G. Evolution of Civil Service in India

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G. Evolution of Civil Service in India

Civil Services in Ancient India	Origin: Civil service system traces back to the Mauryan period in ancient India. Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Outlines principles of selection, promotion, performance evaluation, and code of conduct for civil servants. Example: The Mauryan Empire had a highly organized administrative system, with various departments and officers responsible for different functions.
Civil Services in Medieval India	Mughal civil service system: Focused on land revenue management, government factories administration, and the establishment of the patrimonial state. Akbar’s contribution: Founder of the Mughal civil service, initiated land reforms in 1457 AD, and established the land revenue system. Welfare and regulatory orientation: Mughal civil service aimed at ensuring the well-being of citizens and regulating society. Example: Akbar’s administrative system, known as the Mansabdari system, categorized civil servants into different ranks and assigned them various responsibilities related to land administration and revenue collection.
Civil Services in Colonial Era	East India Company: Civil service initially focused on commercial functions and law and order, detached from the common people. District Collector: Created in 1771 by Lord Warren Hastings. Lord Cornwallis: Founding father of modern Indian Civil Services; established police, judicial, and revenue services, and formulated code of conduct and promotion procedures. Indians were barred from high posts. Fort William College: Founded in 1800 by Lord Wellesley for civil service training, replaced by Hailey Bury College in London in 1806. 1813 Charter Act: Established the civil service office with an annual salary of 500 pounds. Lord William Bentinck: Restored and revived magisterial powers of the district collector. Charter Act of 1853: Ended companies’ patronage and introduced open competition for recruitment. Indian Civil Service (ICS): Established in 1911, initially restricted to British recruits; Indians allowed to take the examination in 1921 due to pressure from the Indian National Congress. 1935 Interim Rule: Increased the number of Indian subjects in the civil service after the exodus of British subjects. Indian Civil Service and Central Civil Services: The statutory civil service was phased out, leaving the Indian Civil Service and Central Civil Services as the two main civil services during the colonial era.
Civil Services in Independent India	New challenges: Civil servants were no longer expected to perform police state roles but focus on the welfare of Indian citizens. Key tasks: Included refugee settlement, safeguarding national borders, and promoting internal peace. Homogenous cadres: Civil service posts grouped into distinct cadres under a common Service based on specific functions. Classification of services: Central Civil Services, All India Services, and State Civil Services. Group A, B, and C categories based on roles and responsibilities. Technical and non-technical services (e.g., Indian Administrative Service as non-technical, Indian Economic Service as technical). Central Services: Function under the Union Government, administering subjects assigned to the Union under the Constitution. All India Services: Common to the Union and the States. State Services: Function only under the State Governments. In independent India, civil services have evolved to address new challenges and focus on the welfare of citizens, with distinct classifications based on functions, roles, and responsibilities, as well as technical and non-technical services.