The cadre-based civil services system in India has long been a subject of debate regarding its impact on the country’s growth trajectory. While proponents argue that it ensures continuity, expertise, and efficiency in governance, critics often point to its potential hindrances to rapid progress. The cadre system, established during British colonial rule, allocates civil servants to specific administrative units, fostering deep local knowledge and administrative competence. However, this very structure has been accused of fostering bureaucratic red tape, inefficiency, and even corruption. The rigidity of cadre-based appointments may hinder meritocracy and innovation, perpetuating entrenched power structures and resistance to change. Moreover, the system’s emphasis on seniority can sometimes prioritize experience over merit, stifling fresh ideas and leadership potential. Additionally, the highly competitive nature of the civil services examination may limit the diversity of perspectives within the bureaucracy. While the cadre-based system has its advantages in maintaining stability and administrative capacity, its drawbacks in terms of agility and responsiveness to contemporary challenges cannot be overlooked. Therefore, a critical examination of its role in India’s slow growth is essential to discern its true impact on the nation’s development trajectory.
Tag: Role of civil services in a democracy.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, try to write a brief introduction about CSE and cadre-based Civil services Organizations.
- In Body, emphasis on effects of cadre-based Civil Services Organization
- In Conclusion, try to conclude with the new cadre policy and its importance in National Integration.
Answer:
India’s Civil Services Examination (CSE) is considered as one of the toughest of its kind in the world. Those who clear the exam are considered the crème de la crème of the country. Therefore, it is imperative that Designing mechanisms to assign officers of the All-India Services to states is an important aspect of personnel administration in the public sector which is known as Cadre allotment.
Effects of Cadre-based Civil Services Organization:
- Undermining National Unity: Due to the Cadre Allocation 2008 Policy, distance of assigned cadre from home cadre decreases and homophily increases with Northerners staying in Northern cadres and Southerners staying in Southern cadres. This undermines the national unity and integration purpose of the All-India Services.
- Correlated Preferences: Cadre preferences of exam toppers are correlated as disadvantaged cadres (regions with foreign conflict, states with internal political strife, and newly formed states) are consistently ranked towards the bottom of most preference lists.
- Desire for Home Cadre: Overwhelming preference for assignments closer to home when officers rank cadres.
- Long-Term implications of cadre allotment: According to 2ndAdministrative Reforms Commission’s Report, the 2008 Policies priorities Insiders and there is an overwhelming preference to be assigned to one’s home state, Insiders tend to have better exam ranks than Outsiders.
- New Cadre Allocation Policy for allocating services and cadres based on the combined marks obtained in the CSE and the foundation course: Articles 315 to 323 of the Constitution deal with Public Service Commissions of the Union and the States.
The Cadre based Civil Services Organization needs reform. In this direction, New cadre policy-zone came into effect which ensured national integration of the bureaucracy and increased their efficiency as officers will get a chance to work in a state which is not their place of domicile.
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