In a significant move to strengthen governance capabilities within India’s scientific ecosystem, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, has launched a pioneering initiative aimed at equipping scientists and academicians with administrative and leadership skills.
The programme, introduced under the ambitious Mission Karmayogi, seeks to bridge the long-standing gap between scientific expertise and governance responsibilities.
The newly launched programme on “Administrative Capacity Building for Scientists and Academicians” is designed to help professionals transition smoothly into leadership roles. Scientists and academic leaders often assume institutional responsibilities without formal training in governance, decision-making, and administrative processes.
Speaking at a special session of “SADHANA Saptah”, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, emphasized that this initiative aims to systematically address these challenges by offering structured training rather than relying on informal or self-learning methods.
Dr. Singh highlighted that the programme will remain dynamic and evolve with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The integration of AI into governance is expected to:
At the same time, the Minister stressed maintaining a balance between technological advancements and human judgement—an essential factor in effective governance.
The Capacity Building Commission will design specialized modules tailored to different administrative functions. These will include:
This structured approach ensures that training is practical, role-specific, and aligned with real-world administrative demands.
Dr. Singh emphasized a strategic shift from a traditional rule-based system to a role-based governance model. This transformation will:
The Minister also underlined the importance of incorporating private-sector best practices into public administration, helping improve efficiency and responsiveness.
Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, S. Radha Chauhan, stated that the upcoming phase of Mission Karmayogi will focus on:
She also highlighted the importance of maintaining a humane approach while adopting advanced technologies.
On the occasion, the Minister unveiled the revamped UNNATI portal, which aims to strengthen the overall capacity-building ecosystem across the country.
A roadmap for the nationwide implementation of the Karmayogi Kartavya Karyakram was also introduced, focusing on continuous learning and skill development for civil servants.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Capacity Building Commission and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries to foster international collaboration in:
Dr. Singh reiterated that these reforms are part of a broader effort to create a future-ready civil service ecosystem driven by:
He emphasized that capacity-building initiatives must translate into measurable improvements in institutional performance and public service delivery.
The launch of this capacity-building programme marks a transformative step in aligning India’s scientific community with governance excellence. By equipping scientists and academicians with structured administrative training under Mission Karmayogi, the government is not only enhancing institutional leadership but also strengthening the foundation of public administration. With a focus on technology integration, global collaboration, and citizen-centric service delivery, this initiative is poised to play a crucial role in shaping a more efficient, adaptive, and future-ready governance system in India.