India’s ‘steel frame’ does need a check

/ Editorials, English /

India’s ‘steel frame’ does need a check

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Topic: GS 2: Role of civil services in a democracy

Context

  • Ongoing Issues: The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the broader bureaucracy face persistent challenges that affect their efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Need for Change: These challenges underline an urgent need for reforms in administrative practices and systems.
  • Goal of Reforms: The aim is to enhance transparency, accountability, and responsiveness within the bureaucracy.
  • Public Impact: Reforms are essential to better serve the public and meet the needs of a rapidly changing society.
  • Future Outlook: Addressing these issues could lead to a more effective and dynamic administrative system that fosters growth and development.

Introduction

  • Governance Challenges: India faces significant governance challenges that necessitate urgent reforms to modernize its bureaucracy.
  • Economic Context: While India has made impressive strides in growth and innovation, issues like income inequality and bureaucratic inefficiency persist.
  • Role of IAS: The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) plays a crucial role in governance, but its ongoing challenges highlight the need for reforms to unlock India’s full economic potential.

Legacy and Challenges of the IAS

  • Historical Background: The IAS, often referred to as India’s “steel frame,” originated from the colonial Indian Civil Service (ICS).
  • Post-Independence Importance: After Independence, the IAS became essential to India’s administrative structure, with officers in key governance roles.
  • Current Issues: The IAS faces challenges such as political interference, lack of specialization, and outdated personnel practices, which diminish its effectiveness.

Politicization and Lack of Specialization

  • Politicization: Frequent transfers and promotions based on political loyalty rather than merit have harmed morale and professionalism within the IAS.
  • Specialization Issues: Officers often rotate through different departments, hindering their ability to develop expertise and become effective policy specialists.

Corruption and Inefficiency

  • Corruption Impact: Corruption and inefficiency are significant issues within the bureaucracy.
  • World Bank Ranking: India ranks moderately on government effectiveness, indicating poor policy implementation and administrative independence.
  • Threat to Growth: Without reform, these systemic inefficiencies could hinder India’s economic growth and governance goals.

Executive-Led Governance Challenges

  • Centralized Decision-Making: India’s executive-led governance has had mixed results.
  • Positive Aspects: It has facilitated rapid economic reforms and infrastructure development.
  • Negative Aspects: Centralized power can lead to bottlenecks in policy implementation and lack of accountability, sidelining bureaucratic insights.

Reforms Under Prime Minister Modi

  • Reform Efforts: The Modi government has attempted to address issues like politicized transfers and enhance bureaucratic accountability.
  • Criticism of Centralization: Critics argue that centralizing power in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) risks undermining the autonomy of senior bureaucrats.

Need for Administrative Reforms

  • Historical Context: The call for administrative reforms is longstanding, with over 50 commissions established since Independence.
  • First ARC (1966): The First Administrative Reforms Commission emphasized the need for specialization, accountability, and merit-based promotions.

Recommendations of the Second ARC

  • Second ARC (2005): This commission proposed significant reforms, including:
  • Lowering the age for civil service entry.
  • Introducing performance-based promotions and lateral entry.
  • Establishing safeguards against arbitrary transfers.
  • Implementation Issues: Many recommendations remain unimplemented due to bureaucratic inertia and political resistance.

Government’s Push for Reform

  • Diversifying Governance: The Modi government aims to diversify governance by introducing lateral entry into senior bureaucratic roles.
  • Bringing in Experts: This initiative seeks to incorporate domain experts from the private sector into key policymaking positions.

Lateral Entry Progress and Impact

  • Recruitment Timeline: Since 2018, the government has pursued lateral recruitment to enhance governance with specialized knowledge.
  • Appointment Statistics: By 2023, 57 officers had been appointed through this initiative, disrupting the IAS’s traditional dominance.

Resistance to Lateral Entry

  • Criticism: The lateral entry initiative faces resistance from civil servants and opposition parties, raising concerns about morale and lack of reservation for marginalized groups.
  • Political Pressure: Recent political pressures have led to a reconsideration of lateral entry appointments, reflecting the contentious nature of reform.

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Model

  • DOGE Overview: The proposed DOGE model aims to streamline government operations and eliminate inefficiencies, drawing on expertise from leaders in various fields.
  • Accountability Focus: Its emphasis on accountability and cutting waste aligns with the challenges faced by the Indian bureaucracy.

Possible Adaptation for India

  • Advisory Body Proposal: A similar advisory body in India could help identify inefficiencies and promote data-driven decision-making within the civil service.
  • Time-Bound Commission: Establishing a commission with a clear timeline could ensure focused and actionable reform initiatives.

Challenges to Reform

  • Entrenched Structure: The IAS is deeply entrenched in India’s governance, making reform difficult.
  • Resistance from Within: Proposals for change often face resistance due to institutionalized seniority-based progression and political interference.
  • Stalled Initiatives: Previous proposals, like the Civil Services Standards, Performance, and Accountability Bill, have struggled to gain traction.

Conclusion

  • Need for a Multifaceted Approach: Addressing the challenges of India’s bureaucracy requires a comprehensive strategy.
  • Focus on Merit and Specialization: Recruitment should prioritize merit and domain expertise, with promotions tied to measurable performance.
  • Investment in Data Infrastructure: Developing a robust data infrastructure will help track bureaucratic performance and support informed decision-making.
  • Essential for Economic Aspirations: Reform is crucial for achieving India’s economic goals and ensuring effective governance for its citizens.