• The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration have been instituted to recognise the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts and organisations of the central and state governments for people’s welfare.

• The awards aim to motivate civil servants to innovate, excel, and deliver impactful results in public administration, particularly in priority sectors and programs.

• Over 1,500 nominations were received on the PM Awards portal. 

Categories:

The awards are divided into three categories:

• Category 1: Holistic Development of Districts under 11 priority sector programmes. Five awards will be conferred under this category.

• Category 2: Aspirational Blocks Programme. Five awards will be conferred under this category.

• Category 3: Innovations for central ministries/departments, states, and districts. Six awards will be conferred under this category.

The evaluation of the applications include:

i) Short-listing of districts/organisations by screening committee, to be chaired by additional secretaries.

ii) Evaluation by an expert committee to be chaired by Secretary, DARPG.

iii) Final recommendation for the awards by the Empowered Committee, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. 

• Prime Minister’s approval will be taken on the recommendations of the Empowered Committee for the Awards.

• The PM’s Awards consist of a trophy, scroll and an incentive of Rs 20 lakh to the awarded district/organisation to be utilised for implementation of project/programme or bridging resources gaps in any area of public welfare.

• The awards will be presented on the occasion of Civil Services Day on April 21.

• The government celebrates the day as an occasion for civil servants to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)