NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing the fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries, a high-level three-day summit that began on December 26 and enters its most critical phase today, December 27, 2025. Held in the national capital, the conference serves as a cornerstone of “Cooperative Federalism,” bringing together the top administrative brass from every State and Union Territory to align on India’s long-term development trajectory.
Human Capital for Viksit Bharat
The overarching theme for this year’s conclave is “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat.” In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister emphasized a strategic shift in national policy: moving beyond viewing India’s massive population simply as a “demographic dividend” and instead treating every citizen as high-value human capital.
The goal is to create a unified roadmap that maximizes individual potential to drive the nation toward its goal of becoming a developed economy (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.
Five Pillars of Development
The deliberations over these two days are centered on five key pillars identified as essential for building a future-ready workforce:
- Early Childhood Education: Strengthening the foundations of learning for the youngest citizens.
- Schooling: Refining basic education and focusing on outcome-based learning.
- Skilling: Aligning vocational training with the needs of the emerging global economy.
- Higher Education: Fostering innovation, research, and global competitiveness in Indian universities.
- Sports and Extracurriculars: Promoting holistic development and a culture of physical fitness.
Special Sessions on Governance & Technology
Beyond education, the conference features six specialized sessions designed to solve modern administrative challenges: - Deregulation in States: Streamlining rules to improve the ease of doing business and attract investment.
- AgriStack: Implementing digital foundations for smart supply chains and better market linkages for farmers.
- Technology in Governance: Exploring the opportunities and mitigating the risks of AI and frontier technologies.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat & Swadeshi: Pushing for self-reliance in critical sectors.
- Post-LWE Future: Planning for development and stability in regions previously affected by Left-Wing Extremism.
A Collaborative Blueprint
This summit is the culmination of months of preparatory work, including over 150 physical and virtual workshops conducted by NITI Aayog and various central ministries. By breaking down the “silos” between the Centre and States, the conference ensures that the unique challenges of each region are represented in the national blueprint.As the summit concludes tomorrow, the outcomes are expected to form the agenda for the upcoming NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, where the Prime Minister will meet with State Chief Ministers to finalize these national priorities.