India’s Bureaucracy: Key Issues and the Path to Reform

Source: The article on India’s Bureaucracy: Key Issues and the Path to Reform  is based on “India’s ‘steel frame’ does need a check” which was published in The Hindu on 24^th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS 2-Governance

Context: The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by India’s bureaucracy, specifically focusing on the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), which has long been central to the country’s governance.

What is the significance of the IAS in India’s governance system?

1. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS), often referred to as the “steel frame” of India, originated from the colonial Indian Civil Service (ICS) and has been central to the country’s administrative machinery post-Independence.
2. IAS officers occupy pivotal governance roles but face challenges like politicisation, lack of specialisation, and outdated personnel practices.

What are the main challenges faced by the IAS today?

1. Politicisation: Political interference impacts transfers, promotions, and suspensions, undermining morale and professionalism. Frequent department rotations prevent officers from developing domain expertise.
2. Corruption and Inefficiency: India’s moderate rank on the World Bank’s measure of government effectiveness highlights issues in policy implementation and administrative independence.
3. Centralisation of Decision-Making: While centralised governance under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has driven economic reforms, it has sidelined bureaucratic insights and reduced accountability.

What historical efforts have been made to reform India’s administrative system?

1. Administrative Reforms Commissions (ARCs): The First ARC (1966) and Second ARC (2005) emphasised merit-based promotions, accountability, and specialisation. Key recommendations included lowering the entry age for civil services, performance-based promotions, and safeguards against arbitrary transfers.
2. Limited Implementation: Despite over 50 commissions and committees since Independence, many recommendations remain unimplemented due to bureaucratic inertia and political resistance.

How has the Modi government approached bureaucratic reforms?

1. Curbing Politicisation: Measures to limit politically motivated transfers and enhance accountability were introduced.
2. Lateral Entry Initiative: From 2018 to 2023, 57 lateral entrants, including private sector experts, joined senior bureaucratic roles. By 2023, only 33% of Joint Secretaries at the Centre were from the IAS, compared to near-total dominance a decade ago.
3. Challenges to Lateral Entry: Resistance from retired civil servants and political opposition over concerns about morale, promotion incentives, and lack of reservation for marginalised groups.Political pressure led to a temporary halt in the lateral entry initiative.

How can international models inspire Indian administrative reforms?

1. The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): DOGE focuses on reducing inefficiency, cutting wasteful expenditure, and leveraging expert leadership.
2. Similar measures in India could include:
   1. Streamlining government operations.
   2. Creating metrics to assess bureaucratic performance.

• Setting a fixed timeline for reform implementation.

What are the key obstacles to bureaucratic reform in India?

1. Resistance from Within: Institutionalised seniority-based progression and generalist roles hinder reform efforts. Proposals for lateral entry and performance-based promotions face pushback.
2. Political Interference: Legislative measures like the Civil Services Standards, Performance, and Accountability Bill (2010) have stalled. Supreme Court directives, such as establishing civil services boards in 2013, have seen limited enforcement.

What reforms are essential to modernise India’s bureaucracy?

Administrative reforms are vital to address inefficiencies, enhance governance, and ensure that India’s economic growth and governance objectives effectively serve its people.

1. Merit-Based Recruitment and Promotions: Prioritise domain expertise and measurable performance over seniority.
2. Accountability Mechanisms: Protect bureaucrats from arbitrary political transfers and ensure adherence to performance metrics.
3. Specialisation and Data-Driven Decision-Making: Foster specialisation in policymaking roles. Invest in robust data infrastructure to track bureaucratic performance and inform decisions.