My dear young companions,

The festive season has begun in the country. Amidst these celebrations, today brings a new joy into the lives of thousands of families. Today, more than 51,000 youth across the nation are receiving appointment letters for government service. Behind the achievement you have reached today is not only your hard work, but also the dedication of your parents and family members. I extend heartfelt congratulations to all of you and your families. I wish you all the best for this new beginning in life.

Friends,

Today you are joining the Government of India at a time when the nation is moving towards a very big goal - the goal of making India developed by 2047. In this, the role of youth like you is immense. While serving in government, you must take every decision that strengthens the campaign for a developed India and for self‑reliant India. As youth, you have a special responsibility towards other young people. You can see how the talent and skills of our youth have won the trust of the entire world. The world has great expectations from our innovators, entrepreneurs, and youth power. Just a few days ago, the BRICS Summit concluded. India’s effort has been that BRICS cooperation should not remain limited to governments alone - our entrepreneurs, farmers, women, youth, everyone should become active participants in this partnership. With this vision, initiatives like BRICS CONNECT and the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal have been launched.

Friends,

In recent years, India has signed free trade agreements with nearly 40 countries. These FTAs are opening new doors of opportunity for our youth. Such trade agreements create new partnerships for our entrepreneurs, open new markets, and create new career possibilities for our youth.

Friends,

In recent years, the Government of India has consistently focused on preparing youth for the future. The National Education Policy, Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, and efforts to promote apprenticeships - all aim to ensure that the education and skills of our youth align with the needs of a changing economy. One example is PM‑SETU. Through this scheme, with an investment of 60,000 crore rupees, 1,000 government ITIs are being modernized. Direct participation of industry has been ensured in this.

Friends,

Another picture of the strength of India’s youth is visible in our startup ecosystem. Today India is the world’s third‑largest startup ecosystem. And India’s startup story is no longer just about big cities. Today, nearly half of recognized startups are in tier‑two and tier‑three cities. That means youth from villages, towns, and small cities are also playing a big role in India’s new economy. Our young people from smaller towns are working on their ideas, building new companies, and creating new employment opportunities for other youth as well.

Friends,

Our effort is that new employment opportunities also grow rapidly in the private sector. With this vision, the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana has been launched. About 1 lakh crore rupees are being spent on this scheme. With its help, nearly 20 million youth will get the chance to join the workforce for the first time. Under this scheme, the government is giving an incentive of up to 15,000 rupees to youth who get their first job. Employers who create new jobs are also being encouraged by the government. That means the government is working on every front to increase employment in the country.

Friends,

New opportunities for youth are created only when the country’s economy grows, when investment increases, new industries are set up, and new sectors expand. Today India is one of the fastest‑growing major economies. In the first quarter of this financial year, India’s growth rate was 7.8 percent. Investment increased by nearly 12 percent. Rating agencies are upgrading India’s ratings. And this progress is happening at a time when the world is passing through many uncertainties. Behind India’s growth is the major contribution of reforms carried out in recent years. In your tenure, you must continue to accelerate reforms. Whether it is simplifying tax and compliance, increasing ease of doing business, reforms in education and skilling, opening new sectors for innovation, or ease of living - at every level, the Reform Express must continue at full speed. And as government employees, you will have a very big role in this in the present and coming years.

Friends,

I said a few days ago - the sun must be ours, the sea must be ours. The boat must be ours, the sailor must be ours. The courage to write victory on the waves must be ours. Today India’s youth are moving forward with this courage. Now, while serving in the Government of India, it is your responsibility to understand the aspirations of the country’s youth and fulfill your duties accordingly. I urge you again - every decision you take, every signature you put on a file, must advance the aspirations of youth. In your tenure, you must ensure that obstacles in the path of youth are removed, their ideas get opportunities to move forward, innovation increases investment, and investment creates new employment opportunities.

Friends,

Now you are becoming part of the government system yourselves. Therefore, your effort must be that the difficulties you faced, or that your parents faced, should not be faced by other youth. The hardships your parents endured, the hardships you may have endured - no citizen of our country should have to endure them anymore. This is the work you must do as soon as you enter the government system.

Friends,

Today, transformation is happening rapidly in every sector of the country. You have reached here by continuously learning. Now from here begins a new journey of continuous learning. You must keep improving your skills. You must understand new technologies and new systems. Mission Karmayogi helps you achieve this very purpose. More than 17 million government employees are connected to the iGOT Karmayogi platform today. And for new companions like you, Karmayogi Prarambh has been specially designed. The more you improve yourself, the better you will serve the citizens of the country.

Friends,

You must always remember one more thing. The real strength of government is the trust of the country’s citizens. Whatever ministry you are in, whatever department you are in, your work will touch the life of ordinary citizens in some way. A pension for an elderly person may move forward because of your work. A scholarship for a student may depend on your responsibility. A facility for a farmer may be delivered through your department. For some citizen, you may be the face of the government. Your behavior, your sensitivity, your efficiency, your honesty - all these will determine how that citizen experiences the government.

Therefore, friends,

In government service, our mantra must be - Citizen Devo Bhava, Citizen Devo Bhava. Service to citizens is service to the nation. Your success will be greater when your work makes life easier for a citizen. I am confident that wherever you are, in whichever department you are, you will continue to fulfill your duties with dedication and a spirit of service. Once again, I congratulate you all.

Thank you very much.

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MJPS/SS/VJ/ST