Jitendra Singh Urges Civil Servants to Embrace AI, Quantum Tech And Digital Transformation For Smarter Governance

Union Minister Jitendra Singh addressed civil servants at the Refresher Course for Lateral Entry Civil Servants conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration in New Delhi. The minister emphasized the rapid transformation of governance through AI, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and digital tools. He urged officers to adopt a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation to navigate the evolving administrative landscape.

Singh stressed that civil servants must remain curious learners and actively update their knowledge and skills, while upholding constitutional responsibilities and institutional standards. He highlighted the importance of engaging in open dialogue and feedback with participants, as the refresher course should be a two-way communication platform.

The minister also acknowledged the government's focus on improving the ease of implementation and monitoring of programs. The curriculum of the refresher course covers policy analysis, digital transformation, municipal finance, public health, cybersecurity, education, and government communication. Singh emphasized the growing significance of effective communication in the digital age, particularly considering the impact of social media on stakeholder relations.

He further stressed the need to institutionalize processes for incorporating fresh talent and diverse ideas, noting that 63 officers have entered the civil service through the lateral entry mechanism. Singh stressed the importance of expanding the outreach of institutions like IIPA and integrating them with other organizations working towards similar goals.