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Introduction             

Foundational values in civil services encapsulates core principles and ethical standards that guide the behaviour and decision-making of civil servants. These values are critical in ensuring that public administration is conducted in efficient, transparent, and prudent manner focusing particularly on serving the needs of the weaker sections of society.

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Key Foundational Values Crucial for Civil Services in Serving Weaker Sections:

• Integrity: It refers to the consistent upholding of honesty and highest ethical standards in actions, crucial for building trust among the weaker sections. Eg: Ashok Khemka, an IAS officer, is known for his integrity, having been transferred multiple times for challenging corruption and upholding ethical standards in public service.
• Empathy and Compassion: It involves understanding and addressing the specific needs and challenges of marginalized groups. Eg: The work of IAS officer Armstrong Pame, known for initiating the “People’s Road” in Manipur by mobilizing resources and community support to build a 100-km road in a remote area reflects these values. 
• Equity: It ensures that all individuals, especially the disadvantaged, have fair access to resources and opportunities. Eg: The Right to Education Act in India, which mandates free and compulsory education for children, demonstrates a commitment to equity, aiming to level the educational playing field for underprivileged children.
• Social Justice: It is the commitment to reducing inequality and improving the welfare of underprivileged sections. Eg: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, in India, represents a commitment to social justice, seeking to prevent discrimination and violence against marginalized communities.
• Inclusiveness: Ensuring that all segments of society, especially marginalized groups, are included in the development process. Eg: The efforts of IAS officer Pranjal Patil, India’s first visually challenged woman IAS officer, in promoting inclusivity and accessibility in public services for people with disabilities, embody this value.

Ways in which these values enhance the effectiveness and fairness of public administration

• Empathy and Compassion: They can lead to tailored services that directly address the unique needs of weaker sections, enhancing service effectiveness. Eg: S.R. Sankaran, known for his work towards the rights of the underprivileged, demonstrated empathy, directly addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities. 
• Equity : This ensures that resources are distributed fairly, bridging the gap between different societal segments. Eg: The Mid-Day Meal Scheme, aimed at improving the nutritional status of school-age children nationwide, is an example of equity in action, ensuring that children from all backgrounds receive nutritious meals. 
• Integrity: It builds public trust, crucial for effective governance and for encouraging participation from all sections of society. Eg: Vinod Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, exemplified integrity with his rigorous audit of telecommunications spectrum allocation, upholding accountability and ethical governance. 
• Social Justice: It guides policies and actions towards reducing disparities, promoting a more equitable society. Eg: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) represents a commitment to social justice, providing employment opportunities to rural populations and reducing economic disparities. 
• Inclusiveness: It makes public administration more representative and sensitive to the diverse needs of society, thereby enhancing its fairness and effectiveness. Eg: The efforts of Aruna Roy in advocating for the RTI Act and grassroot democracy embody inclusiveness, ensuring that all citizens, have a voice in governance.

Conclusion

Going ahead, the reinforcement and practice of foundational values like integrity, empathy, equity, social justice, and inclusiveness are imperative for the evolution of a more effective and equitable public administration. These values not only guide civil servants in serving the weaker sections of society but also ensure a robust, transparent, and inclusive governance framework for the future.

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