From Delhi’s Corridors to Brussels’ Hall

He transformed India’s premier hospital into a digital pioneer, preserved history through modern archives, and built the world’s largest grievance redressal system. Today, V. Srinivas has carried that reformist spirit onto the world stage. As the first Indian elected President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), the 1989-batch IAS officer now embodies a new era — one where India’s governance innovations inspire and shape global standards, writes JP Gupta

For the first time in its 96-year history, the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) is being led by an Indian. On June 3, 2025, V. Srinivas — a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre — was elected President of IIAS with a commanding 61.7% of the vote. His victory is not just personal triumph but a defining moment for India’s emergence as a global thought leader in governance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally nominated Srinivas, signaling India’s intent to shape global benchmarks in governance and administrative reform. His win over Austria’s Dr. Alexander Balthazar cements India’s stature as not merely a participant, but a frontrunner, in global public administration.

The Reformist in India’s Corridors of Power
From the Secretariat in Delhi to the global stage in Brussels, Srinivas’s journey has been marked by a steady, reform-driven approach. He has the distinction of being the longest-serving Secretary at the Centre, leading the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) since December 2021.
At DARPG, he transformed CPGRAMS into the world’s largest citizen grievance redressal platform — now recommended for adoption across 56 Commonwealth countries. He pushed e-Office from pilot stage to a full-scale digital backbone of the Central Secretariat, embodying the “Maximum Governance, Minimum Government” vision.
Walk into DARPG today and you’ll find a command centre tracking citizen complaints in real time, with AI dashboards predicting resolution timelines. This is Srinivas’s stamp: governance that is measurable in speed, scale, and citizen satisfaction.

A Global Vision for IIAS
As President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the 2025–2028 term, V. Srinivas has laid out an ambitious roadmap that blends innovation with inclusivity. At the heart of his agenda is the establishment of a Global Digital Governance Hub, a platform to research, document, and share best practices in public sector innovation. The hub is envisioned as a space where countries can learn from one another’s successes and challenges, accelerating the adoption of citizen-first digital solutions.
Srinivas also aims to make IIAS “digitally agile, publications-rich, and resource-strong,” ensuring that the institution keeps pace with the demands of a rapidly evolving world. His vision goes beyond digital transformation alone. He wants IIAS to serve as a bridge between the Global North and South, fostering a more equitable exchange of knowledge and strengthening collaboration across regions with diverse governance traditions.
For India, this presidency opens new doors. Flagship initiatives such as Digital India, PM GatiShakti, and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission can be showcased on an international platform, while India simultaneously gains from global expertise in sustainability, decentralised governance, and citizen engagement. Srinivas’s leadership signals a future where India’s governance reforms inform, and are informed by, the world.

About IIAS
Established in 1930 and headquartered in Brussels, the IIAS is a leading international body committed to advancing scientific research, best practices, and comparative studies in public administration. It brings together over 30 member countries, 20 national sections, and several academic institutions, serving as a forum for knowledge exchange and policy dialogue on good governance. India has been a member since 1998 and hosted the IIAS General Assembly for the first time in New Delhi earlier in 2025, signifying its growing engagement with the international administrative community.

Global Vision as IIAS President (2025–2028)

Establish a Global Digital Governance Hub.
Bridge the North-South divide through collaboration.
Position IIAS as digitally agile, publications-rich, and resource-strong.
Promote inclusivity, innovation, and resilience in global public administration.