Do objectivity and nonpartisanship rank among the essential traits of a successful civil servant? Talk about with examples. (150 words) [UPSC 2021]
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Impartiality and Non-Partisanship in Civil Service
1. Importance of Impartiality
Impartiality ensures fair and unbiased decision-making, crucial for maintaining public trust. For instance, Arvind Kejriwal, before entering politics, exemplified impartiality in his role as a civil servant, highlighting its importance in addressing corruption and ensuring transparent governance.
2. Necessity of Non-Partisanship
Non-partisanship prevents political biases from influencing administrative decisions. In the case of IAS officer K. Annamalai, his non-partisan approach while dealing with issues in Tamil Nadu’s administration was noted for upholding the integrity of the service.
3. Enhancing Effective Governance
Being impartial and non-partisan contributes to effective governance by ensuring that policies and services are delivered based on merit rather than political affiliations. For example, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) operates non-partisanly to manage disasters impartially, regardless of the ruling party.
Conclusion
Impartiality and non-partisanship are indispensable for civil servants as they underpin fairness, transparency, and effective governance. These qualities help maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the civil service.
Model Answer
Introduction
The role of civil servants is crucial in any government, as they implement policies and programs that significantly impact society. To ensure that their decisions are fair and equitable, it is essential for civil servants to embody impartiality and non-partisanship. These qualities ensure that actions are based on merit rather than personal biases or political affiliations.
Significance of Impartiality and Non-Partisanship
Impartiality refers to the ability to make decisions without bias, treating all individuals and groups equally, regardless of personal characteristics or political affiliations. Non-partisanship means remaining neutral in political matters, ensuring that civil servants do not align with any political party or ideology. This is vital for fostering trust and credibility in government institutions.
Illustrations of Impartiality and Non-Partisanship
1. Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India exemplifies impartiality and non-partisanship by conducting free and fair elections. It treats all political parties and candidates equally, ensuring that there is no discrimination based on political affiliations. This impartiality is crucial for transparent elections, allowing the results to reflect the true will of the people (The Hindu, 2019).
2. Federal Reserve, United States
The Federal Reserve is another prime example of non-partisanship and impartiality in action. As the body responsible for monetary policy, it operates independently of political influence, making decisions based solely on economic data and analysis. This autonomy ensures that monetary policies serve the economy’s best interest rather than any particular political agenda (Federal Reserve, 2020).
Conclusion
Impartiality and non-partisanship are indispensable qualities for civil servants, as they help build public trust and ensure that decisions benefit society as a whole. By embodying these values, civil servants can strengthen democracy, ensuring that government institutions operate for the common good rather than the interests of specific groups or parties.