Srinagar, May 9 -- The government's decision to mandate competency-linked courses for all central employees marks a significant shift in how public service is envisioned in a rapidly changing world. For decades, bureaucratic structures have relied on seniority and tenure as the primary markers of growth and appraisal. But today, when technology, governance models, and societal expectations evolve at breakneck speed, adaptability and continuous learning are no longer optional; they are essential. By embedding annual training into the very fabric of performance appraisal, the government is signalling that skill upgradation is as critical as experience, and that employees must remain agile to meet the demands of modern administration.

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