Madhya Pradesh Sends Its Largest Ever IAS Delegation for LBSNAA Mid-Career Training — But Election Duties May Keep 39 Collectors Behind
In a major administrative development, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie has invited 122 IAS officers from Madhya Pradesh to participate in the 24th Mid-Career Training Programme (MCTP), scheduled between January 5 and January 30, 2026. This includes 39 district collectors and one divisional commissioner, marking the largest batch ever selected from the state.
LBSNAA Requests Immediate State Action for Officer Relief and Registration
The Academy has issued a formal communication to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, urging the state government to ensure that all selected officers:
Complete their online registration promptly
Are officially relieved from their current roles in time for the training
However, whether all officers will actually be able to attend remains uncertain.
Election Commission Regulations Likely to Restrict Collectors
Despite the large selection, as many as 39 district collectors—those in the most crucial field roles—may not receive permission to join the training.
Possible reason
Madhya Pradesh is currently operating under strict Election Commission of India (ECI) service norms, and the government is expected to prioritize the continuity of officers directly involved in election preparations and administrative supervision.
Because of this, the state may withhold approval for collectors to leave their posts during the training window.
Wide Representation Across Administrative Levels
This year’s MCTP list reflects an unusually broad range of seniority and positions, including:
Collectors from Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Sagar, Rewa, Ujjain, and other major districts
The Ujjain Divisional Commissioner
Multiple Deputy Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Secretaries from various departments
The selection makes this one of the most diverse and extensive batches Madhya Pradesh has ever sent to LBSNAA.
A Crucial Training Window for Multiple IAS Batches
The Academy’s letter highlights the significance of this session:
2010 batch officers are being considered individually
2016 batch officers have received their third and final opportunity to attend
2017 batch officers have their second chance
2018 batch officers are participating for the first time
Only officers who retire on or after December 31, 2029 are eligible for participation in this phase of MCTP.
Key Collectors Among Those Called for Training
Prominent officers selected include:
Kaushalendra Vikram Singh – Collector, Bhopal
Ruchika Chauhan – Collector, Gwalior
Priyank Mishra – Collector, Dhar
Bhavya Mittal – Collector, Khargone
Jayati Singh – Collector, Barwani
Neha Meena – Collector, Jhabua
Neetu Mathur – Collector, Alirajpur
Rishav Gupta – Collector, Khandwa
Harsh Singh – Collector, Burhanpur
Roshan Kumar Singh – Collector, Ujjain
In addition, collectors from Dewas, Datia, Morena, Rewa, Sidhi, Satna, Sagar, Damoh, Chhindwara, and several others are included. The complete selection covers officers from the 2011 to 2018 IAS batches.
Training Requirements and Deadlines Set by LBSNAA
The Academy has issued clear timelines:
Online registration deadline: December 12
Submission of nomination letters: December 19
Mandatory reporting at LBSNAA: January 4, 2026
Strict adherence to these deadlines is expected from all participating officers.
Senior Officers Also Part of the Delegation
The list even includes senior IAS officers from the 2010 and 2011 batches, such as:
Kaushalendra Vikram Singh (2010), Collector, Bhopal
Ashish Singh (2010), Commissioner, Ujjain Division
Officers from the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 batches have also been selected, making this one of the most comprehensive and high-level delegations from Madhya Pradesh in recent years.
