New Delhi: India celebrates national Civil Services Day every year on April 21, the day Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel inaugurated All India Services back in 1947 as the Home Member of Parliament. This day India's first home minister addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi. PM Modi took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to praise the steel structure of India. The phrase first used by Sardar Patel to describe what Civil Servants mean to India.

"I appreciate their efforts in ensuring India successfully defeats COVID-19. They are working round the clock, assisting those in need and ensuring everyone is healthy" said PM Modi. Prime Minister also paid tribute to Sardar Patel in his tweet and shared a part of his speech delivered on Civil Services Day in 2018. "On Civil Services Day, tributes to the great Sardar Patel, who envisioned our administrative framework and emphasised on building a system that is progress-oriented and compassionate," he said.

Today, on Civil Services Day I convey greetings to all Civil Servants and their families.

I appreciate their efforts in ensuring India successfully defeats COVID-19. They are working round the clock, assisting those in need and ensuring everyone is healthy.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2020

The unprecedented crisis that the country is facing today has seen these all India officers battling as the front line force, showing why these officers are called the 'steel frame of India'. President Ramnath Kovind also greeted all India officers on Twitter. "On Civil Services Day, greetings to all civil servants, past and present, and their families. Our civil services have played a key role in implementing policies and programs for public welfare", wrote the president.

On Civil Services Day, greetings to all civil servants, past and present, and their families. Our civil services have played a key role in implementing policies and programs for public welfare.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 21, 2020

All India services consist of the elite Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police services (IPS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS) along with central Group A and group B services. On the occasion of Civil Services day, 'Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration' is also given away each year which has been deferred this year due to COVID-19 pandemic.