Ethics Theory, GS 4, TLP-UPSC Mains Answer Writing
What are the core foundational values that underpin the Civil Service, and how do they contribute to its effectiveness and efficiency? Examine.
सिविल सेवा को आधार प्रदान करने वाले मूलभूत मूल्य क्या हैं, और वे इसकी प्रभावशीलता और दक्षता में कैसे योगदान करते हैं? परीक्षण कीजिए।
Approach
Candidates can start the answer by giving idea of foundational values taking reference of Nolan committee or ARC and then examine how it helps in effectiveness and efficiency.
Introduction
Adherence to foundational values such as integrity, objectivity, non-partisanship, tolerance, compassion, dedication to public service, etc., serve as guiding principles for civil servants in the discharge of public service duties.
Body
Foundational values underpin the civil service:
- 10th Report of 2nd ARC recommended that upholding the constitutional spirit, adherence to the highest standards of integrity and conduct; impartiality and nonpartisanship; objectivity; dedication to public service; and empathy and compassion towards the weaker sections are core values of civil services.
- These foundational values ensure an effective civil service which functions honestly, impartially and efficiently.
- These values empower the administrator to fill the gaps of trust deficit between the citizens and the Government.
- These foundational values provide lawfulness to the behavior of an administrator and make it more effective.
Effectiveness and efficiency by following core foundational values:
- Integrity: It is a quality of eliminating the gap between ‘what we think, what we say, and what we do’ this facilitates quick effective decisions.
- Impartiality: It rejects granting an undue advantage to any individual, societal group, or organization. Being impartial means that all choices should only be based on merit contributing efficiency.
- Objectivity: It requires institutions to adhere to logic, law, and established standards, practices, and norms. Objectivity means being true in spite of one’s feelings, ideas, and beliefs useful in delivering the service in fast pace.
- Dedication: Dedication is the eminence of people to be devoted or loyal to duty or purpose, thought or action. Dedication is a vital personality trait of an individual. This value gives the ability to continue acting when motivation is lacking. Dedication will drive to certain task rapidly.
- Empathy, Tolerance and Compassion towards the weaker sections: Public servants are meant to serve and this requires developing a humanistic attitude. These values guarantee that the public servants act sympathetically and interpret the rules to advance the public interest.
- Non-Partisanship: Non-partisanship infers that the officer is to do his task without any fear of, or favor to any political party. It provides rules driven effective decisions.
Conclusion–
Civil services are an integral part of Indian democracy and considered as “Steel Frame” of governance. The civil servants have to abide by a common set of values which can cater to larger interests of society at large and to achieve social, political and economic justice.
