Modi to IAS Officers: Every File Reflects Lives of Citizens, Prioritise People in Governance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) told young IAS officers that every administrative file represents the aspirations, concerns and lives of countless citizens. He urged them to place people at the centre of every decision and ensure governance remains empathetic, responsive and inclusive.
Interacting with 183 officer trainees of the IAS-2024 batch — currently attached as assistant secretaries in various ministries and departments — Modi said major developmental challenges cannot be solved in silos. He stressed that effective coordination across departments is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting outcomes.
The Prime Minister called on the young civil servants to dedicate themselves to nation-building with a strong sense of purpose, innovation and citizen-centric governance. He urged them to always remember the human impact behind every administrative file.
According to an official statement, Modi emphasised the mantra of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava', asking officers to place citizens at the centre of every decision and keep governance empathetic, responsive and inclusive.
He encouraged them to constantly evaluate their own contribution towards nation-building and derive satisfaction not from positions held, but from measurable outcomes achieved.
Modi noted that after two years of field exposure and administrative learning, the officers now stand at a crucial stage where their decisions will shape not just their own careers, but the future of crores of citizens. He emphasised that the real test of public service begins by handling real-life situations with integrity, sensitivity and commitment.
Highlighting the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047', Modi said every policy and administrative decision over the coming decades must contribute towards building a developed India. He called for a whole-of-government approach, noting that the country's priorities today include 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', 'Make in India', manufacturing growth, energy security and creating opportunities for youngsters.
The Prime Minister underlined the transformation in governance over the last 10 years, noting that administration has moved from a process-centric model to a result-oriented approach. He cited the growing role of digital governance, artificial intelligence and technology in improving service delivery, enabling citizens to access services with ease and transparency.
Emphasising data-driven governance, Modi said data must not be viewed merely as numbers, but as a reflection of the collective lives, challenges and aspirations of millions of people. He asked officers to regularly verify whether policies are effectively translating into outcomes on the ground.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing role of women in nation-building, noting that more than 40% of the current batch comprises women officers. He expressed confidence that their energy, talent and dedication would play a pivotal role in taking India's development journey to new heights.
The young officer trainees shared their experiences from field training and attachment in ministries. Among those present were Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretaries to the Prime Minister P K Mishra and Shaktikanta Das, Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan, and Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration Sriram Taranikanti.
