“NIRDPR launches refresher training for Aspirational Block officials in collaboration with NITI Aayog to promote data-driven development, evidence-based planning, and inclusive growth at the block level”
HYDERABAD, OCTOBER 06, 2025: The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad, in collaboration with NITI AAYOG, launched the Refresher Training Programmes under the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) on Monday. The inaugural session was formally inaugurated by Dr G Narendra Kumar, Director General, NIRDPR, and the Vision and Mission of the ABP was delivered by Anand Shekar, Additional Mission Director, Aspirational Block Programme, NITI AAYOG.
The Aspirational Blocks Programme, initiated by NITI AAYOG in the year 2023, aims to transform 500 most underdeveloped blocks across the country through convergence, data-driven, and focused with a saturation approach in 40 identified indicators. The refresher training is designed to strengthen the capacities of Block Level Officers (BLOs) and other key functionaries to accelerate progress toward achieving saturation of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Beginning today, NIRDPR is conducting these training programmes focusing five important sectors, namely Health, Nutrition, Basic Infrastructure, Education, Social Development and Financial Inclusion. The programmes are simultaneously started in nine venues on 6th October and will run up to 20th November 2025. The NIRDPR will conduct 126 trainings in batches and cover around 5,000 Block Level Officers, Aspirational Block Fellows and Block Pramukhs from Aspirational Blocks.
During the inaugural session, the Director General, NIRDPR, emphasised the critical role of field functionaries in translating the vision of the Aspirational Blocks Programme into tangible outcomes on the ground. He highlighted the importance of convergence, innovation, and micro-level planning for saturating the indicators through ensuring inclusive and sustainable rural development. Overall, the DG highlighted the need for focusing on real-time monitoring, innovation, and replication of best practices and strengthening local governance, enhancing accountability, and driving inclusive growth from the grassroots level, contributing significantly to the vision of a Viksit Bharat@2047.
Anand Shekar, Additional Mission Director, ABP, NITI AAYOG, has given introductory remarks on the objectives and appreciated the earlier efforts of the participating officials for remarkable achievements in their respective block. He also appreciated the role of NIRDPR in designing and coordinating the large-scale capacity-building initiative. Further, he added the importance of achieving saturation-oriented results in the ABP block. In his words, he requested to accelerate development through targeted interventions.
The training modules and framework were developed by NIRDPR with the support of experienced Faculty Members and finalised with the NITI AAYOG. This capacity building has been coordinated by Dr. R. Aruna Jayamani, Assistant Professor and Dr P.Kesava Rao, Head, CRTCN NIRDPR. This Programme marks another significant milestone in NIRDPR’s ongoing efforts to build the capacities of rural development functionaries and support the national mission of transforming Aspirational Blocks into models of holistic and sustainable growth.
