Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasizes the need for more responsive service rules and officially launches the 'CSS Shield' initiative, a mutual support program for bereaved families of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officers.
On September 5, 2026, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for various ministries, called for continued effort to make service rules more responsive to employees and their families.
At an event organized by the Central Secretariat Service Forum, Dr. Jitendra Singh welcomed the 'CSS Shield' initiative, a mutual support program for bereaved families of CSS officers. He lauded this collective effort as a means to create a new culture of supporting families in times of loss.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the implementation of such mechanisms requires collective will and willingness to contribute. He highlighted that when colleagues come together to support a bereaved family, it sends a meaningful message beyond the organization itself.
He further stated that the 'CSS Shield' initiative aligns with ongoing efforts by the Personnel Ministry to modernize government service systems to better cater to employees and their families' needs. The Minister mentioned that several service-related provisions have been changed in recent years, and the government remains open to introducing new provisions or modifying existing rules for improved responsiveness.
Referring to the approach of the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Jitendra Singh said there is continuous encouragement to review rules and procedures and make necessary changes wherever arrangements can be improved to ensure government systems remain sensitive and responsive to employees' needs.
The Minister also suggested that the initiative could expand to include scholarships for the children of deceased CSS officers, providing long-term assistance to families beyond the immediate period of loss.
The CSS Shield initiative has been conceived around the principle of ‘Contribute for Family, Support with Dignity’, with the objective of providing collective financial support to bereaved families of CSS officers. The initiative seeks to ensure a more structured and dependable mechanism through which members of the service community can stand by the families of their colleagues.
The 'CSS Shield' initiative was initially supported voluntarily by CSS officers, contributing around ₹1.30 crore towards financial assistance for approximately 65–70 deceased officers since 2020. The formal launch aims to bring greater consistency and predictability to this support.
Under the new initiative, the Forum seeks to provide at least ₹15 lakh to a bereaved family, while its larger objective is to progressively enhance the assistance as participation increases. With the participation of approximately 13,000 members of the Central Secretariat Service, the Forum envisions taking the support substantially higher in the future.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
