NEW DELHI, Apr 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasised the importance of modernising civil services in line with evolving times to achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Addressing the launch of ‘Sadhana Saptah’ through a video message, the Prime Minister said governance must consistently enhance citizens’ ease of living and overall quality of life. He underlined that the foundation of governance lies in the principle of “Nagrik Devo Bhavah”, which places citizens at the centre of all public service efforts.
Highlighting the shift in administrative approach, Modi noted that earlier systems prioritised authority, whereas today’s governance focuses on duty and accountability. He stressed that behavioural transformation among public servants is essential for meaningful reforms.
The Prime Minister urged civil servants to evaluate their work through the broader lens of nation-building, asking how each decision contributes to the country’s long-term development and impacts citizens’ lives. He called for individual growth to translate into institutional transformation.
Emphasising the growing role of technology, Modi said that understanding data and digital tools is now crucial for effective administration. He added that continuous learning, particularly in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, is key to improving decision making and governance outcomes.
‘Sadhana Saptah’ (Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement), being held from April 2 to 8, is a major capacity-building initiative across India’s civil services ecosystem. Organised by the Capacity Building Commission, the programme aims to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen focused governance.
The commission also oversees the implementation of Mission Karmayogi, a flagship reform initiative designed to enhance skills and competencies within the civil services through structured learning frameworks.