I believe it's mostly due to the current political environment. During our preparation, we are usually taught that the executive is subordinate to the legislature. However, given the current situation, I think officers are becoming more aware that blindly obeying their political masters is not always the right thing to do.
Also, some officers who genuinely want to bring about positive change, as we have seen in the cases of Divya Mittal and Kannan Gopinathan, face so much friction within the system that they are unable to work in the way they were selected and trained to. These may be isolated cases, but social media gives them a wider reach and creates a ripple effect, making other officers question their choices as well.
I also feel that IAS and IPS are high-stress jobs, and people have now started prioritising their personal lives and peace of mind over everything else.
Personally, as someone preparing for the civil services, I would be perfectly happy if I get a service other than the IAS or IPS. At least I would be content with my work and life. It's okay if I don't get the fame or prestige; what matters more to me is being happy with my choices.
