<–2/”>a >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 s
upport 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.,
The civil service is a professional body of government employees who are responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the government. They are appointed on the basis of merit and are expected to be impartial and non-partisan in their work. The civil service is a vital part of the democratic system, and it plays a key role in ensuring that the government is able to function effectively.
The civil service is responsible for a wide range of functions, including:
- Implementing the policies and laws of the government.
- Providing services to the public.
- Administering the government’s finances.
- Protecting the rights of citizens.
- Maintaining law and order.
- Promoting economic development.
- Ensuring national security.
- Representing the government at international forums.
The civil service is a large and complex organization, and it is divided into a number of different departments and agencies. Each department or agency is responsible for a specific area of government policy or activity. For example, the Department of Education is responsible for education policy, while the Department of Health is responsible for health policy.
The civil service is staffed by a large number of employees, who are known as civil servants. Civil servants are appointed on the basis of merit, and they are expected to be impartial and non-partisan in their work. This means that they are not allowed to support or oppose any political party or candidate.
The civil service plays a vital role in the democratic system. It is responsible for implementing the policies and laws of the government, and it provides a range of services to the public. The civil service also plays a role in protecting the rights of citizens, maintaining law and order, promoting economic development, and ensuring national security.
The civil service is a professional body of government employees who are responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the government. They are appointed on the basis of merit and are expected to be impartial and non-partisan in their work. The civil service is a vital part of the democratic system, and it plays a key role in ensuring that the government is able to function effectively.
The civil service has been criticized for a number of reasons, including:
- Bureaucracy: The civil service is often seen as being bureaucratic and slow to change.
- Lack of accountability: The civil service is often seen as being unaccountable to the public.
- Corruption: The civil service has been accused of corruption on a number of occasions.
Despite these criticisms, the civil service remains an important part of the democratic system. It is responsible for a wide range of functions, and it plays a key role in ensuring that the government is able to function effectively.
What is the role of the civil service in a Democracy?
The civil service is the body of non-elected government officials who carry out the day-to-day operations of the government. They are responsible for implementing laws, providing services, and managing the government’s finances.
The civil service plays a vital role in a democracy by ensuring that the government is run efficiently and effectively. They provide a buffer between the elected officials and the public, and they help to ensure that the government is responsive to the needs of the people.
What are the different types of civil services?
There are two main types of civil services: central and state. The central civil service is responsible for running the central government, while the state civil service is responsible for running the state governments.
The central civil service is made up of three main groups: the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). The IAS is the most prestigious civil service, and its members are responsible for a wide range of administrative tasks. The IPS is responsible for maintaining law and order, and the IFS is responsible for representing India in foreign countries.
The state civil service is made up of a variety of different services, each of which is responsible for a different area of government. For example, there are services responsible for education, health, agriculture, and finance.
What are the qualifications for joining the civil service?
The qualifications for joining the civil service vary depending on the service. However, in general, candidates must be Indian citizens, they must be between the ages of 21 and 30, and they must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
The selection process for the civil service is very competitive. Candidates must first pass a written examination, and then they must undergo a series of interviews. The final selection is made by a committee of senior civil servants.
What are the benefits of joining the civil service?
There are many benefits to joining the civil service. Civil servants enjoy a good salary and benefits package, and they have the opportunity to work on a variety of interesting and challenging projects. Civil servants also have a high level of job security, and they can expect to have a long and rewarding career.
What are the challenges of joining the civil service?
The civil service can be a demanding career. Civil servants often work long hours, and they may be required to travel frequently. The civil service can also be a very political Environment, and civil servants may be required to make difficult decisions that could have a significant impact on people’s lives.
What is the future of the civil service?
The civil service is facing a number of challenges, including the increasing complexity of government, the need to improve efficiency, and the need to attract and retain talented employees. However, the civil service also has a number of strengths, including its commitment to public service, its expertise, and its ability to adapt to change. The future of the civil service will depend on its ability to address these challenges and to continue to provide high-quality services to the public.
- The civil services are a group of government employees who are responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the government. They are appointed by the government and are responsible to the government.
- The civil services are divided into two main groups: the Central Civil Services and the State Civil Services. The Central Civil Services are responsible for carrying out the functions of the central government, while the State Civil Services are responsible for carrying out the functions of the state governments.
- The civil services play a vital role in a democracy. They are responsible for implementing the laws and policies of the government, and for providing services to the public. They also play a role in maintaining law and order, and in protecting the rights of citizens.
- The civil services are a professional body, and their members are expected to be impartial and non-partisan. They are also expected to be honest and efficient in their work.
- The civil services are a large and complex organization, and there are many different types of jobs within the civil services. Some of the most common jobs include:
- Administrative officer
- Accountant
- Engineer
- Lawyer
- Doctor
- Teacher
- To become a member of the civil services, you must first pass a competitive examination. The examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Central Civil Services, and by the State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs) for the State Civil Services.
- The examination is very difficult, and only a small Percentage of candidates are successful. However, if you are successful, you will be guaranteed a job in the civil services, which is a very prestigious and rewarding career.
- The civil services are a great way to serve your country and make a difference in the lives of others. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career, the civil services are a great option.
Here are some MCQs on the Role of Civil Services in a democracy:
- The civil services are responsible for:
- Implementing the laws and policies of the government
- Providing services to the public
- Maintaining law and order
- Protecting the rights of citizens
- The civil services are a professional body, and their members are expected to be:
- Impartial
- Non-partisan
- Honest
- Efficient
- The civil services are a large and complex organization, and there are many different types of jobs within the civil services. Some of the most common jobs include:
- Administrative officer
- Accountant
- Engineer
- Lawyer
- Doctor
- Teacher
- To become a member of the civil services, you must first pass a competitive examination. The examination is conducted by the:
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs)
- The examination is very difficult, and only a small percentage of candidates are successful. However, if you are successful, you will be guaranteed a job in the civil services, which is a very prestigious and rewarding career.
- The civil services are a great way to serve your country and make a difference in the lives of others. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career, the civil services are a great option.