Why in the news?

The” Indian Institute of Public Administration” evaluated the impact by gathering feedback from supervisors on recently trained staff, and reported enhanced proficiency in data analytics and e-governance tools.

Observations Assessed by the Indian Institute of Public Administration

• Increased Proficiency: The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) observed increased proficiency in data analytics and e-governance tools among recently trained staff.
• Skill Development: Section officers and administration assistants across the country have completed 15 lakh online learning modules on data analytics, Government e Marketplace (GeM) modules, and advanced software tools like Excel, leading to enhanced skill levels.
• Supervisor Feedback: Feedback from supervisors indicated noticeable improvements in the capabilities and efficiency of the trained staff, reflecting the positive impact of the training programs.

About Mission Karmayogi and Gati Shakti

• Mission Karmayogi: Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this initiative aims to transform India’s three million civil servants into citizen-centric, future-ready, and result-oriented professionals. It includes digital training courses and the use of an online learning portal, iGOT Karmayogi Bharat.
• Capacity Building Commission (CBC): Constituted in 2021, the CBC provides policy guidance and tools to enhance the capabilities of all levels of India’s civil services, collaborating with various ministries and training institutions.
• PM Gati Shakti: This platform integrates legal and geographic layers to plan and execute mega infrastructure projects efficiently. It promotes a “whole of government” approach for de-siloed, harmonized national priorities.
• Training and Certification: Over 24,000 officials have completed PM Gati Shakti learning modules, and over 3,88,000 personnel have been certified in emerging technologies through iGOT Karmayogi Bharat.

Issues and challenges 

• Resistance to Change: Bureaucracy often resists change due to a preference for the status quo, which can hinder the adoption of new approaches and technologies.
• Shift from Generalist to Specialist Approach: Moving from generalist to specialist roles can encounter resistance despite the need for domain expertise, which may slow down the development of specialized skills.
• Technical Governance Demands: Effective governance today requires technical proficiency, necessitating skilled personnel. The lack of such skills can hinder the effective implementation of the mission

What is Needed to Achieve the $30 Trillion Economy by 2047?

• Improved Governance: Efficient and competent civil services are essential for achieving India’s ambitions. Civil servants must be trained to be citizen-centric, future-ready, and result-oriented.
• Infrastructure Development: Speed up the construction of mega infrastructure projects such as railways and highways.Overcome delays caused by inter-ministerial permissions through integrated planning.
• Skill Development and Training: Equip civil servants with skills in emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and Big Data. Ensure continuous learning and skill enhancement for civil servants through platforms like iGOT Karmayogi Bharat.
• Citizen-Centric Approaches: Promote citizen-centric approaches among civil servants to improve public service delivery.Enhance the capacity of police personnel and other frontline workers to address citizen concerns effectively.
• State and Municipal Roles: Strengthen the role of state governments and municipal corporations in delivering services and infrastructure.Implement capacity-building programs at the municipal level for better service delivery.
• Tax System Reforms:Develop a tax system that is painless and rewards honest taxpayers. Train tax personnel to address systemic taxpayer grievances effectively.

Way forward:

• Continuous Training and Development: Expand online learning platforms like iGOT Karmayogi Bharat to offer specialized courses in emerging technologies, leadership, and governance for civil servants at all levels.
• Performance Evaluation and Feedback Mechanisms: Establish robust performance evaluation systems to assess the effectiveness of training programs and identify areas for improvement.

Mains PYQ:

Q Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment (UPSC IAS/2017)

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