In News:

• The Indian Army launched the “Eklavya” online learning platformnmunder the leadership of General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).
• It is part of the Army’s “Decade of Transformation” initiative and aligns with the theme for 2024, “Year of Technology Absorption.”

Platform Development:

• Developed by the Army Training Command (ATC) and sponsored by the Army War College.
• Created at zero cost in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), Gandhinagar.
• Hosted on the Army Data Network with scalable architecture to integrate various training establishments.

Key Features:

• Supports multiple courses from 17Category ‘A’ Training Establishments of the Army.
• Allows student officers to register for several courses simultaneously.
• Aims to decongest physical courses and integrate contemporary, application-focused content.

Categories of Courses:

• Pre-Course Preparatory Capsules: Online study material for physical courses, allowing focus on contemporary topics during offline training.
• Appointment-Specific Courses: Online courses for officers appointed to specialized roles (e.g., information warfare, financial planning, etc.), helping them gain domain-specific expertise before posting.
• Professional Development Suite: Includes courses on strategy, leadership, operational art, finance, emerging technologies, etc., focusing on holistic officer development.

Knowledge Highway:

• A searchable database featuring journals, research papers, and articles to support continuous professional education and development.

Impact:

• Promotes continuous professional military education.
• Enhances the efficiency and specialization of officers, particularly in emerging domains.
• Streamlines training processes and integrates modern technology in the Army’s educational system.