Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Karmayogi Saptah,’ or National Learning Week, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, emphasising its significance in India's journey toward becoming a "Viksit Bharat" or developed nation by 2047.
In his address, he expressed confidence that the learnings from this initiative would strengthen the country’s development systems and accelerate its progress.
Mission Karmayogi, launched in September 2020, was created with the vision of preparing a future-ready civil service that blends Indian values with a global perspective. This mission aims to ensure that civil servants become an essential driving force behind the country's development.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted how the mindset within the government has shifted over the last decade, contributing significantly to the country’s growth. He credited the dedication of public servants and their participation in initiatives like Mission Karmayogi for the positive impact felt by people across India today.
During his speech, Modi reflected on the transformative role that the National Learning Week will play in achieving the long-term goal of a developed India by 2047.
The week is designed to offer new insights and experiences, encouraging civil servants to strengthen work systems and become more effective contributors to national development.
The Prime Minister also discussed how the digital revolution and the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping the world. He made a unique comparison between Artificial Intelligence and "Aspirational India," referring to the nation’s ambition for progress.
According to Modi, both AI and Aspirational India represent challenges and opportunities that need to be balanced carefully. Successfully harnessing the power of AI could bring about significant advancements in realising India's aspirations for the future.
Modi emphasised that AI has made information more accessible and transparent, empowering citizens to stay informed about government activities. As civil servants are responsible for upholding these standards, it is crucial for them to stay updated with technological advancements. He stressed that Mission Karmayogi would play a critical role in equipping public servants with the necessary skills to adapt to rising expectations.
Further, Modi encouraged government departments to foster innovative thinking and adopt a citizen-centric approach to governance. He emphasised the importance of engaging with startups, research organisations, and young people to source fresh ideas and perspectives. He also called for the establishment of feedback mechanisms within departments to continuously improve government operations and better serve the people.
The Prime Minister praised the iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) platform, which has emerged as a key tool in this learning initiative. The platform, designed to enhance the skills of government employees, currently has over 40 lakh registered users.
Offering more than 1,400 courses, iGOT has seen over 1.5 crore certificates issued to officers who have completed various programs. Modi highlighted how such platforms help in building a more capable and efficient civil service.
In addition to promoting individual learning, Modi emphasised the need for collaboration between Civil Services training institutions. He acknowledged that these institutions have traditionally operated in silos, but there has been a concerted effort to foster partnerships and cooperation among them.
By learning from each other and adopting global best practices, these institutions can work towards a unified “One Government” approach, aligning themselves with national goals.
The Prime Minister urged training institutions to open lines of communication and share knowledge, ensuring that all government bodies work together toward common objectives. He called for a shift towards a holistic approach to governance, one that encourages the adoption of best practices from around the world.