Exercise authority with humility: President Murmu urges IRS officers

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday highlighted the importance of humility, prudence, and constitutional values for Indian Revenue Service officers, urging them to balance enforcement with facilitation in tax administration.

Authority with humility and restraint

Addressing officers of the 79th batch of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Murmu stressed that the authority entrusted to IRS officers must be exercised with humility, restraint, and fairness. She emphasised that officers should make decisions that are just, efficient, and grounded in a deep understanding of business processes.

“A prudent officer balances enforcement with facilitation, authority with humility, and technological capability with human sensitivity,” she said, noting that such an approach strengthens citizen trust and compliance.

Beyond tax collection: A broader mandate

Murmu highlighted that the role of IRS officers goes beyond merely collecting taxes. Officers are tasked with analysing complex financial transactions, tracing illicit cross-border flows, and uncovering intricate corporate structures. These responsibilities make them essential partners in achieving the nation’s goal of Viksit Bharat.

She added that a fair and transparent tax system fosters equity and lays the foundation for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Adapting to a transforming economy

Noting India’s rapid industrialisation, formalisation, digitisation, and urbanisation, the President said these processes present both opportunities and challenges for tax administration. Officers now engage with global institutions and treaty partners, making professional competence and integrity critical for upholding India’s credibility in international tax governance.

Direct tax collections have shown remarkable growth in recent years, reflecting improved systems, expanding formalisation, and growing taxpayer trust.

Technology-driven administration

President Murmu praised initiatives like NUDGE (Non-Intrusive Usage of Data to Guide and Enable), which aim to strengthen trust, reduce litigation, and promote responsible compliance. She urged officers to leverage AI, data mining, and risk-based verification systems to make tax administration more transparent, fair, and citizen-centric.

She also highlighted that this batch of IRS officers will be the first to study and implement the new Income Tax Act, 2025, underlining their role in upholding the rule of law.

Concluding her address, Murmu reminded officers that through diligence, prudence, and commitment to public service, they can strengthen citizens’ trust in the system and safeguard resources vital to the country’s development.
(With PTI inputs)