The Hindu Business Line : <I>Professionals in IAS </I>

The season of competitive examinations for IAS and Central Services is in full swing. Judged from the number writing the examinations every year, the fascination of young aspirants for these Services is increasing. Until a decade or so ago, most of those competing were degree-holders in conventional courses offered by the normal run of the universities. But in recent years, those passing out of IIMs, IITs and engineering, medical and other professional institutions are applying in large numbers, constituting nearly half of the list of successful candidates. There are even instances of the young professionals spurning huge salaries from world-renowned private firms and preferring to join IAS, IPS and other Services at relatively modest emoluments.

That young men and women of impressive intellectual and professional attainments are driven by a burning desire to devote themselves to public administration is good news. Has this infusion of multi-faceted talents brought to their discharge of duties commensurate discernment and competence, and raised the level of performance? Have the qualities of these highly educated and gifted entrants been able to measure up to the daily pulls and pressures to which they are subjected? Have they shown themselves to be as efficient as was expected of them?

Blot on the escutcheon

Disappointingly, one is unable to come up with categorically affirmative answers to these questions. Let us see where matters stand by trying to gauge whether the presence of these undoubtedly bright persons, in the field or at the headquarters, has made a notable contribution to good governance, with reference to these illustrative tests.

Rule of law, values and ethics: Bearing in mind its enlightened background, one would have thought that the new breed of members of the IAS and other Services would have a strong sense of idealism and commitment to the rule of law and be exemplars of ethical and moral values. A heart-searching by Service associations will tell them they have to do a lot more before they gain the trust and confidence of the people on this score.

Institutional integrity and credibility: There can be no two views on the point that the functioning of institutions such as political establishments, legislatures, courts of law, bureaucracy, police, armed forces, public service commissions and universities should, like Caesar's wife, be above suspicion. Can bureaucracy, manning multifarious departments and official agencies, or the police, be said to be living up to the highest standards of professional and personal integrity? Those in leadership positions drawn from the cream of society seem to be resigned to being mute spectators, instead of mustering the courage to fight the ills around them.

Service delivery: Breathes there one citizen who has happy recollections of the treatment he has received from the higher echelons of the bureaucracy or the police? Whether it is hospitals, ration shops, electricity board offices, or any other agency set up to ensure the availability, adequacy, timeliness and quality of basic services, the people's experience is one of exasperation, if not oppression. Why should it be so with such top talents recruited through competitive examinations occupying pivotal positions?

Project management and maintenance: The sorry state on both these counts is at variance with the higher professional calibre and the multi-tasking capabilities of the members of the Services. Are not cost and time over-runs a blot on their escutcheon? In sum, the expectation that professionals in IAS, IPS and other Services will add value to governance has so far not been fulfilled — something for them to think about.

B. S. RAGHAVAN

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