The Public Service Institutes replace the IRA from 2027

The IRA become Institutes of Public Service

Created by decree n°2026-27 of 26 january 2026, the Group of Public Service Institutes will bring together, from 1^er January 2027, the 5 historic IRA (Bastia, Lille, Lyon, Metz and Nantes), transformed into Public Service Institutes (PSIs), as well as the PSI of Nanterre, until then a training site attached to the IRA of Lille.

The headquarters of the new public administrative establishment for training local executives of the State will be located in Lille.

The decree of 27 October 2026 adapts numerous regulatory texts to take account of the creation of the Group of Public Service Institutes and the replacement of IRA by PSIs.

These provisions come into force on 1^er January 2027.

Access competition: a second written test is reinstated from 2027

The terms of the competition for access to PSIs are modified as of the 2027 session. The Order of 24 April 2026 reintroduces a second written eligibility test (duration: 2h, coefficient 3) for candidates.

This test existed previously in the IRA competitions. It had been abolished as part of the reform of access competitions before being reinstated as of the 2027 session.

It shall take the form of a mixed test comprising:

• One QCM of 60 questions on administrative and legal culture, public finances and the European institutions.
• Of Short Answer Questions (QRC) asking candidates to address 2 of the 3 proposed public policy analysis topics.

With this new event, the competition will be organized as follows:

• one a practical case study of the state's public policies projecting the candidate into the very activity of a State administrative attaché. The candidate will have to produce a reasoned note presenting answers to an identified problem, as well as operational supporting documents;
• theQCM/QRC combination test with 60 multiple choice questions and two short answer questions.

In the event of eligibility at the end of these two written tests, the candidate will be able, as part of an oral test, to present to the jury his aptitudes and motivations to perform the functions for which the training in ISP prepares.

The winners of the entrance examinations organized in 2026 will join the Public Service Institutes from 1^er January 2027.