Narendra Modi Urges UPSC Reforms at Centenary Celebration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on October 1, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event concluded a year of commemorations marking the institution's establishment in 1926. To mark the milestone, Modi released a commemorative coin, a postage stamp, and a book titled '100 Landmark Judgements- Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India', while also launching a special gallery detailing the commission's evolution into a constitutional body.

During his address, Modi urged the UPSC to implement continuous reforms and ensure time certainty in recruitment processes. He emphasized that examinations are critical determinants of youth futures and that delays create financial and emotional burdens for aspirants. He advocated for a Citizen First and Nation First approach, suggesting that recruitment should assess a candidate's motivation for public service alongside academic knowledge.

The two-day program began on September 30 with panel discussions and speeches involving senior government officers and academicians. In addition to praising the UPSC's legacy as a pillar of independent India, Modi used the platform to commend flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for bravery during a recent aviation incident, stating it had prevented a "9/11-style tragedy."