Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Role of civil services in a democracy.
Context
Opposition leader of Lok Sabha highlighted the absence of SC/ST officers among those involved in framing the 2024 Budget.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 17th August 2024
Ensuring social justice in the bureaucracy
The issue of underrepresentation of Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) officers in senior civil service positions, especially in key policy-making roles like the Budget, has been highlighted in recent political discourse. Despite provisions for reservation in recruitment, these officers often face barriers in reaching the highest echelons of government.
Issue of Upper Caste Domination in Civil Services
- Continuing Dominance: The absence of SC/ST officers in key policy-making roles, such as the Budget-making exercise, is attributed to the dominance of upper castes at senior levels in the civil service.
- Statistics from December 2022: Minister of State Jitendra Singh revealed that out of 322 officers holding positions of Joint Secretaries and Secretaries in various Ministries/Departments, only 16 (SC), 13 (ST), and 39 (OBC) were from reserved categories, while 254 were from the General category.
- Low Representation: The percentage of SC/ST officers at Secretary and Joint Secretary levels is 4% and 4.9%, respectively, indicating insufficient representation of reserved category officers in high-ranking positions.
Challenges Faced by SC/ST Officers
- Late Entry Issue: SC/ST candidates generally enter civil services at a later age due to the higher upper age limit allowed for them, leading to retirement before reaching senior positions.
- Age Limits for Civil Services:
- General category: 21-32 years with six attempts.
- SC/ST: Up to 37 years with unlimited attempts.
- OBC: Up to 35 years with nine attempts.
- PwBD: Up to 42 years with unlimited attempts for SC/ST and nine for others.
- Impact of Late Entry: Despite having no attempt limits, SC/ST candidates often retire before reaching senior positions, affecting their representation at the top policy-making levels.
- Absence of Reservation in Promotions: The lack of reservations in promotions further hampers the upward mobility of officers from reserved categories.
Proposed Solution
- Fixed Tenure Suggestion: To address the issue of underrepresentation, it is suggested that a fixed tenure of 35 years be implemented for all civil servants, irrespective of their age of entry.
- Rationale: This would allow SC/ST officers, who enter service later, to have the same opportunities for advancement as those who join at a younger age.
- Retirement Age Consideration: If necessary, the present age limits could be lowered to ensure all officers retire by the age of 67.
- Annual medical fitness examinations could be conducted after the age of 62.
- Formation of Committee: An independent and multi-disciplinary committee with adequate representation from SC/ST, OBC, and PwBD communities should be established to examine the proposal of fixed tenure and its implications for social justice.
- The committee’s work would contribute to achieving a more inclusive and representative civil service, aligned with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) with social justice for all.
Conclusion
To ensure equitable representation of SC, ST, and OBC officers in senior civil service roles, structural reforms are essential. Implementing a fixed tenure for civil servants, regardless of their age of entry, could provide a level playing field for all officers.
Related PYQ
“Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2016]
Practice Question
Discuss the challenges faced by SC/ST and OBC officers in reaching senior positions within the Indian civil services? [150 words]