VP Radhakrishnan's 2-day Andhra Pradesh visit begins Oct 26: Tirupati prayers, NTR University event
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan is set to begin a two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh on 26 October 2025, combining a significant institutional engagement in Vijayawada with religious observances at two of the state's most revered temples. The visit, confirmed by an official statement on Sunday, 25 October, underscores the constitutional office's continued outreach to states across India.
Key Engagements on the Itinerary
On 26 October, Radhakrishnan will serve as Chief Guest at the 40th (Ruby Jubilee) Anniversary Celebrations of Dr NTR University of Health Sciences in Vijayawada. The milestone marks four decades since the medical university's founding and is expected to draw senior academic and health-sector figures from across Andhra Pradesh.
During the two-day programme, the Vice President will offer prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati — one of the world's most visited Hindu pilgrimage sites — and at the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur, located near Tirupati.
What the Vice President Said on Legal Reforms
Ahead of the Andhra Pradesh trip, Radhakrishnan delivered remarks at a conference on 'Co-operative Federalism and Law Reforms: National and State Perspectives' in New Delhi, where he called for a modernised legal architecture in support of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Invoking the spirit of 'Team India', he stressed that political differences must not obstruct cooperation between the Centre and states. 'Development must be supported by sound laws, transparent institutions, efficient administration and justice for all,' he said.
He pointed to the replacement of three colonial-era criminal laws and the repeal of over 1,700 obsolete laws in the last 12 years as evidence of legislative modernisation. He urged State Law Commissions to proactively identify and recommend the amendment or repeal of outdated statutes, emphasising that cooperative federalism does not imply uniformity on every matter but does require coordination where constitutional responsibilities converge.
Broader Context: Federalism and Governance Push
Radhakrishnan called for stronger coordination among the Law Commission of India, State Law Commissions, and State Law Departments through inter-state consultations and systematic review of legacy legislation. This comes amid a broader Centre-driven push to align state-level governance frameworks with national development goals ahead of the 2047 centenary target.
Notably, Andhra Pradesh has itself been navigating a significant administrative and legislative transition since the state's bifurcation in 2014, making it a relevant setting for discussions on cooperative federalism and institutional reform.
What to Watch
The Vice President's address at the Dr NTR University of Health Sciences anniversary is likely to touch on health-sector governance and the role of medical education in India's development agenda. His Tirupati visit will also be closely watched given the temple's recent prominence in national discourse around its administration and trust governance.