‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’: Public Service Must Put Citizens First, Says PM Modi At UPSC Centenary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India has moved beyond an era when the government was seen as the sole provider and guardian of citizens to an approach guided by ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’, where serving citizens remains the highest priority.

Key Takeaways

Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi said the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions would play an important role in shaping governance for a Viksit Bharat. He said the next 20 to 25 years would remain crucial for India and its institutions.

PM Modi added that young people recruited into public services would contribute to building a developed India and benefit from its progress.

The Prime Minister said public service selections should follow two principles: ‘nation first’ and ‘citizen first’. He further said these criteria would help institutions select candidates capable of meeting the country’s future requirements.

PM Modi said India in 2047 would experience greater urbanisation, a narrower rural-urban gap and higher aspirations, particularly among young people. He stressed that public services must match these changing expectations.

The Prime Minister highlighted the need for faster public services in an age of technology and artificial intelligence.

With AI capable of processing large volumes of information quickly and governments accessing real-time data, PM Modi said citizens would expect faster solutions. He called for recruitment and selection processes to reflect these future needs.

PM Modi urged young people to choose public service over public office and advised trainee officers to remember their reasons for joining the civil services. He said ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ should guide selection processes and create sensitive, citizen-focused public servants. He further called for a shorter examination cycle.

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