<–2/”>a >Civil service refers to the body of government officials who are employed in civil occupations that are neither political nor judicial. The concept of civil service was prevalent in India from ancient times. The Mauryan administration employed civil servants in the name of adhyakshas and rajukas.
The examination for civil servants in those days too was very stringent as quoted by Kautilya‘s Arthasastra. The expanse of the territory and the need to hold it intact made it imperative for the Mauryan administration to recruit civil servants based on merit. The concept of civil service again came into prominence when the British in search of creating a framework to hold the territories of India, created the much coveted ‘Indian Civil Services‘ or the ICS.
Many changes took place in Indian Civil Services since Lord Cornwallis introduced it in India. The Indian Civil services were created to foster the idea of unity in diversity.
The civil service was expected to give continuity and change to the administration no matter the political scenario and turmoil affecting the country. Indian civil service has also played the part of giving this continuous support to the nation. But what is appalling and needs a serious consideration is the element of ‘change’.
It can be said that the civil service as a whole has maintained its status quo instead of sweeping changes in social and economic scenario. Some may argue that it is the resilience of the civil service, but it is an obvious fact out in the street that the Indian civil service was not able to deliver service based upon the expectations of the people or the founding fathers of the Constitution.
The civil service is an integral part of administration and the structures of administration too deter the way the civil service functions. Civil Service reform is deliberate change efforts by government improve its capacity to effectively and efficiently execute policies. Reforms in the Civil Service occurred ever since the Chinese invented Bureaucracy – they are a continuous process with no g starting point, and equally no end.
The Indian bureaucracy, with its national character, has been a strong binding force to a Union States. The institution of civil service has rendered yeoman service to the overall socio-economy development of the country.
It has been at the forefront of development process right from the ‘comma heights regime’ to the ‘Liberalization-2/”>Liberalization and de-regulation era’. It has not only played a pivotal role in desi and activating policies but also ensured basic service delivery at the cutting edge of government-cit interface.
The importance of the Civil Service to governance stems from the following:
» Service presence throughout the country and its strong binding character
» Administrative and managerial capacity of the services
» Effective policy-making and regulation
» Effective coordination between institutions of governance
» Leadership at different levels of administration
» Service delivery at the cutting edge level
» Provide ‘continuity and change’ to the administration.
In recent times, there has been accelerated change globally brought about by technological advance greater Decentralization and social activism. The ramifications of these changes are being felt government in the form of increasing expectations for better governance through effective service deli\| transparency, accountability and Rule of Law.
The civil service, as the primary arm of government, keep pace with the changing times in order to meet the aspirations of the people. The purpose ‘reform’ is to reorient the Civil Services into a dynamic, efficient and accountable apparatus for p service delivery built on the ethos and values of Integrity, impartiality and neutrality. The reform is raise the quality of public services delivered to the citizens and enhances the capacity to carry out government functions, thereby leading to Sustainable Development.
Prior to developing the contents of Civil Service Reform, there is a need for an open, objective st taking of the current situation.
India’s massive bureaucracy is maintained at huge cost by the country’s taxpayer whose Average income is among the lowest in the world. But the public perception about the members of the services, who function at cutting edge and higher coordinating and policy making levels, is that they burdensome low-performers’ heading a highly bloated bureaucracy, which is, often, perceived to corrupt and inefficient in governing the country.
The ailments afflicting Indian civil services are:
- Lack of professionalism and poor capacity building
- Inefficient incentive systems that do not appreciate upright and outstanding civil servants but reward the corrupt and the incompetent
- Outmoded rules and procedures that restrict the civil servant from performing effectively
- Systemic inconsistencies in promotion and empanelment
- Lack of adequate Transparency and Accountability procedures – there is also no safety for while blowers
- Arbitrary and whimsical transfers – insecurity in tenures impedes institutionalization
- Political interference and administrative acquiescence
- Gradual erosion in values and ethics
- Patrimonialism(World Bank, 1994)
It is well recognized that Civil Service Reform is not only necessary but also inevitable. It has much value in governance as in socio-Economic Development.
