New Delhi, October 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a recruitment approach centred on “Nation First” and “Citizen First” as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) marked 100 years of its institutional journey.
Addressing the UPSC centenary celebrations at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi said the occasion represented not only a century of the Commission but also the aspirations of millions of young Indians seeking to enter public service and the trust placed by citizens in the institution.
PM Modi Calls for Public Service-Oriented Recruitment
The Prime Minister said civil services recruitment should assess more than a candidate’s knowledge and should also consider the motivation behind their decision to join public service.
He called for young people to enter government service with a commitment to serving citizens rather than viewing public office as the primary objective. He also suggested that candidates could record their reasons for choosing public service at the beginning of their careers and revisit those motivations later.
PM Modi said the principles of “Nation First” and “Citizen First” should remain important reference points for recruitment and public administration.
Focus on Citizen-Centric Governance
Highlighting the changing expectations of citizens, the Prime Minister said public administration needs to become more responsive, proactive and focused on finding practical solutions.
He outlined a 21st-century work culture based on “Pro-People, Pro-Active and Good Governance”, and said civil servants should consider the impact of government decisions and laws on citizens.
He also pointed to emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence, information warfare, deepfakes, algorithmic bias and climate justice, saying future recruitment processes would need to identify candidates capable of handling increasingly complex situations.
PM Modi Emphasises Faster Examination Cycles
The Prime Minister also called for greater “time certainty” in recruitment examinations.
He said prolonged examination cycles can create additional financial and logistical pressures for aspirants and their families through expenses related to coaching, accommodation and travel. Shortening recruitment timelines, he said, should therefore be viewed not only as an administrative reform but also as an issue of equity.
PM Modi also encouraged greater cooperation and exchange of best practices between the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions, along with wider use of technology and digital infrastructure for capacity building.
UPSC Completes a Century
The UPSC began its institutional journey in 1926 and has since evolved into a key constitutional institution responsible for recruitment to several important public services.
During the centenary programme, a commemorative coin, postage stamp and a book titled “100 Landmark Judgements: Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India” were released.
PM Modi also highlighted the importance of preserving the UPSC’s core institutional values, including independence, impartiality, merit, confidentiality and fairness, while adapting its systems to meet the requirements of a changing India.
The centenary celebrations, titled ‘Manthan’, brought together senior public officials, State Public Service Commission representatives, academicians and other stakeholders to discuss the future of civil services, recruitment reforms and public administration.
