Foundation values for civil services

<<2/”>a >b>Foundation values for civil Services

Values are the standards on which, we evaluate things. For every situation we don’t have time to ‘test’ the case on ethics theories such as utilitarianism. Values provide time saving short-cut in such situation.

Under New public management (NPM), the concept of public services is fast changing. Bureaucrat has become directly accountable to citizen-customer. He has to respond to moral universe of the citizens. He has discretionary powers, therefore he must be provided with guiding principles to prevent abuse of power. The Foundational Values provide these guiding principles.

Some important Foundational values for civil services are as follows:

  • Neutrality
  • Anonymity
  • Commitment and Dedication to Public Service
  • Civil Activism
  • Important Commandment for Civil Servants
  • Civil Services Accountability
  • Ethical Conduct of a Civil Servant
  • Responsibility
  • Courage
  • Discipline
  • Integrity
  • Humility
  • Impartiality

Neutrality

Neutrality is the tendency of not to side in a conflict (physical or ideological), which may not suggest neutral parties do not have a side or are not a side themselves. In colloquial use neutral can be synonymous with unbiased. However, bias is a favoritism for some side,distinct of the tendency to act on that favoritism.  Neutrality is distinct (though not exclusive) from apathy, ignorance, indifference, doublethink, Equality, agreement, and Objectivity. Objectivity suggests siding with the more reasonable position (except journalistic objectivity), where reasonableness is judged by some common basis between the sides, such as logic (thereby avoiding the problem of incommensurability). Neutrality implies Tolerance regardless of how disagreeable, deplorable, or unusual a perspective might be.Advocating neutrality is non-neutral.

Sardar Patel had made the following observations in the Constituent Assembly to support the continuance of the pre-independence civil service structure:

“It needs hardly to be emphasized that an effi cient, discipline and contended civil service assured of its prospects as a result of diligent and honest work, is a sine-quanon of Sound administration under democratic regime even more than under an authoritarian rule. Th e service must be above party and we should ensure that political considerations, either in its recruitment or in its discipline and control, are reduced to the minimum if not eliminated altogether.”

Unfortunately, this vision of civil service neutrality no longer holds good. Changes in governments particularly at the state level often lead to wholesale transfer of civil servants. Political neutrality is no longer the accepted norm with many civil servants getting identifi ed, rightly or wrongly, with a particular political dispensation. Th ere is a perception that offi cers have to cultivate and seek patronage from politicians for obtaining suitable positions even in the Union Government. As a result, the civil services in public perception are often seen as increasingly politicized.

As observed by Paul Appleby civil servants should not confuse ‘political neutrality’ with ‘programme neutrality’. At the stage of policy formulation, the role of civil servants is to render free and frank advice which should not be coloured by any political considerations. Once a policy or programme has been approved by the elected government, it is the duty of the civil servant to faithfully and enthusiastically see to its implementation. Not carrying out this task in the right spirit would amount to misconduct inviting appropriate sanctions.

 

Anonymity

The anonymity of the civil service is linked to two concepts: permanence and neutrality. Civil servants, many of whom remain in their jobs whilst serving numerous governments, are thus likely to have to give advice to governments of different Political Parties, who may have different attitudes to policy. The advice they give needs to be given to ministers both freely and also without fear of adverse public or political reactions and without fear of future career damage. This is tied into the concept of ministerial responsibility, whereby the convention is for the minister to accept responsibility for their actions and decisions and those of their departments.

 

Commitment and dedication to public service

Dedication means quality of involving oneself completely or applying one’s attention, time to a particular activity, cause or a person. Dedication in public service is required as civil servants in India, a developing country need to perform the regular administrative and also play an important role in socio-Economic Development of the nation. In carrying out these activities he may be faced with several obstructions like social opposition against any programme which is against their deep rooted belief, lack of support from political executive. Schemes for promoting family planning are generally opposed in rural as they consider contraceptives as taboos here dedication is required to fulfil the goal of healthy Society. One’s employees and superiors may be involved in Corruption. These obstacles can only be overcome when one has perseverance and dedication.

Integrity

Integrity is the fundamental moral concept in civil services. It is an important basis of ethical behaviour and ethical competency. It is associated with the value of being honest and maintain strong moral principles. Integrity includes financial integrity, professional integrity and intellectual integrity. Ethics and integrity are closely related. An ethical person having strong moral values is bound to be a man of integrity. Those people who have experience of working in the government know that integrity is evaluated every year through their Annual Performance Report. The assessment takes place on the basis of decisions/performance of the individual Civil Servants throughout the year. In conducting interview for testing Personality of the candidates, the board carefully observes the approach of the answer of individual candidate while assessing their integrity. In written examination, the examiner will obviously look into moral stand of the candidates especially on issues and conflicts faced by them while dealing with various glitches.,

Foundation values for civil services are the principles that guide the work of civil servants. They are essential to ensuring that the civil service is effective, efficient, and accountable.

