New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee Friday asked a visiting group of IAS probationers to carry out their duties by paying "special attention" to the vulnerable sections of the society.

Addressing the group of 183 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) probationers -- that also included three officer trainees from the Royal Bhutan Civil Services -- at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mukherjee said the young officers will have a "definitive role" in steering the destiny of the nation for the next three decades and more.

"Over the years, the nation's growth has witnessed enormous expansion and transformation. As the young officers progress in their career, they will have newer challenges. To deal with them effectively, they must be proactive, innovative and responsive," Mukherjee said.

The president said a vast multitude of people in the country expect the young officers to deliver and advised them to "carry out their duties by paying special attention to the vulnerable sections of the society".

He also asked them to remember the mantra of Mahatma Gandhi of thinking about the effects of your actions on the poor and weak sections of the society whenever in doubt.

The probationers are in Delhi to attend the training at Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training Feb 14-20.