Jitendra Singh Launches Admin Training for Scientists

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Monday launched a dedicated programme on “Administrative Capacity Building for Scientists and Academicians”, aimed at strengthening governance skills among academic and scientific leaders under the Mission Karmayogi framework.

The initiative was announced during a special session of “SADHANA Saptah”, with the Minister noting that structured administrative training has largely been absent for scientists and academicians transitioning into leadership roles. He said many professionals from these backgrounds are required to take on institutional responsibilities without prior exposure to administrative systems.

Dr. Singh said the programme seeks to address this gap through a systematic approach, reducing reliance on informal or self-driven learning. He added that the initiative would evolve over time and incorporate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, while maintaining a balance between technology and human decision-making.

The Minister also outlined new directions for the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), including the development of structured modules for specific administrative functions. Among the proposed areas is a focused course on handling Parliamentary Questions to strengthen procedural understanding among officials.

He said short-format orientation modules could also be designed for early-career civil servants and Assistant Secretaries to familiarise them with governance systems without adding to training burdens.

Emphasising a shift in approach, Dr. Singh said capacity building must move beyond rule-based systems towards a role-based framework, allowing officials to adapt across sectors. He added that integrating private-sector practices into governance is necessary in a changing administrative landscape.

Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, S. Radha Chauhan, said the next phase of Mission Karmayogi would focus on making institutions more adaptive and citizen-centric. She noted that with the increasing role of artificial intelligence, adaptability in governance is becoming essential.

Chauhan also highlighted the need to improve the quality and accessibility of training programmes, including expanding access across different levels of government and strengthening collaboration through platforms such as UNNATI.

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During the event, the Minister launched a revamped UNNATI portal and outlined a roadmap for the national rollout of the Karmayogi Kartavya Karyakram. A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Capacity Building Commission and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) to promote global knowledge partnerships in governance and capacity building.

The collaboration is expected to focus on areas such as artificial intelligence in governance, digital transformation and public sector innovation.

The session, held at Vigyan Bhawan, was attended by senior officials and scientists, including Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Dr. M. Ravichandran and Alka Mittal.

Dr. Singh said the initiative aligns with the long-term goals of Mission Karmayogi to build a future-ready civil service based on continuous learning, technology adoption and improved service delivery.