History:
- April 21 is chosen to celebrate Civil Service Day as first Home Minister of the Republic of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947 addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers at Delhi’s Metcalf House on this day.
- Sardar Patel referred to civil servants as the “steel frame of India”.
- The first Civil Service Day function was held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi in 2006.
- The foundation of ‘Civil Service’ was laid by Warren Hastings, while Charles Cornwallis was known as the ‘Father of Civil Services in India’ as he made more reforms later.
What government does on this day to officers?
- On this occasion, all officers of Central and State Governments are honoured for excellence in public administration.
- The ‘PM Award for Excellence in Public Administration’ is presented in three categories. Under this scheme of awards instituted in 2006, all the officers individually or as a group or as an organization are eligible.
- The award carries a medal, scroll and a cash amound of Rs 1 lakh. In case of group and organisation, the award money is Rs 5 lakh.
Future Officers 