First and foremost duty of IAS should be promoting public interest: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the first and foremost duty of the Indian Administrative Service should be the promotion public interest, terming it the 'essence' of democracy.

Addressing IAS probationers, Prime Minister Modi noted that bureaucracy had existed under British rule, but the civil servants had worked to perpetuate the rule of the British, while for the present-day civil service aspirant, public interest must be the primary duty.

The Prime Minister also cautioned the assembled against becoming complacent due to their career path, adding that officers should judge the quality of their service by international standards.

Prime Minister Modi further emphasised on the need for development in the North East states in order to improve accessibility and connectivity with other parts of India, terming it key to the region's progress.

Earlier in the day, 183 IAS probationers, including three from the Bhutan Civil Service, called on Prime Minister Modi at the national capital.