“India’s bureaucracy has been both a catalyst for and a bottleneck to its development journey.” Discuss this statement in the context of the challenges faced by the Indian bureaucracy and suggest measures to modernize it for better governance.
India’s bureaucracy has played a dual role in its governance narrative. While it has been instrumental in implementing policies that drive economic and social transformation, it has also been criticized for inefficiencies, corruption, and resistance to change, which have impeded the nation’s progress.
Challenges in the Indian Bureaucracy:
Legacy Issues and Politicisation– The Indian bureaucracy, rooted in the colonial Indian Civil Service (ICS), retains hierarchical and rigid structures. Political interference in transfers, promotions, and decision-making undermines the morale and autonomy of officers. For instance, frequent transfers based on political loyalty disrupt continuity and policy execution.
Generalist Approach and Lack of Specialisation– Bureaucrats often rotate across diverse domains, limiting their ability to gain domain expertise. For example, health officers may be transferred to unrelated sectors like infrastructure, impacting the effectiveness of policy implementation.
Corruption and Inefficiency– India’s middling rank in the World Bank’s Government Effectiveness Index reflects poor policy implementation and administrative delays. Instances of red tape, such as delays in project approvals, continue to hinder economic activities.
Resistance to Reform– Seniority-based progression over meritocracy perpetuates mediocrity. Reforms like performance-based appraisals and lateral entry face resistance from entrenched interests within the service.
Centralisation of Power– Centralised decision-making in bodies like the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) often sidelines bureaucratic expertise. This has both streamlined infrastructure projects and exacerbated policy bottlenecks.
Overburdened Structure– The bureaucracy is often overburdened with administrative tasks, leaving little room for strategic policy making. A district collector’s workload includes tasks ranging from revenue collection to disaster management, diluting focus on developmental planning.
Lack of Coordination Between Departments– Siloed functioning and poor inter-departmental coordination lead to delays and duplication of efforts. Delays in infrastructure projects often arise due to poor coordination between urban development, environmental, and transport departments.
Ineffective Grievance Redressal Mechanisms– Citizen-centric governance often suffers due to inadequate mechanisms to address public grievances promptly. Delays in resolving grievances filed on platforms like CPGRAMS (Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System).
Skill Gaps in Emerging Sectors– Bureaucracy lacks expertise in handling complex issues in sectors like technology, climate change, and global trade.
Gender Disparity– The representation of women in bureaucracy is low, leading to less gender-sensitive policy making.
Inadequate Use of Technology– Bureaucracy has been slow to adopt e-governance and data analytics for decision-making. Limited digital integration in state-level services slows service delivery. Insufficient understanding of artificial intelligence and digital transformation hinders the implementation of smart governance initiatives.
Resistance to Innovation– Bureaucratic culture often discourages experimentation and innovative approaches to problem-solving.
Measures to Modernize Bureaucracy:
Merit-Based Recruitment and Promotions- Implement performance-linked promotions, as recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). Lateral entry initiatives have introduced domain experts into key policy roles, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise.
Encouraging Specialisation– Adopt a cadre-based system that allows officers to specialize in specific sectors. For instance, creating a dedicated health or environment cadre can improve policy formulation and implementation.
Curbing Political Interference– Strengthen civil services boards, as directed by the Supreme Court in 2013, to ensure transparency in transfers and postings. Enact legislation like the Civil Services Standards, Performance, and Accountability Bill to protect bureaucrats from arbitrary decisions.
Promoting Accountability and Efficiency– Introduce measurable metrics for policy outcomes and tie them to appraisals. Digital initiatives like the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) platform have improved monitoring of public projects.
Lateral Entry– Expand the lateral entry program while addressing concerns over inclusivity and reservation.
Adopting International Best Practices– India can draw inspiration from models like the U.S.’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which focuses on cutting redundancies and leveraging expert-driven decision-making.
Training and Capacity Building– Regular training programs in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and public finance are essential to prepare bureaucrats for future challenges.
Technology and Data-Driven Governance– Invest in robust data infrastructure to track performance and inform policy decisions. Initiatives like e-Governance and the use of AI in tracking welfare schemes have shown promise.
Continuous Training and Upskilling– Introduce mandatory mid-career training in emerging fields like cybersecurity, environmental management, and public-private partnerships. Programs like the Mission Karmayogi initiative should include modules on behavioral and leadership skills.
Public Feedback Mechanisms– Institutionalize systems for regular public feedback on the performance of civil servants and government schemes to make them more accountable. The SEVOTTAM framework can be expanded to cover all government services.
Focus on Collaborative Governance– Encourage collaboration between bureaucracy, private sector, and civil society for better policy design and implementation. Public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects like highways and renewable energy have yielded positive results.
Conclusion:
Modernizing India’s bureaucracy is imperative to realize its economic and governance aspirations. While measures like lateral entry and accountability mechanisms signal progress, holistic reforms addressing structural inefficiencies, political interference, and skill gaps are essential. An efficient and accountable bureaucracy will not only enhance governance but also ensure inclusive and sustainable development for the nation.
Source
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/indias-steel-frame-does-need-a-check/article69020104.ece