Overview On 23 NOV 2025 , the Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan , addressed civil services officer trainees at the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN) in Palasamudram, Andhra Pradesh. The address focused on the crucial role of civil servants in building a Viksit Bharat @2047 , emphasizing the importance of tax compliance, and continuous capacity building. Key Highlights Viksit Bharat @2047: Civil servants play a vital role in realizing this vision. GST: Highlighted as a landmark reform that streamlined India’s indirect tax system. Tax Evasion: Emphasized the need to curb tax evaders and enforce laws effectively. Team Excellence: Urged officers to aim for ‘team excellence’ rather than merely ‘individual excellence’. IGOT Karmayogi: Recognized as an excellent platform for capacity building. Key Developments Inauguration and Significance of NACIN The Vice-President recalled the inauguration of the newly constructed NACIN premises at Palasamudram by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2024 . He noted that NACIN has emerged as a premier institution at the heart of capacity-building for India’s Customs and GST administration. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Anniversary Addressing the trainee officers, he highlighted the special significance of the year as the nation celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel —the Father of the All-India Services. He said Sardar Patel’s visionary leadership laid the foundation for transforming colonial India into a strong, Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat . Role of UPSC The Vice-President commended the Union Public Service Commission , which will mark its centenary in 2026 , describing it as a “guardian of merit, integrity, and fairness” in civil services recruitment. Inclusive Development The Vice President stressed the need for inclusive development. He said both wealth creation and wealth distribution are equally important, and highlighted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has placed strong emphasis on both wealth creation and wealth distribution for national progress. GST and Tax Compliance The Vice-President described GST as a landmark reform that has streamlined the country’s indirect tax system. He emphasised that tax evaders must be curbed and punished, stating that laws are enacted for the betterment of society and the nation. The law of the land must be enforced, he said, adding that this responsibility lies in the hands of officials. Vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 Speaking on the role of civil servants in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 , he said the nation’s development journey has been centred around last-mile delivery and inclusive growth. Team Excellence and Upskilling He encouraged probationers to prioritise team excellence over individual excellence, noting that institutions and nations are built through collective effort. He noted that the world is changing rapidly, and technology evolves every day, and therefore officers must upskill themselves to meet emerging requirements. He encouraged officers to embrace emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, and Blockchain for improved transparency and governance. He highlighted IGOT Karmayogi as an “excellent platform” for capacity-building anytime, anywhere. Concluding Remarks Concluding his address, the Vice-President acknowledged the immense hard work of the probationers, noting that out of nearly 12 lakh UPSC aspirants, only about 1,000 are selected each year. He said that out of 140 crore people, they now hold a rare opportunity to bring meaningful change to society. “With great power comes great responsibility,” he reminded them, urging them to use this opportunity in the service of the nation. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant for GS Paper 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice) and GS Paper 3 (Economy) . It highlights the role of civil servants in achieving national goals and the importance of economic reforms like GST. The emphasis on ethics and integrity is relevant for GS Paper 4 . Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Understand the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and the role of civil servants in achieving it. Analyze the impact of GST on the Indian economy. Recognize the importance of ethical conduct and integrity in public service. Familiarize yourself with platforms like IGOT Karmayogi for capacity building.