By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: In a significant push towards administrative reforms, the Delhi government on Tuesday honoured 35 officials with the first-ever ‘Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Governance and Public Service Delivery 2026’ on the occasion of Civil Services Day. The event marked the launch of a new annual initiative aimed at recognising outstanding contributions in governance and public service.
The awards were presented by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who commended the role of civil servants in strengthening governance systems and improving service delivery. Awardees received medals and commendation certificates for their distinguished and innovative work.
Announcing that the awards will now be conferred every year in April on Civil Services Day, the government said the move is part of a broader strategy to enhance administrative efficiency and foster a culture of innovation within the bureaucracy.
Addressing the gathering, Sandhu said public trust remains the cornerstone of civil services. He stressed that governance must be transparent, accountable and citizen-focused, adding that the true test of administration lies in how effectively services reach the last person. He called for greater innovation, coordination and use of technology to tackle evolving administrative challenges.
Chief Minister Gupta described civil service as a commitment to nation-building, emphasising that reaching the “last mile” remains the government’s top priority. “Officers are the backbone of governance,” she said, adding that the initiative aims to promote excellence while encouraging a healthy and competitive work culture across departments. She noted that the awards draw inspiration from national-level recognition systems and are intended to elevate Delhi’s governance standards.
The selection process was conducted through a high-level committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, ensuring transparency and stringent evaluation based on parameters such as innovation, digital governance improvements and emergency management.
The awards were presented across multiple categories, covering officials from core government departments, specialised sectors such as health, engineering and IT, as well as personnel from autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings and local institutions.
Among the awardees were officials from departments including education, revenue, health, public works, environment, labour and urban development. Personnel from organisations such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and NDMC were also recognised for their contributions.
With the institutionalisation of these awards, the Delhi government aims to not only honour individual excellence but also drive systemic improvements in governance, reinforcing a citizen-centric administrative framework.
