Civil Services of India
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The Civil Services of India (known simply as the Civil Services) refer to the civil service and the permanent bureaucracy of the Government of India. The civil service system is the backbone of the administrative machinery of the country.[1]
In the parliamentary democracy of India, the ultimate responsibility for running the administration rests with the elected representatives of the people which are the ministers. The ministers are accountable to the legislature, elected by the people on the basis of universal adult franchise. The ministers are thus indirectly responsible to the people. But the handful of ministers cannot be expected to deal personally with the manifold problems of modern administration. Thus the ministers lay down the policy and it is for the civil servants to carry out this policy.
The executive decisions are implemented by the Indian civil servants. A civil servant is any person who is a citizen of India appointed by the Government to any civil service or post in connection with the affairs of the Union and includes a civilian in a Defence Service. The members of civil service serve at the pleasure of the President of India and Article 311 of the constitution protects them from politically motivated or vindictive action. Civil servants are employees of the Government of India; however, not all employees of the Government are civil servants. Civil servants in a personal capacity are paid from the Civil List. Senior civil servants may be called to account by Parliament.
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[edit] History
The present modern civil services of India is mostly followed on the pattern of the Indian Civil Service of the British Raj. It was formed after Independence of India in 1947 from the British Raj.
[edit] Constitution
The constitution provides for more Civil Services branches to be set up by giving the power to the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament of India) to resolve by a two-thirds majority to establish new all-India services or central services. The Indian Forest Service and the Indian Foreign Service are the two services set up under this constitutional provision.
At present, the Central Government is finalising on creation of two new all-India services namely the Indian Judicial Service[2][3] and the Indian Legal Service.[4][5][6]
[edit] Power, Purpose and Responsibilities
The responsibility of the civil services is running the administration of India effectively and efficiently. It is believed that the administration of a vast and diverse country like India requires efficient management of its natural, economic and human resources. The country is managed through a number of Central Government agencies in accordance with the policy directions given by the ministries.
The members of the civil services represent as administrators in the central government and state government; emissaries in the foreign missions/embassies; as tax collectors and revenue commissioners; as civil service commissioned police officers; as permanent respresentative(s) and employees in the United Nations and its agencies and as Chairman, Managing Director, full-time functional Director/Member of the Board of Management of various Public Sector Undertakings/ Enterprises, Corporations, Banks and financial institutions. Civil servants are employed to various agencies of India and can also be appointed as advisors or special duty officers or private secretaries to ministers of the Union and the State Government.
[edit] Governance
[edit] Head of the Civil Service
The highest ranking civil servant is the Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Republic of India who is also the Cabinet Secretary. He is ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board of the Republic of India; the chief of the Indian Administrative Service and head of all civil services under the rules of business of the Government of India. He also holds the 11th position in the Order of Precedence of India.
The position holder is accountable for ensuring that the Civil Service is equipped with the skills and capability to meet the everyday challenges it faces and that civil servants work in a fair and decent environment.
| Name[7] | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| N. R. Pillai | 1950 to 1953 | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| Y. N. Sukthankar | 1953 to 1957 | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| M.K.Vellodi | 1957 to 1958 | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| Vishnu Sahay | 1958 to 1960 | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| B.N.Jha | 1960 to 1961 | |
| Vishnu Sahay | 1961 to 1962 | |
| S.S.Khera | 1962 to 1964 | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| Dharam Vira | 1964 to 1966 | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| D.S.Joshi | 1966 to 1968 | |
| B.Sivaraman | 1969 to 1970 | |
| T.Swaminathan | 1970 to 1972 | |
| B.D.Pande | 1972 to 1977 | |
| N.K. Mukarji | 1977 to 1980 | |
| S.S.Grewal | 1980 to 1981 | |
| C.R.Krishnaswamy Rao | 1981 to 1985 | |
| P.K.Kaul | 1985 to 1986 | |
| B.G.Deshmukh | 1986 to 1989 | |
| T.N.Seshan | 1989 to 1989 | He belongs to the IAS (TN:1955 batch). |
| V. C. Pande | 1989 to 1990 | |
| Naresh Chandra | 1990 to 1992 | |
| S.Rajgopal | 1992 to 1993 | |
| Zafar Saifullah | 1993 to 1994 | |
| Surendra Singh | 1994 to 1996 | |
| T.S.R.Subramaniam | 1996 to 1998 | |
| Prabhat Kumar | 1998 to 2000 | |
| T.R. Prasad | 2000 to 2002 | |
| Kamal Pande | 2002 to 2004 | |
| B. K. Chaturvedi | 2004 to 2007 | |
| K. M. Chandrasekhar | 2007 to 2011 | He belongs to the IAS (KL:1970 batch). |
| A.K. Seth | 2011 to Present | He belongs to the IAS (UP:1974 batch). |
[edit] Values and Codes
[edit] Civil Service Values
A member of the civil service in discharge of his/her functions is to be guided by maintaining absolute integrity, allegiance to the constitution and the law of the nation, patriotism, national pride, devotion to duty, honesty, impartiality and transparency.[8]
[edit] Civil Service Codes
The Government of India promotes values and a certain standard of ethics of requiring and facilitating every civil servant[8]:
- To discharge official duty with responsibility, honesty, accountability and without discrimination.