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The Civil services in India are a group of government employees who are responsible for the administration of the country. They are recruited through a competitive examination and are governed by a set of rules and regulations. The civil services are divided into three main categories: the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Indian Forest Service (IFS).
The IAS is the most prestigious and senior of the three services. It is responsible for the administration of the country at the state and central levels. The IPS is responsible for the Maintenance of Law and Order. The IFS is responsible for the management of the country’s forests and wildlife.
In addition to these three main services, there are a number of other civil services in India, such as the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS), and the Indian Railway Service (IRS).
The civil services in India are characterized by a number of features, including:
- They are a permanent and unionized service.
- They are recruited through a competitive examination.
- They are governed by a set of rules and regulations.
- They are accountable to the government and the people.
The performance of the civil services in India has been mixed. On the one hand, they have played a key role in the country’s development. They have been responsible for implementing a number of important policies and programs, such as the Green Revolution, the Five Year Plans, and the Right To Information act.
On the other hand, the civil services have also been criticized for a number of shortcomings, such as Corruption, inefficiency, and lack of accountability. In recent years, there have been a number of reforms aimed at improving the performance of the civil services. These reforms have included measures to increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
One of the most important reforms in recent years has been the introduction of the Right to Information Act (RTI). The RTI Act gives citizens the right to access information from the government. This has helped to increase transparency and accountability in the civil services.
Another important reform has been the introduction of the Performance Appraisal Report (PAR). The PAR is a system of performance appraisal for civil servants. This has helped to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil services.
The civil services in India are a vital part of the country’s government. They play a key role in the administration of the country and in the implementation of important policies and programs. However, they have also been criticized for a number of shortcomings. In recent years, there have been a number of reforms aimed at improving the performance of the civil services. These reforms have included measures to increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency. It is hoped that these reforms will help to make the civil services more effective in delivering services to the people of India.
What are the types of civil services in India?
The civil services in India are divided into two main categories: All India Services (AIS) and Central Services (CS). The AIS comprises the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). The CS comprises a number of other services, such as the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS), and the Indian Railway Service (IRS).
What are the characteristics of the civil services in India?
The civil services in India are characterized by their meritocratic nature, their commitment to Public Service, and their professionalism. The civil services are recruited through a competitive examination, and they are expected to serve the public with honesty and integrity.
What is the performance of the civil services in India?
The civil services in India have performed well in a number of areas, such as economic development, social welfare, and Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE-development/”>Infrastructure Development. However, they have also been criticized for their slow pace of reform and their lack of accountability.
What are the challenges facing the civil services in India?
The civil services in India are facing a number of challenges, such as corruption, politicization, and a lack of Resources. These challenges are making it difficult for the civil services to deliver effective public services.
What are the reforms needed to improve the performance of the civil services in India?
The civil services in India need to be reformed in order to improve their performance. Some of the reforms that are needed include:
- Increasing the transparency and accountability of the civil services
- Improving the Training and Development of civil servants
- Strengthening the institutional framework for public service delivery
- Increasing the resources available to the civil services
These reforms will help to make the civil services more effective in delivering public services to the people of India.
The Civil Services in India are divided into three categories:
(a) Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
(b) Indian Police Service (IPS)
(c) Indian Forest Service (IFS)
(d) All of the aboveThe IAS is the most prestigious of the three services.
(a) True
(b) FalseThe IPS is responsible for maintaining law and order in the country.
(a) True
(b) FalseThe IFS is responsible for managing the country’s forests and wildlife.
(a) True
(b) FalseThe Civil Services are recruited through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.
(a) True
(b) FalseThe UPSC examination is one of the toughest examinations in the world.
(a) True
(b) FalseThe Civil Services are a very important part of the Indian government.
(a) True
(b) FalseThe Civil Services are responsible for implementing the government’s policies and programs.
(a) True
(b) FalseThe Civil Services are also responsible for providing services to the public.
(a) True
(b) FalseThe Civil Services are a very important part of the Indian Democracy.
(a) True
(b) False