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The British, under Warren Hastings, introduced civil services in India, and Charles Cornwallis later reformed the system to establish the Indian Civil Service (ICS).
How many civil services are there in India?
India has three All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) and several other central services, such as the IRS and IRMS.
When was the first Civil Service exam in India?
The first civil service exam was held in London in 1855 while in India it was conducted in 1922.
What is the Hota Committee report?
The Hota Committee Report, submitted in 2004, aimed to reform the civil services in India to enhance efficiency and accountability.
What are the civil service exam eligibility criteria?
The civil service exam eligibility includes a minimum age of 21 years, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, and fulfilling nationality conditions.
UPSC Exam Reforms, Age Limits, Limit Attempts, Latest News
UPSC 2.0 reforms coming in 2025, including reduced age limits, fewer attempts, and mid-career IAS entry for professionals. Find out how the new online portal will make your application process easier and more efficient
Deeksha Dixit29 May, 2025
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Civil Services Reforms: In India, Civil services have played an important role in administration starting from the British era. However, as the country evolved, so did the need for reforms within this crucial institution. Civil services reforms in India aim to improve efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to better serve citizens.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding these reforms is essential as the ‘Role of Civil Services in Democracy’ is an important topic in UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper. Explore the history, role, and much-needed reforms of Indian civil services to understand their impact on governance and the challenges they face.
UPSC Exam Reform 2025: Is the Union Public Service Commission Introducing UPSC 2.0?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is at a transformative crossroads in 2025, amid increasing demands for reforms to better align with India’s evolving administrative requirements. Former RBI Governor, Duvvuri Subbarao, has called for a significant overhaul, known as UPSC 2.0, to modernize and enhance the civil services examination system. Key proposals under this reform plan include:
Reducing the upper age limit and limiting the number of attempts to make the exam more accessible and manageable for candidates.
Addressing prolonged preparation periods to prevent the “abysmal waste of productive years” among aspirants.
Introducing a mid-career entry system into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to allow experienced professionals, particularly those in their early 40s, to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the civil services.
In addition to these, the UPSC is upgrading its application process with a new Online Application Portal, replacing the previous One-Time Registration (OTR) system. This revamped portal will feature a four-module system designed to streamline registration and improve user experience for candidates applying for competitive exams, increasing overall efficiency.
About Indian Civil Services
The Indian Civil Service (ICS) was introduced during British rule, aimed at consolidating control over the Indian subcontinent. The civil services history dates back to 1854 when the Macaulay Committee suggested a merit-based recruitment system for the civil service. Satyendranath Tagore cleared the ICS exam in England to become the first civil servant in British India . Later, the first Civil Service exam in India was held in 1922 in Allahabad. Over time, the civil services in India evolved, especially post-independence, becoming integral to the administration and policy-making processes. After independence, the ICS was restructured to form the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) , which continues to play a pivotal role in the Indian bureaucracy. Today, aspirants must clear the civil services exam conducted by UPSC to enter prestigious positions like IAS, Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
The civil services play a crucial role in any democracy, acting as the machinery that implements the policies of the government and serves the public. In India, the civil services are considered the backbone of the administrative system, ensuring continuity and stability across changing political regimes through:
Policy Implementation : Civil services help turn government plans into action, making sure laws and policies work for people.
Public Administration: They manage various government departments and agencies, overseeing essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Continuity and Stability: Civil servants provide stability in governance, maintaining administrative continuity regardless of political changes at the ministerial levels.
Advisory Role: Civil servants provide expert advice to elected officials, helping them run the administration based on their expertise.
Public Service Delivery : They are responsible for making sure essential services like medical care reach citizens effectively.
Facilitating Development : Civil services are integral in planning and executing development programs.
Crisis Management : During emergencies or crises, civil services are crucial in coordinating responses and ensuring effective management of resources.
Due to their crucial role in upholding the principles of good governance, regular civil service reform becomes essential for the development of the country.
Need for Civil Services Reforms in India
Over the years, various committees like the Hota Committee Report, the Baswan Committee , and the Second ARC have pointed out the structural and functional weaknesses of India’s civil services. Here is why there is a need for Civil Services Reforms in India:
Need for Professionalism: Many civil servants lack the training and skills needed to do their duty well.
Unfair Incentives: There is barely any incentive for doing exceptional work overlooking honest and hardworking officers.
Outdated Rules : Many rules are no longer relevant to modern issues and promote red-tapism making it hard for civil servants to work efficiently.
Interference from Politicians : Politics often interferes with administration, affecting decision-making.
Punishment Transfers: Frequent and random job transfers create uncertainty, making it hard to make long-term changes.
Personal Power Dynamics : Authority is often based on personal connections rather than merit, which can undermine fairness and effectiveness.
Declining Ethics: There’s a noticeable decline in values and ethical behavior, and a rise in social media presence or reel culture is threatening the integrity of public service.
Lack of Specialization: The generalist nature of civil services and outdated training make it hard for officers to effectively tackle complex and specialized issues.
Reforms in India's civil services have been introduced over time following the recommendations of several committees and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). So far following Civil Services Reforms have been introduced in India:
Retirement Policies for Underperformance: The DoPT introduced a policy to retire All India Service officers after 15 years of service if they are found to be underperforming. This was formalized in 2012 in rule 16(3) of All India Services Rules (1958).
Improved Performance Appraisal System: A new 360-degree appraisal system was introduced in 2014, gathering feedback from multiple sources, including peers, subordinates, and outsider stakeholders, to provide a well-rounded view of an officer's performance.
Lateral Entry for Specialized Expertise: Starting in 2018, the government has allowed direct hiring of domain experts into civil services, enriching the skill set within the administration.
Focus on Efficient Governance: The principle of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” aims to streamline administrative processes and align civil service functions with national objectives.
Mission Karmayogi Initiative: Launched in 2020, this program targets the capacity building of 4.6 million central government employees. It focuses on improved public service delivery through comprehensive training via the iGOT Karmayogi platform.
These reforms reflect an ongoing effort to enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and integrity of Indian Civil Services.
Required Civil Services Reforms in India
Despite these reforms, challenges remain. More comprehensive reforms are required to address the evolving needs of governance and service delivery. Some of the much-required Civil Service reforms in India are:
Better Entry Qualifications: The second ARC report suggested introducing bachelor’s programs in public administration by the National Institute of Public Administration and requiring candidates from other fields to take a “Bridge Course” before taking UPSC CSE.
Fair Performance Reviews : Shift to a clear and fair performance management system, as suggested by the Hota Committee.
Decentralized Decision-Making : Encourage local governance instead of central control to improve administration.
Stable Tenures: Provide fixed terms and clear transfer policies to reduce political influence.
Service After Training : Incorporating leadership tests in the recruitment process along with allowing probationers the option to select services after one training month (Hota Committee Report)
Revised Examination Structure: Candidates should be assessed on a common subject rather than optional subjects to ensure fairness in evaluation (CSE Review Committee, 2001).
Improved Performance Management System: Transitioning from the current appraisal system to a comprehensive Performance Management System (PMS) that is collaborative and transparent.
Civil services reforms in India have made some progress, but a lot remains to be done to make the services more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centric. By implementing more comprehensive reforms, the Indian civil services can better meet the needs of a modern democracy. To succeed in this competitive field, UPSC aspirants can explore Physics Wallah UPSC Courses , which offer top-notch guidance and resources to help achieve their dream of becoming a civil servant!
