The National Centre for Good Governance launched its first dedicated capacity building programme for civil servants from Seychelles in Mussoorie and New Delhi on May 11, 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen administrative leadership, digital governance, and institutional cooperation while reinforcing India’s Neighborhood First policy in the Indian Ocean Region.
Major Highlights
- The National Centre for Good Governance commenced a two-week specialized training programme for Seychelles civil servants, which will continue until May 22, 2026.
- The programme has been organized in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs as part of India’s broader diplomatic and governance cooperation initiatives.
- A 29-member delegation from Seychelles is participating in the programme under the leadership of Alex Henderson.
- The delegation includes senior officials from multiple sectors such as defence, finance, judiciary, and the Office of the President of Seychelles.
- The initiative represents the first major outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2026 between India and the Seychelles Public Service Bureau.
- Under the three-year cooperation roadmap, India plans to train nearly 250 Seychellois civil servants to strengthen institutional leadership and accelerate digital transformation in governance.
- Director General Dr. Surendrakumar Bagde inaugurated the programme and emphasized that the curriculum has been specially designed to align with Seychelles’ sustainable development priorities.
- Training modules include subjects such as e-governance, digital payments, public-private partnerships, ethics in administration, and national security perspectives to improve governance efficiency and public service delivery.
- The programme also promotes India’s governance philosophy of “minimum government, maximum governance” with a focus on transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric administration.
- Participants will undertake field visits during the second phase of the programme to gain practical exposure to India’s technological innovations and grassroots governance models.
- The initiative further strengthens the historical and cultural relationship between India and Seychelles while contributing to regional stability and cooperation in the strategically important Indian Ocean Region.
Important Terms
- National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG): An autonomous institution under the Government of India that focuses on governance reforms, policy training, and capacity building for civil servants.
- Capacity Building Programme: A structured training initiative aimed at enhancing the administrative, technical, and leadership capabilities of government officials.
- Neighborhood First Policy: India’s foreign policy approach that prioritizes strong political, economic, and developmental relations with neighboring countries.
