State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance. (UPSC IAS Mains 2018 General Studies Paper – 4)
The three basic values that are considered universal in nature in the context of civil services are:
- Integrity: Refers to the adherence to moral and ethical principles. It means being honest, transparent, and impartial in decision-making and actions. It also implies being accountable for one’s actions.
- Objectivity: Refers to making decisions based on facts, evidence, and data, rather than personal biases or prejudices. It involves being fair and unbiased while dealing with various stakeholders.
- Professionalism: Refers to the level of competence, expertise, and efficiency that civil servants bring to their work. It involves maintaining high standards of work, being responsive to the needs of citizens, and continuously improving skills and knowledge.
Importance of these values in the context of civil services:
These values are crucial for civil servants as they are responsible for providing various public services and are expected to maintain high levels of integrity, objectivity, and professionalism. These values ensure that the civil servants are accountable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the citizens they serve.
Examples
- Integrity: In 2010, IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, while serving as the sub-divisional magistrate in Gautam Buddha Nagar, took on the sand mafia, and was subsequently suspended for her actions.
However, her actions were praised by the public, and she was reinstated after a few months. Her actions showed the importance of integrity and standing up against corrupt practices.
- Objectivity: In 2015, the Indian government launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), aimed at providing financial inclusion to all citizens. The scheme was implemented objectively, without any biases, and resulted in over 42 crore bank accounts being opened. The scheme was successful due to the objectivity of the civil servants involved in its implementation.
- Professionalism: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian civil servants displayed professionalism by working tirelessly to ensure the smooth functioning of essential services. For example, Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Dr. K. Senthil Raj played a crucial role in controlling the spread of the virus in his district, Krishnagiri, by implementing various measures such as setting up quarantine facilities, contact tracing, and testing. His efforts were widely appreciated, and he was awarded the Prime Minister’s Excellence Award for his work.
Upholding these values promotes good governance, social justice, and economic growth. It is therefore essential for civil servants to embody these values in their work and uphold them in all their interactions with the public.
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