Dr. Jitendra Singh Launches Studio ‘Shrishti’ at IIPA

In a significant step toward transforming digital education and fostering collaborative governance in India, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today inaugurated the state-of-the-art Digital Studio ‘Shrishti’ and the newly designed Tea Lounge ‘Sahkar’ at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) headquarters in New Delhi.

Developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, ‘Shrishti’ is envisioned as a futuristic digital hub for content creation, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. The studio will cater to government officials, scholars, and public administration professionals, supporting them with immersive digital tools to foster next-generation governance skills. Alongside, the ‘Sahkar’ Tea Lounge provides an informal, collaborative space for intellectual exchange among administrative leaders and scholars.

A Platform for Knowledge and Reform

Dr. Jitendra Singh also released a brochure detailing the features and purpose of ‘Shrishti’, and launched a significant new publication titled “Public Administration in India”, a comprehensive resource aimed at driving innovation, responsiveness, and administrative acumen within India’s governance ecosystem.

While addressing participants of the 51st Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) — a flagship mid-career training programme for senior civil and defense officers — Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the urgent need for stronger civil-military collaboration, asserting that “in today’s rapidly changing governance landscape, working in silos is not just outdated but a serious handicap.”

Civil-Military Synergy: The Way Forward

Citing the successful Operation Sindoor, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the operational and strategic benefits of seamless integration between the armed forces and civil authorities. “India’s victory in such complex operations is a testament to the convergence of capability, technology, and intent. It reflects the true power of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance),” he noted.

He further emphasized that the armed forces often lead humanitarian response efforts—from flood rescue to earthquake relief—underscoring their unmatched contribution beyond wartime. He pointed to the collaborative civil-military command models operational in militancy-affected regions, where District Collectors and military officers conduct joint strategic reviews—a testament to effective cooperative governance.

During the session, Navy and Coast Guard officers shared their field experiences in disaster management, prompting Dr. Singh to commend the ongoing collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Ministry of Earth Sciences in India’s ambitious Deep Ocean Mission. He also praised Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, selected for India’s upcoming ISS mission, as a symbol of the nation’s growing scientific excellence and ambition in space exploration.

Reforms for an Empowered Administration

Emphasizing major administrative reforms, Dr. Jitendra Singh spotlighted the SPARSH portal as a transformative step in defence pension management. He described it as a game-changing digital platform that provides real-time, transparent, and efficient pension disbursal and grievance redressal for ex-servicemen, terming it a landmark shift in citizen-focused public service delivery.

He also lauded the APPPA programme, which has been operational since 1975 and has continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now restructured under Mission Karmayogi, the programme focuses on role-based, competency-driven learning, featuring modules on Design Thinking, iGOT Karmayogi integration, and District Administration Exposure, ensuring a 360-degree approach to public leadership development.

Governance: Reforming, Performing, Transforming

Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Prayas” (collective effort), Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India is no longer just reforming and performing — it is transforming with every challenge. He highlighted how today’s governance ecosystem thrives under pressure, powered by innovation, collective resolve, and active citizen engagement.

The shift from “Government” to “Governance”, and now towards “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”, places transparency, accountability, and citizen-centricity at the forefront, he added. Dr. Singh emphasized that digital capacity building, as facilitated by initiatives like ‘Shrishti’, will be vital in empowering the bureaucracy to meet 21st-century public service demands.

A Legacy of Learning at IIPA

Also present at the launch were Shri S. N. Tripathi, Director General of IIPA, and Shri Amitabh Ranjan, Registrar, who reiterated IIPA’s commitment to fostering administrative and academic excellence. They reaffirmed the institute’s evolving role as a dynamic think tank and capacity-building center for Indian public administration.

The launch of ‘Shrishti’ and Dr. Jitendra Singh’s insights signal a defining step in India’s move toward tech-driven, collaborative, and citizen-centric governance. As public administration evolves through reform and resilience, the Indian Institute of Public Administration positions itself at the forefront—connecting a rich legacy with a forward-looking vision.