PM Modi Says India Shifted From Government As Sole Provider To ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ Model

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India has moved beyond an era when the government was viewed as the sole provider and guardian of citizens, describing “Nagrik Devo Bhava” as the guiding principle for public service. Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in New Delhi, Modi said every citizen should be treated as a priority and that public institutions must adapt to the country's changing needs.

Modi said the UPSC had effectively fulfilled its responsibilities over several decades but stressed that the focus should now shift from its history to India's future. He said the next 20 to 25 years would be crucial for the country, its people and its institutions. He also underlined the role of the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions in creating the governance framework needed to achieve the government's vision of a “Viksit Bharat”.

The Prime Minister said recruitment to public services should be guided by two principles — “nation first” and “citizen first”. He said candidates selected for public service would have to understand the changing expectations of citizens and contribute to more responsive governance. Modi also emphasised the need to attract young people towards public service rather than simply towards holding public office, while urging trainee officers to document their reasons for entering the civil services.

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Modi said India in 2047 would have a significantly different social and economic landscape, with greater urbanisation, a narrower gap between villages and cities and higher aspirations among citizens, particularly young people. He said public services would have to keep pace with these expectations in an era of rapid technological advancement. Artificial intelligence and access to real-time government data, he noted, were increasing expectations for faster delivery of public services.

The Prime Minister also called for recruitment and selection systems at the national and state levels to reflect a pro-people and proactive approach to governance. He said civil servants should have the sensitivity to understand the difficulties faced by poorer sections of society and respond effectively to citizens' needs. In this context, he reiterated that “Nagrik Devo Bhava” should remain central to the approach towards public service.

Modi also called for efforts to further reduce the examination cycle for public service recruitment, noting that steps had already been taken to shorten the process. He said recruitment systems would need to evolve alongside India's changing requirements and ensure that institutions such as the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions are equipped to select professionals capable of meeting the demands of the country's future.

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