Dehradun: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that Operation Sindoor stands as a strong example of effective civil-military coordination, where the administrative system worked closely with the Armed Forces to share crucial information and maintain public confidence.

Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the 100th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Singh urged young civil servants to recognise their important role in protecting national interests and to remain prepared for emergency situations, just like the country’s soldiers.

Role of Armed Forces and Administration

The Defence Minister said that during Operation Sindoor, Indian Armed Forces destroyed terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in a balanced and non-escalatory manner. However, he added that missteps by the neighbouring country prevented the situation along the border from returning to normal.

He praised the courage of the soldiers and also appreciated the role played by administrative officers in conveying vital information and ensuring the smooth conduct of mock drills across the country.

Governance, Security and Viksit Bharat 2047

Rajnath Singh highlighted the need for stronger coordination between governance and national security to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ and ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’, he said civil servants are central to building a self-reliant and developed India.

He noted that India has made major economic progress in recent years. “In 2014, India was the 11th largest economy. Today, we are the fourth largest, and global firms like Morgan Stanley believe India could become the third-largest economy in the next two to three years,” he said.

Ethics, Technology and Public Service

Urging officers to remain dedicated to public service, Singh said civil servants are facilitators of empowerment and must uphold integrity and honesty. He stressed that honesty should become part of everyday administrative culture.

The Defence Minister encouraged innovation in a technology-driven era and cited initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the Income Tax Department’s Faceless Assessment Scheme as examples of successful tech-enabled governance.

He also spoke about the Ministry of Defence’s AI-based SAMPURNA initiative, which brings transparency to defence procurement and payments, stressing that technology should be used to enhance inclusivity, transparency and public outreach.

People-Centric Administration and Women’s Leadership

Calling for empathy in governance, Singh said officers must understand the social and economic challenges faced by vulnerable sections of society. He also welcomed the growing participation of women in civil services, noting that a woman topped the latest UPSC examination and three of the top five candidates were women.

He expressed confidence that by 2047, many women would rise to senior leadership positions, including Cabinet Secretaries, and play a leading role in India’s development journey.