Answer

Introduction

India’s civil services, once the “steel frame” of governance, are facing declining ethical standards and weakening independence. Rising corruption, political interference, and systemic distortions have eroded public trust and administrative neutrality.

Body

Factors Responsible for Decline

• Erosion of Financial Integrity: Increasing cases of corruption among both junior senior officials undermine ethical standards.
  Eg: Enforcement Directorate raids recover large cash/jewellery from bureaucrats.
• Political Interference in Administration: Frequent pressure from political executives compromises neutrality and decision-making.
  Eg: Subservience of Chief Secretaries and DGPs to Chief Ministers, even complying with questionable orders.
• Politician–Bureaucrat Nexus: Mutual benefits weaken accountability and institutional integrity.
  Eg: Corruption among elected representatives influencing bureaucratic behaviour.
• Fear, Intimidation, and Career Risks: Officers avoid ethical stands due to threats, punitive transfers, or coercion.
  Eg: Earlier transfers as punishment now replaced by alleged intimidation and threats.
• Weak Accountability Mechanisms: Delays in judicial processes and ineffective oversight fail to deter misconduct.

Remedial Measures

• Strengthening Institutional Safeguards: Ensure fixed tenure and protection from arbitrary transfers.
  Eg: 2nd ARC Commission recommendation on civil service stability.
• Enhancing Transparency and Accountability: Promote asset disclosure and vigilance mechanisms.
  Eg: Mandatory annual property returns for All India Services officers.
• Ethics-Based Training and Evaluation: Integrate integrity and public service values into career progression.
  Eg: Training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy emphasising ethical policing.
• Insulating Bureaucracy from Political Pressure: Establish independent civil services boards for postings.
  Eg: T.S.R. Subramanian vs Union of India (2013) directed creation of Civil Services Boards.
• Citizen and Civil Society Oversight: Strengthen public accountability through transparency laws and activism.
  Eg: Right to Information Act, 2005 enables citizens to expose corruption.

Conclusion

Reviving ethical standards in civil services requires institutional reforms, political will, and societal vigilance. Only by restoring integrity and autonomy can bureaucracy effectively serve citizens and uphold democratic governance in India.

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