From IIT to IRS: A Visionary Talk with Shri Prabhat Kumar on AI, Innovation & Public Service

In the evolving landscape of technology, innovation, and public governance, a powerful narrative is emerging — one where individuals who combine technical excellence with public service vision are shaping India’s future. 

This idea comes alive in a compelling episode of Visionary Talks by VisionIAS, featuring Shri Prabhat Kumar, IRS (1994 batch), Principal Additional Director General, NASIN — India’s elite training academy for Indirect Taxes and Customs.

An alumnus of IIT and Chairman of Pan-IIT Alumni, Shri Prabhat Kumar embodies the seamless integration of innovation, resilience, and nation-building. His journey from a modest educational background to IIT, then to civil services, and now to leading transformative initiatives in public service is a testament to how technology and service orientation can converge to build a stronger nation.

From left: Shri Himanshu Khatri (Ex-IRS, Senior Faculty, VisionIAS) in conversation with Shri Prabhat Kumar (IRS, Principal Additional Director General, NACIN Mumbai & Chairman, Pan-IIT Alumni India) during Visionary Talk by VisionIAS.

Building Resilience: Lessons from IIT

Shri Kumar begins his talk with a powerful reminder: success in India is not defined by where one starts but by the resilience one builds. Coming from humble beginnings, he did not even know about IITs until Class 11. Yet, through hard work and perseverance, he made it to one of India’s most prestigious institutes.

“What IITs teach you,” he explains, “is resilience, frugality, innovation, and systems thinking. Wherever you are, you are a problem solver.”

This foundational approach, he believes, is what equips individuals to contribute meaningfully not only in the private sector but also in governance. IITs, in his words, “hard code” these attributes into students, preparing them to tackle complex real-world challenges.

Giving Back: The Pan-IIT Movement and Indus Valley Vision

Beyond his official role in government, Shri Kumar plays a significant leadership role in Pan-IIT, an umbrella organization that connects more than 2 lakh IIT alumni. He sees this platform as a way to “give back to the nation and the institutions” that shaped them.

“I may not have money to contribute,” he notes, “but I can give my time and vision.”

He envisions Pan-IIT as a think tank and a force multiplier — mobilizing alumni networks to build projects that can create systemic impact. One of his boldest ideas is “From Silicon Valley to Indus Valley” — a call to bring back talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial energy to India. This vision has resonated widely across the IIT community.

The Power of Networks: Pan-IIT as a Platform for Transformation

Under his leadership, Pan-IIT is working to:

• Build a granular alumni database to connect talent worldwide.
• Expand its footprint through social media platforms and digital engagement.
• Create a funding ecosystem for startups led by IITians.
• Develop a dedicated application and think tank to leverage collective alumni strength.

Shri Kumar believes that with the right institutional frameworks, IIT alumni networks can accelerate India’s technological and entrepreneurial growth.

Innovation in Governance: Embracing Emerging Technologies

The conversation takes a crucial turn toward emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Big Data, and Digital Public Infrastructure. Shri Kumar emphasizes that technological disruptions have always triggered apprehension — whether during the Industrial Revolution or the AI wave today.

But history shows that these disruptions create more opportunities than they displace.

He illustrates this through India’s digital transformation journey:

• The UPI revolution, which made payments frictionless.
• ONDC and Unified Lending Interface, which are opening new credit and commerce pathways.
• Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) and JAM trinity, which ensure inclusion at scale.

“With AI,” he explains, “we need to swim along the current, not against it. AI should be seen as a friend, not a competitor.”

Reskilling India for the AI Era

A particularly insightful part of the discussion revolves around reskilling. Shri Kumar acknowledges that while AI will transform job markets, strategic reskilling initiatives can convert this challenge into opportunity.

Pan-IIT is exploring ways to:

• Create reskilling programs for alumni and the wider population.
• Collaborate with government and private players to build institutional frameworks for skilling.
• Enable people to adapt to AI rather than be replaced by it.

A Case Study in Institutional Reform: Pan-IIT Online Elections

One of Shri Kumar’s notable initiatives was digitizing Pan-IIT Delhi alumni elections, which were earlier limited, manual, and prone to irregularities.

By introducing secure online elections, he expanded participation globally, overcame legal challenges, and demonstrated how technology can democratize institutional processes.

This experience, he believes, offers a template for future online electoral processes in India, especially with secure platforms like blockchain making such systems more robust and transparent.

AI and Tax Administration: Reimagining Governance Workflows

As Principal ADG of NASIN, Shri Kumar has also been at the forefront of integrating AI in GST administration.

“GST was always imagined as a digital tax,” he notes.

To make the system more robust, he advocates:

• Integrating databases across tax and enforcement agencies.
• Using AI-driven risk scoring to flag high-risk registrations.
• Enhancing inter-departmental coordination to curb fake invoicing and fraud.
• Moving from a “need to know” to a “need to share” approach.

Such integration, he argues, can save the government huge sums, increase transparency, and enhance trust in tax administration.

UPSC Aspirants and the Spirit of Service

Speaking directly to UPSC aspirants, Shri Kumar underscores that civil services require more than academic excellence — they demand service orientation, resilience, and emotional strength.

“Preparation is a seesaw battle,” he says. “Failures should not deter you. What matters is the mindset to serve.”

He also highlights the intrinsic value of UPSC preparation — as a means to deeply understand India’s history, culture, and identity. This, he believes, is empowering even for those who eventually choose non-governmental careers.

AI and Identity: A Future Forward

In closing, Shri Kumar reflects on how technological change and cultural identity must go hand in hand. He welcomes the inclusion of the Indian Knowledge System in education as a way to build national pride while embracing global innovation.

He also shares insights on how AI, when integrated with robust governance frameworks, can help India lead in emerging sectors — from digital finance to entrepreneurship.

“We must know where we belong. If we carry that pride forward with innovation and service, the sky is the limit.”

Watch the full Visionary Talk on YouTube 

About Visionary Talks

Visionary Talks by VisionIAS brings together leaders, innovators, and thinkers who are shaping India’s technological and governance landscape. These conversations explore how emerging technologies and public leadership can drive purposeful and responsible transformation in the years to come.

Conclusion: Technology, Talent & Trust

This episode of Visionary Talks offers more than a glimpse into one individual’s journey. It reveals a model of leadership for India’s future — where engineers, innovators, and civil servants collaborate to build resilient, tech-driven, value-grounded systems.

From advocating e-voting to integrating AI in tax systems, from mobilizing alumni networks to inspiring UPSC aspirants — Shri Prabhat Kumar’s vision blends innovation with service.

As India moves toward its vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, it will be visionary leaders and institutions that bridge the gap between technology and society.

Also Read, Understanding Blockchain Technology & Its Applications: A Visionary Talk with Dr. Ajay Shankar Singh