{"id":321260,"date":"2024-12-24T19:57:19","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T14:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=321260"},"modified":"2024-12-27T10:01:36","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T04:31:36","slug":"indias-bureaucracy-key-issues-and-the-path-to-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-bureaucracy-key-issues-and-the-path-to-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s Bureaucracy: Key Issues and the Path to Reform"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source: <\/strong>The article on India\u2019s Bureaucracy: Key Issues and the Path to Reform <\/strong>\u00a0is based on \u201cIndia\u2019s \u2018steel frame\u2019 does need a check\u201d <\/strong>which was published in The Hindu on 24th<\/sup> December 2024.<\/p>\n

UPSC Syllabus Topic:<\/strong> GS 2-Governance<\/p>\n

Context: <\/strong>The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by India\u2019s bureaucracy, specifically focusing on the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), which has long been central to the country\u2019s governance.<\/p>\n

What is the significance of the IAS in India\u2019s governance system?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  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.<\/li>\n
  2. IAS officers occupy pivotal governance roles but face challenges like politicisation, lack of specialisation, and outdated personnel practices.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What are the main challenges faced by the IAS today?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Politicisation<\/strong>: Political interference impacts transfers, promotions, and suspensions, undermining morale and professionalism. Frequent department rotations prevent officers from developing domain expertise.<\/li>\n
    2. Corruption and Inefficiency<\/strong>: India\u2019s moderate rank on the World Bank\u2019s measure of government effectiveness highlights issues in policy implementation and administrative independence.<\/li>\n
    3. Centralisation of Decision-Making<\/strong>: While centralised governance under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has driven economic reforms, it has sidelined bureaucratic insights and reduced accountability.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      What historical efforts have been made to reform India\u2019s administrative system?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. Administrative Reforms Commissions (ARCs)<\/strong>: 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.<\/li>\n
      2. Limited Implementation<\/strong>: Despite over 50 commissions and committees since Independence, many recommendations remain unimplemented due to bureaucratic inertia and political resistance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        How has the Modi government approached bureaucratic reforms?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. Curbing Politicisation<\/strong>: Measures to limit politically motivated transfers and enhance accountability were introduced.<\/li>\n
        2. Lateral Entry Initiative<\/strong>: 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.<\/li>\n
        3. Challenges to Lateral Entry<\/strong>: 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.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          How can international models inspire Indian administrative reforms?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
            \n
          1. The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)<\/strong>: DOGE focuses on reducing inefficiency, cutting wasteful expenditure, and leveraging expert leadership.<\/li>\n
          2. Similar measures in India could include:\n
              \n
            1. Streamlining government operations.<\/li>\n
            2. Creating metrics to assess bureaucratic performance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n