Dr. Jitendra Singh Urges Curriculum Overhaul in Public Administration Amidst Tech Revolution

As Chairman of the IIPA Executive Council, Dr. Singh stressed that the conventional boundaries of public administration training are fast becoming obsolete.

In a compelling call to action for the future of public administration, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the urgency of a dynamic and forward-looking curriculum to address the rapidly evolving governance challenges. Speaking at the 50th Convocation of the Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Dr. Singh underscored the critical role of continuous learning, policy adaptability, and technology integration in shaping India's administrative future.

A Curriculum for the Future

As Chairman of the IIPA Executive Council, Dr. Singh stressed that the conventional boundaries of public administration training are fast becoming obsolete. “What is relevant today may not be tomorrow. We need to learn every day to stay relevant,” he remarked, drawing attention to the profound impact emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Data Analytics are already having on policy and governance.

Highlighting the shifting dynamics, he noted that government officers today are expected to go beyond bureaucratic tasks — to engage with civilians, address crises, and adapt quickly to new tools and platforms. The Minister called for the regular renewal of training programmes, suggesting that participants of the 50th APPPA might well return for refresher courses by the 55th batch to keep pace with the knowledge explosion.

Mission Karmayogi and Viksit Bharat in Focus

Dr. Singh lauded the evolving nature of the APPPA curriculum which now integrates key national themes such as Mission Karmayogi, Viksit Bharat@2047, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and modern governance reforms. He praised the programme for incorporating exposure to India’s aspirational districts, defence establishments, grassroots governance models, and traditional knowledge systems, reflecting a more holistic training approach.

“APPPA has grown into a cross-sectional experience of India’s progress,” he said, appreciating the integration of new-age governance principles that align with the vision of a future-ready civil service.

Democratizing Capacity Building

In a significant announcement, Dr. Singh celebrated IIPA’s outreach to the grassroots through training initiatives targeted at elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions. By offering capacity-building programmes for Sarpanches and local body leaders, IIPA has extended its impact from elite policy-makers to frontline governance enablers.

“This democratization of training marks a transformative step,” he stated. “From the corridors of Delhi to the village panchayats, we are nurturing leadership that resonates with the spirit of inclusive development.”

Civil-Military Synergy and Communication Skills

A key highlight of Dr. Singh’s address was the emphasis on civil-military cooperation and communication skills. Citing the changing role of armed forces officers who are increasingly involved in joint operations, disaster management, and civilian outreach, he advocated for the incorporation of media training and public interaction modules in the APPPA curriculum.

“Today’s officers don’t live in silos — they must brief the media, coordinate with civil authorities, and lead integrated disaster response teams,” he said, urging IIPA to stay ahead of the curve.

India@2047: A Futuristic Vision

The Minister urged APPPA participants to contribute actively to the India@2047 vision document being prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). Calling on officers to bring domain-specific expertise to the planning table, he warned against using present-day assumptions to forecast future challenges.

“Let us not look at 2047 through the prism of 2025. Change is too rapid. We must think like visionaries,” Dr. Singh emphasized.

Recognition, Expansion, and Future Prospects

Dr. Singh applauded the contributions of Prof. Neetu Jain and Dr. Saket Bihari, the course directors, for their commitment to delivering a rigorous and relevant programme. He also acknowledged the resilience of the 50th APPPA batch in successfully completing the course amidst significant logistical and policy shifts.

As a forward-looking gesture, the Minister announced that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has approved an enhancement of programme fees starting from the 51st batch. This financial revision will allow IIPA to expand its curriculum, organize more field visits, and develop specialized modules aligned with global best practices.

An End and a Beginning

Concluding on an optimistic note, Dr. Singh encouraged the participants to maintain the camaraderie and professional networks built during the programme and continue contributing meaningfully to the nation’s development goals.

“The course may end today, but the friendships and learning will live on,” he said.

Institutional Commitment to Excellence

Earlier in the ceremony, Director General of IIPA, S.N. Tripathi, highlighted the diverse initiatives undertaken by IIPA, including research collaborations, international engagements, and innovative training models. He reaffirmed IIPA’s commitment to remain the apex body for nurturing India’s civil services ecosystem.

As APPPA marks its golden jubilee, the programme stands as a testament to India's evolving administrative ethos — one that is agile, inclusive, and future-ready.