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About Us
Government of India established the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in 1986,
primarily to cater to the professional training needs of the Indian Foreign Service
of the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA). FSI has diversified its activities to include
courses of interest to staff and officers at all levels of the Ministry of External
Affairs as well as other Civil Services. In addition to active contacts with
specialized institutions and academic bodies in India, FSI has successfully
established institutional linkages with counterpart institutions in other countries. In
1997-98, as part of commemoration of 50 years of India's Independence, the
Institute published a two-volume book titled "Indian Foreign Policy: Agenda for
the 21st Century". In 2007, FSI published "Indian Foreign Policy: Challenges and
Opportunities in the New Millennium" which has received positive comments. In
2008, it published "India of My Dreams", a collection of ideas and views of
eminent persons from India and abroad who spoke at FSI.
Since 2007, Foreign Service Institute is located in a new campus for the FSI in a
6.5-acre plot of land adjoining the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus. The
campus consists of Administrative, Hostel, and Residential complexes.
At present, the Foreign Service Institute is functioning under the supervision and
guidance of Shri E. Ahamed, the Minister of State for External Affairs,
Government of India.
TRAINING FOR IFS PROBATIONERS
One of the primary activities of the Institute is the training of IFS Probationers
with the objective of preparing them to handle the wide range of tasks that they
would be required to perform during their professional careers, both in Missions
and Posts abroad as well as in India. The Probationers are put through a
comprehensive yearlong training programme, which includes modules on
International Relations and Foreign Policy, Defence and Security, Economic
Diplomacy, International Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Cultural Diplomacy, Protocol

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and Consular matters. The programme also includes modules on practical skills
such as, Administration and Accounts, Communication Skills, Representational
Skills and relations with the Media. The training modules are implemented through
lectures, seminars, interactive sessions and attachments to various wings of the
Government and other leading Institutions. The training programme also includes
study visits to Indian Missions in the neighbouring countries.
MID-CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMMES
From time to time the Foreign Service Institute has conducted mid-career
programmes to enable and support up gradation of skills and knowledge. The first
mandatory mid-career training programme for Directors (of 1991 batch of IFS)
concluded in July, 2009 and the fifth (of 1995 batch) in 2012. The

sixth

mid-career training programme for Director level officers for 1996 batche of IFS is
now underway. The first mandatory mid-career training programme for Joint
Secretary (JS) level IFS officers with 26-28 years of service (1979-80 batches)
was organized by FSI from April 13 to May 1, 2009. The second Mid-Career
Training Programme for JS level officers of 1980-81 batches has also been
organized from January 4-16, 2010. FSI also organized third and fourth such
programmes for 1983 & 1984 batches and 1986 to 88 batches from 2nd to 13th
May, 2011 and 18th to 29th June, 2012 respectively. FSI also organized a Media
Training Module for Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary level officers
from July 6-10, 2009 and again in February, 2011.
TRAINING OF STAFF
The Institute has been conducting the Basic Professional Course for the staff of
the Ministry of External Affairs. The objectives of the Course are to enhance the
skills of staff members for proficient use of computers, update them on various
aspects of administration, accounts, consular work, drafting, office procedure and
forms of communication. In collaboration with the Information and E-Governance
Division of the Ministry, FSI imparts training on specially designed software
packages for use in accounting and consular work and has also introduced
module on Cyber Security. FSI has so far organized 12 basic professional courses

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for Assistants/clerks and 12 Refresher courses for Section Officers of the

Ministry. Forty Seven courses have also been organized by the institution for
training MEA staff in Integrated Mission Accounting System.
INTERFACE WITH OTHER CIVIL SERVICES
The Institute maintains regular contacts with other professional and training
institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration,
the National Academy of Direct Taxes, the National Academy of Custom Excise
and Narcotics, the Institute of Secretarial Training and Management and the
Bureau of Police Training and Research. FSI and the Ministry of External Affairs
assign high priority to establishing a regular dialogue between the Indian Foreign
Service and other government services. To this end, the Institute has conducted
orientation and familiarization programmes on Indian Foreign Policy for officers
from the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Police Service and the Indian
Revenue Service. In 2005, the Foreign Service Institute organized its first ever
course on "Diplomacy and Indian Foreign Policy" for diplomatic correspondents
and the 8th course was held at FSI in July, 2011. FSI also conducts Vertical
Interaction Course for different services such as Indian Administrative Service,
Indian Police Service and for officers from Defense Services. The first Vertical
Interaction Course was held in December, 2010 and the fifth course was held in
April 2010.
COURSES AND PROGRAMMES FOR FOREIGN DIPLOMATS
Courses and programmes conducted by the FSI for foreign diplomats are
designed to serve as an introduction to the principles and practices of diplomacy,
current and emerging issues in international relations, as well as the salient
features of India's history and culture as they impinge upon her foreign policy.
More than 1882 foreign diplomats from over 100 countries have attended these
programmes at FSI.
The Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD), which is FSI's main
programme for foreign diplomats, was launched in 1992. With the increase in

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number of courses at FSI, the Course's duration was reduced to one month with
effect from the 48th PCFD in 2009. The 55th PCFD was held from August
22-September 21, 2012. The PCFD course includes modules on International
Relations, International Law, International Organizations, International Trade,
Defense and Security, Protocol, Communication and Negotiation Skills, Terrorism,
Human Rights, Climate Change, Energy, Economics, Field Visits/ Study Tours
etc.
FSI conducted an advanced Course on Asia for Foreign Diplomats (ACAFD) in
2003 and a Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Programme for Foreign Diplomats
(DFPPFD) in 2005 on issues of global interest.
SPECIAL COURSES
In response to specific requests from friendly countries, the FSI has also
conducted special courses for diplomats from Afghanistan, Canada, Iraq, Laos,
Norway, Palestine, Sudan, Vietnam, and Maldives. Since 2006, it has also
conducted Special Courses for Diplomats from ASEAN Countries which has now
become an annual feature. The 6th Special Course for ASEAN Diplomats was
held from November 16 to December 15, 2011. The FSI also conducted a special
course for diplomats from Afghanistan from November 23 to December 15, 2010.
FSI also sends trainers abroad to impart training to diplomats of respective
countries on request.
INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION
FSI has signed agreement /MoUs on cooperation with counterpart institutions in
37 countries. The list includes Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Croatia, Egypt, Indonesia,
Mexico, Norway, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa etc. Within India, FSI
maintains regular contacts with a number of specialized institutions, research and
educational institutions, Chambers of Commerce & Industry and other agencies
and draws on the expertise available with these bodies.
GUEST FACULTY
FSI has an extensive guest faculty drawn from specialists in the academic and

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research community, other ministries/departments of the Government of India, the

media, public life, industry and trade, and retired diplomats and civil servants.
FACULTY
The Foreign Service Institute has career foreign service officers at its core,
headed by the Dean, who is of the rank of Secretary / Additional Secretary to the
Government of India in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Foreign Service Institute

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