- To ensure effective management, leadership development and personal growth.
- To avoid misuse of official position or information.
- To serve as instruments of good governance and foster social economic development.
[edit] Construction
The Civil Services of India can be classified into two types - the All India Services and the Central Civil Services (Group A and B). The recruits are university graduates (or above) selected through a rigorous system of examinations, called the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
[edit] All India Civil Services (AIS)
All appointments to All India Civil Services are made by the President of India.
[edit] Central Civil Services (CCS)
The CCS are concerned with the administration of the Union Government. These services deal with the subjects such as foreign affairs, defense (civil administration), union taxation, economy, engineering, accounts, communication etc. The Central Civil Services are classified into Group A (Class I) and Group B (Class II).
[edit] Group A[9]
All appointments to Civil Services, Group A are made by the President of India.
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[edit] Group B[10]
All appointments to Group B, Group C and Group D are made by the authorities specified by a general or special order of the President.
- Indian Foreign Service, Group ‘B’ - (General Cadre, Grade I and General Cadre, Grade II only)
- Central Secretariat Service, Group 'B' (Section and Assistants’ Grade officers only)
- Indian Posts and Telegraphs Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘B’ Telecommunication Wing.
- Indian Posts & Telegraphs Accounts & Finance Service, Postal Wing, Group ‘B’
- Indian Salt Service, Group ‘B’
- India Meteorological Service, Group ‘B'
- Central Secretariat Official Language Service, Group ‘B’
- Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service, (Grade I, Grade II and Selection Grade officers only)
- Central Health Service, Group ‘B’
- Income Tax Service, Group ‘B’
- Botanical Survey of India, Group 'B'.
- Geological Survey of India, Group 'B'.
- Geological Survey of India, Group 'B'.
- Survey of India, Group 'B'.
- Zoological Survey of India, Group 'B'.
- Central Electrical Engineering Service, Group 'B'.
- Central Engineering Service, Group 'B'.
- Central Power Engineering Service, Group ‘B’
- Postal Superintendents’ Service, Group ‘B’
- Postmasters’ Service, Group ‘B’
- Telecommunication Engineering Service, Group ‘B’
- Telegraphs Traffic Service, Group ‘B
- Central Excise Service, Group ‘B’
- Customs Appraisers Service, Group ‘B’- (Principal Appraisers and Head Appraisers)
- Customs Preventive Service, Group ‘B’ – (Chief Inspectors)
- Defence Secretariat Service
- Union Territories Administrative Service
- Union Territorries Police Service
[edit] State Civil Services (SCS/PCS)
The State Civil Services (also known as Provincial Civil Services) examinations and recruitments are conducted by the individual states of India. The state civil services deals with subjects such as land revenue, agriculture, forests, education etc. The officers of the state civil services are recruited by different States through the State Public Service Commissions. The categories of services to which candidates are selected through the state civil services (SCS) examination are as under:
- State Civil Services, Class-I (SCS)
- State Police Service, Class-I (SPS).
- Block Development Officer.
- Tehsildar/Talukadar/Assistant Collector.
- Excise and Taxation Officer.
- District Employment Officer.
- District Treasury Officer.
- District Welfare Officer.
- Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies.
- District Food and Supplies Controller/Officer.
- Any other Class-I/Class-II service notified as per rules by the concerned State.
