(Article) Life at LBSNAA – Know How UPSC Toppers Spend Their Initial Training Days

LBSNAA or Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration is the dream destination for lakhs of aspirants who appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination each year. This is where they find the first reward of their long and arduous UPSC journey, as well as to brace for the life ahead as a Civil Servant in this country. The successful aspirants find themselves in the academy following a routine meant to enhance their personalities and groom them into the best version of themselves. Here is a sneak peek into life at LBSNAA.

PM Narendra Modi in a group photo with Officer Trainees of the 92nd Foundation Course
at LBSNAA in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Morning Routine :

The morning starts bright and early at the academy. Trainees are expected to be up by 6 AM and taken to the Polo Ground, which is roughly a 1-2 km jog from the Academy. There they spend time on Yoga and other drills. The Academy puts special emphasis on the physical health of all their officer trainees (OTs). This is followed by breakfast at 8 AM, and then everyone rushes for their classes.

Life in LBSNAA MUSSOORIE Video |IAS motivational video | IAS IPS motivational video | UPSC new. - YouTube

Officer Trainees Resting At The End Of Their Morning PT

Training Sessions :

Classes in the Academy are conducted between 9:30 AM and 4 PM. Luminaries from IIMs, JNU, DU, etc. are usually the ones taking these classes, delivering lectures on environmental economics, social marketing, etc. Serving officers of various services also conduct sessions to help the OTs understand the challenges they are gearing to face in the future. Former District Magistrate (DMs) who have successfully pulled off massive events under their charges come up to the Academy to share their experience with OTs. Many team-building exercises are held for better coordination among batchmates.

Extra-curricular Activities :

All work and no play can make one rather dull. Keeping this in mind, the Academy puts together many experiences for its OTs. Himalayan trekking, hiking, visiting nearby institutes are some of the weekend activities held. There are also sports that are played within the ground of the Academy such as cricket, volleyball, billiard, badminton, table tennis, football, etc. OTs are also encouraged to participate in cultural festivals and organize cultural events during their stay in Mussoorie. Many important figures such as the President and Prime Minister visit the budding civil servants. Performances of music, dance, poetry, etc. are put up in their honor by the officer trainees oftentimes.

India Day - 91st FC - Fusion of Classical Dances by Officer Trainees at LBSNAA - YouTube

Figure 1India Day Performance by Officer Trainees

Alumni Clubs :

All OTs become a part of the several interesting clubs such as Adventure Sports, Alumni Association, Computer Society, Film Society, Officers’ Mess, Rifle & Archery Club, Society for Contemporary Affairs, Society for Social Service, Fine Arts Association, Hobbies Club, House Journal Society, Management Circle, Nature Lovers’ Club, and Officers’ Club. Of course, OTs automatically get enrolled in the Alumni Association. They can choose which other clubs they want to be a part of.

The Goal :

The goal of LBSNAA is to ready all it’s Officer Trainees for the life of a civil servant. This includes imbibing in their qualities and habits expected from officers of their stature. Another goal is to inculcate lifelong relationships among ranks so that this country can function smoothly under the watchful eyes of compatriots who all are working towards the singular goal of serving this nation to the best of their abilities for the foreseeable future. And that is how a great nation is built.