In a continued push towards cleaner, more efficient, and citizen-centric governance, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has released the 21st edition of its monthly ‘Secretariat Reforms’ report for April 2025. The report reflects the collective efforts of central ministries and departments to bring meaningful change to the everyday functioning of government offices through cleanliness drives, digitalization, and streamlined decision-making processes.
One of the most remarkable outcomes highlighted in the report is the impressive revenue of ₹2,879.13 crore earned from the sale of scrap since the launch of the Swachhata campaign in 2021. Between December 2024 and April 2025 alone, ₹515.08 crore was generated, showcasing the financial and environmental impact of responsible waste disposal. In April 2025, over 1.09 lakh outdated files were weeded out from 10,771 offices, freeing up approximately 4.35 lakh square feet of office space. The Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Coal emerged as key contributors to this cleanup initiative, underlining a strong commitment to sustainable office management.
The transformation goes beyond just physical spaces. Ministries such as Pharmaceuticals, Health, and Heavy Industries have turned once-cluttered premises into organized, welcoming environments, improving both efficiency and morale. At places like NIPER-Guwahati and CMTI-Bangalore, these efforts have made a visible difference, reaffirming that good governance often starts with clean and functional workspaces.
Digital initiatives have also gained significant momentum. The number of active decision-making steps for file processing has seen a drastic reduction—from an average of 7.19 in 2021 to just 4.17 in April 2025. The adoption of e-Office practices has reached new highs, with 94.24% of files and 94.54% of official receipts being processed electronically. Impressively, 40 ministries and departments achieved 100% e-File implementation, while 17 departments recorded 100% e-Receipt usage in April alone.
Public service responsiveness has also been a focus. In April 2025, over 6.42 lakh public grievances were addressed, along with 1,674 MP references and 535 state government references. These figures not only reflect administrative efficiency but also the government’s resolve to remain accessible and accountable to the people.
This edition of the Secretariat Reforms report is a strong testament to the spirit of progress, transparency, and digital empowerment that is steadily reshaping governance in India. It serves as a reminder that even routine administrative tasks—when approached with sincerity and purpose—can have a profound impact on public service delivery and national development.
