President Droupadi Murmu Demands Fair, Transparent, Citizen-Friendly Tax Administration. Nagpur, April 15, 2026 - President Droupadi Murmu attended the valediction for the 78th batch of Indian Revenue Service (IRS – Income Tax) officer trainees at the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that the administration of taxation is driven by justice, dignity, transparency, and public trust. Speaking to the new IRS officers, President Murmu explained that every taxpayer’s Income Tax Return is “a story of hard work, aspiration, and enterprise.” The tax officer role goes beyond the implementation of tax law, and “the duty is to make sure that all citizens receive fair treatment.”
Referring to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the President recalled the principle in which, while a bee collects honey without harming flowers, the government is to collect taxes too but without imposing unnecessary burdens on citizens. She said that taxation is not just revenue for the state, but a bridge of trust between the state and its citizens. President Murmu celebrated India’s progress in direct tax collection in recent years, arguing that improved tax compliance demonstrates increasing confidence between citizens and the administration.
She characterized the enacted Income Tax Act, 2025, which kicks into force April 1, 2026, as a historically significant first step in the quest for a contemporary, simple, and transparent tax system. IRS officials are not merely tax collectors, she said, but also are protectors of the public’s trust, and enforcers of justice and impartiality. Technology-enabled systems, data analytics and artificial intelligence are driving tax administration that is more efficient, accessible and citizen-friendly, she said.
Drawing in the future potential to remain a potential challenge, the President cautioned officers to “prepare themselves for a complex future one shaped by the digital economy, more international transactions and new forms of tax evasion.”
Although advanced technology will be a tool, she reminded them that their service will always be rooted in integrity, ethics, and humanity. The ceremony was the culmination of training for the 78th batch of IRS officer trainees, who will serve on most of India’s network of tax administration agents. President Murmu urged them to maintain honesty, professionalism, and dedication to national service. The National Academy of Direct Taxes as India's top tax officer training programme still plays an essential leadership role in forming the ethics of future taxation and governance decision-makers.
