At the valedictory ceremony of the 100th Common Foundation Course at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh described Operation Sindoor as “a brilliant example of civil-military fusion,” emphasising how the administrative machinery worked seamlessly with the Armed Forces to communicate critical information and build public confidence during a national security crisis. He told young probationers that, just like soldiers on the front lines, civil servants must remain alert, mission‑oriented and ready to shoulder responsibility when the country faces critical situations.
Civil–military fusion and Viksit Bharat: Operation Sindoor
Rajnath Singh underlined that during Operation Sindoor, the Armed Forces delivered a balanced, non‑escalatory response by destroying terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir, while civil administration ensured effective information flow and mock drills across the country. He argued that such coordination between governance and national security is essential for achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, where internal resilience and external deterrence go hand in hand. He urged officers to see themselves as integral to national security, not just as managers of routine administration.
Role of civil servants in Reform–Perform–Transform
Linking his message to the Prime Minister’s mantra of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” and “Reform, Perform & Transform”, the Raksha Mantri reminded trainees that India has moved from the 11th‑largest to the fourth‑largest economy within a decade and is projected to reach the third spot soon. He said such growth raises expectations from the civil services, who must act as “people’s servants” and facilitators of empowerment rather than remote “platonic guardians”. He stressed incorruptible character, integrity and creating a culture where honesty is normal, not exceptional.
Technology as an enabler, not an end
Calling this a technology‑driven era, Rajnath Singh asked officers to embrace innovation to solve everyday problems, citing initiatives like Jan Dhan, Direct Benefit Transfer, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and faceless income‑tax assessment as examples of tech-enabled, citizen‑centric reforms. He highlighted the Ministry of Defence’s SAMPURNA system—an AI‑driven platform for automating procurement and payments—as a model of transparent, data‑based decision‑making. However, he cautioned that technology must remain a means to increase accessibility, outreach and inclusivity, not an end in itself.
Empathy, inclusion and women’s leadership
The Minister stressed that effective administration requires empathy towards citizens, especially the underprivileged and vulnerable, whose struggles are shaped by wider social and economic constraints. He urged officers to be people‑centric and compassionate in every interaction. Noting the rising presence of women in the civil services—illustrated by recent UPSC toppers—he expressed confidence that by 2047 many women will serve as Cabinet Secretaries and lead India’s development trajectory, further strengthening inclusive governance.
Legacy of Lal Bahadur Shastri and LBSNAA’s role
Rajnath Singh described the Foundation Course as a commitment to building an efficient, capable and sensitive governance system, praising LBSNAA’s comprehensive training ecosystem for shaping generations of administrators. Reflecting on Lal Bahadur Shastri’s legacy—from leadership during the 1965 war to the spirit of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”—he said the academy stands for courage, simplicity and integrity, values that must guide every officer. He also recalled the long partnership between UPSC and LBSNAA as the backbone of India’s governance architecture and inaugurated an ODOP pavilion, symbolising the link between local enterprise and national progress.
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Source: PIB
