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Q1. Highlighting the constitutional provisions of Indian civil services, discuss the problem associated with it. Also, give recommendations by various committees to address the issues. (250 words, 15 Marks)
Approach:
- Introduction: Give a brief description of civil services.
- Body:
- Mention the constitutional provisions of civil services.
- Describe the problems of civil services.
- Mention the recommendations given by various committees.
- Conclusion: Conclude futuristically with what needs to be done to meet future challenges.
Answer:
Civil services are crucial to a democracy’s administration, the creation and execution of public policy, and the advancement of the nation’s progress and development. The permanent component of the executive is the civil service.
Constitutional Provisions of Civil Services:
- Articles 53 and 154: the President or Governor may exercise his or her executive authority directly or through officers who report to him. These employees make up the permanent civil service and are governed by Articles 308 to 323 of Part XIV of the Constitution, which is devoted to services provided by the Union and States.
- Article 309: It gives the Parliament and State legislatures the power to oversee recruitment processes and employment terms for individuals assigned to public offices and services related to the activities of the Union or any State, respectively.
- Article 310: Every member of the Defense, Civil, and All India Services holding any position associated with the aforementioned services holds office only at the President’s or State’s Governor’s pleasure.
- Article 311: Dismissal, dismissal, or rank reduction of those working in civil capacities for the Union or a State are all covered under Article 311.
- Article 312: The Parliament may establish one or more All India services (including an All India Judicial Service) that are shared by the Union and the States, according to Article 312 of the Indian Constitution.
Problems Associated with Civil Services:
- Lack of manpower: According to the Baswan Committee Report (2016), there is a general lack of personnel, particularly in mid-level and upper-level services, which causes service delays and places stress on already-hired staff members.
- Unlawful political involvement: This interference occasionally results in problems like corruption and the arbitrary transfers of honourable public employees.
- Lack of specific knowledge among civil servants: General competency is valued in hiring and promotion decisions. However, in a world that is changing quickly, a lack of specialised skills could render them obsolete.
- Resistance to change: The bureaucracy has frequently come under fire for its opposition to the decentralisation of government and the use of new technologies.
Recommendation of various committees:
- 2nd ARC has recommended:
- Strengthening Public Services Accountability.
- Making the performance management system’s appraisal more transparent and consultative (PMS).
- For Senior Level Appointments, competition and specialised knowledge should be needed.
- Surendra Nath Committee: It recommended setting up a Civil Services Board (CSB) which will replace the functioning of the Central Board.
- P.C Hota Committee: It also recommended the establishment of a Civil Services Board (CSB) at the centre and state levels.
- National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution: It made the point that political masters’ arbitrary methods of promotion and transfers contributed to the erosion of bureaucracy’s independent working.
In India, civil services play a significant role in enforcing laws and carrying out policies. The civil service’s function has evolved over time. At the moment, significant economic growth has increased the amount of work. To meet these new challenges, civil servants must equip themselves with the necessary skills and talents. For the development of the country, they must be adept at new technology and working methods.
