Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha on Wednesday observed Civil Services Day 2026 at the State Convention Centre in Lok Seva Bhawan, reaffirming the commitment of civil servants to public service, good governance and citizen-centric administration.
The event, organised by the Gopabandhu Academy of Administration, brought together around 300 officers from various departments, while district collectors and officials from across the state joined virtually.
Observed annually on April 21 across the country, Civil Services Day provides an opportunity for civil servants to rededicate themselves to nation-building and excellence in governance.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who graced the occasion as chief guest, delivered the special address highlighting Odisha’s journey towards Viksit Odisha and Viksit Bharat. She emphasised the need for a results-oriented, citizen-centric governance model anchored in six key principles—scale, speed, synergy, system-building, simplification and sustainability—to drive inclusive and sustainable development.
The keynote address was delivered by former Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, who shared insights on collaborative governance, drawing from his extensive administrative experience. He urged officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and efficiency in public service.
An open house interaction followed, during which officers exchanged ideas, field experiences and strategies to strengthen service delivery and governance outcomes.
In her welcome address, Additional Chief Secretary and Director General of the academy Chithra Arumugam highlighted the evolving role of civil servants in a dynamic governance environment.
The programme was also live-streamed, enabling wider participation and engagement.
