President Droupadi Murmu Urges IAS 2024 Batch to Uphold Integrity, Compassion and Ethical Governance
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday interacted with officers of the 2024 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) at Rashtrapati Bhavan and urged them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality, transparency and compassion while serving the nation.
The young officers, who are presently working as Assistant Secretaries in various Union Ministries and Departments as part of their training and orientation programme with the Government of India, called on the President during an official interaction aimed at guiding the future administrative leadership of the country.
During her address, President Murmu emphasized the evolving role of civil servants in a rapidly transforming India and said that the expectations from the Indian Administrative Service are increasing as the country advances toward becoming a developed nation.
IAS Officers Have Played a Crucial Role in Nation Building
Highlighting the historical contribution of the All India Services, the President observed that the IAS has played a vital role in India’s governance and developmental journey since Independence.
She said that the current generation of officers would have the opportunity to work across diverse sectors and challenging environments, requiring them to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills.
According to the President, modern governance demands administrators who can quickly adapt to new subjects, manage multidisciplinary teams and make informed decisions in complex situations.
She noted that young officers would often be required to lead experts in specialized domains and therefore must ensure that their learning remains broad-based, dynamic and continuous throughout their careers.
Adaptability and Decisiveness Essential for Modern Governance
President Murmu underlined that adaptability has become one of the most important qualities for civil servants in today’s administrative environment.
She stated that governance in the present era requires officers to possess not only subject expertise but also the ability to understand unfamiliar challenges and respond effectively under changing circumstances.
The President stressed that administrative leadership demands a balanced combination of analytical thinking, practical decision-making and human sensitivity.
Neutrality, Fairness and Sensitivity Key to Good Administration
Speaking about the ethical foundations of public service, President Murmu said the neutrality of officers reflects their fairness, while their sensitivity demonstrates commitment to inclusive governance.
She observed that credibility in public administration is earned through transparency, honesty and consistent performance.
The President further remarked that integrity gives civil servants the moral courage needed to take difficult but necessary decisions in the larger public interest.
She advised the officers to combine compassion with rationality and remain sensitive toward citizens without becoming emotionally driven in decision-making.
At the same time, she reminded them that rules and procedures must always be followed while keeping the broader objectives of governance and public welfare in focus.
Ethics and Governance Are Inseparable
Calling ethics and governance “two sides of the same coin,” President Murmu said civil servants are expected to be both principled and result-oriented.
She clarified that avoiding decision-making should never be mistaken for ethical conduct. According to her, true morality lies in taking timely and correct decisions in accordance with established norms and the public interest.
Drawing a comparison with the justice delivery system, the President remarked that just as delayed justice amounts to denial of justice, delays in administrative action can deprive citizens of their rightful benefits and opportunities.
She urged officers to ensure efficiency and responsiveness in governance so that public services reach citizens without unnecessary delays.
Civil Servants Must Respond to People’s Aspirations
The President also highlighted the importance of democratic accountability in administration.
She stated that democracy exists to fulfill the aspirations of the people, which are expressed through elected representatives. Civil servants, she said, have a responsibility to give due importance to issues raised by public representatives while working in the larger national interest.
President Murmu emphasized that administrators must remain connected to ground realities and ensure that governance remains people-centric and inclusive.
Call to Contribute Towards ‘Viksit Bharat’
Referring to the national vision of “Viksit Bharat,” the President encouraged the young IAS officers to work with dedication and courage in order to contribute meaningfully to India’s development journey.
She remarked that real progress often requires individuals to move against prevailing currents instead of merely following established paths.
The President advised the officers to keep marginalized, vulnerable and underserved communities at the center of policy implementation and administrative decision-making, whether they are serving in field postings or policy-making roles.
Expressing confidence in the capabilities of the 2024 IAS batch, President Murmu said the young officers would play an invaluable role in building a developed, equitable and inclusive India in the years ahead.
