New Year, New Possibilities, New Purpose
There's something uniquely humbling about standing at the edge of a new year. It's that rare moment when you're allowed—almost expected—to pause, look back at the road traveled, and then turn your gaze forward to the horizon ahead. As 2025 draws to a close and 2026 beckons, I find myself doing exactly that.
And what a year 2025 has been.
Working at the Heart of Policy
If someone had told me a few years ago that I'd be working at DOMS—the policy think tank of the Central Board of Direct Taxes—collaborating closely with Board Members and the Chairman himself, I would have been both thrilled and terrified. The reality? It's been even more enriching than I imagined.
At Directorate of Income Tax (Organization and Management Services) (DOMS), CBDT, we don't just talk about policy; we live it, breathe it, and shape it. This year, I had the privilege of being part of several transformative initiatives that will impact millions of taxpayers and reshape how our tax administration functions.
We worked extensively on revising the Taxpayers' Charter—not as a cosmetic exercise, but as a genuine commitment to making tax administration more transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric. Every word mattered. Every commitment needed to be backed by implementable processes. It was policy work at its core, and it reminded me why I chose public service in the first place.
Then came Special Campaign 5.0, spearheaded by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). As the nodal authority for CBDT, we were right in the thick of it—streamlining processes, addressing pending matters, improving responsiveness. It's the kind of work that doesn't always make headlines but fundamentally changes how government functions.
And now? We're working on Guidance Notes for the new Income Tax Act, 2025. This is history in the making. A completely reimagined tax legislation going live on April 1, 2026. The responsibility is immense, but so is the opportunity to get it right.
Working this closely with leadership, seeing policy from conception to execution, has been one of the most defining experiences of my professional life. It's taught me that real change doesn't happen in grand pronouncements—it happens in the details, in the late-night drafts, in the stakeholder consultations, in the willingness to listen and iterate.
Asking the Big Question: Am I Still Relevant?
In October and November 2025, I stepped out of the policy corridors and into lecture halls—first at Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM) in Dwarka and then at Delhi Technological University (DTU) (former Delhi College of Engineering).
My opening slide at both sessions posed a question that I believe every professional must grapple with today: "Am I still relevant in a world where machines are becoming smarter every day?"
The students leaned forward. Because this isn't an abstract question anymore—it's personal, it's urgent, and it's real.
We dove deep into how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping finance—from risk management and fraud detection to software productivity and decision-making. Generative AI alone is estimated to add $2.6–$4.4 trillion in annual economic value globally, with financial services capturing a significant share. But beyond the numbers, we discussed the human dimension: How do we stay relevant? How do we adapt? How do we ensure AI augments rather than replaces us?
What struck me most wasn't just the curiosity in their questions, but the anxiety underlying them. These bright young minds are entering a job market where the rules are being rewritten in real-time. My message to them was simple: Don't fear AI. Understand it. Master it. Use it as a tool, not a threat. Use it as an amplifier.
Those sessions reminded me that sharing knowledge isn't just about transferring information—it's about empowering the next generation to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
2026: The Year of Transformation
As I look ahead to 2026, I'm filled with a sense of purpose and possibility that I haven't felt in years. Here's what's calling to me:
1. The Income Tax Act 2025 Implementation
April 1, 2026, isn't just another financial year beginning. It's the dawn of a new tax regime—simpler, clearer, more modern. Being part of the team creating Guidance Notes means I'm not just witnessing this transformation; I'm helping shape it.
The challenge? Making 536 sections and 16 schedules understandable and implementable for millions of taxpayers and thousands of tax officers. The opportunity? Getting it right could set the tone for India's tax administration for the next generation.
This is legacy work. And I want to give it everything I've got.
2. AI and Tax Administration
If there's one area where AI can make a transformative impact, it's tax administration. Imagine a system where:
- Taxpayers get instant, accurate answers to their queries
- Compliance becomes seamless, not burdensome
- Risk assessment is predictive, not reactive
- Litigation reduces because clarity increases
This isn't science fiction. The technology exists. What we need is vision, courage, and careful implementation. In 2026, I want to be part of initiatives that bring AI meaningfully into tax administration—not as a buzzword, but as a practical tool for better governance.
3. Expanding Thought Leadership
The DTU and LBSIM sessions opened my eyes to something important: there's a hunger for nuanced conversations about the future of work, finance, and technology. And I have something to contribute.
In 2026, I want to do more—more speaking engagements, more writing, more collaborations with academic institutions. Not to build a personal brand, but to contribute to the larger conversation. To mentor. To provoke thought. To challenge assumptions (including my own).
My blog, my talks, my interactions—they're all ways of thinking out loud. And I want to do more of that.
4. International Horizons
Having worked as a UN Adviser for the Afghanistan Mission and as a G20 Strategic Consultant for Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), I know the value of bringing global perspectives to domestic challenges—and vice versa.
The world is interconnected. Tax policy doesn't happen in silos. Whether it's base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), digital taxation, or climate finance—these are global conversations India needs to be part of. And I want to contribute to that dialogue.
5. Mentoring the Next Generation
Every young professional I've spoken with this year has reminded me: we have a responsibility to those coming behind us. To share not just our successes, but our failures. To demystify careers in public service. To show that impact and integrity can coexist.
In 2026, I want to be more intentional about mentoring—through formal programs, informal conversations, and by being accessible. The students who asked me, "Am I still relevant?" deserve mentors who help them find their own answers.
A Personal Resolution
If I had to distill my aspirations for 2026 into one sentence, it would be this: I want to build bridges—between policy and practice, between technology and humanity, between where we are and where we could be.
The new year isn't just a calendar turning. It's an invitation to recommit, to reimagine, to renew. And I'm ready.
Let's make it count.
What are your resolutions for 2026? What transformation are you hoping to be part of? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.
