Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction 

• Key Points:
  • Briefly mention the issue of frequent transfers in India’s civil services, especially the IAS.
  • Provide the context: average tenure of an IAS officer (15-18 months).
• Objective: Set the stage for discussing its negative impacts and the need for reforms.

Fact to Mention:

• The average tenure of an IAS officer is around 15-18 months.

2. Analysis of Negative Impacts 

• Key Points:
  • Poor Governance: Civil servants do not remain long enough in a post to gain sufficient knowledge and experience, affecting the implementation of policies.
  • Corruption: Frequent transfers promote corruption, as officers form connections with politicians to secure favorable postings.
  • Impact on Political Neutrality: The focus on administrative matters like transfers erodes the neutrality expected from civil servants, as per the 2nd ARC.
  • Tool for Harassment: Honest officers view frequent transfers as a form of coercion and harassment, which demotivates them and affects the integrity of the bureaucracy.
• Supporting Facts:
  • According to the Hota Committee (2004), absence of fixed tenures leads to poor policy implementation and corruption.
  • 2nd ARC highlights that political neutrality is compromised when ministers focus on transfers rather than policymaking.

3. Proposed Reforms 

• Key Points:
  • Fixed Minimum Tenure: Suggest a minimum tenure of 3-5 years to ensure stability and allow officers to witness the outcomes of their work.
  • Transparency: Emphasize that transfer policies should be based on clear criteria such as performance and experience, not arbitrary decisions.
  • Establishment of an Independent Body: Advocate for the creation of a Civil Services Board (CSB) to oversee transfers, as recommended by the Supreme Court in the TSR Subramanian case (2013) and endorsed in the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954.
• Supporting Facts:
  • The Supreme Court (2013) in the TSR Subramanian case called for a Civil Services Board to manage transfers, and the 2014 amendment to the IAS (Cadre) Rules incorporated the concept of a CSB.
  • Various states have failed to implement the CSB, which affects its effectiveness.

4. Conclusion 

• Key Points:
  • Summarize the impact of frequent transfers on the civil services and emphasize the need for stability and accountability.
  • Conclude with a call to action for implementing the suggested reforms.
• Objective: Reinforce the necessity of reforms for effective governance.

Relevant Facts

1. Average Tenure of IAS Officers:
   • Fact: The average tenure of an IAS officer is around 15-18 months, which is far too short for effective governance and policy implementation.
2. Poor Governance:
   • Fact: Civil servants are not allowed enough time to gain adequate knowledge and experience to effectively implement policies. Frequent transfers result in the inability to achieve the desired outcomes in governance.
3. Corruption:
   • Fact: Frequent transfers encourage corruption, as officers can form links with politicians to secure favorable postings. This undermines accountability and fairness in the system.
4. Political Neutrality:
   • Fact: The 2nd ARC observed that civil servants’ political neutrality is affected when ministers prioritize administrative matters like transfers over policymaking.
5. Tool for Harassment:
   • Fact: Honest officers often view frequent transfers as harassment, which reduces morale and affects the integrity of the bureaucracy.
6. Reform Recommendations:
   • Fact: The Supreme Court in TSR Subramanian case (2013) recommended the establishment of a Civil Services Board (CSB) to oversee transfers and postings. This was incorporated in the 2014 IAS (Cadre) Rules but has not been implemented uniformly across states.