Draw attention to the key lessons from Kautilya that apply to public services in India in the twenty-first century. (150 words)
Meena MeharaLearner
Resources & Suggestions
Mains Answer Writing Latest Articles
On: February 22, 2025
Comments:
0
Indo-US Relation: Areas of Cooperation & Conflicts
Key Areas: Defense, technology, trade, energy, and regional cooperation. Key Areas of Cooperation 1. Defense and Security Transition from buyer-seller to co-production and technology sharing. India as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) and inclusion in STA-1. Access to advanced technologies, ...
On: February 22, 2025
Comments:
0
भारत-अमेरिका संबंध: सहयोग और संघर्ष के क्षेत्र
मुख्य विषय: भारत-अमेरिका संबंधों की मजबूती, विशेषकर रक्षा, प्रौद्योगिकी और क्षेत्रीय सहयोग में प्रगति। सहयोग के प्रमुख क्षेत्र 1. रक्षा एवं सुरक्षा सहयोग भारत और अमेरिका के बीच रक्षा संबंधों का विस्तार। प्रमुख रक्षा साझेदार (MDP) का दर्जा और STA-1 ...
On: February 22, 2025
Comments:
0
India’s Disaster Management
The article discusses the growing tensions between the Centre and states regarding disaster relief funding in India. It emphasizes the need for a transparent and equitable disaster management framework. Key Disaster Threats India Faces Increasing Frequency of Extreme Weather Events ...
Answer: The teachings of Kautilya have been primarily derived from his book on statecraft i.e., the Arthashastra, which was written around 3rd century BC, primarily as a book of codes for efficient administration. It includes various learnings with regard to ethical administration that remain relevant to public services in India in the 21st century, which are given below:
Thus, Kautilya’s teachings are a synthesis of ‘hybridisation’ of the ancient wisdom with the modern knowledge, which remains relevant to Indian public services of the 21st century.
Kautilya’s seminal volume Arthashastra, dated roughly to the 4th century BC, laid down some of the key principles and insights into public administration that continue to influence governance and public services in India but which are different from what they inherited during colonial rule. This ancient treatise ranges from politics, governance to taxation and defence stressing foundational principles that promote economic growth, stable rule of law and welfare for the population which are still key issues even in modern Indian statecraft.
What comes across as a central theme in Kautilya’s works is the role of the state – its responsibility to provide for those under it and how that reverberates with today’s concerns on social welfare and some of our constitutional precepts. Kautilya’s formalized organizational design that clearly prescribes the duties, requisite qualifications for office holders and the hierarchical order has influenced contemporary state structures especially in territorial (province) and city-level administration
For public finance Kautilya gives the principle of economy in expenditure, efficient revenue collection and sound spending paving way for modern financial management strategies. His economic ideology is in favour of a mixed economy, emphasizing state-controlled elements with equal emphasis on the private sector participating towards national development and taxes being taxed based more upon capabilities rather than static revenue.
His model involved centralization and decentralization; always ensuring data to be the governing factor, thus granting powers at a local level while mandating processes that have their origin from an auction—the same principles India’s planning institutions draw inspiration till date. His thinking on agriculture, trade and financial stability provides a road map for sustainable economic growth that safeguard natural resources.
In essence, it explains that the Arthashastra of Kautilya is a tourist guide for India’s public services: these are among its principles to develop effective governance, ethical administrative conduct, and strategic planning in connecting ancient philosophy with contemporary-governance challenges; asserting itself as prevalent shade all this while on framing administrative ethos.
Kautilya’s teachings in the Arthashastra (4th century BCE) remain relevant to public services in 21st century India, including:
1. *Good Governance*: Efficient, corruption-free, and citizen-centric administration.
2. *Welfare State*: Prioritizing citizens’ well-being and social welfare.
3. *Economic Development*: Encouraging trade, commerce, and economic growth.
4. *Strategic Decision-Making*: Analyzing, planning, and executing effective policies.
5. *Ethical Governance*: Upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability.
6. *Effective Leadership*: Visionary, communicative, and motivational leadership.
7. *Administrative Reforms*: Decentralization, accountability, and efficient public services.
8. *Public-Private Partnerships*: Collaborative development initiatives.
9. *Human Resource Management*: Merit-based recruitment, training, and motivation.
10. *Disaster Management*: Preparedness, response, and mitigation strategies.
11. *Diplomacy and International Relations*: Strategic diplomacy and global cooperation.
12. *Security and Law Enforcement*: Effective policing, law enforcement, and national security.
Kautilya’s teachings offer valuable insights for public services in India, emphasizing efficient governance, citizen welfare, and sustainable development.