India Elected President of IIAS

Context

India, for the first time in the 100-year history of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), has been elected as its President. The election was held on 3 June 2025, where India’s candidate Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), secured 87 out of 141 votes (61.7%), defeating Austria. This marks the first-ever ballot-based presidential election in IIAS history.

About IIAS (International Institute of Administrative Sciences)

Established: 1930
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Nature: International federation of national sections, member states, and research centres.
Focus: Scientific research in the field of public administration.
Membership:
- 31 member countries,
- 20 national sections,
- 15 academic research centres.
Key Members Include: India, Japan, China, Germany, South Africa, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Indonesia.

India’s Role and Presidency (2025–2028)

India joined IIAS: In 1998.
Presidential Candidate: Shri Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG.
Support from Global South: South Africa withdrew its candidacy in India’s favour.
Vision of Presidency:
- Promote “Maximum Governance – Minimum Government”
- Emphasize digital transformation and citizen empowerment
- Bridge the North-South divide in public administration
- Enhance global best practices in governance.

Relationship with UN Systems

IIAS is not a UN body, but works closely with:
- UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA)
- UN Public Administration Network (UNPAN)
This makes IIAS significant in global administrative standard setting and reforms.