New Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu addressed a group of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and highlighted the importance of compassion and dedication to uplifting the marginalized sections of society among civil servants. She noted that a compassionate civil servant, whose heart is aligned with the welfare of the poor and underprivileged, embodies the true spirit of civil service, distinguishing them from mere career bureaucrats. President Murmu emphasized that assisting the marginalized should be an article of faith for civil servants. President Murmu encouraged the officers to understand the connection between file to field and field to file, stressing that this people-centric awareness and sensitivity would enable them to engage with files in a more meaningful manner. She urged the officers to visualize the impact of their decisions on the people who will be affected. The President met with a group of 182 IAS officers from the 2021 batch, who are currently serving as assistant secretaries in various Union ministries and departments. President Murmu shared her experiences of witnessing the difficulties faced by people in backward areas and those belonging to deprived segments of society. She lauded the efforts of sensitive civil servants who go the extra mile to help such individuals. She also highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment and their increasing participation in various roles in society. President Murmu expressed her happiness over the rise in the percentage of women IAS officers in recent years. She noted that the percentage of women IAS officers had reached 42% for the batch of 2023, and 14 out of the top 25 ranks were occupied by women.
