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LBSNAA full form is Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, located in Mussoorie. Learn about its history, motto, training period, campus life, and how LBSNAA shapes future IAS officers through rigorous civil service training.
PWOnlyIAS
June 19, 2025
LBSNAA: The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) is the foremost training institution for civil servants in India. Recognised as the heartbeat of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), LBSNAA nurtures and moulds the future bureaucratic leadership of the country.
Situated in the scenic hill station of Mussoorie, this Academy functions under the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India, and is headed by a Director, typically an officer of Secretary rank to the Government of India.
LBSNAA is India’s premier civil service training institute. It conducts the foundational and advanced training programmes for officers selected for the All India Services, including IAS, IFS, and other Group ‘A’ Central Services. Besides training fresh recruits, LBSNAA also conducts Mid-Career Training Programmes (MCTPs) for in-service IAS officers and Induction Training for those promoted from State Civil Services.
| LBSNAA Overview | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Form | Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration |
| Location | Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India |
| Established | 1959 (as the National Academy of Administration) |
| Named After | Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s 2nd Prime Minister |
| Governing Body | Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India |
| Director | Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (as of 2025) |
| Motto | “To promote good governance by building a professional and responsive civil service” |
| Primary Function | Training of IAS and other All India/Group ‘A’ Service officers |
| Major Programs | Foundation Course, Phase I & II, Bharat Darshan, District Training, MCTP |
| LBSNAA Training Period | 2 years (including district posting and Assistant Secretary phase) |
| Campus Area | 189 Acres |
| Key Facilities | Academic Blocks, Hostels, Library, Gym, Polo Ground, Medical Dispensary |
The LBSNAA full form stands for Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Named after India’s second Prime Minister, the institution embodies the ethos of public service, ethical governance, and people-centric administration.
The motto of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) is “Sheelam Param Bhushanam”, which translates to “Character is the highest virtue”. This motto reflects the core principle of the training and grooming provided at the academy, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct and integrity for civil servants in India.
LBSNAA is located at Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Nestled at 6580 ft above sea level and spread over 189 acres, the Academy offers a pristine environment ideal for academic training and personal development. If you’re wondering where is LBSNAA, it is in the Charleville Estate in Happy Valley.
The roots of LBSNAA date back to 1959, when the IAS Training School in Delhi and the IAS Staff College in Shimla were amalgamated to form a unified Academy. This newly formed institution moved to Mussoorie’s Charleville Hotel, which had a storied past as a luxury hotel in the 19th century. In October 1972, it was renamed “Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration” and a year later became Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
Evolution Of Civil Services In India
Over the years, LBSNAA has expanded significantly with modern facilities and training infrastructures such as Kalindi Guest House, Dhruvshila, and Indira Bhavan Complex. The Academy remains a blend of colonial charm and modern administrative training needs.
| LBSNAA History | |
| Year | Milestone |
| 1958 | Announcement in Lok Sabha by Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant to establish the Academy |
| 1959 | Academy established in Mussoorie; initial infrastructure set up |
| 1960 | Common Foundation Course (FC) introduced for IAS, IFS, and Central Services |
| 1969 | Introduction of Sandwich Pattern (Phase I → District Training → Phase II) |
| 1970–77 | Academy under Cabinet Secretariat (rest under Ministry of Home Affairs) |
| 1972 | Renamed as Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration |
| 1973 | “National” added to become LBSNAA |
| 1975–78 | Hostels Ganga, Kaveri, and Narmada constructed |
| 1984 | Fire damaged Officers’ Mess, Library, Director’s Residence, etc. |
| 1985 | LBSNAA placed under Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions |
| 1988 | NIC Training Unit established |
| 1989 | Centre for Rural Studies established |
| 1991 | Earthquake damages structures; Dhruvshila and Kalindi constructed later |
| 1992 | Karmashila Block inaugurated by Vice President K.R. Narayanan |
| 1995 | National Gender Centre established |
| 1996 | Kalindi & Dhruvshila Bhavans inaugurated |
| 2004 | Hospital Block and Centre for Disaster Management inaugurated |
| 2010 | Gyanshila Building and Silverwood Hostel operational |
| 2012 | Mahanadi Executive Hostel inaugurated |
| 2014 | National Centre for Leadership Development established |
| 2015 | Aadharshila Block inaugurated |
| 2016 | Centre renamed to Centre for Public Systems Management |
| 2017 | PM Modi laid foundation for new hostel, stables, and 400m track |
| 2018 | Chanakya Hall inaugurated; Common Foundation Course reintroduced |
| 2019 | Aarambh 1.0 launched with PM Modi’s interaction |
| 2020 | Launch of Mission Karmayogi; Aarambh 2.0 |
| 2021 | First Common MCTP; Aarambh 3.0; Happy Valley Sports Complex inaugurated |
| 2022 | Monastery Hostel & DiGiTAG Arena inaugurated; Civil Services Marathon initiated |
| 2023 | DiGFAC & Alumni Centre inaugurated by former President Ram Nath Kovind |
The LBSNAA training period is meticulously structured and unfolds in several phases:
Successful candidates are then formally inducted into the IAS cadre.
Training at LBSNAA includes lectures, case studies, field visits, physical training, adventure sports, and community engagement. It combines academic learning with practical exposure to policy-making and field administration.
The training is assessed through:
LBSNAA has undergone several curriculum evaluations:
These committees ensured the relevance and dynamism of the LBSNAA training programs.
LBSNAA remains more than just a training ground; it is the cradle of India’s governance, producing leaders committed to integrity, equity, and public welfare. For every aspiring civil servant, this academy represents a journey toward excellence, leadership, and national service. If your ambition is to join the elite civil services, knowing what is LBSNAA, where is LBSNAA, its motto, history, and the LBSNAA training period will help you stay inspired and well-informed on your journey.
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