The foundation values for civil services are:

  • Integrity: Civil servants must be honest and ethical in their dealings with the public. They must act in the best interests of the public and avoid any conflicts of interest.
  • Honesty: Civil servants must be truthful in their dealings with the public. They must not mislead or deceive the public.
  • Devotion to duty: Civil servants must be dedicated to their work and to the public service. They must be willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
  • Commitment to public service: Civil servants must be committed to serving the public. They must be willing to work for the common good and to put the needs of the public first.
  • Accountability: Civil servants must be accountable for their actions. They must be willing to answer to the public for their decisions and actions.
  • Transparency: Civil servants must be transparent in their dealings with the public. They must be open and honest about their decisions and actions.
  • Fairness: Civil servants must be fair in their dealings with the public. They must treat everyone equally and without bias.
  • Impartiality: Civil servants must be impartial in their dealings with the public. They must not let their personal opinions or beliefs influence their decisions.
  • Objectivity: Civil servants must be objective in their dealings with the public. They must make decisions based on facts and evidence, not on personal opinions or beliefs.
  • Professionalism: Civil servants must be professional in their dealings with the public. They must dress and act in a way that is appropriate for their position.
  • Respect for the Rule of Law: Civil servants must respect the rule of law. They must obey the laws of the land and uphold the Constitution.
  • Respect for Human Rights: Civil servants must respect human rights. They must treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or other personal characteristics.
  • Respect for diversity: Civil servants must respect diversity. They must be open to and accepting of people from different backgrounds.
  • Teamwork: Civil servants must be able to work effectively as part of a team. They must be able to cooperate with others and share information and Resources.
  • Problem-solving: Civil servants must be able to solve problems. They must be able to identify problems, gather information, and develop solutions.
  • Decision-making: Civil servants must be able to make decisions. They must be able to weigh the pros and cons of different Options and make the best decision for the situation.
  • Communication: Civil servants must be able to communicate effectively. They must be able to write clearly and concisely, and they must be able to speak effectively in public.
  • Leadership: Civil servants must be able to lead. They must be able to motivate and inspire others, and they must be able to set a good example.
  • Innovation: Civil servants must be able to innovate. They must be able to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.
  • Creativity: Civil servants must be creative. They must be able to come up with new solutions to problems.
  • Initiative: Civil servants must be able to take initiative. They must be able to identify problems and take action to solve them.
  • Self-motivation: Civil servants must be self-motivated. They must be able to work independently and be driven to succeed.
  • Resilience: Civil servants must be resilient. They must be able to handle Stress and setbacks.
  • Adaptability: Civil servants must be adaptable. They must be able to change and adapt to new situations.
  • Work ethic: Civil servants must have a strong work ethic. They must be willing to work hard and put in the extra effort to get the job done.
  • Time management: Civil servants must be able to manage their time effectively. They must be able to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Organizational skills: Civil servants must be organized. They must be able to keep track of information and manage their workload.
  • Attention to detail: Civil servants must be detail-oriented. They must be able to pay attention to detail and avoid errors.
  • Confidentiality: Civil servants must maintain confidentiality. They must keep information confidential and not share it with unauthorized individuals.
  • Security: Civil servants must protect sensitive information. They must take steps to prevent unauthorized access to information.

These foundation values are essential to the success of the civil service. They provide a framework for civil servants to follow in their work, and they help to ensure that the civil service is effective, efficient, and accountable.

What are the foundation values for civil services?

The foundation values for civil services are:

  • Integrity: Civil servants must be honest and impartial in their dealings with the public.
  • Devotion to duty: Civil servants must be committed to serving the public and carrying out their duties to the best of their ability.
  • Professionalism: Civil servants must be competent and knowledgeable in their field, and must maintain high standards of conduct.
  • Accountability: Civil servants must be responsible for their actions and must be accountable to the public.
  • Transparency: Civil servants must be open and transparent in their dealings with the public.
  • Respect for the rule of law: Civil servants must uphold the rule of law and must not act in a way that undermines the law.
  • Respect for human rights: Civil servants must uphold human rights and must not act in a way that violates human rights.
  • Respect for diversity: Civil servants must respect the diversity of the Population and must not discriminate against any group of people.
  • Respect for the Environment: Civil servants must respect the environment and must not act in a way that damages the environment.

What are the benefits of working in the civil service?

There are many benefits to working in the civil service, including:

  • A stable and secure job: Civil servants are employed by the government, which means that they have a secure job with good benefits.
  • A good salary: Civil servants are typically paid well, and their salaries are often adjusted for Inflation.
  • Opportunities for advancement: There are many opportunities for advancement in the civil service, and civil servants can move up the ranks based on their performance.
  • A sense of purpose: Civil servants can feel good about their work, knowing that they are making a difference in the lives of others.
  • A variety of work: Civil servants often have the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects, which can keep their work interesting and challenging.
  • Good working conditions: Civil servants typically work in good working conditions, with access to resources and support.

What are the challenges of working in the civil service?

