In recent times, there has been an increasing concern in India to develop effective civil service ethics, codes of conduct, transparency measures, ethics and integrity systems and anti-corruption agencies. In view of this, there is a need being felt to focus on three specific areas, which are directly relevant to the problems of internalizing integrity and ethics in the civil services.
These are as follows:
1. Anticipating specific threats to ethical standards and integrity in the civil services,
2. Strengthening the ethical competence of civil servants and
3. Developing administrative processes and practices which promote ethical values and integrity in civil services.
Suggest institutional measures to address the above three issues.(250 words) [UPSC 2019]
Institutional Measures to Enhance Civil Service Ethics and Integrity
To address the pressing issues related to internalizing integrity and ethics within the civil services, institutional measures need to be strategically implemented across three critical areas:
1. Anticipating Specific Threats to Ethical Standards
Establishment of an Ethics Monitoring Cell: Create a dedicated Ethics Monitoring Cell within civil service institutions to identify and anticipate potential ethical threats. This cell can use data analytics and regular audits to foresee areas prone to corruption and unethical behavior. For example, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) already plays a role in this, but strengthening its capacity to proactively address emerging threats can be beneficial.
Regular Ethical Risk Assessments: Implement periodic ethical risk assessments to evaluate vulnerabilities within various departments. These assessments should be conducted by external auditors to ensure objectivity. Recent examples include the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, which highlights areas where ethical risks are most prevalent.
2. Strengthening the Ethical Competence of Civil Servants
Mandatory Ethics Training Programs: Introduce mandatory ethics training programs for all civil servants, focusing on real-life scenarios and case studies to enhance their understanding of ethical dilemmas. Training should be updated regularly to reflect new challenges and evolving standards. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) can incorporate advanced modules on ethics and integrity.
Mentorship and Counseling Services: Establish mentorship and counseling services to provide ongoing support to civil servants. Experienced mentors can offer guidance on ethical decision-making, and counseling services can help address personal issues that may impact ethical behavior.
3. Developing Administrative Processes and Practices
Transparent Administrative Procedures: Develop and enforce transparent administrative procedures to ensure that all actions and decisions are made openly. This includes public disclosure of assets and liabilities of officials, as well as detailed reporting of administrative actions. For instance, the RTI (Right to Information) Act has been effective in promoting transparency and should be utilized more rigorously.
Strengthening Whistleblower Protections: Implement robust whistleblower protection mechanisms to encourage reporting of unethical conduct without fear of retaliation. This includes ensuring anonymity and legal protection for whistleblowers. The Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2014 needs to be effectively enforced to provide a safe environment for reporting misconduct.
Promoting a Culture of Integrity: Foster a culture of integrity through leadership commitment and public accountability. Leaders should model ethical behavior and set high standards for their teams. Initiatives like the Ethics Committee in organizations can review and recommend improvements to ethical practices.
Recent Example: The Government of India’s Integrity Pact, which involves transparency in procurement processes, is an example of a measure aimed at strengthening ethical standards in public procurement. Its success in reducing corruption in various sectors can serve as a model for other areas of governance.
Conclusion: Addressing ethical standards in civil services requires a multi-faceted approach involving proactive threat assessment, enhanced training, transparent processes, and robust support systems. Implementing these measures will help build a more ethical and accountable civil service.
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:
2. Strengthening the ethical competence of civil servants:
3. Developing administrative processes promoting ethical values:
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.