Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Modi Calls for Service-Focused Civil Service Recruitment Reform
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said civil service exams should look at why people want to serve the public.
He said knowing facts is not enough by itself.
Future officers should genuinely want to help citizens rather than simply hold important jobs.
Modi said government workers should treat citizens with great respect.
He called this approach “Nagrik Devo Bhava.”
He also said citizens will expect faster answers as technology improves.
Future officers may have to handle problems involving artificial intelligence, deepfakes and climate justice.
Because of this, recruitment should test creativity, foresight and problem-solving.
Modi made these comments during the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged recruitment agencies to assess candidates’ motivation for public service, not just their knowledge.
Speaking at the Union Public Service Commission’s centenary celebrations, Modi called for selection processes to adapt to future administrative needs.
He said governance should replace the “Mai-Baap” mindset with “Nagrik Devo Bhava,” placing citizens at the center.
Modi highlighted artificial intelligence, deepfakes, information warfare, algorithmic bias and climate justice as future challenges for civil servants.
He proposed greater emphasis on empathy, foresight, complex problem-solving and innovative solutions in recruitment.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Public Service Commission.
- What
- Modi called for civil service recruitment to assess candidates’ motivation, foresight and problem-solving abilities alongside their knowledge.
- When
- Thursday, during the UPSC’s centenary celebrations.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Why
- To select public servants prepared to meet changing citizen expectations and future challenges such as artificial intelligence, deepfakes and climate justice.
- Event
- Centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission
- Speaker
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Main proposal
- Assess why candidates want to join public service, not only what they know
- Governance principle
- “Pro-People, Pro-Active, Good Governance”
- Citizen-focused approach
- Replace the “Mai-Baap” mindset with “Nagrik Devo Bhava”
- Future challenges
- Information warfare, deepfakes, algorithmic bias and climate justice
- Suggested skills
- Empathy, innovation, foresight and complex problem-solving