Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Presidents Secretariat on 19th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
On August 19, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu addressed Officer Trainees of the Indian Information Service (IIS) and the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The address emphasized the roles of effective communication and accurate data in strengthening governance and democracy as India moves toward "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. Officers were tasked with modernizing their respective fields through technology, transparency, and a citizen-centric approach.
Key Points / Main Content
Role of the Indian Information Service (IIS)
Interactive Communication: Officers must use social media not only to broadcast information but as a tool to listen to, understand, and respond to public concerns.
Standards of Information: In a high-speed information environment, communication must be guided by accuracy, credibility, and the public interest.
Civic Engagement: IIS officers are responsible for creating a well-informed citizenry to ensure active participation in democratic and developmental processes.
Role of the Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
Evidence-Based Policy: ISS officers play a critical role in generating and interpreting the accurate, timely data required for high-quality public policy.
Data Accessibility: Statistics should be made more accessible to researchers, policy-makers, and the general public.
Human-Centric Data: Officers are urged to remember that real people and lives exist behind every dataset.
Modernization: There is a mandate to build a modern, technology-enabled, and trusted statistical ecosystem.
Professional Standards and Ethics
Adaptability: Officers must remain curious and develop new competencies to keep pace with rapid changes in technology, media, and economics.
Core Values: Decisions should be judicious, conduct should be compassionate, and integrity must remain unwavering.
Responsibility: The authority granted to these services must be exercised with fairness, humility, and a dedication to serving the people.
Impact Analysis
Indian Information Service (IIS) OfficersImpact
They are identified as the primary bridge between the government and the public, with an increasing responsibility to manage digital transformation in communication.
Action Required
Shift social media strategies from one-way broadcasting to two-way engagement and prioritize the verification of information to maintain credibility.
Indian Statistical Service (ISS) OfficersImpact
Their work will directly influence the efficacy of national policies across diverse economic and social sectors.
Action Required
Implement technology-driven solutions to modernize data collection and ensure that statistical findings are clear and available to all stakeholders.
Citizens and Policy-MakersImpact
Both groups stand to benefit from more transparent government communication and more effective, data-backed governance.
Action Required
Citizens are encouraged to utilize available information to participate in development, while policy-makers must utilize the improved statistical ecosystem for decision-making.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Information Service: A specialized civil service cadre responsible for managing government communication, public engagement, and social media platforms to foster a responsive democracy.
Indian Statistical Service: A civil service cadre tasked with generating and analyzing official statistics to support evidence-based policy-making and ensure data accessibility for researchers and citizens.
President Droupadi Murmu: The President of India who provided guidance to officer trainees on leveraging technology and data to strengthen governance and serve the public with integrity.
Viksit Bharat: The strategic national vision for a developed India by 2047, which frames the long-term goals and significance of the information and statistical services.
Rashtrapati Bhavan: The official residence of the President of India in New Delhi, serving as the venue for the interaction between the President and the officer trainees.
President's Secretariat
OFFICER TRAINEES OF INDIAN INFORMATION
SERVICE AND INDIAN STATISTICAL SERVICE
CALL ON THE PRESIDENT
USE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS NOT ONLY TO INFORM
AND ENGAGE, BUT ALSO TO LISTEN, UNDERSTAND AND
RESPOND TO CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: PRESIDENT
DROUPADI MURMU TO INDIAN INFORMATION SERVICE
OFFICERS
MAKE STATISTICS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO CITIZENS,
RESEARCHERS AND POLICY-MAKERS: PRESIDENT
DROUPADI MURMU TO INDIAN STATISTICAL SERVICE
OFFICERS
प्रव तथ: 19 AUG 2026 4:40PM by PIB Delhi
A group of Officer Trainees of the Indian Information Service and the Indian Statistical Service called on
the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (August 19, 2026).Addressing the officer trainees, the President said that both the Indian Information Service and the Indian
Statistical Service, though different in functions, share a common purpose, which is to strengthen the
quality of governance and serve the people of the country. Effective communication and credible
information are essential pillars of a vibrant and responsive democracy.
The President said that as the officer trainees embark upon their careers, they should continue to learn and
adapt. The world of technology, media, economics and public policy is changing rapidly. She advised
them to remain curious, develop new competencies and learn from experience. She advised them to be
judicious in their decisions, compassionate in their conduct and unwavering in upholding integrity. She
underlined that the authority entrusted to them carries with it a profound responsibility to serve the people
with fairness, humility and dedication.The President said that the Indian Information Service has played a significant role in strengthening the
Government’s connect with citizens. She highlighted that social media has fundamentally transformed the
way citizens receive, share and respond to information. She advised Indian Information Service officers to
use social media platforms not only to inform and engage, but also to listen, understand and respond to
concerns of the people. She said that in an environment where information travels very fast, accuracy,
credibility and public interest should always guide their communication.
The President said that as India moves towards 2047, the role of Indian Information Service officers will
become even more significant because a well-informed citizen is able to participate actively in
development and democratic processes.
The President said that in today's data-driven world, the quality of public policy depends greatly on the
availability of accurate, timely and credible data. The Indian Statistical Service plays an important role in
generating, analysing and interpreting official statistics that form the basis of the decisions affecting the
lives of millions of our citizens. She stated that the work of Indian Statistical Service officers will support
evidence-based policy-making across diverse sectors of the economy and society. She advised them to
always remember that behind every dataset, there are real people and their lives. She urged them to make
statistics more accessible to citizens, researchers and policy-makers. She said that their contribution to
building a modern, trusted and technology-enabled statistical ecosystem will be an important part of
India's journey towards Viksit Bharat.
Please click here to see the President’s Speech
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