Domestic Funding of Foreign Training (DFFT): Govt extends last date of application

THE government has extended the last date of application for Domestic Funding of Foreign Training (DFFT) scheme till January 7, 2014, allowing more Indian officers to chase their dream of studying in a foreign university. According to a circular issued by the training division of the DoPT on January 1, 2014, the last date of filing the annexure-I of the application form by individual officers has been...
extended till January 7 whereas the deadline for annexure-II of the application form has remained at January 10, 2014, as was indicated in the department’s earlier circular dated September 30, 2013.
Where IAS officers are allowed to apply for the funding scheme at any time, the officers of the other two All India Services, viz., IPS and Indian Forest Service and those of other Group A central civil services are eligible under the scheme only when they are holding posts on deputation under the Central Staffing Scheme.
If you are an Indian officer looking for domestic funding of foreign training, here are some of the facts you may like to note. But everyone is advised to cross-check with the training division of the DoPT which changes details.

What is the DFFT Scheme?
Domestic Funding of Foreign Training (DFFT) scheme is a scheme introduced by the Government of India in 2001 with an objective to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the government officers and to provide exposure to international best practices by deputing them to different long or short-term training programmes.  

Who is eligible?
The officers belonging to IAS, CSS and SCS are eligible to undergo foreign training under the scheme. Officers of the other two All India Services, viz., IPS and Indian Forest Service and those of other organized Group A Central Civil Services are eligible under the Scheme only when they are holding posts on deputation under the Central Staffing Scheme.

Where can one find the circular giving the terms and conditions?
The circular is issued every year and hosted on the website: www.persmin.nic.in

How and when can an officer apply?
The circular for training programmes to be conducted in a financial year (April to March) is generally issued in the month of October of the preceding year, e.g., for training programmes to be offered in FY 2014-15, the circular is likely to be issued in September/October, 2014.

Is there a common circular for the long term as well as the short term programmes?
Yes.

Which are the areas for long term and short term programmes sponsored under the DFFT
scheme?
The long-term programmes are mainly in the fields of public policy, public management, public administration, etc. while the themes for the short-term programmes are leadership, executive development, fiscal decentralization, tax analysis and revenue forecasting, project management, anti corruption, health sector reforms, public administration, public finance management, infrastructure and PPP, training of trainers, advance competencies for trainers, environmental policy issues etc. The specific programmes both long-term and short-term are included in the circular issued each year.

How are the selections made?
It is mandatory to apply online. A software based eligibility list is generated, followed by a merit list. Based on date available through these lists, a duly constituted committee recommends officers for long term and short term training programmes taking into account the relevance and suitability factors and takes approval of the competent authority.

Who bears the cost?
The entire cost on participation of officers in training programmes under the DFFT scheme is met by the training division, except certain pre-departure expenses. The department issues circulars indicating various entitlements.

Is the air travel also arranged by the DOPT?
Yes, the travel in the entitled class (on excursion fare basis) is arranged through Air India by the DOPT. For this purpose, vouchers are issued to the Air India office at Safdarjung Airport. The name and contact details of the concerned officers in Air India are intimated to the nominated officers who then get in touch with them and reserve tickets to their respective destinations.

Does nomination by DoPT guarantee admission to the programmes?
Not necessarily. The concerned institutes also have their own selection procedures which may sometimes reject the nominations made by DOPT.

How can an officer avail the partial funding under the DFFT Scheme?
The officers can avail financial assistance under the partial funding component for pursuing higher studies in programmes.

When can an officer apply for the support under the Partial Funding Scheme?
The applications can be made throughout the year but only after securing admission in the chosen programme/university. However, the period from April to June is ideal as most of the programmes commence in August/September.

If an officer fulfills all the eligibility criteria as per the Circular can he or she be sure of receiving the Partial Funding support from the DoPT?
DOPT administers the partial funding scheme. However, the Central Establishment Board is the final authority in the matter which may lay down its own criteria such as public interest, budget, etc. while deciding the cases of partial funding.