New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) Governance today requires new capabilities to respond to technological disruptions and global uncertainties, while “mindset and empathy” remain critical to effective public service, Principal Secretary to the prime minister, P K Mishra, said on Thursday.

Addressing the launch of ‘Sadhana Saptah’, a nation-wide learning initiative aimed at strengthening capabilities, commitment, and citizen-centric orientation of public servants, Mishra said that capacity building has evolved from limited, rule-based training to a system of continuous, anytime-anywhere learning, enabled by platforms such as iGOT (integrated government online training).

The Capacity Building Commission (CBC) is organising the Sadhana (Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement) Saptah from April 2 to 8.

Mishra said that governance today requires new capabilities to respond to technological disruptions, climate change, urbanisation, and global uncertainties, adding that continuous learning strengthens innovation, adaptability and professionalism, while mindset and empathy remain critical to effective public service.

He also said that Sadhana Saptah reinforces the shift towards a capable, committed and citizen-centric civil service.

Referring to the integration of training institutions across the country, Mishra said the CBC has added coherence and scale to the ecosystem.

CBC Chairperson S Radha Chauhan said the concept of ‘Karmayogi’ reflects a public servant who combines wisdom with action and delivers governance with empathy and contextual understanding.

Sadhana Saptah provides an opportunity for officers to reconnect with their core purpose of service and renew their commitment to citizen-centric governance, she said.

Rachna Shah, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), said that Mission Karmayogi has brought a fundamental transformation in capacity building over the past five years.

She highlighted the shift from episodic training to a continuous, role-based competency framework that now includes frontline workers at scale.

Shah said over 1.5 crore learners are registered on the iGOT platform, with more than 8 crore course completions and over 4,600 courses available in multiple languages.

She added that more than 130 capacity-building plans have been developed and that learning has been integrated with performance appraisal systems.

Subramanian Ramadorai, Chairperson, Karmayogi Bharat, said that governance today is shaped by rapid technological transformation, civilisational knowledge and a strong focus on citizen-centric outcomes.

Capacity building must be continuous, contextual and aligned with real-world governance needs, he said.

Ramadorai also said that ‘Karmayogi Bharat’, as the implementing arm of Mission Karmayogi, is driving the iGOT platform as a scalable digital ecosystem, enabling continuous, competency-based learning across government departments, and that the initiative is designed to translate learning into measurable improvements in governance outcomes.

Alka Mittal, Member (administration), CBC, said that capacity building efforts are being expanded to reach frontline functionaries across sectors, including gram panchayats, urban local bodies, and citizen-facing services.

She said these functionaries form the primary interface between government and citizens and require focused capacity enhancement.

Mittal highlighted that over six lakh personnel from public sector enterprises are onboarded on the iGOT platform, with tailored programmes on leadership, succession planning and stakeholder engagement.

During the inaugural session, a set of key initiatives was launched to strengthen capacity building at scale.

They included ‘Karmayogi Kartavya Karyakram’, a national behavioural training programme, aimed at transforming public service ethos by promoting ‘Seva Bhav’.

Targeting nearly 1.3 crore officials, particularly at the grassroots level, it adopts a blended approach of digital learning, in-person training, and group discussions to foster responsiveness and accountability.

Mission Karmayogi, which completes five years, marks a structural shift from rule-based approaches to a competency-driven framework integrating knowledge, skill, behaviour, and attitude, a statement issued by the personnel ministry said.

Sadhana Saptah is expected to further accelerate the creation of a skilled, responsive, and citizen-centric civil service aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, it said. PTI AKV ARI