J&K LG Manoj Sinha urges UPSC, JKAS qualifiers to uphold integrity, calls public office a trust

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday urged successful candidates of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 and the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) Examination 2024 to uphold humility, compassion and integrity in public service, stressing that the future of India would be shaped by the policies they formulate and the ethical decisions they make.

Addressing a felicitation ceremony organised in Srinagar for the successful candidates, Sinha congratulated them on clearing two highly competitive examinations and extended his best wishes to their parents, whose selfless efforts, he said, had helped them realise their aspirations.

Emphasising the responsibilities that accompany public office, the lieutenant governor cautioned the newly selected candidates against viewing positions and designations as personal possessions, describing them instead as a trust entrusted to them by the people. He identified humility as a fundamental qualification for good governance and effective administration.

“Let humility, compassion, integrity and service guide every decision. The true measure of administration lies in improving the lives of the most vulnerable sections of society,” Sinha said, underscoring the need for public servants to remain accountable to the people they serve.

Addressing the JKAS qualifiers, he said their achievement reflected not only individual merit but also the aspirations, resilience and democratic spirit of Jammu and Kashmir. Highlighting the Union Territory's rich intellectual and cultural heritage, he expressed confidence that the young officers would make meaningful contributions to truth, justice and public welfare.

Public Service Must Take Precedence Over Recognition

Recalling Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's vision of the civil services as the nation's “steel frame”, Sinha urged the successful candidates to preserve the dignity of public service and prioritise substantive contributions over public recognition.

He said the effectiveness of an administrator should be judged by the ability to respond sensitively to citizens' concerns, particularly those of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of society.

Drawing lessons from the lives of prominent personalities across the world, the lieutenant governor highlighted the importance of compassion, courage, service, leadership, evidence-based decision-making and an unwavering commitment to humanity.

He advised the future public servants to look beyond administrative procedures, official files and routine formalities, and to recognise the human realities, aspirations and needs underlying every government decision.

“Behind every file lies a precious life. I urge you to also look at the data hidden behind files, and to recognise the people standing behind those figures and understand their needs,” Sinha said.

“Leadership is not a special privilege, but a great responsibility to serve others, guide them, support them, and empower them,” he added.

Sinha Outlines Three-Stage Framework for Young Administrators

Setting out a three-stage framework for the professional development of the young officers, Sinha called on them to begin by understanding ground realities through direct engagement with citizens and local institutions.

In the second stage, he urged them to establish transparent, technology-enabled administrative systems capable of reducing delays, improving efficiency and strengthening public service delivery.

The third stage, he said, should focus on protecting institutional integrity and upholding the highest ethical standards as they advance into positions of leadership.

Emphasising the role of technology in modern governance, Sinha called on the candidates to harness technological advancements for the public good and strengthen institutions to help realise the vision of a developed India by 2047.

'India of 2047 Will Be Shaped by Your Decisions'

Sinha said the foundation of India's development by 2047 would be laid through the values, work culture, policies and decisions of today's young public servants. He urged the candidates to dedicate themselves to public welfare, stressing that their professional legacy should be determined not by the prestige associated with their offices but by the tangible improvements they bring to the lives of ordinary citizens.

“The foundation of the India of 2047 will be laid by the policies you formulate and the ethical decisions you make,” the lieutenant governor said, reiterating the importance of integrity, accountability and a citizen-centric approach to administration.

“Responsibility of the future rests upon your shoulders. There are moments when the course of history changes with extraordinary speed. I believe we are passing through such an era today,” he said.

Sinha expressed hope that the young officers would serve the public in ways that produced visible and lasting improvements in people's lives, adding that their contributions to public welfare should ultimately define their careers and personal legacies.

“I hope you will serve the people in such a way that it becomes visible in their lives, and that your life is recognised not by the prestige of your office, but by the outcomes of public welfare,” he said.

The lieutenant governor's address placed ethical leadership, institutional responsibility, technology-driven governance and the welfare of vulnerable citizens at the centre of the responsibilities facing the next generation of civil servants.

Senior Officials Attend Felicitation Ceremony

Those present at the ceremony included Rehana Batul, Director General of the Jammu and Kashmir Institute for Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (JKIMPARD); Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Owais Ali Bhat, Director of Exceptional Academy; and office-bearers of the academy.