New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan on Thursday said that competence and not just seniority will define future leadership in civil services.

Emphasising the importance of continuous learning, he said that while career progression in civil services may appear to follow a natural upward path driven by seniority, reaching positions of real responsibility depends increasingly on competence and the ability to deliver.

Addressing an event here, Somanathan said that while “seniority may act like a force that moves careers upward, it is capability that determines how far one truly rises”.

He said that in a rapidly changing world, where knowledge and skills depreciate quickly, continuous learning is essential both for improving governance outcomes and for enabling individuals to realise their full professional potential.

Addressing the gathering being attended by senior government officials, Somanathan said that “learning cultures” in institutions are necessarily set from the top.

He said that when senior officers engage seriously with learning and lead by example, it shapes the behaviour of the entire organisation.

Somanathan was speaking during a special session of Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah launched here on Thursday. The session formed part of the post-lunch programme following thematic discussions on training institutions and quality frameworks, where the Cabinet Secretary shared his perspectives on strengthening capacity building across governance systems.

The Cabinet Secretary said that the pace of change in governance and knowledge systems has increased significantly, making it difficult to remain effective without continuous upskilling.

He said that earlier it was possible to stay updated through limited sources, but today structured and sustained learning is necessary.

Somanathan said that future governance systems are likely to place greater emphasis on performance and capability, making continuous capacity building not just a requirement for public service but also an investment in one’s own professional growth.

He also said that frontline officials must be equipped with the skills, motivation and competencies required to deliver effectively.

Somanathan called upon state governments to actively adopt and expand “Mission Karmayogi” (capacity building initiative for civil servants), stating that it is not merely a central government initiative but a national effort that requires ownership at all levels.

He said that states must take the lead in integrating capacity building into their governance systems, particularly at district and sub-district levels.

Earlier in the day, V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, Government of India, delivered a masterclass on building an adaptive and entrepreneurial state through capacity building.

He highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence in governance and emphasised that in an era where change occurs rapidly, governments must develop the capability to learn, adapt and respond effectively.

Nageswaran said that perfection should not come at the cost of timeliness, and that learning-oriented governance systems are essential for navigating complexity and uncertainty.

Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah, being organised by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) from April 2 to April 8, is a nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening continuous learning across civil services. PTI AKV NB