My colleagues in the Union Cabinet, Dr. Jitendra Singh Ji, P. K. Mishra Ji, T. V. Somanathan Ji, Ajay Kumar Ji, all the esteemed members of the UPSC, Chairpersons of the various State Public Service Commissions who have come from different states, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Before I begin today's discussion, I would like to mention an incident that occurred yesterday. The manner in which India's Captain Smita displayed patience, prudence, and courage, and as the Prime Minister of Israel said today, this Indian prevented another 9/11 from taking place. This act of valor by Smita fills every citizen of the country with pride. Today, I also spoke with his father Bhupendra Bhai, his mother Geeta Ben, and his wife Sonal. His treatment is ongoing, and today the entire world is proud of him. I appeal to the people of the country that we should all pray for Smita's long life and excellent health, and salute our brother Smita, who has enhanced India's glory.

Friends,

Today is not only a celebration of 100 years of the UPSC, but also a celebration of a legacy. It is a celebration of the aspirations that millions upon millions of young people cherish and pursue every year. It is a celebration of the trust that every Indian places in this institution. During this century-long journey, generations changed, governments changed, technology changed, and syllabi changed, yet the trust in the UPSC remains just as unwavering today, and that is one of your greatest assets. A commemorative postage stamp and coin marking this 100-year journey have just been released. A compilation of 100 important case laws has also been published. I pay my respects to all the distinguished individuals associated with this century-long journey. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you. A little while ago, I was visiting the gallery that has been set up here, and I would encourage all of you to spend 10 to 15 minutes exploring it. I noticed a photograph from the 75th anniversary celebrations in which Lt. General Surendra Nath can be seen. Today, at the age of 90, he is present among us.

Friends,

There are many individuals who transformed this journey into a legacy of trust, introduced changes in tune with the times, and took the institution to new heights. Every one of them deserves appreciation and recognition. While looking through the gallery, I noticed that it also contains information about how Subhas Chandra Bose went through this very process in 1920. What caught my attention was that although India was under British rule at the time, there used to be a Sanskrit paper in the examination, and Subhas Babu wrote his paper in Sanskrit.

Friends,

On this historic occasion, I would also like to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. After Independence, the challenge before him was not merely to keep the nation free. The challenge before him was also to govern and build a nation. The steel frame that was required for the reconstruction of the nation was provided by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He made this institution one of the principal pillars of independent India and strengthened it.

Friends,

When the foundation of this institution was laid in 1926, the priorities of that era were different. At that time, both the focus of the system and its commitment were directed towards the British Raj. After India attained Independence, the dreams of a free India and the governance needs of a free India became the central focus. Over the past decades, the UPSC has discharged its responsibilities in an exemplary manner. Much has already been said from this stage about its achievements and contributions. Therefore, I neither wish to repeat those points nor go into detail about them. Moving beyond history, we now have India's future waiting before us. One quarter of the 21st century, twenty-five years, has already passed. The next twenty to twenty-five years will be extremely important for India, for every citizen of India, and for every institution of India. Therefore, I would like to focus my discussion today in that direction.

Friends,

For a Developed India, the kind of governance the country now requires depends significantly on the UPSC and the State Public Service Commissions. The young people whom you are recruiting today will play a crucial role in building a Developed India, and they themselves will be among the greatest beneficiaries of a Developed India. Keeping this in mind, we must always remember two touchstones. The first touchstone is: Nation First. The second touchstone is: Citizen First. These are the two standards against which every selection must be measured. When candidates are evaluated in this spirit, and when individuals imbued with this spirit are selected, the achievement of national goals becomes far more natural and far easier.

Friends,

India in 2047 will be very different from the India of today. India will be far more urbanized than it is today. The gap between villages and cities will narrow. The aspirations and expectations of our citizens, especially our youth, will be significantly greater. The signs of this transformation are already visible. Therefore, the question today is not merely one of service delivery. The question is also whether public services are able to keep pace with the speed of today's world of instant delivery. Are they able to move at that pace? Today, citizens do not want to wait weeks or months for a service. When AI can process thousands of documents within moments, and when governments have access to real-time data, citizens expect quick solutions. This changing mindset also demands new changes from our civil services. Therefore, we must align our selection parameters and recruitment processes with the needs of the future. We need to bring into public service those young people who are attracted not by public office, but by public service. Therefore, it is important that recruitment examinations should not merely assess how much a candidate knows. They should also assess why that young person wants to join the civil services. Because when the motivation is right, it becomes easier both to keep pace with changing public aspirations and to adapt to them.

Friends,

Many of you are familiar with the fact that whenever I meet trainee officers, I ask them to write down, right at the beginning and in their own handwriting, why they have joined the civil service. This is because responsibilities increase over time and new challenges emerge. At such moments, that small note reminds them of their original purpose. It also becomes a self-appraisal tool for them. UPSC and the State Commissions may also consider developing a similar mechanism.

Friends,

We have seen that period in the past when it was believed that the government was the ultimate guardian and provider. But today, our mantra is, "Nagrik Devo Bhava" (The Citizen is Divine). In other words, the citizen of this country is no less than a deity for us. Service to the citizen is our highest priority.

