Civil Services Must Adapt to Collaborative Governance: P K Mishra's Vision for India's Future

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In a significant shift, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister P K Mishra has emphasized the need for civil services to transition from a hierarchical structure to a collaborative approach. Speaking at the UPSC's 'Shatabdi Sammelan' programme, Mishra highlighted the evolving role of civil services in today's governance. According to Mishra, the role of civil services has undergone a significant transformation over the years, driven by technological advancements, urbanization, climate challenges, and frequent disasters. This has reshaped the responsibilities of civil servants, who now require a more collaborative approach to deliver outcomes. Mishra noted that over the last decade, there has been a shift from process compliance to outcome delivery, from incremental improvement to accelerated transformation, and from siloed government departments to interoperable digital infrastructure. This shift is visible across various sectors, including digital payments, social protection, health, infrastructure, logistics, skilling, taxation, urban governance, and rural development. India stands at an inflection point in its journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, and civil servants are at the forefront of this transformation. Mishra emphasized the need for civil servants to be managers of uncertainty, interpreters of complexity, and guardians of India's strategic interests. Their readiness must begin with how they are selected, with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) playing a crucial role in selecting individuals with judgment, flexibility, and lifelong learning capacity. Mishra also highlighted the need for civil services to remain magnets for the best minds, attracting aspirational youth who seek purpose, autonomy, challenge, and impact. He emphasized the importance of communicating these qualities more actively and clearly. The UPSC's Pratibha Setu portal, which securely connects talented candidates with potential employers, is a step in the right direction. Mishra's vision for civil services is one of collaboration, humility, integrity, and purpose, where officers think across domains, operate across sectors, and engage with data as confidently as with people. As India looks to the future, Mishra's words of wisdom serve as a reminder that civil services must be at the forefront of this transformation, driving outcomes, and delivering results that benefit the nation.