Latest news with #CivilServicesDay
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
What are the challenges faced by the civil services?
The story so far: On the occasion of Civil Services Day (April 21), Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan IAS, spoke about the importance of civil services in maintaining and strengthening democracy, the need for lateral entrants and greater transparency. What is merit versus spoils system? The merit system entails appointments to government posts after a rigorous selection process by an independent authority. In India, this commenced in 1858 when the British introduced the Indian Civil Service to select officers for administering the country. After independence, it is the Union Public Service Commission which conducts such exams. The merit system is aimed at building career bureaucrats who are expected to function without any political leanings and provide independent advice to the incumbent political executive. The spoils system works on the adage 'to the victor belong the spoils.' It is a system where the incumbent political executive appoints its supporters to various posts in the government. It has its origins in the U.S., and continued until 1883 when it was replaced largely by the merit system. What is the role of the civil services? The civil services have contributed significantly in the administration of our democratic system. As mentioned by the Cabinet Secretary, they have been instrumental in the conduct of free and fair elections, and ensuring smooth transfer of power both at the Centre and States. There have been numerous instances when States have been placed under President's rule, with the civil services ensuring uninterrupted administration during such times. On the development side, they are a repository of institutional knowledge. They provide advice to ruling governments in policy making and also implement the policies made by the political executive. The administrative tasks of public bureaucracy include executing and monitoring programmes, and laying down laws, rules and regulations. Civil servants have been the fulcrum around which governance activities like delivery of essential services, providing relief operations etc., have been carried out. What ails the civil services? But the civil services also suffer from significant challenges. First, neutrality as a trait is fast eroding among bureaucrats, resulting in political bias in discharge of critical functions. It is pertinent to note that both the cause and effect of this phenomenon is the increasing political interference in all aspects of bureaucracy including postings and transfers. Second, career bureaucrats who are generalists, may lack the expertise needed to address technical challenges. Third, there is also significant corruption at all levels of the bureaucracy that often goes unpunished. What reforms are required? Some of the measures that need to be taken are summarised here. In a democracy, the mandate is with the elected government and it needs to be respected. However, the neutral bureaucracy needs to be insulated from undue political interference to uphold the rule of law and constitutional values. To maintain a harmonious balance between the political and permanent executive, the autonomy of career bureaucrats is essential. This includes reasonable independence with respect to postings, tenures and transfers. Also, there needs to be a shift in the focus of bureaucrats from 'procedure' to 'outcomes.' Monitoring at present in the government is primarily through the measurement of outlays and at best through outputs. There is a need to move towards measurement of 'outcomes.' This reform can be hastened by hiring domain experts as lateral entrants, especially at senior levels. These reforms would uphold the essential traits of an effective civil service. Rangarajan. R is a former IAS officer and author of 'Courseware on Polity Simplified'. The views expressed are personal.
The Print
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Punishing IAS, IPS officers in MP for irking BJP-VHP members is reprehensible
ThePrint story about SPs and DCs in Madhya Pradesh being shunted out for displeasing BJP-VHP members shows a disturbing trend. Officers owe allegiance to India's Constitution, not ruling parties. Punishing them for doing their duty is reprehensible. CM Yadav would do well to heed PM Modi's Civil Services Day speech. Militancy vs terrorism a principled battle for Indians. Western media can't brazen through anymore Militancy vs terrorism debate isn't just semantics. It's a principled battle Indians have waged with the Western media since 1990s. In the social media era, it's impossible to brazen through such questions. This isn't about India's rising influence. Indians comprise a sizeable chunk of their digital readership. Brown Lives Matter.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Remote block along LoC in J&K connected by all-weather roads for the first time
