The Indian government has directed Central Secretaries to prioritize training their in-house officers in specialized skills rather than relying on external consultants. This directive follows a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 22, as reported by The Indian Express.

According to indianexpress.com, Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan issued a communication to all Secretaries outlining key action points from the Prime Minister’s interaction. Among these, a significant emphasis was placed on upskilling government staff in critical areas such as preparing tender documents, drafting legislation, and managing dispute resolution mechanisms. The goal is to reduce dependence on private consulting firms for these tasks.

Somanathan highlighted the importance of continuous capacity building within government departments. He stated that such measures are essential to meet the future demands and objectives of Viksit Bharat, the government’s vision for a developed India. Additionally, he stressed the need for early discussions among stakeholder ministries before finalizing Cabinet proposals to prevent delays and ensure smooth implementation.

The shift away from hiring external consultants marks a notable change in government operations. Several ministries and departments have historically relied on firms like McKinsey, Ernst & Young, PwC, and Deloitte for specialized services. For instance, in July of last year, Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani informed the Lok Sabha that his ministry had engaged 362 consultants to support coordination with state and union territory governments, allowing officers to focus on core policy matters.

Data from July 25, 2025, revealed that the Department of Rural Development had hired 325 consultants, while the Department of Land Resources had engaged 37. These consultants were sourced through institutions, autonomous bodies, and public sector enterprises. Earlier, in July 2017, Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh disclosed that NITI Aayog had contracted Ernst & Young to promote public-private partnerships in infrastructure across states. Similar engagements have been reported in other sectors, including health, education, and consumer affairs.

For further details, read the full report on The Indian Express.