role of civil servant in India

1. Home Assignment
Tezpur University
Public Administration – II (PA102)
Topic- importance of civil service in India
Submitted by-
Sri Lakhyajit Nath
Enrollment no- EGE15050
Deptt.- EFL

2. Introduction-
Civil Service is essential for the functioning of government. The civil service has long been
regarded as the ‘steel frame’ of administration in India right from colonial days. The colonial
legacy of civil service is still continuing in this fast changing era of globalization. It is in this
context that civil service reform forms a quintessential part for good governance. This paper
demonstrates the importance of civil service in India from ancient period to the modern and right
from ancient presents the problems affecting civil services, the reforms that are needed as
suggested by various Committees and the reorientation that is needed for the civil service for
effective service delivery
History-
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 British in search of creating a framework to
hold the territories of India, created the much coveted ‘Indian Civil Services’ or the ICS.
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
Importance-

3. The importance of the Civil Service to governance stems from the following:
O Service presence throughout the country and its strong binding character
O Administrative and managerial capacity of the services
O Effective policy-making and regulation
O Effective coordination between institutions of governance
O Leadership at different levels of administration.
O Service delivery at the cutting edge level
O Provide ‘continuity and change’ to the administration.
The Indian Administrative Service, commonly and conveniently known as the lAS , is a premier,
prestigious and highly acclaimed service all over the world. Initially it had justified its creation
by serving as a bulwark during, the churning and the crises that the country had encountered as a
floundering democracy. Having done so, the question that has been surfacing in the minds of
academicians and the laymen is whether it still serves any purpose in the present age of
globalization, liberalization, specialization, privatization, and decentralization. The lAS hold the
relevance and importance to the Government of India today and the IAS officers are bound by
the stipulations and conditions of a hide-bound bureaucracy.
The expectations of the government from the IAS are efficiency (in executing orders, in prompt
handling of unforeseen situations, in aiding government in formulation of policy) loyalty (to the
constitution, etc.), integrity (honesty, sincerity, probity, no regard to private gain-even the
personal life of an IAS officer should be sober and dignified), impartiality (decisions in
accordance with law). The IAS expectations from the government are clear authority, security,
support and justice (in promotions, transfers, prize postings, etc.)-any violations of justice in
these fields are sure to have harmful effects on the morale of IAS officers and thereby impair
their efficiency.
The IAS enjoys constitutional sanctity and has been envisaged by the Constitution as an
instrument of multi-purpose functions. They have constitutional sanction and the Articles 309,

4. 310 and 311 of the Constitution deals with the public services. The three basic ideas in these
articles are- first, a system of selection for civil services and promotion which is based on merit,
that is how the UPSC and the SPSC come in. Second, the security of the service is guaranteed by
the Constitution itself, namely, no penalty can be imposed on public services except by a
constitutionally prescribed procedure and subject to judicial review. The conditions of service
are to be regulated by the law which has constitutional validity and it is quite clear that framers
of the Indian Constitution did not think of civil service as dependent public services, as if they
could be ordered at will or played about by those in authority for the time being
The IAS served as a stabilizing and consolidating force immediately after independence when
the country encountered problems of unprecedented order,) perhaps in the whole history of
mankind. In all fairness nevertheless, it may be said that he Indian bureaucracy has given good
account of it during national crises and 1atural calamities, whether it was lndo-Pak
war/Bangladesh war or devastating loads/tornado. It lent stability and solidity to the organization
by strict adherence to authority. 34 Independent India could start its career afresh with an initial
advantage of veil developed administrative apparatus. This enabled the country to sort out other
basic national issues and to consolidate on its independence.
Major responsibilities of civil servants of India to government and society: It has been found
that The Civil Servant has crucial role to ensure continuity and change in administration. The
civil servants are dictated by the rules and procedures.
1. The prime responsibility of civil services executives to society is to serve the government
it has elected. It denotes that civil services must offer same standard of free, frank,
impartial and responsive advice, and the same level of professionalism in administration
and delivery of services, policies, programs irrespective of political party in power.
2. Another accountability of civil services executive is to openly involve in all actions
within the framework of ministerial actions to government and legislature.
3. Specifically, civil servants are responsible for public interest in maintaining the law and
ensuring that proper procedures are followed.
4. Civil servants has close relations with society as they serve array of services. It entails
that they must adopt ethical practices to deal with public.

5. 5. Civil servants need to serve the society by ensuring that entitlement and services
provided to it under law and government policies are delivered effectively, impartially,
courteously and professionally.
6. Civil services officers also responsive to the need of people, treating its member with
courtesy and with sensitivity to their rights and aspirations.
Conclusion –
To summarize, civil services in India constitute a major support in governing rules and
implementing policies. It has vital role in the Indian governance system. From the British rule in
India, civil services had been modified and effective in its operations. The role of civil services
has changed over the time. Currently, rapid economic growth has led to increase in the quantum
of work. The Government is not perceived as a law enforcer or a controller of national resources.
It is progressively viewed as a provider to prepare themselves with the essential skills and
capabilities to tackle these new challenges. although an efficient provider of basic services and
public goods. Populace of India expect from Government to facilitate growth and development.
With reference to civil services, civil servants have been trained to deal with upcoming
challenges arising out of globalization. They will have to shift their orientation from being
controllers to facilitators and from being providers to enablers. They need to be proficient in new
technologies and new styles of functioning for the growth of nation.