India 2018

32 India 2018
2007, 67 awards have so far been conferred in three categories, individual,
group, organization. A new category for excellence in implementing a priority
programme was introduced in 2015-16.
Civil Services Day
The Government of India celebrates April, 21 every year as ‘Civil Services
Day’ for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and
renew their commitment to public service and excellence in work. The first
such function was held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on April 21, 2006. On
the occasion, the Prime Minister conferred "Prime Minister's Award for
Excellence in Public Administration". This date coincides with the date when
the first Home Minister of Independent India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
addressing the first batch of Indian Administrative Services officers at Metcalf
House, New Delhi. Civil Services Day, 2017 was observed on April 20-21, 2017,
at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
International Exchange and Cooperation
The Department works as the nodal point in respect of matters relating to
international cooperation in the field of public administration and governance,
which includes organizing programmes as part of projects / bilateral measures
taken up in accordance with the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) /
agreements signed between India and other countries (bilateral or multilateral).
The purpose of the international cooperation component is to enable the sharing
of information, best practices and personnel across national government. As a
part of its international collaborative efforts, the Department of Administrative
Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) explored the possibility of sharing
and exchanging administrative experiences, the Department signed bilateral
MOUs with Britain, France, Malaysia, Portugal, Singapore and China and
trilateral MoU with South Africa and Brazil (under IBSA). This involves
exchange of visits and undertaking programmes/projects and activities
particularly in the area of pubic administration and delivery of services, so as
to improve upon the current system of governance and instill a greater sense of
responsiveness, accountability, transparency, and achieving public service
excellence in the context of public service delivery good governance, public
service reform, and capacity building and skills upgradation.
Cooperation with Commonwealth Association for Public
Administration and Management
The Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management
(CAPAM), with its headquarters at Ottawa, Canada, is an organization dedicated
to strengthening public management and consolidating democracy and good
governance in the Commonwealth. It was formed in 1994 as a result of decisions
taken at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings in Harare in 1991
and in Cyprus in 1993. Since inception, CAPAM has grown to a network of
over 1100 members across the Commonwealth countries. The Ministry of