Subject: Governance

The link between institutional quality and economic growth has been highlighted by India's recent decline in the Corruption Perception Index from a score of 40 in 2022 to 38 in 2024, emphasizing the urgent need for civil service reforms to strengthen democratic institutions.

Challenges in Current Civil Service Framework

• Performance Management:
  • Only 35% civil servants feel their pay reflects performance according to the 2024 Civil Service People Survey.
  • Low employee retention with only 45% planning to stay for three years or more.
• Service Delivery:
  • McKinsey survey reveals significant gaps in citizen satisfaction with government services compared to private sector.
  • Complex procedures and delayed processing affecting service quality.
• Accountability Mechanisms:
  • India's ranking of 96th out of 180 countries in CPI 2024 indicates systemic corruption issues.
  • Lack of transparent performance evaluation systems.

Suggested Reforms for Strengthening Democracy

• Structural Reforms:

  • Implementation of Mission Karmayogi for capacity building and performance-oriented culture.
  • Integration of technology-driven platforms like e-office for improved transparency.
  • Introduction of 360-degree feedback system for performance evaluation.

• Citizen-Centric Reforms:

  • Adoption of Sevottam model for excellence in public service delivery.
  • Implementation of Citizens' Charters with clearly defined service standards.
  • Strengthening Right to Service Acts across states.

• Institutional Strengthening:

  • Establishing independent Civil Service Board for transfers and postings.
  • Creating specialized cadres for technical domains.
  • Implementing lateral entry at middle and senior management levels.

The path to strengthening democracy through civil service reforms requires a balanced approach between accountability and autonomy. Success stories like Estonia's e-governance and Singapore's civil service excellence provide valuable lessons for India's reform journey. The implementation of the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) marks a significant step towards creating a future-ready civil service aligned with democratic values.