Officer Trainees of the 2025 batch of the Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES), undergoing training at the National Institute of Defence Estates Management (NIDEM), called on Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on August 17, 2026.
During the interaction, the Raksha Mantri highlighted the important role played by the Defence Estates Department in the management of defence land and the municipal administration of Cantonment Boards across the country.
Rajnath Singh emphasised that public servants have a crucial responsibility in responding to the evolving aspirations and expectations of citizens. He urged the officer trainees to approach their duties with utmost ‘Seva Bhav’ and ensure that government services are delivered in a people-friendly and responsive manner.
The Raksha Mantri advised the budding officers to maintain regular interaction with citizens and listen carefully to their grievances. He stressed that direct engagement with people would help officers better understand their concerns and enable them to provide effective solutions while instilling a sense of trust and assurance.
Highlighting the importance of personal well-being for public servants, Rajnath Singh also urged the officer trainees to pay equal attention to their physical and mental health. He encouraged them to follow a spiritual path and practise meditation as part of maintaining balance and resilience in their professional and personal lives.
The interaction provided the trainees an opportunity to gain insights into the responsibilities and expectations associated with public service, particularly in the specialised field of defence estates management.
Director General Defence Estates Shobha Gupta was also present during the interaction.
The engagement underscored the importance of professional excellence, citizen-centric administration and a strong sense of public service among the next generation of officers responsible for managing defence estates and supporting cantonment administration across India.
