Topic: Role of civil services in a democracy.
4. Elaborate upon the importance of civil services in maintaining the unity, integrity and the federal character of the nation and steering it to a path of prosperity. What reforms are needed to improve their efficiency and effectiveness? (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
Two recent articles on the failure, or otherwise, of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) have attracted public attention. D. Subbarao argues for true meritocracy, faults the system of incentives and disincentives that rewards mediocrity, and makes it clear that the failure is not all due to political context and interference.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of civil services and reforms that are needed in them.
Directive word:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing a few introductory lines about the Civil services in India.
Body:
Discuss in points the role played by civil services in a democracy and try to connect them with Indian civil services – Role in Governance, Role in provision of public goods and services, Economic policy improvement and implementation, Role in fiscal sustainability, Role in institutional development etc.
Next, mention the various drawbacks and limitations with respect to civil services in India and the various reforms that are needed in this regard.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
