Civil Services in Democracy

 Civil Services in Democracy

Notes

Civil services are the permanent executive, giving continuity, expertise and neutral implementation of the policies of elected governments. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel called them the "steel frame" of India and created the All-India Services (IAS and IPS) in 1947. Civil Services Day is observed on 21 April (Patel addressed the first batch of administrative probationers in 1947).

Constitutional provisions (Part XIV, Art. 308-323)

• Art. 309: Parliament and State legislatures regulate recruitment and conditions of service.
• Art. 310: tenure is during the pleasure of the President or Governor.
• Art. 311: safeguards: no dismissal or removal by an authority subordinate to the appointing authority, and no punishment without a reasonable opportunity of being heard. Exceptions: conviction on a criminal charge, where it is not reasonably practicable to hold an inquiry, or in the interest of State security.
• Art. 312: All-India Services; Art. 315-323: Public Service Commissions.

Role in a democracy: policy advice, implementation, administration, continuity during changes of government, delivery of public services, and upholding the rule of law. Principles: neutrality, anonymity, impartiality, merit, integrity (Northcote-Trevelyan model).

Issues and reforms

• Politicisation, arbitrary transfers, lack of specialist skills, red tape, corruption.
• T.S.R. Subramanian v Union of India (2013): directed minimum tenure for civil servants and a Civil Services Board to recommend transfers.
• Second ARC recommendations; Mission Karmayogi (2020) for capacity building; lateral entry (since 2018) for specialists; performance appraisal (APAR).
• Conduct governed by the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

Key Points

• Permanent executive; "steel frame" (Patel).
• Art. 309-311: recruitment, pleasure doctrine, safeguards.
• Art. 312 and 315-323: All-India Services and PSCs.
• T.S.R. Subramanian (2013): minimum tenure; Civil Services Board.
• Civil Services Day: 21 April.

MCQs

Q1. Safeguards to civil servants against arbitrary dismissal are provided in: (a) Art. 309 (b) Art. 310 (c) Art. 311 (d) Art. 312 Ans: (c).

Q2. The civil services were called the "steel frame" of India by: (a) Nehru (b) Sardar Patel (c) Ambedkar (d) Gandhi Ans: (b).

Q3. Civil Services Day in India is observed on: (a) 21 April (b) 24 April (c) 25 December (d) 31 October Ans: (a).