ADDRESS BY THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. DROUPADI MURMU ON THE OCCASION OF CALL ON BY THE OFFICER TRAINEES OF THE INDIAN INFORMATION SERVICE AND INDIAN STATISTICAL SERVICE

Dear Officer Trainees of the Indian Information Service and Indian Statistical Service,

I extend my warm congratulations to each one of you on entering these two prestigious services. Your journey to this stage reflects years of perseverance, discipline, dedication and a spirit of service. Today marks the beginning of a much greater responsibility.

Civil service is not merely a profession; it is a commitment to the nation and to its people. As officers of the Government of India, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the country's development and to the realization of the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Dear Officer Trainees of the Indian Information Service,

The Indian Information Service holds a unique and important place in the framework of public governance. You will play an important role in ensuring that the policies, programmes and initiatives of the Government are communicated clearly, accurately and in a timely manner to the people. At the same time, you have an equally important responsibility to listen. You should make efforts to understand public concerns, their aspirations and feedback. You have to ensure that the public communication is responsive and citizen-centric.

In an increasingly complex information environment, you will have to distinguish facts from misinformation. You should respond with responsibility during crises. In these times when misinformation spreads very quickly, you should make sure that the citizens have access to the authentic information easily and on time. Maintaining constant communication with the citizens is important. At the same time, the communication channels must be designed to enable meaningful two-way engagement.

Dear Officers,

The Indian Information Service has played a significant role in strengthening the Government’s connect with citizens. The service has continually adapted to the evolving media landscape while harnessing emerging technologies and digital platforms to make public communication more timely, accessible and effective.

Social media has fundamentally transformed the way citizens receive, share and respond to information. You should use social media platforms not only to inform and engage, but also to listen, understand and respond to concerns of the people. In an environment where information travels instantly, let accuracy, credibility and public interest always guide your communication. You should use latest technological tools with responsibility. You should ensure that innovation is pursued with due regard for ethical values, sound human judgement and accountability.

As India moves towards 2047, your role will become even more significant. A well-informed citizen is able to participate actively in development and democratic processes. I encourage you to communicate with empathy and sensitivity, keeping in mind India's rich diversity.

Dear Officer Trainees of the Indian Statistical Service,

Reliable statistics are the foundation of sound governance. In today's data-driven world, the quality of public policy depends greatly on the availability of accurate, timely and credible data. The Indian Statistical Service plays an important role in generating, analysing and interpreting official statistics that form the basis of the decisions affecting the lives of millions of our citizens.

India's statistical system is undergoing significant transformation through digital technologies and innovative approaches to data collection and analysis. The increasing use of Machine Learning and other emerging technologies offers new possibilities for producing more timely and detailed information. At the same time, these developments place a greater responsibility on you to maintain statistical integrity, objectivity, confidentiality and professional excellence.

Your work will support evidence-based policy-making across diverse sectors of the economy and society. You should always remember that behind every dataset, there are the real people and their lives. You should make statistics more accessible to citizens, researchers and policy-makers. Your contribution to building a modern, trusted and technology-enabled statistical ecosystem will be an important part of India's journey towards Viksit Bharat.

Dear young officers,

Both these services, though different in functions, share a common purpose, which is to strengthen the quality of governance and serve the people of the country. Effective communication and credible information are essential pillars of a vibrant and responsive democracy.

As you embark upon your careers, you should continue to learn and adapt. The world of technology, media, economics and public policy is changing rapidly. You should remain curious, develop new competencies and learn from experience.

You should be judicious in your decisions, compassionate in your conduct and unwavering in upholding integrity. The authority entrusted to you carries with it a profound responsibility to serve the people with fairness, humility and dedication. Your knowledge and skills will be valuable, but it is your character, commitment and sensitivity towards citizens that will ultimately define your contribution. I extend my best wishes to each of you for a long and distinguished career in the service of the nation.

Thank you, 
Jai Hind! 
Jai Bharat!