The Vice-President of India and President of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today addressed the 72nd Annual Meeting of the General Body of the Indian Institute of Public Administration in New Delhi. Union Minister and Chairman of the IIPA Executive Council, Dr. Jitendra Singh; Director General, IIPA, Dr. Surendra Kumar Bagde; members of the General Body and Executive Council; faculty members; representatives of Regional and Local Branches; and other dignitaries attended the meeting.
Vice-President of India and President of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today addressed the 72nd Annual General Body Meeting of IIPA in New Delhi. The Vice-President called for citizen-centric governance, better coordination across all levels of administration, a balanced approach to economic growth and environmental sustainability. He urged IIPA to prepare civil servants for the challenges of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Union Minister and Chairman of the IIPA Executive Council, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Director General, IIPA, Dr. Surendra Kumar Bagde, members of the General Body and Executive Council, faculty members, representatives of Regional and Local Branches, officers and staff of the Institute and other distinguished guests attended the meeting. @DrJitendraSingh
Highlighting the significance of the occasion coinciding with Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Vice-President paid tribute to the Iron Man of India, describing him as the architect of India’s political integration, who united hundreds of princely states into one nation.
The Vice-President appreciated the significant institutional reforms undertaken by IIPA during 2026, including the redesigned 52nd Advanced Professional Programme, the structured Internship Programme and the engagement of officers from the Central Civil Services and Central Civil Accounts Service. He observed that these initiatives had strengthened the Institute’s administrative and financial architecture. He also commended Dr. Jitendra Singh for his guidance and support and appreciated the Director General, faculty and staff for their efforts in advancing IIPA as a premier institution for public administration.
Observing that public administration was at a critical juncture, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that governance today was increasingly expected to be faster, citizen-centric, technology-enabled, data-driven and outcome-oriented. The Vice-President emphasised that good governance should not be measured merely by economic growth but also by its impact on people's happiness, living standards and overall well-being.
Highlighting India's progress in poverty reduction, the Vice-President noted that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi over the past 12 years, more than 25 crore people had been brought out of poverty. He described this as a significant achievement reflecting the impact of sustained efforts towards inclusive development and improved living standards. He reiterated that the ultimate objective of governance must be to ensure that economic progress translates into dignity, security and better opportunities for every citizen.
The Vice-President stressed that effective public administration required seamless coordination among the Central Government, State Governments and district-level administration. He said that governance could deliver meaningful results only when different levels of administration worked together with a shared vision and common purpose.
The Vice-President emphasised the need for a balanced and pragmatic approach towards environmental protection and economic development. He stressed that natural resources must be utilised judiciously for the betterment of people while ensuring environmental sustainability.
The Vice-President urged IIPA to focus its work on the changing role of civil services in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. He observed that India’s administrative structures had largely evolved when the country was predominantly rural and agriculture was the principal source of livelihood. However, with the country undergoing rapid transformation, administrative systems must also be reoriented to address emerging realities. He urged IIPA to take the lead in this important endeavour and prepare the next generation of civil servants.
Concluding his address, the Vice-President observed that IIPA had a significant responsibility in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047. He called upon IIPA and its members to work collectively towards ensuring that India’s governance framework remained responsive, inclusive, ethical and future-ready.
During the occasion, the Vice-President also conferred the Paul H. Appleby Award, the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Award for Academic Excellence, and the Best IIPA Branches Awards at the 72nd Annual General Body Meeting, recognising distinguished contributions to the Indian Institute of Public Administration and the field of public administration.
“Good governance requires teamwork, coordination, and a common purpose.” : Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the General Body of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi https://t.co/19h7fqy5qm