Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services? Comment.
Civil Services in India which was once hailed as the ‘steel frame’ of the nation have been criticized as having 'rusted’ and outdated.
The overhaul of administration each time there is a change in government (post-elections) indicates partisan tendencies. The goal of enforcing socialistic pattern of the society had demanded the need for a committed bureaucracy but India is to have come a long way since them. Neutrality and effectiveness are often seem to be lacking.
The 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) had proposed extensive measures to make the bureaucracy responsive, reliable and accountable. But the lack of political will has inhibited any real reforms.
Some have suggested that there is need for drastic reforms to shake up the civil services. However, one should remember the Aristotelian maxim of “Golden mean is the golden rule”. Moreover, despite its deficiencies the Indian bureaucracy has performed well and overcome numerous challenges and crises.
Reforms can be brought slowly and in a phased manner to bring about the desired changes. The Indian bureaucratic setup is robust enough to be molded up into any shape the political heads desire. The absence of political will to accommodate and implement even the widely accepted suggestions from consecutive reports is the main reason for the lackluster performance.
Adoption of progressive initiatives and empowering the civil services can out red tape and go a long way in rejuvenating the country’s administration and carrying forward the goal of effective public service delivery to bring about socio-economic development.
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