There are also some challenges to working in the civil service, including:

  • Bureaucracy: The civil service can be a bureaucratic system, which can make it difficult to get things done.
  • Red tape: There is often a lot of red tape involved in working in the civil service, which can be frustrating.
  • Political interference: The civil service can be subject to political interference, which can make it difficult to do your job.
  • Lack of innovation: The civil service can be slow to innovate, which can make it difficult to keep up with the latest trends.
  • Low morale: Civil servants can sometimes have low morale, which can make it difficult to be motivated.
  • Long hours: Civil servants often work long hours, which can be demanding.

What are the skills and qualifications required for a career in the civil service?

There are a number of skills and qualifications that are required for a career in the civil service, including:

  • Strong academic qualifications: Civil servants typically need to have a degree from a recognized university.
  • Good communication skills: Civil servants need to be able to communicate effectively with the public, with other civil servants, and with politicians.
  • Problem-solving skills: Civil servants need to be able to identify and solve problems.
  • Decision-making skills: Civil servants need to be able to make decisions, often under pressure.
  • Teamwork skills: Civil servants need to be able to work effectively as part of a team.
  • Leadership skills: Civil servants may be required to lead teams or projects.
  • IT skills: Civil servants need to be able to use computers and other IT equipment.
  • Foreign language skills: Civil servants may be required to speak a foreign language.

What is the career progression like in the civil service?

The career progression in the civil service is typically based on merit, which means that civil servants are promoted based on their performance. Civil servants can move up the ranks from entry-level positions to more senior positions, and they can also move to different departments or agencies within the civil service.

What is the salary range for civil servants?

The salary range for civil servants varies depending on the position and the level of experience. However, civil servants typically earn a good salary, and their salaries are often adjusted for inflation.

What are the job prospects for civil servants?

The job prospects for civil servants are good. The civil service is a large and growing employer, and there are many opportunities for advancement.

  1. Which of the following is not a foundation value for civil services?
    (A) Integrity
    (B) Honesty
    (C) Loyalty
    (D) Efficiency

  2. Which of the following is not a core value of the Indian Administrative Service?
    (A) Commitment to the Constitution
    (B) Devotion to duty
    (C) Integrity and honesty
    (D) Professionalism

  3. Which of the following is not a value that is expected of civil servants?
    (A) Respect for the rule of law
    (B) Impartiality
    (C) Accountability
    (D) Transparency

  4. Which of the following is not a principle that is enshrined in the Indian Constitution?
    (A) Equality before the law
    (B) Rule of law
    (C) Secularism-2/”>Secularism
    (D) Socialism

  5. Which of the following is not a fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution?
    (A) Right to life and Liberty
    (B) Right to equality
    (C) Right to freedom of religion
    (D) Right to Property

  6. Which of the following is not a directive principle of state policy?
    (A) To secure Justice, social, economic and political, to all citizens
    (B) To promote the welfare of the people
    (C) To provide for free and compulsory Education for all children up to the age of 14 years
    (D) To prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs

  7. Which of the following is not a constitutional body?
    (A) The President of India
    (B) The Vice President of India
    (C) The Prime Minister of India
    (D) The Supreme Court of India

  8. Which of the following is not a function of the Parliament of India?
    (A) To make laws
    (B) To approve the budget
    (C) To declare war
    (D) To impeach the President of India

  9. Which of the following is not a function of the President of India?
    (A) To be the head of the state
    (B) To be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces
    (C) To appoint the Prime Minister and other ministers
    (D) To dissolve the Parliament

  10. Which of the following is not a function of the Prime Minister of India?
    (A) To be the head of the government
    (B) To preside over the meetings of the Cabinet
    (C) To recommend to the President the appointment of the Chief Justice of India and other judges of the Supreme Court
    (D) To conduct the business of the government of India

  11. Which of the following is not a right that is guaranteed to the accused in a criminal trial?
    (A) The right to be informed of the accusation against him
    (B) The right to remain silent
    (C) The right to consult a lawyer
    (D) The right to be tried by a jury

  12. Which of the following is not a duty of a citizen of India?
    (A) To abide by the Constitution and the laws of India
    (B) To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so
    (C) To pay taxes
    (D) To vote in Elections

  13. Which of the following is not a fundamental duty of a citizen of India?
    (A) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India
    (B) To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture
    (C) To protect and improve the natural environment
    (D) To develop scientific temper and humanism

  14. Which of the following is not a source of law in India?
    (A) The Constitution of India
    (B) The statutes enacted by Parliament and the state legislatures
    (C) The common law
    (D) The customary law

  15. Which of the following is not a principle of natural justice?
    (A) Audi alteram partem (Hear the other side)
    (B) Nemo judex in causa sua (No one should be a judge in his own cause)
    (C) Res judicata pro veritate habetur (A thing decided is to be held as true)
    (D) Ignorantia legis neminem excusat (Ignorance of the law excuses no one)

  16. Which of the following is not a tort?
    (A) Negligence
    (B) Defamation
    (C) Malicious prosecution
    (D) Breach of contract

  17. Which of the following is not a crime?
    (A) Murder
    (B) Theft
    (C) Cheating
    (D) Contempt of Court

  18. Which of the following is not a remedy available in a civil suit?
    (A) Damages
    (B) In