Have you ever wondered about the need for reforms within civil services? What could be the possible reforms that can be adopted? To answer all the questions, Read further.
Bureaucracy in India evolved during the British Raj. It worked to promote British interests until 1947. After Independence Indian bureaucracy was entrusted with the critical responsibility of nation-building. After Independence, The bureaucracy worked satisfactorily until it started wilting gradually.
Some Observations About Civil Services In India
The following are some of the observations of the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission.
- In India, the civil service is more focused on internal procedures than on outcomes.
- The policy and management structures within which the public service performs are excessively complicated and frequently too constricting due to systemic rigidities, unnecessary complexities, and over-centralization.
- In order for a decision to be made, many veto points must be resolved due to the hierarchical nature of the structures.
- Effective governance with an emphasis on decentralization and citizen-centricity must replace the preeminence of governance.
Constitutional provisions related to Civil Services
- As per Articles 53 and 154, the executive power of the Union and the States vests in the President or Governor directly or through officers subordinate to him. These officers constitute the permanent civil service and are governed by Part XIV of the Constitution (Services under the Union and States (Article 308- 323)).
- Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules: The manner in which the officers are required to help the President or Governor to exercise his/her executive functions is governed by these Rules.
- Article 309: Powers of Parliament and state legislatures – It empowers the Parliament and the State legislature regulates the recruitment, and conditions of service of persons appointed, to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State respectively.
- Article 310: Doctrine of Pleasure – Every person of Defence service, Civil Service and All India Service holding any post connected with the above services holds office during the pleasure of the President or Governor of the State.
- Article 311: Dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank.
- Article 311 – Dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities under the Union or a State.
- Article 312 – All India Services.
- Article 323A: Administrative Tribunals
Required Civil Service Reforms
The following reforms have been suggested by the 2nd ARC
- Stage of Entry: Bachelor’s degree programs in public administration, governance, and management will be offered by the National Institute of Public Administration. Assistance should also be provided to certain Central and other universities so they can offer graduate-level programs in certain subjects. Graduates from other fields would also be qualified to sit for the Civil Services Examination if they successfully complete a “Bridge Course” in the aforementioned basic areas.
- Disciplinary Proceedings: In the event of disciplinary proceedings, contact with the UPSC should only be required in circumstances where a government employee’s dismissal or removal is likely.
- Training and capacity building: Every government employee should go through required induction training as well as recurrent training throughout their career. For confirmation in service and subsequent promotions, successful completion of these training should be a minimum requirement.
- Performance Management System: Enhancing the collaborative and transparent nature of appraisal, customizing the formats for individual jobs, and transforming the current performance appraisal system for employees into a full-fledged performance management system (PMS).
Recommendation of some other committees.
- Examining candidates in a common subject as opposed to optional subjects was preferred by the Civil Services Examination Review Committee, 2001 (headed by Professor Yoginder K. Alagh).
- The Hota Committee Report, 2004, made recommendations for the introduction of aptitude and leadership exams for selection as well as for giving probationers one month after the start of training to exercise their option for services.
- The Basawan Committee (2016) advised doing a genuine assessment of the need for IAS officers annually in order to make the government a realistic request for Direct Recruits each year and to keep track of the openings below the promotion ceiling.
- Three mid-career training programmes should be offered during the 12th, 20th, and 28th years of service, according to the Yugandhar Committee’s 2003 recommendation. At these three points in the officer’s career, there is a “significant transition” in the nature of their work, hence training was recommended.
- Information and communication technology (ICT) may be used to alter government by making it more accessible, efficient, and responsible, according to the Hota Committee of 2004.
Conclusion
Certain recommendations like lateral entry into civil services need to be scrutinized meticulously. Timely upgradation of the capabilities of the steel frame is necessary to ensure national integrity.
Related article: Civil Service Reforms During British
Article Written by: Vivek Rajasekharan
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