VP Calls Civil Servants 'Steel Frame' of Viksit Bharat, Urges Tech-Driven, Ethical Governance at Civil Services Day 2026

India's Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday delivered a powerful call to action for the nation's civil servants, urging them to embrace innovation, uphold ethical leadership, and drive last-mile delivery as India advances toward its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Addressing the 18th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the Vice President described civil servants as the enduring "steel frame of India," echoing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's historic characterization of the administrative services. He emphasized that successive generations of officers have upheld this legacy, serving as the backbone of governance and as "ambassadors of national integration and unity."

Decade of Transformation: From Welfare to Empowerment

Highlighting India's socio-economic progress over the past decade, Shri Radhakrishnan pointed to transformative achievements under the government's inclusive development vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas."

He cited key milestones, including:

• Nearly 25 crore people lifted out of poverty

• Over 4 crore houses constructed for the poor

• Development of border villages into vibrant growth centres

He also underscored the rising role of women in nation-building, referencing initiatives such as Lakhpati Didis and Namo Drone Didis, alongside flagship programmes like the Aspirational Districts Programme and One District One Product, aimed at ensuring balanced regional development.

Civil Servants at the Core of Delivery

Calling civil servants the true implementers of government policies, the Vice President stressed that their dedication has been central to translating policy into tangible outcomes. He urged officers to ensure that the benefits of governance reach every citizen, particularly at the grassroots level.

"India still has miles to go," he noted, emphasizing the need for sustained commitment, integrity, and a relentless focus on last-mile delivery to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Future-Ready Governance: Technology and Specialization

In the context of rapid technological change, Shri Radhakrishnan called on civil servants to continuously upgrade their skills and adapt to emerging governance challenges.

He highlighted the importance of platforms like iGOT Karmayogi in building capacity and urged officers to leverage technologies such as:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Machine Learning (ML)

• Natural Language Processing (NLP)

• Blockchain

These tools, he said, can significantly enhance efficiency, transparency, and targeted service delivery, while reducing leakages in welfare schemes.

At the same time, he stressed that the era of relying solely on generalist administrators is over, calling for greater specialization and forward-looking recruitment strategies to strengthen governance systems.

Ethics and Integrity at the Heart of Leadership

The Vice President placed strong emphasis on ethical governance, quoting Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar to underline that righteousness is the highest form of wealth.

He urged civil servants to distinguish between legitimate guidance and undue pressure, maintaining honesty, fairness, and moral courage, especially in challenging situations.

Rising Participation of Women Signals Structural Change

Shri Radhakrishnan welcomed the increasing representation of women in civil services, noting that their share has risen from around 21% in 2016 to nearly 31% in the 2025 examination.

He described this as a reflection of Nari Shakti, marking not just a numerical increase but a broader shift in societal mindset. He also expressed optimism for similar progress in legislative institutions.

A Privileged Role with Greater Responsibility

With 12–15 lakh aspirants appearing annually for civil services examinations and only around 1,000 candidates selected, the Vice President reminded officers of their privileged position and the immense responsibility it carries.

He encouraged them to remain grounded, maintain strong engagement with their teams, and stay connected to the realities on the ground.

Service, Duty and Nation-Building

Referring to the recently dedicated Sewa Teerth and Kartavya Bhawan, he said these symbolize a deep commitment to service and duty, urging civil servants to ensure that their work transforms lives, addresses grievances, and empowers citizens across the country.

The event was attended by senior leadership, including Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretaries to the Prime Minister Dr. P. K. Mishra and Shri Shaktikanta Das, Cabinet Secretary Dr. T. V. Somanathan, and Secretary DARPG Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma, reflecting the high-level institutional importance of the occasion.

Towards a Citizen-Centric Administrative Future

The Vice President's address reinforced a central message: India's journey to becoming a developed nation will depend not just on policy vision, but on efficient, ethical, and technology-driven implementation.

As governance evolves, civil servants are being called upon to lead this transformation—ensuring that development is inclusive, transparent, and reaches every corner of the country.