New Delhi, Oct 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for reforms in recruitment examinations to make the selection process more responsive to the changing needs of young people and future governance, saying examination delays can impose a serious financial burden on aspirants.
Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at Bharat Mandapam, Modi said recruitment examinations should adopt the principle of “time certainty” and urged the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions to find ways to shorten examination cycles without compromising standards.
He said an examination was not merely an event but was connected to the future and lives of young people. Delays, he noted, could add to expenses on coaching, rent and transportation for aspirants and their families.
The Prime Minister also called for changes in selection parameters to meet the requirements of a rapidly changing world. He said recruitment should not only assess what a candidate knows but also examine why a young person wants to join the civil services.
He urged the commissions to select candidates driven by “public service” rather than “public office”, and said “Nation First” and “Citizen First” should remain the two touchstones for selection.
Referring to emerging challenges involving artificial intelligence, deepfakes, information warfare, algorithmic bias and climate justice, Modi said recruitment processes should give greater emphasis to complex problem-solving abilities and long-term vision.
He also suggested that UPSC and State Public Service Commissions strengthen institutional learning by sharing best practices, studying international models and exploring greater use of technology. The Prime Minister was speaking as the UPSC completed 100 years. A commemorative postage stamp and coin, besides a compilation of 100 important case laws, were released to mark the occasion.
