Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Dynamic Curriculum and Continuous Learning to Tackle Governance Challenges

New Delhi: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday emphasized the urgent need for a dynamic and evolving curriculum in public administration, driven by the rapidly changing governance landscape and technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing.

Delivering the Convocation Address at the 50th Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) held at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Dr. Singh who also serves as Chairman of the IIPA Executive Council said, “What is relevant today may not be tomorrow. We need to learn every day to stay relevant.”

He underscored the government’s commitment to Mission Karmayogi and Viksit Bharat, noting that the APPPA course has significantly expanded beyond traditional public administration training. The programme now includes components such as field visits to aspirational districts, interactions with defence institutions, and exposure to rural and urban development schemes along with India’s traditional knowledge systems.

Praising the golden jubilee edition of the programme, Dr. Singh highlighted how the course has evolved with time, integrating contemporary themes such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, governance reforms, and civil-military coordination.

“Today’s army officers are expected to communicate with the public, brief the media, and respond during disasters alongside civil administration,” he remarked, calling for communication skills training to be an integral part of future courses.

In a forward-looking message, the Minister urged APPPA participants to contribute to “India@2047”, the vision document being prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

“We mustn’t view 2047 through the prism of 2025. Change is happening too fast. We need to project forward with a futuristic mindset,” he stressed.

Dr. Singh lauded IIPA’s efforts to democratize capacity building by initiating training programmes for Sarpanches and Panchayati Raj representatives, describing it as a major step in empowering grassroots leadership.

Appreciating the dedication of course directors Prof. Neetu Jain and Dr. Saket Bihari, he congratulated the 50th APPPA batch for completing the programme amid challenging circumstances. He also announced that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has approved a fee enhancement for the 51st APPPA batch, allowing IIPA to introduce new modules and more exposure visits.

Concluding his address, Dr. Singh encouraged the graduating officials to remain connected and continue contributing to nation-building, stating:

“Though the course culminates today, the bond built over these ten months is forever.”

Earlier, Director General of IIPA, S.N. Tripathi, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the key initiatives and training programmes undertaken by the institution to build future-ready administrators.