New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the courage and presence of mind displayed by Captain Smit Machchhar, saying his actions had filled every Indian with pride. Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Modi said the Israeli Prime Minister had also remarked that “this Indian prevented a 9/11.”

Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured when the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft. Despite his injuries, Machchhar displayed composure and presence of mind and helped open the cockpit door, following which the attacker was overpowered. The aircraft subsequently made a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

PM Modi said, “The valour of Smit fills every Indian with pride.” He said he had spoken to Smit’s father, Bhupendra Bhai, his mother, Geeta Ben, and his wife, Sonal. The Prime Minister appealed to the people of the country to pray for Captain Smit’s good health and salute “our brother Smit, who has brought glory to India.”

Speaking at the ceremony marking 100 years of the UPSC, PM Modi said the occasion celebrated not only the Commission’s century-long journey but also its enduring legacy. He said it represented the aspirations of millions of young people who dream of entering public service every year, as well as the trust that Indians place in the institution. On the occasion, the Prime Minister released a commemorative coin and postage stamp marking the UPSC’s centenary.

PM Modi said that over the UPSC’s 100-year journey, generations, governments, technology and examination syllabi had changed, but public trust in the institution remained strong. Referring to an exhibition organised as part of the celebrations, he noted that Subhas Chandra Bose had also gone through the civil services examination process in 1920. At the time, India was under British rule, and the examination included a Sanskrit paper, which Bose also took.

The Prime Minister said that after Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel faced not only the challenge of keeping the newly independent country united but also that of administering and governing the nation. Patel, he said, helped establish the institutional framework required for nation-building and made the UPSC an important pillar of independent India.

PM Modi said the UPSC remains an important source of talent for the kind of governance and administration required by the country. The young people being selected for public services today, he added, would play a significant role in building a developed India and would also be among its principal beneficiaries.

He said two principles should remain central to the selection process: “Nation First” and “Citizen First”. Every recruitment decision, he added, should be evaluated against these two benchmarks.

The Prime Minister said public services should attract young people who are motivated by “public service” rather than “public office”. Therefore, recruitment examinations should not only assess what a candidate knows but also seek to understand why the candidate wants to join the civil services.

He stressed the need for professionals who possess sensitivity towards the difficulties faced by the poor, the ability to develop innovative solutions and a clear understanding of the country’s requirements.

PM Modi said India had moved beyond the earlier notion of government being the sole authority responsible for citizens’ welfare. The guiding principle today, he said, is “Nagrik Devo Bhava”, placing the citizen at the centre of governance and making public service the foremost priority.

He said 21st-century India was moving towards a new work culture based on a people-centric, proactive and good-governance approach.

The Prime Minister said civil servants must not only ensure compliance with laws but should also understand whether particular laws and regulations are serving the interests of the people effectively. He added that as the country moves rapidly on the path of reforms, institutions responsible for conducting examinations must also adapt and reform themselves in accordance with national requirements.

PM Modi emphasised that examinations should not be treated merely as events because they are directly linked to the future of young aspirants. Even a delay of a few months, he said, can create difficulties for candidates. He therefore called for the examination system to follow the principle of “time certainty”.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need for continuous capacity building within the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions. He suggested that the iGOT platform developed under Mission Karmayogi could be used to strengthen the internal systems of these institutions and enhance the capabilities of the teams working with them.

PM Modi said the work of the UPSC is directly connected with the future of India’s youth and that the Commission is an important pillar in the mission of transforming “Yuva Shakti” into “Rashtra Shakti”.

He concluded that the UPSC’s 100-year journey reflects both its contribution to India’s administrative system and the enduring trust placed in the institution.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar