President Murmu Urges Public Service Commissions to Prioritise Honesty in Recruitment

December 19, 2025

President Droupadi Murmu has called upon Public Service Commissions (PSCs) across India to prioritise honesty and integrity while selecting candidates for government positions. Speaking at a national conference of PSC chairpersons in Hyderabad, she emphasized that ethical character should be considered as critical as merit and competence. Her remarks highlight the growing emphasis on ethical governance and transparency in public service recruitment.

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Conference for the Chairpersons of Public Service Commissions at Hyderabad, Telangana. She emphasised that the Public Service Commissions should not only be guided by the ideal of equality of opportunity but should also try to… pic.twitter.com/9HZdL6ElDX

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 19, 2025

Ethics as the Cornerstone of Public Service

“Public servants are entrusted with the welfare of citizens and the responsibility of governance,” President Murmu said. “It is essential that those entering civil services demonstrate honesty, integrity, and moral responsibility, as these qualities form the foundation of public trust.”

She underlined that while technical competence is necessary, it is the moral character of candidates that ensures the integrity and credibility of government institutions. According to her, citizens’ confidence in governance depends not just on efficient administration but also on the ethical standards of public officials.

Balancing Merit, Transparency, and Integrity

The President acknowledged the challenges PSCs face in maintaining transparency and fairness in the recruitment process, especially with the increasing use of technology in examinations and interviews. She emphasized that ethical considerations should remain central, ensuring that candidates with strong moral values are selected alongside academically and professionally competent individuals.

She encouraged PSCs to continuously review and improve recruitment methods, adopt best practices, and ensure that selection processes are not only efficient but also uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

Beyond Academics: Assessing Values

President Murmu stressed that recruitment should look beyond intellectual capabilities to assess the personal values and integrity of candidates. She highlighted that candidates’ ethical orientation significantly impacts the quality of governance, delivery of public services, and public trust in institutions.

Conference Focus: Strengthening PSCs

The Hyderabad conference brought together chairpersons and senior officials of PSCs from across the country to deliberate on enhancing transparency, efficiency, and ethical standards in civil service recruitment. Discussions also included the integration of technology in examinations, preventing malpractices, and streamlining candidate evaluation.

President Murmu’s remarks underline the government’s commitment to ethical governance, reinforcing that civil servants must embody both competence and moral integrity to serve the public effectively. She urged PSCs to adopt policies that ensure honesty is not merely encouraged but prioritized in all stages of the recruitment process.