Khwas, a remote block situated in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), has not experienced any terrorism-related incidents in the past year, according to a presentation made by Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma on April 21. The change comes after four panchayats in the block were connected by road for the first time under the Union government's Aspirational Block Programme. Follow Pahalgam terror attack updates on April 26 Since 2021, after a lull of two decades, the Jammu region, which includes the Chenab Valley comprising Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi districts; and the area to the south of the Pir Panjal range, comprising Rajouri and Poonch districts, has seen a resurgence in terrorist activities. This region was a hotbed of militancy in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Mr. Sharma spoke on the Khwas block — an area spanning 2.63 sq. km., with the LoC forming its western boundary, and the Pir Panjal mountains to the north — at an event organised by the Department of Administration and Public Grievances on the occasion of Civil Services Day. He said Khwas is one of the remotest blocks in the country, with a literacy rate of 41%, and a population of 35,212 (2011 Census). 'Before the Aspirational Block Programme was launched, four out of 15 panchayats did not have any road connectivity with the block and district headquarters. This resulted in a cycle of poverty and terrorism,' Mr. Sharma said. Markanar panchayat, for instance, is located 121 km from the district headquarters of Rajouri, and it took three hours to trek to the village. The officer said the terrain and its remoteness were among the factors for terrorism in the Khwas area. 'It was highest in the number of terror incidents. Because of security issues, there was lack of monitoring of projects on the ground, no audit was done, no senior official would visit the block, and there was no connect with the people of the block,' Mr. Sharma said. The tribal Bakarwal community migrates down to the plains in the winters with livestock, moving up again in the summer months. 'When we analysed the situation, it emerged that the fundamental issue for low literacy rate was connectivity. Highest funds under government schemes were allotted to the block. All panchayats and villages are now connected by all-weather roads for the first time since Independence. For the past one year, no terrorist incident has occurred in the block. We discussed [this] with the security forces. They can reach any village now,' Mr. Sharma said. He said there was an overall change in the security paradigm due to road and Internet connectivity. 'Communication was a key issue. Khwas is 100% tribal, entire schemes could not reach the people because of the language barrier. We translated all the schemes to the Gojri panchayats are yet to be connected with Internet. Under the 4G saturation scheme, BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) has started installing towers. In few months, the areas will be connected by 4G Internet,' the officer said. The Aspirational Block Programme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2023 to cover 500 of the most backward blocks located in 328 districts of 27 States and four Union Territories.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
PM Modi's 10 key messages for civil servants that every UPSC aspirant must note
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge for the upcoming UPSC civil services exams. Here's the knowledge nugget for today. Relevance: Governance and bureaucracy are central to both the UPSC exam and the roles that civil service aspirants aim to take up. With two key events this week related to bureaucracy—the final results of the Civil Services Exam 2024 and Civil Services Day—today's knowledge nugget is especially significant for aspirants, as are the Prime Minister's words on this occasion. The key takeaways from his speech are highly relevant for Ethics, Essay, GS Paper II, and the Personality Test. More importantly, their relevance extends beyond the exam.) Why in the news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed an event organised on the occasion of Civil Services Day. Speaking to the civil servants, Prime Minister spoke on a range of themes related to bureaucracy and governance. Check out the 10 key takeaways. Key Takeaways : 1. Reflecting on the past role of bureaucracy as a regulator controlling the pace of industrialisation and entrepreneurship, he emphasised that the nation has moved beyond this mindset and is now fostering an environment that promotes enterprise among citizens and helps them overcome barriers. 'Civil services must transform into an enabler, expanding its role from merely being the keeper of rule books to becoming a facilitator of growth,' PM said. 2. PM Modi said India's bureaucracy and policy making cannot operate on outdated frameworks and that the policies the government is working on now are going to shape the future of the next 1,000 years. 'To fulfil these extraordinary aspirations, extraordinary speed is essential,' he said. 3. PM warned that in a technology-driven world, one should not forget the importance of human judgement, and urged civil servants to always pay attention to people's voices. 'Be sensitive, listen to the voice of the poor, understand their problems, make solving them your priority. Just like Atithi devo bhava (guests are like Gods), we have to move ahead with the mantra that Naagrik devo Bhava (citizens are like Gods).' 4. He said in the age of technology, governance is not about managing systems, it is about multiplying possibilities. In the last decade, he said, the government has bridged the gap with citizens by leveraging technology, innovation and new practices. 