Therefore, friends,

Twenty-first-century India is moving forward with a new work culture. Its core principle is: Pro-People, Pro-Active, Good Governance! Pro-People means working not according to the convenience of the government, but by placing the interests of citizens above everything else. Pro-Active means preparing solutions by anticipating problems before they arise, instead of acting only after problems appear. Good Governance means there should be neither absence of government, nor pressure from government, nor unnecessary influence. At both the national and state levels, we must design our selection processes in accordance with this spirit. We must provide the nation with professionals who possess the sensitivity to understand the suffering of the poor; who willingly step forward with youthful energy; who find innovative solutions to difficult challenges; who understand the needs of the nation; who ensure compliance with the law; and who can also judge whether a law is making people's lives easier or whether it is becoming an obstacle.

Friends,

We are all witnessing the rapid pace at which the times are changing and technology is evolving. The period that lies ahead is going to present society with new kinds of challenges. We are all familiar with the global debate currently taking place around AI. In such a scenario, our civil servants too will be required to work under very different circumstances. There will be situations involving information warfare, the challenge of deepfakes, concerns regarding algorithmic bias, and complex questions such as climate justice. Therefore, in our selection processes, we must also give priority to assessing complex problem-solving abilities and long-term vision, and to making deliberate efforts in that direction.

Friends,

We all know that today our nation is moving rapidly on the expressway of reforms. At such a time, our examination-conducting agencies must move quickly on reforms that are the need of the hour. One such important issue is the time taken to conduct examinations. We must not view an examination merely as an event. It is connected not only to an event but to the future and lives of young people. A delay of even a few months in examinations can become a serious challenge for them. Coaching fees, rent, transportation expenses, all of these impose a heavy burden on families. Therefore, it is extremely important that our examination system adopts the principle of time certainty. UPSC and all selection commissions across the country must ensure that, without lowering standards, we find ways to shorten our examination cycle. In fact, while I was looking at the gallery, I noticed that nearly one hundred days have already been reduced. This achievement certainly deserves appreciation, and I congratulate all of you for it.

But friends,

This is not merely an administrative reform. It is also a reform that promotes equity.

Friends,

All of you are aware of the Chief Secretaries' Conference and the DGP Conference. Over the last ten years, these have evolved into important institutional mechanisms. Under these forums, all the Chief Secretaries of the country come together for three days to deliberate and exchange ideas. Similarly, during the DGP Conference, all the Directors General of Police gather for three days to discuss issues and share experiences. One objective of these conferences is to help one state learn about, understand, and, where appropriate, adopt the best practices of another state. I have been informed that every year UPSC organizes a National Conference in partnership with State Public Service Commissions. To make this conference broader, more productive, and richer in new ideas, I am sure you are continuously thinking about giving it a new shape and a new dimension. Such efforts help institutions share their best practices with one another. At the same time, this conference should also study international best practices. Focused discussions should also be held on how technology can be used to improve the efficiency of our processes and procedures. Such efforts at cross-learning will benefit UPSC as well as every state selection commission. We must also consider standardizing procedural norms and processes. This will provide significant assistance to young people.

Friends,

Another important subject is capacity building within UPSC and the state selection commissions. This effort should continue on a sustained basis. The iGOT platform developed under Mission Karmayogi can also be used for our internal systems, for strengthening the capabilities of our teams, and for enhancing the efficiency of our institutions through these various platforms.

Friends,

You must always remember that your work is linked directly to the future of India's youth. In other words, you are an important pillar in the mission of transforming youth power into national power. Over the years, you have played a major role in advancing this mission. When UPSC was established, opportunities were more readily available to young people from large cities, economically privileged families, and prestigious institutions. Today, however, youth from villages and small towns are also entering public service. The participation of our daughters is also steadily increasing. In 1952, women constituted only 3 percent of candidates in the civil services, just three percent. Today that figure has risen to more than 30 percent. In the entire history of UPSC, there have been four women Chairpersons. The time for applause comes now. Out of those four women Chairpersons in UPSC's entire history, three have been appointed after 2014. These changes are not merely statistics; they demonstrate how greatly the scope of opportunity has expanded in our country.

Friends,

In 1976, when UPSC completed fifty years, the number of candidates appearing for examinations was far lower than it is today. Compared to that period, the number of examination aspirants has increased by more than forty-five times. In other words, today we have before us an enormous pool of talent. This is a matter of immense pride for the nation. At the same time, our responsibility has grown proportionately. When we possess such a vast talent pool, one that is the envy of the world, you are not merely selecting a candidate. You are choosing an individual who will later become a representative of the government. At the grassroots level, people will regard that individual as the government itself. Therefore, all of you bear a tremendous responsibility to select the right person.

Friends,

During its first century, UPSC has continuously strengthened its credibility and earned the trust of the nation. Now, as this institution enters its second century, it must enrich and deepen that credibility in accordance with new possibilities and new challenges. While preserving the values that have been our strength until now, we must also upgrade ourselves to meet the demands of the future. UPSC's independence, impartiality, commitment to merit, confidentiality, and fair procedures constitute its defining identity. These values must always be preserved. With this appeal, I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you.

Thank you very much.

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s address. Original address was delivered in Hindi. 

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MJPS/SS/VJ/ST