On April 2, 2026, Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan announced that future leadership in India's civil services will increasingly depend on competence rather than just seniority. He explained that while seniority may facilitate career advancement, true leadership roles require the ability to deliver results. This statement was made during the 'Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah', a national learning initiative launched under Mission Karmayogi. The initiative aims to enhance the capabilities, commitment, and citizen-centric focus of public servants across India. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, supported this view, noting the evolution of capacity building from rigid, rules-based training to a more flexible, continuous learning approach. He emphasized the importance of transitioning from rules-based governance to roles-based governance, where competencies and service orientation are key.