Mandatory Online Training for Central Government Employees Announced

The central government has mandated that all employees complete annual role-specific online training courses. This initiative aims to enhance skills aligned with job roles and will be reflected in performance evaluations. Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted the importance of continuous learning and the introduction of a framework defining job responsibilities and required competencies. Each ministry will maintain its own data on consultant hiring, governed by the General Financial Rules. This new policy marks a significant shift in employee training and assessment within the government sector.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 2, 2026, 17:06 IST

New Training Requirements for Government Employees

New Delhi: The central government has introduced a new policy requiring all its employees to complete annual role-specific training courses via an online platform. This initiative was announced in Parliament on Thursday, with Union Minister of State for Personnel, Jitendra Singh, emphasizing the importance of skill development tailored to job roles and the necessity for ongoing education.

Singh explained that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has mandated that all central government staff and all-India service officers undertake competency-based courses that align with their specific roles. These courses, along with comprehensive assessments set by their respective ministries or departments, must be completed annually on the iGOT (integrated government online training) portal. The results will also be reflected in their annual performance appraisal reports (APARs).

In response to inquiries about the potential use of competency scores for promotions and evaluations, Singh confirmed that the government has established a Framework of Roles, Activities, and Competencies (FRAC) to clearly outline job responsibilities and required skills for each position.

Additionally, Singh noted that each ministry is responsible for maintaining its own records regarding the hiring of consultants. He mentioned that the General Financial Rules (GFR) of 2017 govern the hiring process for consultants and external experts, with data on consultant engagement being tracked by individual ministries and departments.