Alumni Talk by Jagjit Puri, IAS (Retd.) on “Relevance of Public Administration in Civil Services: Bridging Theory and Practice”
The Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh, today organised an Alumni Talk on the theme “Relevance of Public Administration in Civil Services: Bridging Theory and Practice”. The session was delivered by Jagjit Puri, IAS (Retd.), a distinguished alumnus of the Department and a seasoned administrator with decades of experience in public service.
City Air News
Oct 28, 2025 11:27
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Chandigarh, October 28, 2025: The Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh, today organised an Alumni Talk on the theme “Relevance of Public Administration in Civil Services: Bridging Theory and Practice”. The session was delivered by Jagjit Puri, IAS (Retd.), a distinguished alumnus of the Department and a seasoned administrator with decades of experience in public service.
Drawing from his vast administrative experience, Puri spoke on how foundational concepts of Public Administration like policy formulation, bureaucratic accountability, ethics in administration, and people-centric governance play a crucial role in the effective functioning of the civil services. He reflected on his own journey as a civil servant, illustrating how academic grounding in Public Administration shaped his approach to leadership, decision-making, and citizen engagement. He emphasised the boundaries of public administration and the role of the state as a regulator of growth and its direction. He highlighted contemporary corruption cases that have eroded public trust and integrity. In this respect, he recalled the implementation of e-filing and the path towards transparency. There is a need for a shift in administration towards greater representation of the public and for students and practitioners to demonstrate natural justice.
Jagjit Puri also interacted with the students and provided insights into civil service interviews. The talk was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session, where M.A. students and Ph.D. research scholars interacted with the speaker on diverse themes.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Dr. Bhawna Gupta, Chairperson of the Department, extended a warm welcome to Puri and highlighted the significance of connecting classroom learning with administrative realities. She emphasised that such interactions with accomplished alumni serve as an inspiration for students aspiring to contribute to governance and public policy.