'Its impact is visible in rural and urban areas as well as in remote areas,' he said. To remain relevant, the PM said, the members of civil service have to adapt themselves according to contemporary challenges. The prime minister said quality in governance is determined by how deeply schemes reach the people and their real impact on the ground. The holistic development of India means no village, no family and no citizen is left behind. 'Holistic Development of India' was the theme of this year's Civil Services Day. 5. In the past 10 years, he said, India has moved beyond incremental change to witness impactful transformation. 'India is setting new benchmarks in governance, transparency and innovation,' he added. Referring to the G20 Summit hosted by India in 2023, he said the approach of 'janbhagidari' turned the event into a people's movement and the world acknowledged. 6. Regarding efforts to reduce bureaucratic delays, he said that the government has eliminated over 40,000 non-compliances, and decriminalised over 3,400 legal provisions. 'I remember, when we were working to reduce the burden of compliance, when we were decriminalising some of the mistakes that happen during business, it was a surprise to me that there were voices of protest in some corners. Many people used to say, 'it has not happened till date, why are you doing it'? 'It is working, let it be'. 'What difference does it make to you? Let them comply, why are you increasing your work',' he said. 7. India has ambitious goals for the coming years in all sectors from clean energy, energy security to advancements in sports and space exploration, he said, adding that with these goals in mind, civil servants have an immense responsibility and should strive to prevent delays. 8. Reiterating the 'Panch Pran' vision announced from the Red Fort—emphasizing the resolve for a developed India, liberation from the mindset of servitude, pride in heritage, the power of unity, and the honest fulfillment of duties— PM Modi emphasized that civil servants are key to upholding these ideals. He stated, 'Every time you choose integrity over ease, innovation over inertia, or service over status, you push the nation forward,' affirming his full trust in the civil service. 9. Addressing young officers at the start of their careers, he acknowledged the role of society in shaping individual success, noting that many aspire to give back. He urged them to recognize the unique privilege they hold in serving the nation and to make the most of this opportunity granted by the people. 10. Recalling Sardar Patel's historic remark on April 21, 1947, calling civil servants the 'Steel Frame of India,' PM Modi highlighted Patel's vision of a disciplined, honest, and democracy-driven bureaucracy committed to national service. He stressed the continued relevance of these ideals in India's journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat. 'We have to increase the competence of civil servants so that we can prepare a future-ready civil service; that is why I consider both Mission Karmayogi and Civil Service Capacity Building Programme very important.' BEYOND THE NUGGET: Mission Karmayogi — It is capacity-building scheme for civil servants aimed at upgrading the post-recruitment training mechanism of the officers and employees at all levels. — The National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) envisioned by the Government, addresses the changing needs and aspirations of the citizen. Anchored by an apex body and headed by the Prime Minister, it is designed to enhance the civil services under a national programme. — The NPSCSB aims to embark on a learning transformation program that will address the capacity building issues of the Civil Services through a comprehensive online platform – iGOT Karmayogi. — iGOT Karmayogi provide 'anytime-anywhere-any device' learning to train around 2.0 crores users which was so far unachievable through traditional measures. Supported by a robust e-learning content industry the content can be curated by individual government ministries or organizations. (a) 'Bringing Citizens and Government closer' (c) 'Holistic Development of India'
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
RTN thanks complainants for backing hosp hygiene
Jaipur: Udaipur's RNT Medical College has developed a system to greet complainants with an instant thank you message via email from the principal of the medical college for supporting the institute's cleanliness efforts. The patients or their attendants who upload images of unclean hospital premises are recognised as "Chikitsalay Mitra". The initiative is part of the " Mera Aspatal Meri Jimmedari " programme launched by RNT Medical College in its attached hospitals in Udaipur to improve cleanliness, service efficiency, and public trust in hospital management. Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma presented an award to RNT Medical College for the initiative at a function organised Monday, Civil Services Day. According to the RNT Medical College officials, Chikitsalay Mitra recognition motivates people and hospital staff to report issues responsibly. The hospital's control room contacts complainants directly for grievance redressal and feedback. TNN
