Public Service – UPSC Ethics Notes

Public service refers to the work performed by government employees and officials who are responsible for delivering services and implementing policies that benefit the public. These services can include health care, education, social welfare, public safety, transportation, and environmental protection, among others.

The goal of public service is to promote the public good and to serve the needs and interests of the community as a whole. Public servants are accountable to the public and are expected to act in the public interest, often under the supervision of elected officials or independent regulatory bodies.

Public service is an essential component of democratic governance and is critical for the effective functioning of the state. Public servants are responsible for ensuring that government policies are implemented effectively, efficiently, and in a manner that is consistent with the rule of law and democratic principles.

In many countries, public service is a highly respected profession, and public servants are expected to adhere to strict standards of conduct and ethics. They are often required to undergo rigorous training and education to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their duties effectively and to meet the needs of the public.

Attributes of Public Service

The attributes of public service refer to the key characteristics that public servants should possess in order to effectively serve the public and promote the common good. Some of the important attributes of public service include:

• Accountability: Public servants are accountable to the public and must act in the best interests of the community.
• Integrity: Public servants must have high ethical standards and be committed to honesty, transparency, and impartiality.
• Commitment: Public servants should be dedicated to serving the public and committed to the mission of public service.
• Competence: Public servants should have the necessary knowledge, skills, and expertise to effectively perform their duties and provide high-quality services to the public.
• Objectivity: Public servants should be impartial and non-partisan, making decisions based on evidence, facts, and the law.
• Responsiveness: Public servants should be responsive to the needs of the public and be willing to listen to and engage with citizens and stakeholders.
• Professionalism: Public servants should conduct themselves in a professional manner and adhere to professional standards and codes of conduct.
• Collaboration: Public servants should work collaboratively with other agencies, stakeholders, and the public to achieve common goals and objectives.
• Innovation: Public servants should be willing to embrace innovation and new ideas to improve the delivery of public services and solve complex problems.

1. Moral and Legal Obligation:
   ● A constitutional state has a moral and legal obligation to provide public service.
   ● This obligation arises from the social contract that binds citizens and the state.
   ● The constitution further establishes this obligation as a legal duty of the state.
   ● If the state fails to fulfill its obligation, the government has a moral responsibility to resign.
   ● Citizens have the moral and political duty to overthrow the government through democratic means if it fails to fulfill its obligation.
2. Sovereign Duty:
   ● The social contract mandates that the state provides critical services, such as law and order, defense, etc., exclusively and without prejudice or discrimination.
   ● This means that police stations and courts should be present based on the population of the area, rather than the nature of its inhabitants.
   ● Deploying more police force in posh residential areas and neglecting slum inhabitants should be avoided.
3. Monopoly of the State:
   • Public services are mostly and centrally provided by the state, especially in a socialistic setup.
   • DPSPs (Directive Principles of State Policy) in the Indian Constitution direct the state to provide a range of public services to the citizens.
   • Individual and Constitutional Morality:
   • Public servants who deliver public services are driven by both individual and constitutional moral obligations.
   • For example, a civil servant who takes action against the practice of untouchability in a certain area fulfills their constitutional obligation under Art17 but may also be driven by individual values of compassion, empathy, etc.
4. Public-Centric:
   ● Public service implies that services are provided based on the public’s needs, demands, interests, rights, and convenience.
   ● Several measures, such as Right to Information and Citizen Charters, have been initiated to ensure public centricity in public service delivery.
   ● Ensuring Collective and Individual Rights:
   ● Constitutionalism mandates the state to secure both individual and collective rights.
   ● For example, the right to freedom of expression (Art19) and the right to a clean environment (Art21) are individual and collective rights, respectively.
   ● Modern states ensure that these rights are protected through various mechanisms and timely interventions.
5. Maxim of Equity:
   ● Most welfare states prefer equity over equality in providing public service.
   ● It has been established that ensuring equity is necessary to achieve equality.
   ● For instance, under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), subsidized food is provided mostly to the economically vulnerable sections of society.
6. Lending Hand:
   ● Public service also works as an enabling factor for people to achieve other ends.
   ● For example, free education and health services provided by the government help build quality human capital, which in turn contributes to national development.

Scope of Publice Service

1. Transition from ‘Traditional” to ‘Modern’ State
   ● After World War II, the priorities of the modern state have shifted from ‘warfare’ to ‘welfare’.
   ● Public administration has reflected this transition from a ‘law and order’ orientation to a ‘developmental’ orientation.
2. Growth in the Functions of Public Services
   ● Public officials now have to perform various tasks and duties in addition to their traditional responsibilities.
   ● They are required to supervise various aspects of administrative, technical and scientific programmes, and advise ministers on policy issues.
3. Modern State
   ● Despite the market economy, many public services are still majorly provided by the state due to its welfare commitments.
   ● Developed countries like the US and the UK primarily invest in providing education and health services.

