Answer: 

Introduction:

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other cadre-based civil services have played a significant role in the administration and governance of India since independence. While these services have been instrumental in implementing numerous developmental and welfare schemes across the country, they have also been criticized for being a cause of slow change due to their bureaucratic structure and other issues.

Body:

Arguments in Favour:

• Resistance to Change: The hierarchical structure and the generalist nature of the cadre-based civil services often lead to a resistance to change. This can slow down the process of implementing new ideas and innovations.
• Lack of Accountability: The cadre-based civil services often lack stringent accountability mechanisms. This can lead to inefficiencies and delays in decision-making and implementation of policies.
• Red Tapism: The bureaucratic procedures associated with cadre-based civil services can sometimes result in excessive red-tapism, leading to delays and inefficiencies in the system.
• Transferable Nature of Jobs: The frequent transfers of officers can disrupt continuity in policy implementation, leading to slow change.

Arguments Against:

• Stability of Tenure: Despite the frequent transfers, the cadre-based civil services provide a stable administrative structure that is crucial for policy continuity in a diverse country like India.
• Wide Experience: The officers of the cadre-based civil services gain diverse experience by working in different regions and departments, which can be utilized for effective policy-making.
• Role in Policy Implementation: Cadre-based civil services play a crucial role in implementing policies at the grassroots level, often in challenging circumstances.

For instance,

• The successful implementation of the polio eradication program in India can be attributed to the tireless efforts of cadre-based civil servants.
• On the other hand, the delay in the implementation of crucial reforms like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) can, in part, be attributed to bureaucratic hurdles.

Conclusion:

While the cadre-based civil services in India have certain structural issues that can slow down change, they also have strengths that contribute to effective governance. It is essential to undertake administrative reforms to address the issues while building on the strengths of the system.