CIVIL SERVICE: POLITY/GOVERNANCE
NEWS: What are the challenges faced by
the civil services?
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
India’s civil services,
long seen as the backbone of governance, face challenges like political
interference, lack of expertise, and outdated structures. To improve efficiency
and uphold democratic values, reforms like lateral entry, Mission Karmayogi, and
greater autonomy are urgently needed.
Introduction: Importance
of Civil Services in a Democracy
- Civil services are the backbone of democratic
governance, ensuring implementation of laws, policies, and
developmental programmes.
- They are often described as the "Steel Frame
of India", a term coined by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in
1947, emphasizing their role in maintaining national unity and
administrative continuity.
Historical Background of
Civil Services in India
- 1854: The concept of a merit-based
civil service was introduced by the British.
- 1800: Lord Wellesley
established the College of Fort William in Calcutta for training
civil servants.
- 1806: The East India
Company replaced it with the East Indian College at Haileybury
(England).
- 1853: The Charter Act
of 1853 ended the patronage system and introduced open competitive
examinations.
- 1855: The first
competitive exam for the Indian Civil Services (ICS) was conducted
in London.
- 1864: Satyendranath
Tagore became the first Indian to clear the ICS.
- 1922: ICS examinations
began to be held in India.
- Post-1947: UPSC became the
central authority for civil services recruitment.
- Civil Services Day (21 April) commemorates Patel’s historic speech at Metcalfe
House.
Constitutional Framework
for Civil Services
- Article 309: Empowers
Parliament/State Legislatures to regulate recruitment and service
conditions.
- Article 310: Civil servants
hold office during the pleasure of the President or Governor.
- Article 311: Provides protection
against arbitrary dismissal.
- Article 312: Allows Parliament
to create All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS).
- Articles 315–323: Provide for UPSC and State Public Service
Commissions (SPSC) for recruitment and advisory functions.
Core Functions and Role
of Civil Services
- Policy Implementation: Execute government schemes, manage public welfare
delivery.
- Law and Order: Maintain internal peace, supervise police and
local administration.
- Electoral Role: Organize free and fair elections in coordination
with Election Commission.
- Continuity of Governance: Maintain administration even during President’s
Rule or political instability.
- Policy Formulation: Advise political executives using ground realities
and administrative experience.
Challenges Faced by Civil
Services
1.
Political Interference and Erosion of Neutrality
- Growing political patronage in postings,
transfers, and promotions.
- Decline in bureaucratic neutrality and
objectivity, leading to biased governance.
2. Lack of Technical Expertise
- Generalist officers may lack domain knowledge for technical and
specialized ministries.
- Limits the quality of policy advice and
implementation effectiveness.
3. Corruption and Accountability Deficit
- Corruption persists at multiple levels, with weak internal vigilance
and accountability mechanisms.
- Punitive actions are often delayed or politically
influenced.
4. Red Tape and Procedural Delays
- Colonial-era rules and excessive formalities hinder innovation and speed.
- Result in inefficiency in public service delivery.
5. Mental Health and Workload
- High-pressure work environment, long hours, and frequent transfers lead to stress
and burnout.
6. Resistance to Innovation
- A rigid bureaucratic culture discourages
risk-taking, process innovation, and technology adoption.
Governance Reforms to
Improve Bureaucratic Efficiency
1.
Mission Karmayogi (Launched 2020)
- Seeks to transform civil services from a "rule-based"
to "role-based" system.
- Emphasizes citizen-centric governance,
behavioural training, and competency enhancement.
2.
Lateral Entry into Civil Services
- Aims to bring domain experts from the private
sector and academia into mid- and senior-level bureaucracy.
- Enhances competitiveness, innovation, and professionalism
in administration.
3.
e-Governance Tools
- CPGRAMS: For centralized
public grievance redressal.
- SPARROW: For online
performance appraisals.
- Digitization of service records improves
transparency and monitoring.
Need for Structural and
Cultural Reforms
1.
Autonomy and Insulation from Political Pressure
- Civil servants need reasonable tenure security,
independent postings, and safeguards from political misuse.
- Promotes objective decision-making and rule
of law.
2.
Performance and Outcome Focus
- Shift focus from procedure-oriented governance
to result-oriented performance.
- Integrate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
and real-time evaluation systems.
3.
Modernization of Service Rules
- Update colonial-era service rules to align
with modern governance challenges and democratic accountability.
4.
Encouraging Innovation and Adaptability
- Promote flexibility in decision-making, room
for experimentation, and support for innovative practices in
governance.
Conclusion: The Way
Forward
- Civil services are crucial for nation-building
and policy continuity in a complex democracy like India.
- Reforms must aim to make bureaucracy more accountable,
efficient, and responsive.
- Ensuring a healthy balance between political
executive and permanent bureaucracy is vital for upholding democratic
values and effective governance.
- India's journey towards Viksit Bharat (Developed
India) depends significantly on a modern, professional, and
citizen-focused civil service.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-are-the-challenges-faced-by-the-civil-services-explained/article69546489.ece#:~:text=To%20maintain%20a%20harmonious%20balance,procedure'%20to%20'outcomes.'