Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a renewed commitment to citizen-centric governance, urging public servants across the country to place duty, accountability, and technological competence at the heart of administration. Speaking through a video message during the Karmayogi Sadhana Week organised to mark the foundation day of the Capacity Building Commission, he emphasised that modern governance must respond to the aspirations of a rapidly evolving India.
Highlighting the guiding philosophy behind government functioning today, the Prime Minister said the core principle is “Nagarik Devo Bhava,” placing the citizen at the centre of governance. According to him, public service is being redefined to make institutions more efficient and responsive to people’s needs.
He noted that India is progressing at a time when the global order is undergoing rapid changes. In such circumstances, he said, governance systems must constantly adapt to remain relevant. Karmayogi Sadhana Week, he added, is an important initiative aimed at ensuring that India’s public services are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Strengthening Institutions for a Developed India
Reflecting on the creation of the Capacity Building Commission, the Prime Minister said that while several institutions had been established after independence with different objectives, there had long been a need for a dedicated body focused on strengthening the capabilities of government employees.
He said the Commission was created to empower every “Karmayogi” within the administrative system and to build a cadre of modern, competent and sensitive public servants. Modi also acknowledged the role of the iGOT Mission Karmayogi platform in strengthening capacity building within government institutions.
Linking these efforts to the broader goal of building a developed India, the Prime Minister stressed that strong governance structures are crucial for achieving economic growth, modern infrastructure, and a skilled workforce. Today’s India, he said, is an aspirational nation where citizens carry dreams and ambitions, and it is the responsibility of public institutions to provide maximum support in fulfilling them.
He urged officials to adopt a continuous learning mindset and to measure governance by its ability to improve the quality of life of citizens.
Duty, Technology, and Administrative Transformation
Calling for a shift in administrative culture, Modi observed that earlier governance often emphasised authority and hierarchy, but the present focus is on devotion to duty. He reminded public servants that the Constitution itself links rights with responsibilities and said that decisions taken with a strong sense of duty naturally have a greater impact.
Encouraging officials to view their actions through a long-term lens, he said, even a single administrative decision can transform the lives of millions. Individual change, he added, can eventually drive institutional transformation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing role of technology in governance. Over the past eleven years, he said, technology has become deeply integrated into service delivery, policymaking, and economic activity. With the rise of artificial intelligence, these changes are expected to accelerate further.
According to him, an effective public servant in the future will understand technology and data, as both will increasingly form the basis of administrative decision-making.
Cooperation Across States and Departments
Drawing attention to India’s federal structure, Modi said the country’s progress depends on the collective success of all states. He noted that outdated labels such as advanced or backward states must be left behind and that development gaps should be bridged through cooperative efforts.
He urged government departments to eliminate communication gaps and build stronger coordination, shared understanding and a holistic approach to governance.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister reminded officials that for most citizens, local government offices represent the face of the entire state. The behaviour and working style of public servants, he said, directly shape people’s trust in democratic institutions.
Maintaining that trust, he emphasised, remains the foundation of India’s democracy.