ASCI Hyderabad Hosts Week-Long ‘Atma Nirbharata – Karmayogi Leadership Programme’ for Defence and Public Sector Leaders

Hyderabad, Apr 20(BNP): The Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad, has commenced the second edition of its week-long Atma Nirbharata – Karmayogi Leadership Programme at its Bella Vista Campus. The programme, running from April 20 to April 24, 2026, brings together senior officials from defence, public sector, and strategic industries.

The programme opened with a welcome address by Programme Director Lt Gen K. Surendranath, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), followed by the inaugural address by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC (Retd.). Dr N. Ramesh Kumar, IAS (Retd.), Director General, ASCI, who played a key role in designing the programme, was also present.

Aligned with the Government of India’s Karmayogi Bharat framework and the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the programme focuses on strengthening leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and technological awareness among participants. It is designed to help officials transition from routine administration to outcome-driven leadership.

Participants include senior officers from leading organisations such as BEML Limited, Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Electronics Corporation of India Limited, and DRDO laboratories including DMRL, CAIR, ASL, and CABS. Representatives from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Bharat Dynamics Limited, L&T, Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board, Premier Explosives Limited, Sigma Advanced Systems, Ananth Technologies, and the College of Defence Management are also attending.

The programme features sessions by senior military leaders, policymakers, and technology experts. Maj Gen N.D. Prasad (Retd.) spoke on lessons from contemporary conflicts and future security challenges, while Lt Gen S. Ravi Shankar (Retd.) addressed leadership and mindset shifts. Shri Giridhar Aramane, IAS (Retd.), shared perspectives on self-reliance and national security, and Lt Gen (Dr) P.G.S. Pannu (Retd.) spoke on space technologies and emerging challenges.

Lt Gen A.V. Subramanian (Retd.) highlighted emerging and critical technologies, while Commodore A. Madhava Rao (Retd.) discussed emerging trends in missile and aerial technologies.

Over the week, sessions will cover India’s security environment, maritime challenges, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, quantum technologies, and the role of industry in defence manufacturing through public-private partnerships. The programme will also address defence budgeting, acquisition processes, technological sovereignty, emerging dimensions of modern warfare, and evolving biosecurity challenges.

Dr G. Satheesh Reddy is scheduled to speak on building a future-ready defence ecosystem through the Triple Helix model, while sessions on space technologies and advanced materials will explore opportunities and challenges in manufacturing and innovation.

The valedictory session will be attended by Shri Alok Joshi, IPS (Retd.), Chairman, National Security Advisory Board, as Chief Guest.

The programme is expected to offer participants a strong blend of strategic insight and practical exposure, enabling them to translate ideas into actionable outcomes.