The Institute has evolved its unique strategy for planning and conducting need based PRI training and learning events in a decentralized campaign mode through effective training cascades. Each round of a systematic training cycle for PRIs is operationalised along 5 main stages as indicated below:

Needs Assessment (TNA)

Carried out through multi-stakeholder interactive workshops, entailing brainstorming sessions, focus group discussions, and opinion polls and in depth interviews with representative stakeholders.

Training Module & Material Development (TMD)

Entailing preparation of relevant modules and materials, for various categories of PRI functionaries, based on the emerging training needs.

Training of Trainers (ToT)

At this stage of the training cycle, the institute equips trainer teams drawn from each block of the state, to deliver direct training to PRI functionaries, based on the need based modules & reference materials developed by the institute.

Training of PRIs (TPRIs)

This is the stage of decentralized cascade flow of trainings happening across all blocks of the state simultaneously, through institute-trained trainers delivering direct training to elected and official functionaries of PRIs, under the supervision and technical backstopping of the institute.

Training Impact Assessment (TIA)

The institute has also focused its attention on assessing impact of its training after 2003 PRI training campaign. This was carried out with help of NGO partners, who were trained by the institute for conducting filed studies on impact of training, through 360 degree evaluation – entailing peer review, superior feedback; subordinate observations, as well as, community perceptions on improved performance of Panchayat functionaries, after training. The institute has already validated cascade mode of decentralized trainings in three rounds in previous years, achieving the national training policy goal of "training for all" three times so far. Training of all women Panchayat leaders in 2002: benefiting about 35000 women Panchayat leaders, through 605 decentralized training camps at block levels. Training of all Panchayat leaders in 2003: benefiting all Sarpanches, Gram Sevaks and Ward Panches, outreaching training for more than one lac functionaries, through 1000 training camps organized at block and sub-block levels. A decentralized campaign was organized in year 2003-04, in which 16418 field functionaries were trained at 143 training venues with the help of 618 trained trainers, who were trained at SIRD. Training of all newly elected PRI representatives, along with their key official counterparts, after fresh PRI elections of 2005, training about 1.25 lac functionaries, including from Zila Pramukhs to Ward Panches amongst the elected leaders and from CEOs to Gram Sevaks on the officials side, in joint orientation training strategy for maximizing team synergy. This recent joint orientation training campaign was a record breaking event – as the whole campaign was smoothly operational zed within 75 days from start to finish and was held within three months of PRI elections, as stipulated in the resolutions, emerging from the VII Round Table Conference on Training and Capacity Building of Panchayats.

Similar efforts have also been made for the training of officials under Watershed and Soil Conservation Activities starting from district level Project Officers to user groups at village watershed level. In the year 2005-06 decentralized training on post project management and exit protocol under NWDPRA Programme of completed 193 Projects of 9th Five Year Plan was organized at 17 venues in which 1737 participants were trained with the help of 99 trainers who were trained at SIRD level. Similarly for the implementation of SGSY Programme, training of district level and block level officers were organized at the Institute level, whereas, block level officials and bankers were trained in a decentralized manner at district level in the year 2006-07 & 2007-08. Similar efforts have also been made for the training of officials and elected public representatives under National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGA) Activities starting from district level Pramukh, Zila Parishad, CEOs, Project Officers to Gram Sevaks, Ward Panchas at village level of Project Districts in the year 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-2009.

Thus, the institute has emerged as the one and only pioneer training institute by having achieved the goal of “Training for All” in the Panchayati Raj Sector, as envisioned in the National Training Policy, through conduct of 6 rounds of mass scale training campaigns-in 2002, 2003 and 2005 & for 12 BRGF districts in 2007 & yet again, for Refresher PRI-Trainings in 2008-09- for Reserved Categories & for all PRIs- on thematic areas of flagship programmes. In 2010- After latest elections, Basic Orientation Joint Training Campaign for all PRIs, including ERs & Officials was held in a campaign mode which was completed on 31st July, 10, achieving the ‘Training for All’ goal yet again within six months of PRI Elections, through a 100 Days Training Campaign.

