Capacity-Building Drive for Senior Legal Officers Kicks Off at IIPA, New Delhi

In a landmark effort to strengthen institutional capacity and prepare senior legal officers for leadership in a rapidly evolving administrative and policy landscape, the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), inaugurated a five-day Training Programme for Joint Secretaries and Senior Officers of the Indian Legal Service (ILS). The programme, held at IIPA, New Delhi from 30th June to 4th July 2025, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of India’s legal-administrative services.

This inaugural session brought together high-ranking dignitaries and senior government functionaries, including Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, also addressed the participants, setting a purposeful tone for the days ahead.

Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Calls for Ethical Governance and Constitutional Depth

In his keynote address, Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal delivered a compelling, anecdote-rich speech that was both reflective and energizing. Stressing the importance of lifelong learning in public service, he encouraged officers to blend legal acumen with compassion and constitutional consciousness. Citing the historical context of the 1975 Emergency, Meghwal illustrated the enduring significance of moral courage in public office.

“Governance is not merely about the mind. Officers must learn to use their hearts as well when confronting dilemmas,” he said, urging the audience to internalize a sense of ethical duty rooted in the Constitution.

He also commended Dr. Rana’s leadership and contextualized the training within the national momentum moving from women empowerment to women-led development—a transformation that he said must shape India’s administrative ethos.

IIPA Reiterates Its Role in Driving Administrative Excellence

Prof. Suresh Misra, a senior faculty member at IIPA, welcomed dignitaries and participants with an affirmation of IIPA’s historic role in public administration reform and civil services training. He described the programme as a part of India’s larger governance narrative, wherein public officers transition from rule-bound functionaries to strategic leaders.

The training, he added, is geared toward enabling legal officers to go beyond file processing and to act as thought leaders, institutional innovators, and policy enablers.

Law Secretary Dr. Rana: Legal Officers as Catalysts of Policy Reform

In her address, Dr. Anju Rathi Rana called the programme a moment of "institutional renewal". Rather than a routine orientation, the training is a platform for personal and professional transformation. She framed the programme within the Mission Karmayogi vision of the Government of India—an initiative that seeks to develop future-ready civil servants through capacity-building, continuous learning, and behavioural reform.

Dr. Rana drew attention to the historic repeal of colonial-era criminal laws and their replacement with modern criminal statutes, a pivotal development requiring nuanced legal interpretation and policy integration by Joint Secretaries and senior officers.

“A Joint Secretary is not merely a checkpoint for files but a crucible of reform,” she remarked. She urged officers to adopt a solution-oriented, citizen-centric, and technology-enabled approach to their work, consistent with the ambitions of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Programme Goals: Leadership, Integration, and Policy Foresight

This curated training programme—the first of its kind for senior officers of the Department of Legal Affairs—is structured to address multi-dimensional skill sets needed for effective legal governance. Key focus areas include:

• Legal-policy integration and strategic foresight

• Problem-solving and institutional agility

• Ethical decision-making and emotional intelligence

• Leadership in implementation of legal reforms

• Digital tools and data-driven governance

With India undergoing significant legal and economic transformation, officers are expected to navigate complex regulatory environments, engage with diverse stakeholders, and ensure that legal frameworks are robust yet adaptive.

Anchoring Legal Leadership in Vision 2047

The overarching philosophy of the programme is aligned with India’s aspirational journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. In this vision, legal professionals are seen as more than technocrats—they are custodians of democratic ideals, facilitators of justice, and architects of inclusive growth.

By investing in the intellectual and ethical development of its legal officers, the Government seeks to ensure that the legal apparatus is not only administratively sound but also strategically progressive.

Conclusion and Way Forward

The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks, recognizing the contributions of all stakeholders in making the event a meaningful starting point for what promises to be an intensive, introspective, and forward-looking engagement.

As India redefines its legal and administrative paradigms, this training programme is a testament to the government’s commitment to nurturing leadership grounded in constitutional values, legal excellence, and citizen service.