Conference Overview
Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries in New Delhi. The three-day conference commenced on December 26, 2025. It aimed to strengthen structured and continuous dialogue between the Centre and States for long-term national development.
The conference reaffirmed the importance of cooperative and competitive federalism. It focused on implementation-oriented governance rather than political deliberations. Senior officials from the Union Government and all States and Union Territories participated.
Static GK fact: The Chief Secretary is the highest-ranking civil servant in a State and acts as the administrative head of the State government.
National Conference of Chief Secretaries
The National Conference of Chief Secretaries is a high-level administrative forum. It serves as a platform to review policy execution, share governance innovations, and identify implementation bottlenecks. The emphasis remains on outcomes, accountability, and inter-governmental coordination.
Unlike legislative forums, the conference promotes administrative best practices. States are encouraged to adopt successful models implemented elsewhere. This approach strengthens policy convergence while respecting regional diversity.
Static GK Tip: Cooperative federalism in India is reflected through institutions like the Inter-State Council and NITI Aayog.
Theme Human Capital for Viksit Bharat
The central theme of the fifth edition was Human Capital for Viksit Bharat. It highlighted that sustainable development depends on educated, skilled, healthy, and empowered citizens. Human capital was positioned as the core driver of India’s long-term growth.
The discussions aligned governance priorities with demographic realities. India’s young population was viewed as an asset that requires strategic investment in education, health, and skills to remain productive.
Static GK fact: India is expected to enjoy a demographic dividend until the mid-2040s due to its youthful population structure.
Focus Areas Under Human Capital
Five core areas were prioritised under the human capital framework. Early Childhood Education was emphasised as the foundation for cognitive development. School education focused on quality learning outcomes and reduced dropout rates.
Skilling received attention to bridge the gap between education and employability. Higher education discussions revolved around research, innovation, and global competitiveness. Sports and extracurricular activities were recognised for holistic personality development and social inclusion.
Special Sessions and Governance Reforms
Six thematic sessions addressed emerging governance priorities. Deregulation in States aimed at reducing compliance burdens and improving ease of doing business. Technology in governance explored digital service delivery while addressing cybersecurity and data protection risks.
The AgriStack session focused on digital agriculture, smart supply chains, and farmer-centric market access. One State One World Class Tourist Destination sought to boost tourism-led local economies.
Discussions on Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swadeshi balanced self-reliance with global competitiveness. A dedicated session on a Post-Left Wing Extremism Future highlighted the shift from security-centric approaches to development-led strategies.
Static GK fact: Left Wing Extremism in India is primarily associated with Naxalite-Maoist movements concentrated in central and eastern regions.
Significance of the Conference
The conference strengthens Centre–State coordination in implementing national priorities. It ensures alignment between central schemes and state-level capacities. The emphasis on human capital directly links governance reforms to people-centric development.
By promoting shared learning, the forum enhances administrative efficiency. It reinforces the idea that India’s development journey requires collaborative governance across all levels.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries:
| Topic | Detail |
| Conference Name | Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries |
| Chairperson | Prime Minister of India |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Start Date | December 26, 2025 |
| Core Theme | Human Capital for Viksit Bharat |
| Key Participants | Chief Secretaries of States and UTs |
| Governance Focus | Deregulation, technology, cooperative federalism |
| Development Focus | Education, skilling, sports, inclusive growth |
