New Delhi, September 30: Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan today interacted with probationers of the Indian Defence Estates Service (2025 Batch) at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, and called upon them to make the best use of the opportunity to serve the nation, with dedication, integrity and a strong sense of public responsibility.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan interacted with Indian Defence Estates Service probationers (2025 Batch) at Uprashtrapati Bhavan today. He urged them to serve with integrity, firmness and a strong sense of responsibility while safeguarding defence assets and advancing citizen-centric governance.
Emphasising that technology can strengthen accountability but cannot replace it, the Vice-President advised the young officers to never yield to pressure and stressed upon continuous learning, ethical conduct and sincere public service.
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) September 30, 2026
The Vice-President noted that many of them come from smaller towns, demonstrating that dedication and hard work can overcome perceived barriers. He urged them to take pride in their achievement while remaining conscious of the responsibility entrusted to them as public servants.
Highlighting the vital mandate of the Defence Estates Organisation to manage nearly 18 lakh acres of defence land across the country, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that this responsibility involves safeguarding national assets, providing civic amenities, facilitating defence infrastructure and supporting the operational readiness of the Armed Forces.
The Vice-President appreciated the Organisation’s steps towards digital governance, particularly the e-Chhawani initiative, which has strengthened smart governance and integrated public service delivery in cantonments. He said that emerging technologies, including AI, GIS, drone surveys, satellite imagery, automated change detection and 3-D visualisation, can significantly enhance the accuracy, transparency and efficiency of defence land management.
Emphasising that technology must be accompanied by human responsibility, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said, “Technology should strengthen accountability, not replace it.” He urged the probationers to remain firm in discharging their duties, observing that technology may fail, but an officer’s sense of responsibility and firmness should not.
Referring to the rapidly changing technological and scientific landscape, the Vice-President called upon the young officers to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills. He highlighted iGOT Karmayogi as an important platform for continuous capacity building and encouraged the probationers to remain receptive to new ideas and innovations.
Quoting the celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that learning acquires true meaning only when it is reflected in conduct. He stressed that knowledge of laws, procedures and governance frameworks must be complemented by character, kindness, integrity and ethical conduct. He also advised the young officers to obey their seniors while remaining independent of undue pressure, and to ensure timely disposal of files.
The Vice-President said that civil servants have a crucial role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, particularly by ensuring inclusive development and taking governance to the last mile. He urged the probationers to give their best in every responsibility entrusted to them, saying that sincere service to the people is itself the greatest measure of public service.
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, and senior officers of the Indian Defence Estates Service were present on the occasion.
