Public Administration in India| Unit 1 Indian Administration|Part 1|Civil Services| NCWEB| SOL|IGNOU

Summary

This script explores the evolution of India's civil services, tracing its origins from ancient India through the British colonial era and into post-independence reforms. It covers the influence of the Mauryan Empire, Gupta period, and Mughal bureaucracy, followed by the British introduction of a formal civil services structure under Lord Cornwallis. The lecture details significant reforms, including the introduction of merit-based recruitment through public exams and the increasing participation of Indians in civil services. It concludes with post-independence changes and the establishment of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to oversee civil service recruitment in India.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of civil services in India existed before British rule but was systematized by the British. Ancient Indian texts like Arthashastra discussed aspects of administration, including tax collection and officer qualifications.
• 😀 The Maurya Empire and Gupta period are examples of earlier administrative systems in India, with a centralized bureaucracy and a system called 'Manasabdari' during the Mughal era.
• 😀 The British East India Company initially focused on trade but gradually took on administrative roles, leading to the formal creation of civil services to separate military and commercial activities.
• 😀 Lord Cornwallis (Governor-General from 1786 to 1793) is credited with introducing the modern civil services system in India, which is why he is called the 'Father of Civil Services.'
• 😀 Early civil servants were appointed through nominations by the East India Company, and this system, known as 'patronage,' did not prioritize merit.
• 😀 The first formal training for civil servants was introduced by Lord Wellesley in 1800 with the establishment of Fort William College, though it was later disapproved by the Court of Directors of the East India Company.
• 😀 The Charter Act of 1833 and Macaulay's Report proposed a merit-based recruitment system, which led to the introduction of open competitive exams for civil services in India.
• 😀 By 1853, the process for civil services recruitment started to shift to a merit-based system, and in 1853, the first open examination was conducted for recruitment.
• 😀 The Indian Civil Services Act (1861) reserved certain positions for Europeans, and the syllabus was biased towards European perspectives, limiting opportunities for Indians.
• 😀 The First War of Independence (1857) led to the end of the East India Company rule and the beginning of British Crown rule, resulting in further reforms in civil services recruitment, including changes in examination locations and eligibility criteria.
• 😀 The Indian National Congress, established in 1885, advocated for reforms such as increasing the age limit for civil service candidates and conducting exams in India, leading to the formation of the Public Service Commission in 1926.
• 😀 The Government of India Act, 1935, introduced significant changes by establishing Federal Public Service Commissions and decentralizing the recruitment process for civil servants to various provinces in India.

Q & A

What was the role of the British in the evolution of civil services in India?

The British played a significant role in organizing and structuring the civil services in India. While civil services existed before their rule, it was the British who introduced a systematic and centralized structure, especially during the East India Company’s rule.

Was the civil service system in India introduced by the British?

No, the civil service system existed before the British. It was present during the Mauryan Empire, which had a centralized administrative system. The Gupta period also saw the presence of civil services. However, the British introduced a more structured and organized system.

What was the 'Manasabdari' system during the Mughal period?

The Manasabdari system was a bureaucratic structure used during the Mughal period. It was a hierarchical system of officers who managed various administrative and military functions in the empire.

How did the East India Company influence the development of civil services?

The East India Company introduced the concept of separating civil services from military and commercial activities to streamline administrative functions. This led to the creation of a formal civil services structure in India.

Who is known as the 'Father of Civil Services' in India?

Lord Cornwallis is known as the 'Father of Civil Services' in India. He introduced the formal structure of civil services during his tenure as the Governor-General from 1786 to 1793.

What was the 'Paternalistic System' in the context of civil services during British rule?

The Paternalistic System referred to the practice where civil servants were appointed based on nominations rather than merit. The British officials in the East India Company nominated individuals they believed were suitable for administrative roles.

What was the significance of the Charter Act of 1833 in relation to civil services?

The Charter Act of 1833 recommended that civil services recruitment should be based on open competition, though it was not immediately implemented. This act was a step towards establishing a merit-based system for selecting civil servants.

How did the Indian Civil Services Act of 1861 impact recruitment?

The Indian Civil Services Act of 1861 reserved certain positions in civil services for Indians. However, the syllabus and recruitment process were still biased towards British interests, making it difficult for Indians to succeed.

What was the impact of the Indian National Congress (INC) on civil services recruitment?

The INC demanded changes in civil services recruitment, including increasing the age limit for candidates and conducting exams in India instead of only in London. These demands led to reforms, including the establishment of the Public Service Commissions.

What changes were introduced by the Government of India Act of 1919 regarding civil services?

The Government of India Act of 1919 established the Public Service Commissions for India and recommended that one-third of civil services recruits be Indian. It also separated the Imperial Civil Services into All India Services and Central Services.