Himachal Pradesh University marks Civil Services Day with a thought-provoking colloquium on shifting governance models..
Shimla, April 21, 2025: As the country marked Civil Services Day, the Department of Public Administration at Himachal Pradesh University turned the spotlight on the changing system of governments in Himachal Pradesh.
It sparked a critical discourse on the issues and challenges of governance.
Held in the campus, the colloquium-cum-seminar gathered academicians, civil servants, and scholars to unpack the real ground truths behind the bureaucracy’s role in shaping the hill state's future.
> “We celebrate this day to honour the silent machinery of the nation — our civil servants.
But more importantly, we must question: Are they empowering citizens or merely executing policies?, said Professor Mamta Mokta, Chairperson, Dept. of Public Administration & Event Director
Prof. Mokta, while delivering her welcome address, flagged this year’s Civil Services Day theme: “Empowering Citizens through Efficient and Transparent Governance.”
She proudly announced that Himachal Pradesh was declared the happiest state in India in 2025, bagging multiple accolades — SPARK Award for implementing the Deendayal Upadhyay Yojana, National Urban Livelihood Mission, the Diamond State Award by Network18, and a Shining Star Award for road safety. Shimla also topped the Ease of Living Index.
“These are not just awards but mirrors — reflecting what we did right, and what still needs work.
The political and administrative machinery must wear a humanistic and ethical face if we are to sustain this development,”
Prof. Mokta stressed.
But is all well beneath the glitter of awards?
Special Guest of Honour Shri Sunil Verma, Joint Secretary (Education & Revenue), called out systemic inertia and shared the ongoing reforms in the education sector — from school consolidation, academic calendar enforcement, to the Read Himachal program and curbing teachers’ non-teaching duties.
“We’ve restructured the directorate of education. Our teachers and students are now being given global exposure. The aim is simple — deliver quality, not quantity,” said Shri Verma.
But the education system, much like the bureaucracy, is still under scrutiny.
Are these reforms truly translating on the ground, or are they another set of well-packaged government schemes?
That question echoed in the thoughts of the Chief Guest, Professor Joginder Dhiman, Dean, Planning and Teaching Matters.
“We need planning that aligns with the aspirations of our people. Tokenistic reform will only take us so far, he cautioned.
Prof. Dhiman also lauded the role of HPU’s Pre-Examination Coaching Centre, which is helping shape future civil servants — a quiet yet powerful engine of empowerment, if supported well.
Academicians including Prof. Warden, Prof. Vikas, Dr. Abha Chauhan, Dr. Shamsher Rathore, Dr. Sapna Sharma, Dr. Razia Sultan, and Dr. Meera added intellectual heft to the discussions.
Students Muskan and Udit anchored the event with confidence, while Ajay Utkarsh and Udit presented insights on civil service reforms in Himachal.
Dr. Munish Dulta offered a warm vote of thanks, and a quiet reminder — governance is not about committees and colloquiums alone, it’s about change that walks into the lives of the last person standing.
With over 100 participants — faculty, scholars, students — the seminar didn’t just end in applause.
It left behind a question ringing in the corridors: Is the bureaucracy in Himachal truly citizen-centric, or still caught in red tape and routine?
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