In this post, notes of “Unit 1: Indian Administration “ from “DSC 10: Public Administration in India” are given which is helpful for the students doing graduation this year.

a. Evolution of Civil Services in India

1. History of Civil Services in India

Ancient India: Mauryan and Gupta Rule

• Mauryan Rule (about 4th century BCE): The Mauryan Empire, led by Emperor Ashoka, had a clear system of government with officials at different levels. There were central and local officers like ministers and tax collectors, working together to manage the state effectively.
• Gupta Rule (4th-6th century CE): The Gupta Empire had a less centralized system. The king was in charge, with a council of ministers to help. There were also local governors who had important roles, similar to later regional governments.

Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Rule

• Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526): This period saw a strong central government, with the Sultan overseeing all major functions. Officials included ministers, finance officers, judges, and military leaders, focusing on military and revenue management.
• Mughal Rule (1526-1857): The Mughal Empire created a detailed government system. The emperor was the top authority, and key officials managed finance, military, and justice. They strengthened the role of the bureaucracy in governance.

British India: East India Company and Indian Civil Service (ICS)

• East India Company Rule (1600-1857): The civil service was basic but growing. The focus was on collecting taxes and enforcing laws, with a system modeled after British governance but without a formal Indian bureaucracy.
• Indian Civil Service (ICS): Formed in the early 1800s, the ICS was a prestigious service largely made up of British officers. They managed revenue, law, and territory across India, with recruitment based on exams in London, which later changed to include Indians after independence.

Post-Independence: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

• After India became independent in 1947, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was created as the main civil service. It aimed to maintain the efficiency of the ICS while serving an independent India. The IAS was built to be a professional service that implements government policies and helps with administration at all levels.

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2. Civil Service in the Constitution

Constitutional Articles: 308-323

• The Constitution of India outlines the civil services’ structure and functions. Key articles include:
  • Article 308: Defines “State” for civil services.
  • Article 309: Gives the President the power to set rules for recruiting civil servants.
  • Article 310: States that civil servants serve at the President’s or Governor’s will.
  • Article 311: Protects civil servants from unfair dismissal, requiring proper procedures for removal.
  • Article 312: Allows Parliament to create All India Services and govern their recruitment.

Appointment: Article 312 and All India Services Act, 1951

• Article 312: This article enables the creation of new All India Services (AIS) and regulates their recruitment and training. The IAS, IPS, and IFS are examples of these services, which work at both central and state levels.
• All India Services Act, 1951: This law sets the rules for recruiting and training AIS officers and outlines their duties.

Training: Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA)

• The LBSNAA is the main training center for civil service officers in India. Established in 1959, it trains new IAS and AIS officers through academic lessons and practical experience in administration and governance.

Promotion: Career Growth and Performance Evaluation

• Promotion in civil services is based on performance. Key methods include:
  • Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs): Officers are evaluated each year on their job performance.
  • State and Central Cadres: Promotions for IAS officers depend on both state and central governments, considering seniority and service records.
  • Advancement to Higher Roles: Officers can move up to higher positions based on merit and experience.
  • Civil Services Examination: Internal exams can also lead to promotions for specialized roles.

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In short, India’s civil services have changed a lot over time, from ancient days to British rule and after independence. Today, they are meant to support democracy, ensure good governance, and tackle the challenges of public administration.

b. PMO and Cabinet Secretariat

1. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)

What It Is

• The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is led by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, along with a team of other officials.
• The PMO helps the Prime Minister with advice and administration.
• It helps make government policies, checks how well policies are working, works with different ministries, and communicates with the President, Governors, and other countries.

Role in Making and Carrying Out Policies

• The PMO is important for creating policies and plans. It gives the Prime Minister advice and information.
• It ensures major government programs and projects are completed on time and effectively.
• The PMO helps different ministries work together to put policies into action smoothly.

Key People and Their Jobs

• Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister: Leads the PMO and manages its work.
• National Security Advisor (NSA): Advises on national security and oversees security plans.
• Advisors and Secretaries: Each one focuses on specific areas like the economy, foreign relations, infrastructure, and social issues.
• Press Secretary: Handles media relations for the Prime Minister.

2. Cabinet Secretariat

History

• The Cabinet Secretariat started as the Secretariat for the Governor-General during British rule.
• After India became independent, it changed into the Cabinet Secretariat, which helps the Cabinet and ensures ministries work together.
• It has adapted over time to help the government function better.

What It Does

• The Cabinet Secretariat helps the Cabinet make decisions and ensures those decisions are carried out.
• It assists various Cabinet committees and manages crises, making sure ministries work together and communicate well.

Role in Helping Ministries Work Together and Managing Crises

• The Cabinet Secretariat helps settle disputes between ministries and ensures they work together on policies.
• It connects different ministries, encouraging discussion and cooperation.
• In emergencies, the Cabinet Secretariat coordinates the government’s response to ensure quick and effective action.

c. Major Initiatives in Administrative Reforms

1. Mission Karmayogi

• Goals and Features
  • Mission Karmayogi wants to improve Indian civil services by building skills.
  • It sets a framework to identify skills needed for different civil service jobs.
  • It includes a digital learning platform called iGOT Karmayogi for easy access to learning materials.
• How It Works and Its Impact
  • Started on September 2, 2020, it aims to shift from following strict rules to focusing on roles.
  • It encourages civil servants to keep learning and growing in their jobs.
  • The goal is to make civil services more efficient, effective, and responsible.

2. Lateral Entry

• What It Is and Why It Matters
  • Lateral entry means hiring skilled professionals from the private sector for government jobs.
  • This helps bring new ideas and expertise to improve government work.
• Advantages and Issues
  • Advantages: It can fill job gaps, make governance better, and create healthy competition.
  • Issues: Some may oppose it due to concerns about fairness and conflicts of interest.

3. e-Samiksha

• Online Monitoring System
  • e-Samiksha is a tool to track and speed up the completion of tasks and projects.
• Features and Benefits
  • It automatically tracks tasks from submission to completion.
  • It makes processes faster and clearer, reduces back-and-forth communication, and improves teamwork among government offices.

4. e-Office

• Going Paperless
  • e-Office aims to make government offices paperless by digitizing documents and processes.
• Efficiency and Clarity
  • Going paperless cuts down on clutter, makes information easier to access, improves security, and saves money.
  • It helps government work more efficiently and transparently through digital communication and record-keeping.

5. Citizen Charters

• Purpose and Importance
  • Citizen Charters are documents that explain what public services promise to deliver, ensuring transparency and accountability.
  • They aim to empower citizens, increase satisfaction, and build trust between service providers and users.
• How They Are Used and Reviewed
  • Public service organizations use Citizen Charters to set clear service standards and timelines.
  • They are regularly reviewed and updated to stay relevant and effective.

6. Good Governance Index

• Goals and Methods
  • The Good Governance Index (GGI) measures how well Indian states and Union Territories are governed using various indicators.
  • It looks at performance in areas like agriculture, business, education, and health.
• Key Indicators and Results
  • The GGI uses indicators like food production and school retention rates to assess governance.
  • The results show strengths and weaknesses, helping guide policy changes and improvements.