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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Addresses 17th Civil Services Day, Emphasises Holistic Development and Reforms for a Developed India New Delhi, 21st April 2025: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today addressed civil servants on the occasion of the 17th Civil Services Day, held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The event also saw the Prime Minister conferring the prestigious Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration. In his address, Prime Minister Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to civil servants across the nation and highlighted the significance of this year’s Civil Services Day. He remarked that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who famously described civil servants as the ‘Steel Frame of India’. Shri Modi paid tribute to Sardar Patel’s vision, underscoring the enduring relevance of his ideals, particularly in the context of India’s aspirations to become a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). The Prime Minister reflected on his earlier statements from the Red Fort, reiterating the need to strengthen India’s foundations for the future. He remarked that the decisions and policies being made today will shape India’s destiny for the next thousand years. Quoting ancient scriptures, Shri Modi emphasised that success is achieved not by relying solely on fate, but through relentless collective effort and determination. He urged civil servants to work tirelessly towards a shared vision of a developed India. Addressing the rapid changes taking place in the world, Prime Minister Modi stressed that India’s bureaucracy, work processes, and policymaking cannot remain bound by outdated frameworks. Drawing attention to the transformation initiated in 2014, he highlighted the need for extraordinary speed in fulfilling the aspirations of India's youth, farmers, women, and society at large. He outlined India’s ambitious goals in energy security, clean energy, space exploration, and sports, emphasising the significant role of civil servants in helping India become the world’s third-largest economy as swiftly as possible. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the theme for this year’s Civil Services Day, ‘Holistic Development of India’, describing it not merely as a theme but as a commitment to the nation’s people. He elaborated on the vision of holistic development, which encompasses clean water for every household, quality education for every child, financial access for every entrepreneur, and the benefits of the digital economy reaching every village. Prime Minister Modi stressed that true progress is measured not by the launch of schemes, but by their deep impact and tangible outcomes for the people. Highlighting transformative progress across the country, Shri Modi cited examples of districts such as Rajkot, Gomati, Tinsukia, and Kupwara, where significant strides have been made in sectors like education, healthcare, and renewable energy. He congratulated the districts and individuals behind these efforts, praising their commitment to excellence in public administration. The Prime Minister also underscored that India’s governance model has evolved over the last decade, with a shift towards Next Generation Reforms focused on technology and innovative practices to bridge the gap between government and citizens. He pointed to the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme, as well as the recently launched Aspirational Blocks initiative, which has shown remarkable results in improving health, nutrition, social development, and infrastructure. He cited examples from Peeplu Block in Rajasthan, Jagdishpur Block in Bihar, and Gurdih Block in Jharkhand, where key development indicators have seen dramatic improvements. Shri Modi further noted that India’s achievements over the past decade have positioned the nation not only as an emerging economy but as a global leader in governance, transparency, and innovation. He highlighted India’s G20 Presidency as a significant achievement, with more than 200 meetings held across 60 cities, demonstrating India’s leadership on the world stage. “India is not just participating in global discussions; it is leading them,” he affirmed. Addressing the challenges of governance in the modern era, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the need for India’s bureaucracy to evolve from a regulator of industrialisation to an enabler of growth. He urged civil servants to foster an environment that promotes enterprise, innovation, and competitiveness, particularly in sectors such as MSMEs and startups, which are vital for India’s future in the global supply chain. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of civil servants adapting to technological advancements to improve governance and service delivery. He urged civil servants to become tech-savvy and proficient in data-driven decision-making, citing the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Physics. Shri Modi also encouraged civil servants to prepare for the upcoming technological revolution to better serve the citizens and meet their aspirations. In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of setting new benchmarks in governance and public service, urging civil servants to go beyond traditional methods and work with renewed vigour to address emerging global challenges. He called for a reimagining of civil service reforms, focusing on sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, internal security, and social welfare. The Prime Minister emphasised the need for civil servants to remain sensitive to the voices of the underprivileged, ensuring their concerns are addressed with integrity and compassion. Shri Modi invoked the principle of “Panch Pran” (Five Resolves) introduced from the Red Fort, emphasising the responsibility of civil servants in building a developed India. He expressed complete trust in their abilities and urged young officers to contribute to society’s progress, fulfilling their duties with dedication and empathy. The event was also attended by Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh; Principal Secretary – 2 to the Prime Minister, Shri Shaktikanta Das; Cabinet Secretary, Shri T V Somanathan; and Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Shri V Srinivas. |