Public Servant vs Civil Servant

In laymen terms, we generally equate public servants with civil servants but technically this is not appropriate in context of public administration. It’s crucial to differentiate between these two to avoid further confusion. Some of the criteria that differentiate civil servants with public servants are as follows:

• Professionalism – The Mandate for Civil Service
  • Civil service is mandated to adhere to the norms of professionalism like specialization, objectivity, efficiency, etc. which is not mandatory for other public servants. For example, civil servants while advocating for
    social policies such as family planning should be scientific temper in mind while religious groups are mostly guided by societal and religious norms prevailing in society.
• Appointment – Merit-based for Civil Servants
  • Civil servants are appointed through a merit-based examination process such as UPSC conducts examination
    to select IAS/IFS/IPS officers in a free and fair manner, whereas other public servants such as politicians are
    mostly elected through the electoral process.
• Career-oriented Job Profile – Civil Servants
  • Civil servants enjoy assured career advancement and job security which is not available for other public
    servants such as politicians.
• Code of Conduct – Civil Servants Follow Prescribed Code
  • There is a prescribed code of conduct that civil servants must follow while discharging his duty which is
    not generally applicable to public servants. For example, civil servants should adhere to strict political
    neutrality whereas other public servants such as civil society organizations can take political sides.

Role played by Civil Servant

• Formulation of Public Policy – Although policy making is primarily the responsibility of the legislature, civil servants play an active role in the determination and formulation of public policy. Their technical expertise in areas such as data collection, grassroots situations, and targeted interventions is crucial for effective policy making.
• Implementation of Public Policies – Civil servants are responsible for executing policies passed by the legislature, and they are granted significant discretionary powers to do so. Before taking action, they carefully weigh all factors that may impact policy implementation and must act impartially and honestly according to legislative standards and the rule of law.
• Delegated Legislation – Civil servants are responsible for framing departmental legislation, which involves developing detailed rules and regulations for public policies and legislation while considering the complexities at the grassroots level. These rules and regulations are scrutinized by the legislature before being enforced by civil servants.
• Administrative Adjudication – Civil servants exercise quasi-judicial powers to determine cases involving the rights and obligations of private citizens or parties. These powers are necessary to secure the public interest and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

FAQs on Public Service

Q1: What is the UPSC, and what is its role in India?

A1: The UPSC, or Union Public Service Commission, is a constitutional body in India responsible for conducting various competitive examinations and recruitment for the country’s civil services. Its primary role is to select candidates for various prestigious and high-ranking government positions, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others. UPSC conducts exams like the Civil Services Examination, Engineering Services Examination, and Combined Defence Services Examination, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process for these vital roles in the Indian government.

Q2: What is a Public Service Announcement (PSA)?

A2: A Public Service Announcement (PSA) is a message or advertisement created and disseminated by the government, nonprofit organizations, or media outlets to inform and educate the public about important social or health issues. PSAs are typically short and aim to raise awareness, change behaviors, or encourage people to take action for the betterment of society. They cover a wide range of topics, including public health, safety, environmental issues, and civic responsibilities.

Q3: What is the Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA)?

A3: The Public Service Guarantee Act, sometimes referred to as Right to Public Services (RTPS) Act, is legislation enacted in various Indian states to ensure that citizens receive specified public services within a stipulated time frame. These services can include obtaining certificates, licenses, permits, and availing government schemes. The primary aim of the PSGA is to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the delivery of public services by making government departments accountable for timely service delivery.

Q4: Why is public service important?

A4: Public service is crucial for several reasons:

1. Social Welfare: It addresses the basic needs and well-being of the community, ensuring access to services like education, healthcare, and safety.
2. Accountability: Public service organizations are accountable to the public, promoting transparency and good governance.
3. Community Development: Public service initiatives contribute to the development and progress of societies and nations.
4. Crisis Response: Public service agencies play a vital role in responding to emergencies, disasters, and public health crises.
5. Justice and Equality: Public service can promote social justice and equality by addressing disparities and providing equal opportunities to all.
6. Economic Stability: Government intervention and public services can help stabilize economies and provide a safety net for citizens during economic downturns.
7. Environmental Protection: Public service agencies often play a role in regulating and protecting the environment for the benefit of all.

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