**Executive Summary**
On April 15, 2026, President Smt Droupadi Murmu addressed the valediction ceremony for the 78th batch of Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Officer Trainees in Nagpur. The address highlighted the commencement of the Income Tax Act, 2025, on April 1, 2026, as a milestone toward a simplified tax regime. The primary action item for new officers is the accurate, transparent, and fair implementation of this new legislative framework.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Legislative and Economic Context**
* The Income Tax Act, 2025, became effective on April 1, 2026, aiming to create a modern, simplified, and transparent tax system.
* India has seen sustained growth in direct tax collection, signaling improved compliance, an expanded tax base, and increased trust between citizens and the administration.
**Roles and Responsibilities of IRS Officers**
* Officers are designated as "custodians of public trust" and "guardians of justice and fairness."
* Their role extends beyond tax collection to serving as pillars of economic progress, social justice, and good governance.
* The responsibility of IRS officers includes ensuring that all citizens, particularly the underprivileged, are treated with dignity.
**Professional Standards and Conduct**
* Professional conduct must integrate humility, restraint, and sensitivity.
* Decisions must be rooted in justice, transparency, and integrity to reinforce governance and national development.
* Officers are expected to adopt the highest standards of efficiency and an inclusive approach to support the goal of "Viksit Bharat."
**Impact Analysis**
**78th Batch of IRS Officer Trainees**
**Impact**
These officers are now the primary agents responsible for the implementation of the new Income Tax Act, 2025. They are expected to transition from being mere rule enforcers to becoming builders of public trust.
**Action Required**
Officers must ensure accurate and effective implementation of tax laws while maintaining high standards of integrity, sensitivity, and professional conduct.
**Indian Citizens and Taxpayers**
**Impact**
Citizens are transitioning into a more modern and transparent tax regime. There is an increased expectation of being treated with dignity and fairness by the administration, regardless of socio-economic status.
**Action Required**
Citizens are encouraged to maintain tax compliance and continue contributing to the nation's economic journey through hard work and enterprise.
**The Administrative System**
**Impact**
The system is under pressure to evolve toward the "Viksit Bharat" vision, requiring higher levels of transparency and inclusivity.
**Action Required**
Every institution associated with the administrative system must heighten its standards of efficiency and adopt an inclusive approach to governance.
Key Entities Referenced
Income Tax Act, 2025: A modern and simplified tax regime that came into effect on April 1, 2026, representing a significant reform in India's economic journey.
Indian Revenue Service (IRS): The central civil service responsible for direct tax administration, whose officers are tasked with ensuring tax compliance and expanding the tax base.
Droupadi Murmu: The President of India who addressed the 78th batch of IRS officer trainees, emphasizing their role in justice, transparency, and public trust.
National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur: The premier training institute in Maharashtra where the valediction ceremony for the 78th batch of IRS (Income Tax) trainees was held.
Viksit Bharat: The national vision for a developed India that the administrative system and IRS officers are expected to support through inclusive and efficient governance.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES THE
VALEDICTION CEREMONY OF THE 78TH BATCH
OF INDIAN REVENUE SERVICE (INCOME TAX)
OFFICER TRAINEES
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF IRS OFFICERS IS NOT MERELY
TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW, BUT ALSO TO
ENSURE THAT ALL CITIZENS, PARTICULARLY THOSE
BELONGING TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED SECTIONS OF
SOCIETY, ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND FAIRNESS:
PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
Posted On: 15 APR 2026 8:38PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the valediction ceremony of the 78th batch of Indian
Revenue Service (Income Tax) Officer Trainees at the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur,
Maharashtra today (April 15, 2026).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that in recent years, India's economic journey has been
remarkably dynamic and inspiring. The sustained growth in direct tax collection signals improved tax
compliance and an expansion of the tax base. It also reflects the growing trust between the citizens and the
administration. The Income Tax Act, 2025, which came into effect on April 1, 2026, marks a significantmilestone in this transformative journey. This reform represents a historic step towards a modern,
simplified and transparent tax regime. She underlined that its true success will be ensured solely through
its accurate, transparent and effective implementation and this critical responsibility rests upon the
shoulders of IRS officers.
The President said that the role of Indian Revenue Service officers is not limited merely to tax collection.
They are the custodians of public trust; they are the guardians of justice and fairness. They serve as pillars
of the country's economic progress, social justice and good governance. She reminded young officers to
always bear in mind that humility, restraint and sensitivity should be integral components of their
professional conduct. She said that their responsibility extends beyond enforcing rules; it also includes
strengthening public trust in the administrative system. She underlined that decisions rooted in justice,
transparency and integrity not only reinforce governance but also contribute significantly to the holistic
development of the nation and its citizens.The President said that behind every Income Tax Return filed by a citizen of the country lies a story of
hard work, aspiration and enterprise. The responsibility of IRS officers is not merely to ensure compliance
with the law, but also to ensure that all citizens, particularly those belonging to the underprivileged
sections of society, are treated with dignity and fairness.
The President said that today, our country is advancing at a rapid pace towards realizing the resolve of
Viksit Bharat. At such a juncture, the responsibility of the administrative system and every institution
associated with it is significantly heightened to adopt the highest standards of efficiency and transparency
and to function with an inclusive approach.Please click here to see the President's Speech-
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