Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday urged civil services officers to resist temptations and refrain from taking shortcuts in their careers. She was addressing a felicitation function to honour successful candidates of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024.
Commending the strength of India’s bureaucratic machinery, Ms. Sitharaman said, “The Indian bureaucracy is widely networked and known for its meticulous record-keeping. The system tracks an officer’s work even in the remotest corners of the country.”
Comparing India with other nations, she pointed out that India remains frugal in its approach by sending only a few officers alongside ministers for international negotiations. She encouraged officers to stay in control of their responsibilities, adopt technology, and build subject-matter expertise. “Officers are no longer isolated from the headquarters. With initiatives like the Prime Minister’s Pragati programme, there is direct monthly engagement with district-level officials,” she added.
She also lauded the quality of officers from Tamil Nadu, noting, “Those from Tamil Nadu, or posted here, are of high calibre. You have a natural advantage. I urge you to serve the State with dedication.”
Former Madras High Court judge Ms. S. Vimala reminded the young officers that their role was one of constant commitment. “You must always be prepared to achieve. Do not expect applause—yours is a service to the State,” she remarked.
Mr. T.S. Tirumurti, former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, emphasized the human element behind every decision. “Always remember that at the end of every file or decision, there is a human being,” he said.
Dr. E. Balagurusamy, former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University and a member of the UPSC, called on the new officers to be innovative. “Creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication are essential for a successful civil servant,” he said.
Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, recounted her experience with the administration during her tenure. She praised the Chief Secretaries for their role in presenting a full budget after 14 years and for swiftly implementing horizontal reservations for government school students in professional courses within 10 days.
Mr. A.C. Shanmugam, founder of Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, stressed the importance of learning Hindi for administrative mobility across the country.
