IAS officers' honest take on bureaucracy goes viral on LinkedIn-- Here's why

Time of India

12 hours ago

credit: linkedin
A recent LinkedIn post shared by an IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre of the 1996 batch has sparked debate online. Mr. Ajitabh Sharma, who has dedicated so many years of his life to the Indian bureaucracy, breaking away from the polished narratives, admits that 'in IAS, any assignment ain't difficult,' highlighting a bigger concern: are all claims about this job misleading?
His post reflected on how many in governance present a simplified view of their work, making it seem like all tasks are equally manageable.
He says, 'I have always found it difficult, much less for the assignments and more so for the narrative,' expressing his disagreement with the idea that every administrative assignment carries the same weight and complexity.
Ajitabh Sharma pointed out that more than 80% of an IAS officer's time is consumed by what he calls 'non-core work,' noting that the core work for each department is different. The non-core work includes HR issues, departmental and interdepartmental meetings, prepping countless reports, managing data, etc.
These tasks, although important, often take up so much time that there's little left for anything that truly matters.
Screenshot of the post (credit: linkedin)
What is core work? He explains:
'Anything that is mission-driven, departmentally unique—water, social justice, education, health, and the list goes on. These are the areas where officers can actually make a difference, shape policy, and deliver impactful governance.'
Further, Mr. Sharma warns that spending countless years under non-core duties can lead to a false sense of expertise.
'You may feel like you are the 'expert,' but it may take your department on a downward slide in the service industry,' he explained.
With over 4,000 likes and 500+ comments, his post has struck a chord on the internet. Once again, somebody chose to speak reality—and people are loving it. Citizens who are often at the receiving end of administrative delays and inefficiencies have also voiced their support. This post is a timely reminder that meaningful public service requires time, focus, and the ability to rise above the noisy routine of paperwork.