Ethics

Model Answer

Introduction

The need to develop effective civil service ethics, transparency measures, and anti-corruption agencies in India has become increasingly important. The civil services are crucial for governance and development, but ethical challenges such as corruption, lack of transparency, and declining integrity threaten their effectiveness. To address this, there is a focus on three critical areas: anticipating ethical threats, strengthening ethical competence, and promoting ethical practices in administration.

Stakeholders: Key stakeholders include civil servants, the government, citizens, and anti-corruption agencies.

Body

1. Anticipating specific threats to ethical standards and integrity:

• Ethics Commission: Establish an independent Ethics Commission to monitor, analyze, and address potential ethical risks in the civil services. The commission would regularly conduct risk assessments and integrity audits.
• Code of Conduct: Develop and enforce a comprehensive code of conduct to guide civil servants in making ethical decisions and navigating conflicts of interest. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) recommends these measures to reduce misconduct in services.
• Integrity Audits: Perform regular audits to identify vulnerable areas in administration that may be prone to unethical practices.

2. Strengthening the ethical competence of civil servants:

• Training Programs: Introduce continuous training on ethics, integrity, and anti-corruption, as recommended by the ARC, to enhance civil servants’ ethical awareness.
• Ethics Awareness: Organize awareness programs, seminars, and workshops to foster an ethical culture within the civil services.
• Professional Networks: Encourage networks for civil servants to share best practices and seek guidance in resolving ethical dilemmas.

3. Developing administrative processes promoting ethical values:

• Merit-based Recruitment: Strengthen recruitment and promotion processes to ensure that merit and integrity are prioritized. The 2nd ARC advocates for reforms in recruitment to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Open Governance: Encourage transparency through participatory governance, where citizens can engage in decision-making processes.
• Anti-Corruption Mechanisms: Implement whistleblower protection laws and establish dedicated channels for reporting corruption, as prescribed in the Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014.

Conclusion

By addressing these three areas—anticipating threats, strengthening ethical competence, and promoting ethical processes—India can build a robust framework to enhance integrity, ethics, and transparency in civil services, as emphasized by the Second ARC. These reforms will contribute to fostering a culture of accountability and professionalism in the civil services.

Model Answer

Introduction

The trend of politicization of bureaucracy occurs when political considerations overshadow merit-based appointments and decision-making. This shift has significant consequences, including a decline in meritocracy, erosion of neutrality, loss of expertise, administrative inefficiency, weakened institutional autonomy, and public distrust.

Consequences of Politicization

1. Lack of Meritocracy
   • Political affiliations often influence bureaucratic appointments and promotions, leading to selections based on loyalty rather than competence. This results in a decline in governance quality and hampers the bureaucracy’s effectiveness.
   • Source: Administrative Reforms Commission Report (2008) highlights the importance of merit-based selections for effective governance.
2. Erosion of Neutrality
   • Bureaucrats are expected to be impartial, but politicization may lead them to align with political interests. This undermines their role as neutral public servants and compromises the integrity of decision-making.
   • Source: The Indian Constitution emphasizes the need for a neutral and impartial bureaucracy to serve the public.
3. Loss of Expertise
   • Competent professionals may be discouraged from joining or remaining in civil services due to political interference. This results in a decline in specialized knowledge and skills within the bureaucracy.
   • Source: Studies show that a politicized environment can deter qualified individuals, leading to a skills gap in governance (World Bank Report).
4. Decline in Administrative Efficiency
   • Political pressures can slow down bureaucratic processes and lead to inefficiencies. When decisions prioritize political interests, effective governance suffers, causing delays and poor outcomes.
   • Source: Research indicates that bureaucratic responsiveness declines with increased political interference (OECD findings).
5. Weakening of Institutional Autonomy
   • Politicization undermines the autonomy of bureaucratic institutions, reducing their ability to provide objective advice and analysis. This weakens checks and balances within the system.
   • Source: The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution underscores the importance of institutional autonomy for effective governance.
6. Public Distrust
   • Perceptions of a politicized bureaucracy erode public trust in government, as citizens may view decisions as politically motivated rather than based on merit. This disillusionment can lead to apathy towards governance.
   • Source: Surveys indicate a correlation between perceived bureaucratic politicization and declining public trust in institutions (Transparency International).

Conclusion

The politicization of bureaucracy poses significant challenges to governance, including diminished meritocracy, compromised neutrality, loss of expertise, reduced efficiency, weakened institutional autonomy, and growing public distrust. Maintaining the independence and professionalism of the bureaucracy is essential for effective and accountable governance.