The overarching theme of the fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries is “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat.” Anchored in the Prime Minister’s vision of cooperative federalism, the conference aims to move beyond viewing India’s population merely as a demographic dividend and instead focus on developing citizens as productive, skilled and empowered human capital.
The deliberations will centre on identifying concrete strategies to strengthen education systems, enhance skilling initiatives and generate future-ready employment opportunities. The objective is to align policies and programmes across States and Union Territories with national development priorities, ensuring that growth is both inclusive and sustainable.
Extensive preparatory work has gone into the conference, with inputs from Central Ministries and Departments, NITI Aayog, States and Union Territories, and domain experts. The outcome is expected to be a common development agenda that can be translated into coordinated action on the ground.
Five Key Areas of Focus
Under the human capital framework, special emphasis will be placed on five critical areas identified for detailed discussion. These include Early Childhood Education, Schooling, Skilling, Higher Education, and Sports and Extracurricular Activities. Together, these sectors form the foundation of lifelong learning and workforce readiness.
Early Childhood Education will be examined as a crucial stage for cognitive and social development, while Schooling discussions will focus on learning outcomes and access. Skilling and Higher Education sessions are expected to address alignment with industry needs, employability and innovation.
The inclusion of Sports and Extracurricular Activities reflects a broader understanding of human capital development, recognising the role of physical fitness, creativity and holistic growth in shaping confident and capable citizens.
Special Sessions on Governance, Economy and Security
In addition to the core theme, six special sessions will be held on areas of strategic importance. These include Deregulation in States, Technology in Governance with a focus on opportunities, risks and mitigation, and AgriStack for smart supply chains and market linkages.
Other sessions will deliberate on the concept of “One State, One World Class Tourist Destination,” aimed at boosting tourism-led growth, as well as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swadeshi initiatives to strengthen domestic manufacturing and self-reliance.
A dedicated session on plans for a post-Left Wing Extremism (LWE) future will also be held, reflecting the government’s focus on development, governance and long-term stability in affected regions.
Focused Deliberations Beyond Formal Sessions
The conference will also feature focused discussions over meals on two important themes: Heritage and Manuscript Preservation and Digitisation, and Ayush for All – Integrating Knowledge in Primary Healthcare Delivery. These informal yet structured interactions are designed to encourage free exchange of ideas and best practices among participants.
Such sessions reflect the expanding scope of governance discussions, linking cultural preservation and traditional knowledge systems with modern policy frameworks and service delivery.
Strengthening Centre–State Partnership
The National Conference of Chief Secretaries has been organised annually for the past four years. The first conference was held in Dharamshala in June 2022, followed by editions in New Delhi in January 2023, December 2023 and December 2024.
Over time, the forum has evolved into a cornerstone of Centre–State collaboration, enabling senior administrators to share best practices, address challenges and align their efforts with national goals. Chief Secretaries, senior officials from all States and Union Territories, and domain experts will participate in this year’s conference.