Will Narendra Modi be able to motivate India's vast bureaucracy?

He said bureaucracy comprised millions of people working in central and state governments at various levels and sometimes even top bureaucrats in states feel demoralized. "The central government has to make the all India services feel that they (central service officers) belong to them."

Former home secretary R.K. Singh, who is now a BJP MP from Arrah in Bihar, said steps being taken by the prime minister will help boost the morale of officers.

"The officers need to be told that they have space to work. They (can) say what they feel is correct and do what they feel is correct and they will be backed up. That is the most basic requirement for the system," Singh said.

A former water secretary, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Modi's dialogue with the top civil servants will tone up the administration.

"The layers of decision-making will be reduced. The assurance given by the prime minister that he will protect them is a great assurance. They will work within the rules without fear," the official told IANS.

He said that major challenge for the government was to bring greater efficiency in the work of employees at various levels in government.

"Ninety-nine percent employees are in middle level or below. The challenge is to motivate them. Motivating top levels may not be a problem," he said.