Context: What are the challenges faced by the Civil Services?

Source: The Hindu

Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan IAS discussed the value of civil services in preserving and enhancing democracy, the necessity of lateral entrants, and more transparency on the occasion of Civil Services Day (April 21).

Under the merit system, government positions are filled via a stringent selection procedure conducted by an impartial body. This started in India in 1858 when the British established the Indian Civil Service to choose officials to run the nation.

Following independence, these tests are administered by the Union Public Service Commission. The goal of the merit system is to produce career bureaucrats who are expected to advise the current political administration independently and without political bias.

The management of our democratic system has benefited greatly from the contributions of the civil services. According to the Cabinet Secretary, they have played a crucial role in holding free and fair elections and guaranteeing a seamless handover of power between the federal government and the states.

States have been ruled by the president on multiple occasions, and the civil services have always maintained administration during these periods.

They are a storehouse of institutional knowledge from the perspective of development. They advise the ruling governments on policy matters and carry out the political executive’s directives.

Public bureaucracy’s administrative responsibilities include establishing laws, rules, and regulations as well as carrying out and overseeing programs. In order to carry out governance functions including delivering relief efforts and basic services, civil officials have been the pivot.

However, there are serious issues facing the Civil Services as well. First, officials’ neutrality is rapidly deteriorating, leading to political bias in the performance of crucial tasks. It is important to remember that the growing political meddling in all facets of bureaucracy, including postings and services, is both the source and the result of this phenomena.

Second, generalist career bureaucrats might not have the knowledge required to handle technological issues. Third, there is widespread corruption that frequently goes unchecked at all levels of the system.

Reforms Are Needed: The elected government has the mandate in a democracy, and it must be upheld. To preserve the rule of law and constitutional principles, the impartial bureaucracy must be shielded from excessive political meddling.

The independence of career bureaucrats is crucial to preserving a good balance between the permanent executive and the political branch. This involves having a fair amount of autonomy on postings, tenures, and transfers. Additionally, bureaucrats must change their emphasis from “procedure” to “outcomes.” Employing domain experts as lateral entrants, particularly at senior levels, helps speed up this reform. The fundamental characteristics of a successful civil service would be maintained by these reforms.

Model Question:

“Civil Services in India need to transform from being rule-oriented to result-oriented to meet the changing aspirations of a dynamic democracy.” Discuss.

Model Answer:

Civil Services in India form the backbone of governance and administration. Historically designed to ensure continuity, stability, and impartial implementation of laws, they have primarily operated within a rule-bound, process-centric framework. However, the changing socio-economic landscape and rising citizen expectations demand a paradigm shift towards a result-oriented, performance-driven bureaucracy.

Need for Transformation:

1. Responsive Governance: Citizens today expect timely services, transparency, and accountability. A result-oriented civil service can better align with these democratic aspirations.
2. Policy Implementation: Many flagship programs (e.g., Swachh Bharat, Digital India) require outcome-focused strategies rather than rigid adherence to procedures.
3. Global Benchmarking: Countries like Singapore and the UK have adopted performance-based civil services, emphasizing measurable outcomes and innovation.
4. Red Tape and Delays: The rule-oriented approach often leads to procedural bottlenecks, stalling developmental initiatives.

Challenges in Transformation:

1. Bureaucratic Inertia: The legacy of colonial administrative practices fosters status quoism.
2. Lack of Accountability: Promotions and appraisals are often seniority-based, not performance-linked.
3. Political Interference: Undue influence limits the autonomy needed for innovation and decision-making.

Way Forward:

1. Performance-based Appraisal: Introduce KPIs and regular reviews linked to outcomes.
2. Capacity Building: Invest in training for adaptive leadership, technology, and data-driven governance.
3. Mission Karmayogi: The government’s new framework aims to create a future-ready civil service focused on citizen-centric service delivery.

For India to evolve as a 21st-century democracy, civil services must shift from being mere custodians of rules to proactive agents of development, innovation, and inclusive governance.