New Delhi, June 23
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged India’s newest generation of civil servants to remember that behind every government file lies the hopes, struggles and aspirations of ordinary citizens. Public service is not merely about administration but about improving people’s lives through compassionate and responsive governance, the Prime Minister said.
Addressing 183 IAS officer trainees of the 2024 batch in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said tha the every decision taken in an office can have a direct impact on millions of people. “Every file represents the aspirations, concerns and lives of countless citizens,” Modi said, encouraging the trainees to adopt a citizen-first approach in their work.
Invoking the principle of “Nagrik Devo Bhava” (Citizens are like God), he called on the officers to ensure that governance remains empathetic, inclusive and accountable. Modi told the trainees that after two years of field exposure and administrative learning, they were entering a crucial phase of their careers where their decisions would influence the future of crores of Indians.
He stressed that true public service begins when officials face real-world challenges and respond with integrity, sensitivity and commitment. Highlighting India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 under the “Viksit Bharat” vision, the Prime Minister said every policy and administrative decision should contribute towards that larger national mission.
He also emphasised the importance of coordination among government departments, saying many of the country’s challenges cannot be solved in isolation and require a collaborative approach.
Pointing to the transformation of governance over the past decade, Modi said technology, digital services and artificial intelligence have made administration more transparent and efficient, helping citizens access services more easily.
He urged officers to use data not merely as statistics but as a reflection of people’s lives, challenges and expectations, and to regularly assess whether government policies are delivering results on the ground.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing participation of women in public administration, noting that more than 40% of the current IAS batch comprises women officers. Expressing confidence in the young recruits, he said their dedication, innovation and energy would play a significant role in shaping India’s future.
The interaction was attended by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, senior government officials and representatives of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
