In a landmark effort to strengthen ethical governance in public services, the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS) — the apex training academy of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) — hosted a special session on ethics and core values for more than 30 newly promoted Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners (APFCs).

Organised in collaboration with the IC Centre for Governance (ICCfG), the training aimed to cultivate a deep understanding of ethical leadership among the officers, each of whom brings over two decades of service experience to their new role.

In his address, Kumar Rohit, Director of PDUNASS, emphasised EPFO’s unwavering commitment to institutional values and ethical conduct. He highlighted the organisation’s ongoing digital transformation — particularly its transition to a paperless environment through the e-Office platform — as a reflection of its focus on transparency, efficiency and accountability in service delivery.

The sessions were led by senior members of ICCfG, who shared thoughtful perspectives on the principles and practical applications of ethics in governance. Rajiv Sachdeva, a core group member of ICCfG, explained the distinction between societal expectations and ethical action: “Morals are the standards society expects from us, but ethics are the actions we exhibit.”

Professor Sunil Kumar encouraged the officers to reflect on their individual contributions to nation-building and the role of ethical service in the organisation’s success. He urged them to carry out their responsibilities with ‘Seva Bhav’ — the spirit of selfless service that forms the core of public administration.

The interactive sessions also featured insights from Vinod K. Maurya of ICCfG and were coordinated by Ram Anand, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I, along with his committed team, who played a key role in ensuring the success of the programme.

This collaboration between PDUNASS and ICCfG highlights a strategic effort to nurture leadership within EPFO that is not only technically proficient but also ethically grounded. The sessions concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among the participants, reinforcing the message that ethical leadership is essential to building a transparent, accountable and citizen-focused governance framework.