Reforming IAS

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India's bureaucracy faces urgent reform needs, focusing on accountability, efficiency, and merit-based governance.

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS), often termed the "steel frame," is critical to India's governance but is plagued by inefficiencies, political interference, and outdated practices. Rooted in the colonial Indian Civil Service, the IAS has struggled to adapt to modern governance demands, with issues such as lack of specialisation and merit-based promotions undermining its effectiveness.

Frequent transfers, suspensions, and political influences hinder the professional growth of IAS officers, preventing them from becoming effective policy specialists. Bureaucratic inefficiencies have led to poor implementation of policies, reduced governance effectiveness, and a failure to address pressing economic and social challenges. Despite over 50 commissions since Independence recommending reforms like accountability and performance-based promotions, implementation remains stalled.

The government has initiated reforms such as lateral recruitment to infuse specialised expertise into policymaking and improve domain skills, but these efforts face resistance. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission outlined proposals for promoting meritocracy and ensuring fair promotions. However, issues like political interference and inadequate enforcement limit the impact of these reforms.

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency serves as a model for reform, focusing on reducing inefficiencies and ensuring merit-based decisions. India must prioritise reforms that protect bureaucrats from political pressures, establish clear accountability systems, and enhance performance-based evaluations. Without these changes, the IAS risks becoming increasingly ineffective in driving India's governance and economic growth.