14. "Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India." Comment.(CSE Mains 2016)GS-II 2016

Indian bureaucratic structure was put into place by the British Raj to cater to the needs of colonial administration. It's main priority was to  perpetuate and safeguard British Rule over india. The British thus concentrated power on the hands of a few reliable colonial bureaucrats (who were are mostly of British ). Thus an extensive network of support staff were incorporated to serve the few masters. 

Post independence, India's first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to dismantle the entire bureaucratic structure and overhaul the administrative setup but refrained from the same on the advice of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The aim of the colonial administration was very narrow and it had a limited role. Further Indian model of planned economic model with Public Sector Undertakings commanding the heights of economy with licences, quotas gave more powers to the bureaucrats and came to be derogatory referred as Inspector Raj.

Post 1991 opening up of the Indian economy the bureaucrats have struggled to change their mind set to the new scenario. The needs of the current administration has grown in complexity and requires specialisation for effective governance. However the age-old habit of posting generalists to top positions of administration has not yet changed. Numerous committees have suggested for lateral induction of talent into the administrative setup but have not yet been realised.

Bureaucratic red tapism and rigid hierarchical decision making has been a major impediment to expediting developmental projects. There have been cases of dilly dallying on decision making citing witch hunting by anti corruption agencies. The second ARC report has also pointed out the need to make citizen centric administration as a Priority.The priority  so far has been to do things right rather than doing the right things.

In order to realise the goal of welfare state it is necessary for the bureaucratic structure to be responsive to Citizen centric needs. The one's famed Steel frame of Indian Administration has been forced to constantly rediscover itself in independent India.The traditional bureaucratic administration has slowly become sensitised to India's changing developmental goals. Key performance indicators based promotions as well as provision for lateral entry can significantly overhaul the bureaucratic set up.