIBILITY: Young diplomats with 3 years of working experience from friendly countries.

Special Course for ASEAN Diplomats

Objectives

To promote a better understanding of India in the South East Asian region in the context of India’s “Look East Policy”,
To acquaint them about India’s history and Culture and its influence on South East Asia.
To make participants aware of India’s view on contemporary issues so they can analyze it in right perspective.
To sensitize and provide better understanding to the participants about critical international and regional issues, the region is confronting with.
To hone Diplomatic skills

DURATION: One Month

ELIGIBILITY: Five diplomats from each ASEAN countries and 3 nominations from ASEAN secretariat.

Foreign Service Institute

Ministry of External Affairs

Baba Gang Nath Marg,

Old JNU Campus,

New Delhi - 110067

India

Website: usfsimea.gov.in