THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 19, 2026

In an era when information travels at the speed of a click and public trust can be shaped in moments, President Droupadi Murmu has called upon India’s young information and statistical officers to place citizens at the heart of governance — by not merely communicating facts and policies, but by listening to people, understanding their aspirations and responding with empathy, accuracy and integrity.

A group of Officer Trainees of the Indian Information Service (IIS) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) called on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, where she underlined the vital role both services will play in strengthening governance and deepening the connect between the state and its citizens.

Addressing the IIS officer trainees, the President said effective communication and credible information are essential pillars of a vibrant and responsive democracy. She stressed that the officers would have a crucial responsibility to ensure that government policies, programmes and initiatives reach citizens clearly, accurately and in a timely manner.

But, she added, the responsibility of public communication does not end with conveying government information.

 “They have an equally important responsibility to listen,” President Murmu said, urging the young officers to pay close attention to public concerns, aspirations and feedback so that communication remains responsive, inclusive and citizen-centric.

In a rapidly changing information environment, she said, officers must be capable of distinguishing facts from misinformation and responding responsibly, particularly during crises when misleading information can spread with extraordinary speed. Ensuring easy and timely access to authentic information, she emphasised, is fundamental to maintaining public confidence.

President Murmu noted that the Indian Information Service has played an important role in strengthening the government’s connect with citizens and has continuously adapted to the evolving media landscape through emerging technologies and digital platforms.

She urged the officers to use social media platforms “not only to inform and engage, but also to listen, understand and respond to concerns of the people”.

With information now travelling almost instantaneously, the President said accuracy, credibility and public interest must remain the guiding principles of official communication. She also called for responsible use of new technological tools, stressing that innovation must go hand in hand with ethical values, sound human judgment and accountability.

Looking ahead to India’s journey towards 2047, President Murmu said the importance of IIS officers would only grow, as well-informed citizens are better equipped to participate meaningfully in the country’s development and democratic processes. She also urged the young officers to communicate with empathy and sensitivity while remaining mindful of India’s extraordinary diversity.

Turning to the Indian Statistical Service trainees, the President described reliable statistics as the foundation of sound governance and emphasised the importance of accurate, timely and credible data in shaping public policy.

She said ISS officers have a critical role in generating, analysing and interpreting official statistics that influence decisions affecting millions of people. India’s statistical ecosystem, she noted, is undergoing significant transformation with the growing use of digital technologies and innovative methods of data collection and analysis.

The increasing application of machine learning and other emerging technologies, she said, is opening new possibilities for generating more timely and detailed information. At the same time, these advances place greater responsibility on statistical officers to safeguard statistical integrity, objectivity, confidentiality and professional excellence.

President Murmu emphasised that the work of statistical officers would underpin evidence-based policymaking across diverse sectors of India’s economy and society.

 “Behind every dataset, there are the real people and their lives,” she said, urging officers to make statistics more accessible and meaningful to citizens, researchers and policymakers.

She said the contribution of the Indian Statistical Service to building a modern, trusted and technology-enabled statistical ecosystem would be an important part of India’s march towards Viksit Bharat.

In a larger message to both groups of young officers, President Murmu reminded them that civil service is far more than a profession — it is a commitment to the nation and its people. She encouraged the trainees to remain lifelong learners and continuously adapt as technology, media, economics and public policy undergo rapid transformation.

The President urged them to remain curious, acquire new competencies and learn from experience while making decisions judiciously, conducting themselves compassionately and remaining unwavering in their commitment to integrity.

She said the authority entrusted to civil servants carries with it a profound responsibility to serve the people with fairness, humility and dedication. While knowledge and professional expertise would remain valuable assets, she observed, it is ultimately the character, commitment and sensitivity of an officer that define the quality and lasting impact of public service.

Extending her best wishes to the officer trainees, President Murmu expressed hope that they would build long, distinguished careers dedicated to serving the nation and strengthening the foundations of a more informed, responsive and inclusive India.