Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the UPSC’s 100-year journey is a celebration of the aspirations of millions of young Indians and the trust every Indian places in the institution. He spoke at the commission’s centenary programme at Bharat Mandapam on October 1.

The celebrations mark 100 years since India’s first Public Service Commission was set up on October 1, 1926. Modi released a commemorative coin, a stamp, and a book titled ‘100 Landmark Judgements’.

The Prime Minister said the country needs young people who are drawn to public service, not public office. He said recruitment exams should test not only what a candidate knows but why they want to join the civil services.

He gave ‘Nation First, Citizen First’ as the guiding principles for every civil servant. He said citizen service should remain the central objective of public administration.

At the event, Modi also praised Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of the flydubai flight, for his bravery during Wednesday’s cockpit attack.