Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched a state-of -the -art Digital studio 'Shrishti' and a newly built Tea Lounge ‘Sahkar’ at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) headquarters here.
Developed under the aegis of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, 'Shrishti' is a pioneering initiative to enhance digital content creation, capacity building and knowledge dissemination for government functionaries and scholars.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also released a brochure on the studio and launched a seminal publication titled "Public Administration in India", underscoring the government’s focus on future-ready governance.
While interacting with the participants of the 51st Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA), which includes officers from the Armed Forces, Civil Services and allied sectors, Dr. Jitendra Singh made a clarion call for “greater synergy and convergence between military officers and the civil administration”, stating that working in silos is no longer an option but a liability in today’s dynamic governance landscape.
Highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor, the Minister said, “India’s victory in such complex operations is a testament to the seamless integration of our armed forces and civil authorities, supported by indigenously developed defence technology.
It reflects the unwavering spirit of our personnel and the power of Atmanirbharta.” Dr. Jitendra Singh further added that "be it floods, disasters or any national emergency, it is the Armed Forces that respond first not just during wartime but in peacetime too, their contribution is unmatched."
He emphasized that today’s governance calls for a collaborative, tech-driven approach, and cited examples of joint civil-military command structures in militancy-affected regions where District Collectors and Commanding Officers jointly conduct strategic reviews.
During the interaction, several officers from the Navy and Coast Guard shared their experiences in flood relief operations. Dr. Jitendra Singh took the opportunity to inform them about the synergy between the Navy and Ministry of Earth Sciences in India’s ambitious Deep Ocean Mission.
He also lauded Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s astronaut selected for the ISS mission, for embodying the spirit of national excellence. Touching upon major administrative reforms, Dr. Jitendra Singh spotlighted the SPARSH Portal for defence pension disbursal, calling it a landmark step towards efficient, transparent and real-time grievance redressal for ex-servicemen.
He noted that the APPPA Programme, running uninterrupted since 1975 including during the COVID-19 pandemic, has consistently served as a premier mid-career capacity building initiative for senior officers.
The 51st edition has been redesigned under Mission Karmayogi, focusing on role-based, competency-based learning and includes innovative modules such as Design Thinking, District Administration Exposure, and integration of iGOT Karmayogi modules.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Prayas” and sustainable governance, Dr. Singh said, “Today’s India is not only Reforming and Performing, but Transforming with each challenge.
Our governance model strengthens under pressure and thrives on innovation.”He further noted that the shift from Government to Governance, and now towards Minimum Government - Maximum Governance, places an unprecedented emphasis on transparency, accountability and citizen-centricity.
The APPPA programme, he said, plays a vital role in modernizing the mindset and skillset of India’s top administrators, equipping them with tools to tackle complex challenges of public policy, delivery systems and digital governance.
He praised its holistic structure, which includes urban-rural study tours, forward area visits, and district-level assessments, as crucial learning grounds for the participants. Also present at the event were Shri S. N. Tripathi, Director General, IIPA, and Shri Amitabh Ranjan, Registrar, IIPA, who reaffirmed IIPA’s commitment to remain a hub of academic and administrative excellence.