Four priority programmes identified for Civil Services Day 2018 awards

• The Civil Services Day is celebrated on the 21st of April, every year, where civil servants rededicate themselves to public service and awards for excellence in Public Administration are also conferred.
• This is preceded by one day event on 20th April where discussions are held on relevant topics of public administration and it is attended by large cross section of civil servants.
• The Awards are given to acknowledge the exemplary and innovative work done by the officers of the Central and State Governments in implementation of selected Priority Programmes and for Innovation in Public Governance.
• Following four priority programmes have been identified for the awards to be presented on Civil Services Day 2018:
  1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana,
  2. Promoting Digital Payments,
  3. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban & Rural, and
  4. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY).
• A new category of awards for Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary level officers and Director/ Deputy Secretary serving in Government of India has also been introduced this year to recognize their contribution towards bringing about transformational improvements in processes/systems through simplification and process re-engineering etc
• Awarding the best practices helps bring about transparency, improvement in approaches, systems and processes in the delivery of public services.
• The Government of India has instituted “Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration” to acknowledge, recognize and reward the extraordinary and innovative work done by officers of the Central and State Governments. All officers of Central & State Governments individually or as a group or as organizations are eligible for consideration
• In order to sustain efforts towards a better public administration, it is paramount to support each initiative of this kind, to encourage innovation in each public institution, to motivate civil servants and strengthen organizations of Central/ State Governments/ Districts to help bridge the gaps in the existing systems and make the system more transparent.
• It is also expected that best awarded initiatives will, be replicated whereever possible either by the Districts or other organizations depending upon its suitability.

About Civil Services Day

• It is observed on 21st of April every year as as an occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitment to public service and excellence in work.
• First such function was held in Vigyan Bhawan on April 21, 2006.
• This day coincides with the date on which SardarVallabhbhai Patel had addressed the first batch of probationers at the All India Administrative Service Training School at Metcalfe House, New Delhi in 1947.