The National Civil Services Day is annually observed across India on 21st April to acknowledge and appreciate the contribution of the civil servants towards ensuring the seamless functioning of the public administration.
Why April 21?
i.The April 21 was chosen to commemorate the day on which Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of Independent India addressed the Administrative service officers at the Metcalfe House, Delhi in 1947. In his address he referred to the civil servants as the “Steel frame of India”.
ii.The First National Civil Service day was observed on 21st April 2006.
Civil Service Examination:
i.The examination of Indian Civil Services has been held in India since 1922.
ii.The Federal Public Service Commission which conducted the civil service exams became the Union Public Service Commission after the formation of the constitution of India on 26th January 1950.
Prime Minister Awards:
i.The government of India instituted the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration in 2006.
ii.In 2020 the award was comprehensively restructured to recognize the contribution of civil servants in
- Strengthening the inclusive development through credit flow to the priority sector,
- Promoting “Jan Bhagidari” through Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban and Gramin) in the District
- Improving Service Delivery and Redressal of Public Grievances
iii.The official portal of the PMs awards was launched in 2020.
