Civil servants urged to reform
New Delhi, Apr 21: C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday delivered the keynote address at the 18th Civil Services Day held at Vigyan Bhawan, extending greetings to serving and retired civil servants across the country.
Recalling that it has been 79 years since Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed probationers of the Administrative Services in Delhi, the Vice President said civil servants have upheld Patel’s vision of being the “steel frame of India,” serving as the backbone of the nation’s progress and prosperity. He described officers working across states as ambassadors of national integration and unity.
Referring to developments in the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he highlighted the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.” He cited achievements such as lifting nearly 25 crore people out of poverty, constructing over 4 crore houses for the poor, and transforming border villages into vibrant communities. He also noted the growing role of women in development through initiatives like Lakhpati Didis and Namo Drone Didis, and mentioned programmes such as the Aspirational Districts Programme and One District One Product, stressing that no region should be left behind.
Commending civil servants as key implementers of government policies, he said their dedication has been central to these outcomes and emphasised that the principle of inclusive development must be experienced by every citizen. He added that India still has “miles to go” in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and called for integrity, sustained commitment, and a focus on last-mile delivery.
Amid rapid technological changes, the Vice President urged civil servants to upgrade their skills and remain future-ready, highlighting platforms like iGOT Karmayogi for capacity building. He underscored the role of technology in improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery, while cautioning that welfare schemes must be carefully designed to reach intended beneficiaries.
He stressed the need to move beyond a purely generalist approach in civil services and called for greater specialisation, urging states to adopt forward-looking recruitment policies. He also encouraged officers to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and blockchain.
Quoting Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar, he said righteousness (aram) is the highest form of wealth and emphasised ethical conduct in public life. He urged officers to distinguish between legitimate guidance and undue pressure, and to uphold honesty and fairness.
Highlighting increasing women’s participation, he said the share of women in civil services has risen from about 21 per cent in 2016 to nearly 31 per cent in the 2025 examination, describing it as a reflection of “Nari Shakti.” He also expressed hope for similar progress in legislative bodies through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
Noting the intense competition in civil services examinations—with 12 to 15 lakh candidates appearing annually and around 1,000 selected—he urged officers to remain mindful of their responsibilities and maintain close engagement with subordinates to address challenges effectively.
Referring to the recent dedication of Sewa Teerth and Kartavya Bhawan, he said these symbolise commitment to service and duty, and called upon civil servants to ensure their work reaches the remotest corners, addresses grievances, and empowers citizens.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh; Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P. K. Mishra; Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister Shaktikanta Das; Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan; and Secretary, DARPG, Nivedita Shukla Verma, among others, were present on the occasion.
