SHANTI MARIA FONSECA
Civil Services forms a basis of Government without which there is no administration. Civil servants are officials in the executive wing and are essential for the functioning of government. It is the body of government officials who are employed in civil occupations. They act as the main channel to articulate people's needs and implement government policies on the ground. They provide the necessary inputs, identify policy areas, analyse various alternatives, offer multiple solutions to societal issues and give robust advice to the ministers, policy makers and legislators. Fostering a culture of transparency and accountability is crucial to reduce corruption and to promote good governance. Corruption within civil services if any, where public officials misuse their positions for personal gain, undoubtedly undermines governance, social-justice, and the public trust.
Corruption can take various forms like demanding bribes or misusing of public funds. Inspite of defective laws but endowed with committed and competent civil servants at the helm it’s possible to ensure effective governance. But with bad civil servants around, even the best laws cannot help. Corruption erodes public trust in government and its hallowed institutions; making it extremely difficult to implement public policies and people oriented services.
The role of civil servants is crucial in building a strong and prosperous nation. Our nation is defined by its people, not by its borders. We count on our civil servants to uphold this spirit and serve with integrity, dedication and empathy. A competent and dedicated civil service guarantees a stronger nation. The IAS cadre is responsible for formulating and implementing government policies. It is the permanent and reliable arm of the Government of India and the state governments. Civil Services are the pivot of the government which ensures its seemless administration. Satyendranath Tagore, the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, was the first Indian to be selected for the Indian Civil Services (ICS) in the year 1863. The cabinet secretary is arguably India’s most powerful bureaucrat and the right hand of the Prime Minister of India.
Civil services play an essential role in the Administration, policy formulation, and implementation of democracy. There are three prominent pillars of democracy: The Legislative, the Executive, and the Judiciary. The civil service forms an important section of the Executive among these three pillars. The Executive consists of ministers and civil servants. The ministers are temporary in a democracy as they are replaced and re-elected after a fixed period of time in a democracy, but civil servants are a permanent part of the Executive. In a parliamentary democracy like India, the Council of Ministers (CoM), i.e., of a Union or a State cabinet are responsible for the Administration of Government and policymaking. However, it is the role of Civil Service in a democracy to advise CoM regarding the Administration of the Government policymaking and implement the laws made by CoM. And by providing necessary insights about the pros and cons to the ministers.
Indira Gandhi is credited to have taken a more engaging and critical view on the importance of the Civil services in governance than her father. She was one of the first leaders after independence who initiated revolutionary changes on the administration. Upon completing 100 days in office during her first term as Prime Minister she declared: “The problem of administration has added to the difficulties of the country. All along the line, the administration has deteriorated – at the centre, at the state, and even in the lower rungs of the government set up. Toning up would have to be done, new procedures might have to be evolved and, even fresh recruitment at all levels would have to be considered.” Restructuring of ICS happened in the year 1947 when it was named as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
The officers in the civil services form the permanent staff of the various governmental departments. They are basically experts as administrators. They are sometimes referred to as the bureaucracy or also the public service. Interestingly, as the world accelerated towards fast paced changes, as a result of social activism, technological advancement and decentralization, the aspirations of the public has also arisen alongside crying for better administration, demanding effective service-delivery and transparency from the governments. The civil services, an integral part of the government are therefore required to fulfil the aspirations of the people. However, the quality of public services delivered to the Indian people have failed to match up with their ever growing expectations. Very few will disagree with this observation.
During an event to observe ‘Vigilance Awareness Week’, Officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the country’s premier investigating agency, CBI, stated that they have been comparatively jobless in Goa since it does not receive any complaints of corruption. Offices like customs, income tax, banks, GST, Goa Shipyard, MPT and other public sector undertakings come under their surveillance. “The tolerance to corruption among people of Goa is very high. We are sitting idle, as if there is not a single complaint of bribery or disproportionate assets in the state against officers”. Recently however, the Chief Secretary of Goa Puneet Kumar Goel was exposed for purchasing an illegal bungalow at Aldona for Rs 2.36 crore which was built illegally after the alleged conversion of 1,875 sq.mts. on agricultural property. Upon investigating, the land was found to be a paddy field, with no possibility of building any construction on that agricultural field. What was surprising was that he made notings on the file of the land he himself bought with impunity.
The state government generally holds the power to suspend both IAS and IPS officers, especially for misconduct within the state. While the state government has the primary authority, the central government plays a role in confirming the suspension order and in disciplinary matters for all India service officers. Article 311 of the Indian Constitution places procedural restrictions on the government’s power to dismiss, remove, or reduce the rank of civil servants. This article provides civil servants with vital safeguards against arbitrary or unjust actions, ensuring that they are not dismissed without ‘due process’. The President of India is the appointing authority for IAS, IPS and IFS officers. Therefore, according to Article 311(1), only the President can dismiss or remove these officers.
National Civil Service Day 2025 is celebrated today to acknowledge and appreciate the vital role of civil servants in India's governance and development. The date holds special relevance because it marks the day when India’s first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the new Administrative Services Officers in 1947 and referred to them as the “Steel Frame of India". The commonly attributed motto of the Civil Service, particularly in the context of India, is "Excellence in Action".
This motto emphasizes the importance of efficiency, effectiveness, and high standards in the performance of duties by these civil servants who are focused on honing their skills and being innovative. Additionally, it provides the Central Government with an opportunity to evaluate the performance of various departments operating under the civil services umbrella as well as award the best-performing individuals and groups within the civil services by recognizing their outstanding contributions to public service and governance by the Indian Prime Minister. On Civil Services Day, which is April 21st, we recognize the vital role of civil servants in nation-building and reflect on meaningful quotes like "The civil servant is a human being who serves his country with honesty, integrity, and dedication".
(The writer a social scientist and is a senior practicing criminal lawyer)