Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addresses IAS Officer Tainees of 2024 batch at LBSNAA,Mussoorie

On August 20, 2026, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan addressed the valedictory programme of Phase-II training for the 2024 batch of IAS officer trainees at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie — the premier training institution for India's civil servants since its establishment in 1959. This event marks a critical milestone in the journey of 180-odd young officers who have cleared one of the world's most competitive examinations (UPSC Civil Services Examination) and are now transitioning from classroom learning to field administration. The Vice-President's address carries particular weight as he serves as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha under Article 64 of the Constitution and represents the second-highest constitutional office, embodying the continuity of India's democratic framework. The 41% women representation in the 2024 batch is not merely a statistical achievement but a profound reflection of societal transformation. This figure represents a dramatic increase from the early decades post-Independence when women constituted less than 5% of civil service intakes. The trend aligns with constitutional guarantees under Articles 14 (equality before law), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 16 (equality of opportunity in public employment), as well as the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) that mandated 33% reservation for women in local bodies — creating a pipeline of women leaders. The Vice-President's characterization of this as "Nari Shakti" connects to the government's broader women-led development agenda, exemplified by schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (2015), Ujjwala Yojana (2016), and the recent Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Bill, 2023) reserving 33% seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The Vice-President's emphasis on emerging technologies — Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, and Blockchain — reflects the Digital India programme's evolution since its 2015 launch. These technologies directly address governance challenges: AI/ML for predictive analytics in agriculture (PM-KISAN, soil health cards), NLP for multilingual citizen grievance redressal (CPGRAMS 7.0), and blockchain for land records (SVAMITVA scheme) and supply chain transparency (PDS). The National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NITI Aayog, 2018) and the IndiaAI Mission (2024, ₹10,372 crore) provide the policy framework. For young officers, technological fluency is no longer optional — it's essential for delivering on the "minimum government, maximum governance" mantra. The call for "Sevabhav and Kartavyabodh" (spirit of service and sense of duty) as guiding principles echoes the constitutional philosophy of public service as a public trust. Article 311 provides safeguards for civil servants, but the corresponding duty is articulated in the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. The emphasis on team excellence over individual achievement addresses a persistent structural challenge: India's district administration often operates in silos (revenue, police, development, health). The Vice-President's reference to "carrying forward good practices established by predecessors" highlights the importance of institutional memory — a key theme in the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) reports (2005-2009), particularly the 10th Report on "Refurbishing of Personnel Administration." The Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision — targeting a developed India by the centenary of Independence — requires last-mile delivery across 766 districts, 6.4 lakh villages, and 4,000+ urban local bodies. The Vice-President's stress on character and integrity as foundations of public service resonates with the "steel frame" metaphor coined by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (whose statue the VP paid tribute to) for the All India Services under Article 312. Patel envisioned civil servants as the binding force of India's federal unity. Today, that role extends to implementing cooperative federalism (GST Council, Inter-State Council under Article 263), managing climate commitments (Panchamrit targets at COP26), and navigating geopolitical complexities. Future implications are significant: this batch will serve through the critical 2027-2047 period. They will implement the 16th Finance Commission recommendations (2026-31), manage urbanization (50% urban population by 2047), and operationalize the National Education Policy 2020 outcomes. Their ability to blend constitutional values with technological competence, gender sensitivity with administrative efficiency, and individual integrity with collective leadership will determine whether Viksit Bharat remains a slogan or becomes reality. As the Vice-President urged: transforming lives in the remotest corners — that remains the ultimate test of India's civil services.