In an address at a 15-day refresher course for Lateral Entry Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the need for civil servants to continuously update their knowledge and skills in response to rapidly changing administrative environments driven by AI, Quantum, Cybersecurity, and Digital tools.
During his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that the participants should view the refresher course as an opportunity for two-way communication and learning through dialogue rather than merely a platform for delivering lectures. He encouraged active engagement from the participants in discussions and providing feedback on their learning requirements.
The Minister emphasized that the rapidly changing administrative environment necessitates officers to remain curious learners, continuously updating their knowledge and skills to effectively understand and respond to emerging technologies such as AI, Quantum, Cybersecurity, and Digital tools.
In addition, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that civil servants have an additional responsibility to use these technologies for delivering flagship government programs while maintaining constitutional responsibilities and the institutional sanctity of government. He mentioned that the Government has focused on improving ease of implementation and monitoring of programs.
Referring to the curriculum of the refresher course, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted areas including policy analysis, digital transformation, municipal finance, public health, cybersecurity, education, and government communication. He suggested that government communication should encompass public communication given the expanding communication responsibilities of government officers.
The Minister also stressed that effective communication has become an essential requirement for responsible governance and identified four key levels of communication for government officers—communication with government functionaries and colleagues; political functionaries; the media; and the common people. He noted that the changing communication environment, including the growing role of social media, makes it increasingly important for officers to develop the ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
