On the occasion of the 17th Civil Services Day, to be observed on April 21, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration to two IAS officers from Madhya Pradesh—Dr Rahul Haridas, former Collector of Barwani district, and Neha Meena, Collector of Jhabua district.
According to official sources, Dr Rahul Haridas is being recognized in the "Holistic Development of Districts" category for his exceptional implementation of key national flagship programs in Barwani. Neha Meena will receive the award under the "Aspirational Blocks Programme" category for her impactful work in Jhabua, a district identified for focused development.
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are conferred to acknowledge outstanding and innovative contributions made by civil servants at the Centre, State, and District levels. The initiative is aimed at promoting good governance and encouraging administrative innovation and accountability across India.
Each award consists of a trophy, a scroll, and a financial incentive of Rs 20 lakh to the awarded district or organization. This amount is intended for use in public welfare initiatives, project implementation, or to bridge resource gaps in development programs.
To ensure wider participation, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) conducted extensive outreach campaigns involving central ministries, state governments, and district administrations. They were encouraged to submit nominations through the dedicated portal https://pmawards.gov.in for the 2023 cycle of the awards.
Award-winning initiatives are later featured on national platforms such as the "Abhinav Pahal" series broadcast on Sansad TV, the National Good Governance Webinar Series, and regional governance conferences held in state capitals to showcase exemplary administrative practices. This prestigious recognition not only celebrates administrative excellence but also reinforces the commitment of civil servants to transformative governance and citizen-centric development.
