PM calls for citizen-centric reforms, whole-of-government approach to drive Viksit Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for citizen-centric reforms and a whole-of-government approach to accelerate India's journey towards becoming a developed nation, urging ministries to break departmental silos and improve policy convergence during a high-level review of rural development, agriculture, social welfare and allied sectors.

Chairing a meeting of Secretaries to the Government of India, Modi said governance reforms should be driven by people's needs rather than administrative convenience, stressing that the objective was not merely to improve government functioning but to fast-track India's transition to a Viksit Bharat. The discussions also covered measures to expand the PM-KUSUM scheme, undertake global skill mapping, strengthen the sports ecosystem and improve coordination across ministries.

Citizen-centric reforms, governance overhaul in focus

The Prime Minister said the welfare of citizens must remain at the heart of all reforms, adding that policies designed around people's needs would deliver meaningful transformation. He also called for governance systems to evolve in line with changing economic and social realities and suggested a comprehensive mapping of emerging requirements across ministries and departments to improve implementation.

Modi reiterated the need for a whole-of-government approach, urging ministries to work in greater convergence instead of functioning in silos. He said the vision of Viksit Bharat should become a Jan Andolan, with India's youth forming the foundation of the country's long-term development agenda.

In a post on X after the meeting, Modi said, "Chaired a meeting of Secretaries to the Government of India, in which we discussed progress in rural development, agriculture, social welfare-related sectors and more. Highlighted the need to strengthen reforms that further the welfare of the people. We also discussed how to build a Viksit Bharat in line with a 'Whole of Government' approach. Emphasised the need to make India a hub for sports and a vibrant sports-related ecosystem."

PM-KUSUM, sports economy and global skills roadmap

Highlighting agriculture as a key pillar of economic growth, the Prime Minister said wider adoption of the PM-KUSUM scheme could transform the sector by expanding access to clean energy and improving farm productivity. He also stressed the need for a global mapping of skill requirements to better align India's workforce with international employment opportunities.

Modi further advocated stronger institutional mechanisms to tackle drug abuse among youth through coordinated action across departments. He also highlighted the economic potential of sports tourism, urging India to aspire to host major international sporting events while promoting technology, innovation and startups to build a globally competitive sports ecosystem.

The meeting concluded with Secretaries sharing implementation challenges and sector-specific feedback, while the Prime Minister outlined the future policy direction aimed at strengthening governance, improving execution and accelerating progress towards the Viksit Bharat vision.