[edit] Employment by Agency
Federal Government executive branch civilian employment:
Independent agencies:
- Reserve Bank of India
- Securities and Exchange Board of India
- Department of Space
- Department of Atomic Energy
- Planning Commission
- Directorate General of Economic Enforcement
- Directorate General of Anti-Evasion
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
- National Advisory Council
- Central Bureau of Investigation
- Intelligence Bureau
- Central Vigilance Commission
- National Security Guards
[edit] Reforms and Changes
As of 2011, in a duration of past three years over 450 chargesheets have been filed and a total of 943 cases are at different stages of investigation by CBI against civil servants.[11][12] By a corporate consultancy firm based in Hong Kong in 2012, Indian bureaucracy is ranked and rated as the worst in Asia with a 9.21 rating out of 10.[13][14][15]
[edit] Miscellaneous
[edit] Civil Service Day
The Civil Service Day is celebrated on 21 April every year. The purpose for this day is to rededicate and recommit themselves to the cause of the people. It is observed by all Civil Services. This day gives civil servants the opportunity for introspection and thinking about future strategies to deal with the challenges being posed by the changing times.[16]"
On this occasion, all officers of Central and State Governments are honoured for excellence in public administration by the Prime Minister of India. The 'Prime Minister Award for Excellence in Public Administration' is presented in three categories. Under this scheme of awards instituted in 2006, all the officers individually or as group or as organization are eligible.
The award includes a medal, scroll and a cash amount of Rs.1 lakh. In case of a group, the total award money is Rs.5 lakh subject to a maximum of Rs.1 lakh per person. For an organization the cash amount is limited to Rs.5 lakh.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (8 June 2011). "The civil service system". New Delhi: Government of India. http://arc.gov.in/viet.ppt. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- ^ R.D. SHARMA (10 January 2010). "Merits of an All India Judicial Service on the pattern of the All India Civil Services". New Delhi: The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/op/2006/08/20/stories/2006082000031600.htm. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "Plan for All-India Judicial Service Faces Roadblocks". New Delhi: Outlook India. 14 November 2010. http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=701117. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Akshaya Mukul (10 January 2010). "India Legal Service soon to be established on par with IAS". New Delhi: Times of India. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-10/india/28117576_1_law-firms-ias-officers. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Maneesh Chhibber (11 June 2010). "Indian Legal Service to be created soon". New Delhi: Indian Express. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/to-attract-young-talent-indian-legal-se.../632360/. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Dhananjay Mahapatra (6 November 2010). "Two new all-India services on anvil". New Delhi: Times of India. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-06/india/28242414_1_trial-court-judges-law-minister-legal-opinion. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India (8 June 2011). "Complete List of Cabinet Secretaries since 1950". New Delhi: Government of India. http://cabsec.nic.in/about_cabinet.php. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ a b Misra, P.K. (2010-08-04). "The Role of civil services in India (Standard Note: DOPT/Government of India)". Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. http://www.upacademy.org/presentationpdf/-%20Civil_Services_in_Idia_UPAAM.pdf. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ Complete Civil Service Schedule of the Civil Services Group A of India." Civil Service Group A - Government of India 1 January 2011.
- ^ Complete Civil Service Schedule of the Central Civil Services Group B of India." Central Civil Service Group B - Government of India 1 January 2011.
- ^ "453 IAS, IPS and civil servants chargesheeted in last 3 yrs". New Delhi: Indian Express. 23 November 2011. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/453-ias-ips-and-civil-servants-charge-sheeted-in-last-3-yrs/879559/. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
- ^ "Over 400 central officers booked in last 3 yrs". New Delhi: Zee News. 23 November 2011. http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/over-400-central-officers-booked-in-last-3-yrs_743388.html. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
- ^ "Indian bureaucrats worst in Asia, says PERC study". New Delhi: India Today. 12 January 2012. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-bureaucrats-rated-worst-in-asia-says-study/1/168470.html. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- ^ "Indian bureaucracy rated worst in Asia". New Delhi: CNN-IBN. 11 January 2012. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indian-bureaucracy-rated-worst-in-asia/219906-2.html. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ "Indian bureaucracy rates worst in Asia: 2012". New Delhi: Deccan Herald. 11 January 2012. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/218357/indian-bureaucracy-rated-worst-asia.html. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ "Civil Service Day: India." Civil Service Day - Government of India April 2010.
[edit] External links
[edit] Official
[edit] All India Civil Service
[edit] Central Civil Service
- The Central Civil Services Conduct Rules of 1964
- Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure 12th edition
[edit] Others
- Civil Service Reform in India - Problems and Reforms
- Top civil servants approach Supreme Court to stem civil services rot
- Corrupt civil servants to lose part of pension
- Corrupt may have to pay for govt losses
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