Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Dec 19: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday urged Public Service Commissions across the country to place the highest emphasis on honesty and integrity while recruiting candidates for civil services, asserting that these values are fundamental and cannot be compromised.

Addressing the national conference of Chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions, organised by the Telangana Public Service Commission, the President said that while gaps in skills and competence can be addressed through training and learning, a lack of integrity poses serious and often irreversible challenges.

She stressed that aspiring civil servants must demonstrate a genuine commitment to serving marginalised and vulnerable sections of society.

Highlighting gender concerns, President Murmu said civil servants should be especially responsive to the needs and aspirations of women, adding that gender sensitisation must be accorded priority by Public Service Commissions.

Referring to the role of civil servants as the “permanent executive,” the President noted that they lend continuity, impartiality and stability to governance. She underlined that the integrity, sensitivity and competence of this permanent executive are crucial for effective implementation of people-centric policies at both the national and state levels.

The President also called upon Public Service Commissions to proactively prepare for emerging challenges, particularly in the areas of technology, transparency and institutional credibility. She emphasised the need to build globally competitive and future-ready teams of civil servants.

Pointing to India’s rapid economic growth, President Murmu said the country requires robust and efficient governance systems at every level. “India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and aims to become the third-largest economy in the near future. We are also moving steadily towards the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047,” she said.

Expressing confidence in the constitutional bodies, she said Public Service Commissions would continue to discharge their responsibilities effectively and play a key role in shaping a capable and ethical civil service.

The President also drew attention to the importance accorded to Public Service Commissions by the framers of the Constitution, noting that an entire part was devoted to services and these commissions. This, she said, reflects their critical role at both the Union and state levels.

“Our constitutional ideals of social, economic and political justice, along with equality of status and opportunity, are central to the functioning of Public Service Commissions,” she said, adding that constitutional provisions such as the Preamble, the right to equality in public employment and the Directive Principles offer clear guidance for their work.

She further remarked that Public Service Commissions should strive not only for equality of opportunity but also for equality of outcomes, describing them as agents of change that promote both equality and equity.

Telangana governor Jishnu Dev Varma, University Grants Commission chairman Vineer Joshi and other dignitaries were present at the conference.