Panchayati Raj Act & Rules

73rd Constitutional Amendment, 50% Reservation for Women in Rajasthan from 2010, Engendering Panchayats, various Standing Committees and meetings desired at the 3 levels of PRIs, PESA Roles, Responsibilities and Powers of ERs & Officials 3 tiers/ PRIs Ward Sabha, Gram Sabha, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad, District Planning Committee and the Vision for Development- five yearly and annual.

Human Development

Education, Health, Women & Child Development, Livelihoods related Schemes & Strategies Major Development Schemes implemented by PRIs NREGA, SGSY, IAY, MP/MLA- LAD, Watershed, TSC, Poverty Reduction & Livelihoods, and various Social Security Schemes etc.

Financial Management

Sources of funds, Local Development Planning, Budgeting, Accounts-Records, Audit, UC & CC, Technical Estimates, BSR, MB, TS, FS, AS, mobilizing own income, Accounts- rules & procedures, Store & Inventory Management, Gender Responsive Planning and Gender Audit.

Administration & Office Management

Record keeping, agenda for meetings, meeting minutes & action taken reports, Revenue Matters- Handling encroachments on CPRs, Housing Pattas, Land Titles and Records, PDS & Food Security, Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Supervision of Staff, Office- Correspondence.

Personal Development

Recognizing Self-Potential, Leadership Skills, Public-Speaking & Communication, Confidence Building, Positive Mental Attitude, Conflict- Resolution, Coordination, Personal Effectiveness, Team Work, Group Dynamics, Gender Sensitivity, Women Empowerment, Pro-Poor, Tribal & Dalit Inclusive-Vision, Stress Management, Time Management, Curtailing Delays, Communication Skills, Total Quality Management, Relationship- Management & Humor.

Topical Concerns/Emerging Challenges

E-Learning, Interface with Civil Society, Green & Clean Eco-Friendly Governance, Disaster Mgt., Human Rights & Various Social Legislations, RTI & Social Audit, Transparent & Accountable Governance.

Management

Project Management & Project Appraisal, Management Development Programmes, Environmental Management, Micro Enterprise Management

Others

• Decentralized Planning for Inclusive Development & Social Justice

• Gender Responsive Planning & Budgeting

• Refresher on Gender Responsive Governance

• Refresher on Flagship Development Programmes

• Capacity Building for Local Governance in Watershed Development

• Gender budgeting

• Refresher course on theme based training

• GIS, MIS Based Monitoring & Evaluation

• Quality Indicators and Sustainability Issues

• Empowerment of CIGs

• Interpersonal Effectives

• Group Formation, Development and Strengthening

• Monitoring and Learning Systems

• Social Development Perspectives

• Rural Marketing

• Management Information System (MIS)

• Micro Enterprise Development including Sectoral Workshops on Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, fishery, Leather, Wool, Textiles, Minor Minerals

• Cluster Development

• Natural Resource Management

• Panchayati Resource Centre

• Training Needs Analysis

• Case Writing

• Community Based Participatory Methodology

• Logical Frame Work Analysis

• Livelihood Promotion Social Audit

• Social Audit

• Contribution in Development of Training Modules

Faculty of the Institute has also contributed towards development of Training Modules based on field experiences Training needs Assessment Studies for following levels of Training - Elected representatives and Officials of PRIs with the support of UNICEF and SDC. Training Modules have also been developed for training courses in the area of Watershed Development, Rural Development, NREGA, DPIP and EC-SPP.

The Computer cell of institute provides Basic Computer Skills Training to Non-Gazetted Employees of Zila Parishads & Panchayat Samitis. The main focus is to train the Staff and officials concerned with rural development. The Course is aimed at enhancing the capability of personnel for better use of computers in Office Automation. Average two courses are conducted per month in the batches of 20 to 30 participants.

The Syllabus comprises of familiarization with Main applications of MS-Office i.e. MS-Word, MS-Excel, Power Point Presentations clubbed with introduction to Internet and E-mailing etc. AUTO-CAD trainings are organized to brush up the technical skills of engineering personnel. The institute also hosts various training programs organized by different departments.

The institute is now looking forward to conduct computer trainings in a decentralized fashion.