The inaugural session of a five-day Training Programme for Joint Secretaries and Senior Officers of the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, was held today at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi. Organised jointly by IIPA and the Department of Legal Affairs, the programme — scheduled from 30th June to 4th July, 2025 — marks a significant step in the ongoing capacity-building efforts for senior officers of the Indian Legal Service (ILS), particularly those newly inducted or poised to assume the role of Joint Secretary or other senior leadership roles.

The session was graced by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, who addressed the gathering as Chief Guest. Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, also delivered an inspiring address, setting the tone for the programme.

Addressing the audience, Union Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, delivered an engaging and anecdotal speech, making his address not only insightful but also interactive. He stressed the vital role of continuous learning in governance and drew upon his administrative experiences. Reflecting on historical events such as the Emergency of 1975, he shared stories to drive home the point that officers should “use their heart” when faced with dilemmas in life, while calling for a deeper sense of constitutional responsibility in public office. Commending Dr. Rana’s leadership, he reflected on the larger national shift from “women empowerment to women-led development,” adding that this ethos must reflect in the administrative ethos as well.

Prof Suresh Misra, IIPA, welcomed the dignitaries and participants, and felicitated the Union Minister and the Law Secretary. In his introductory remarks, Prof. Misra underlined IIPA’s longstanding role in strengthening civil service training and driving administrative reform—both in India and internationally. He reiterated that the overarching intent of the training programme is to enhance institutional efficiency, promote accountability and facilitate a transition from a rule-based to a role-based approach within the legal-administrative framework.

Law Secretary Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, in her address, described the programme as more than an induction — it is a moment of professional inflection and institutional renewal. Framing the initiative within the Government’s Mission Karmayogi vision, she emphasised the need for legal leadership that is agile, emotionally intelligent and rooted in public service.

Referring to the landmark repeal of the three colonial-era criminal laws and the enactment of the new criminal reforms, she highlighted the crucial role that officers at the level of Joint Secretary play in interpreting, implementing and giving meaning to these reforms. She urged participants to move beyond traditional file-bound approaches and embrace a solution-oriented, government-enabling mindset. The desk of a Joint Secretary, she noted, is not merely a point of file movement, but a crucible where ideas are refined, policies shaped and decisions with far-reaching implications are made.

The training programme — curated as the first of its kind for Joint Secretaries of the Department — is designed to equip officers with strategic foresight, sharpen their problem-solving capabilities and deepen their understanding of legal-policy integration. It aims to equip senior officers with the tools to navigate legal complexity in a rapidly evolving administrative environment.

Anchored in the Government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the programme aims to encourage the cohort of legal professionals who are not only grounded in jurisprudence, but are also equipped to lead with integrity, institutional wisdom and a forward-looking perspective.

The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks.

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Draws Press Release