Sample Materials of SSC CGL (Tier -3) Study Kit

Subject: Essay

Topic: How should a civil servant conduct himself?

Civil Service is the backbone of the administrative system - the most glamorous position in the society, with power, prestige and authority, is the dream of every man, no matter, rich or poor, learned or novice. Herman Finer has defined the term ‘Civil Service’ as a “Professional body of officials, permanent, paid and skilled”. A ‘Civil Servant’ is the servant of the ‘civilians’ and the upholder of the ‘civilization’. He, who translates the law into action for the smooth functioning of the administrative system, is bound to the society and ought to live as the watchdog in the society.

“The perfect bureaucrat everywhere is the man who manages to make all decisions on his own and escape all responsibility.” This defines the Civil Servants of today who try to be the perfect bureaucrats. They decide as per their own and politicians interests and forget about the needs of the people in a country like India where we speak of Populous Sovereignty. And the most beautiful part of it is that they are not responsible for their actions. It is Authority without any kind of responsibility. This has been very clearly demonstrated in past by our eminent administrative thinkers authority without responsibility is of no use. The sword with the civil servants is their power. Their power is so effective that it sometimes overshadows the goals, idealism and political fervor of politicians. For one thing ministers keep on changing; it is the civil servants that provide the permanent machinery for running the government.

Thorough knowledge of his responsibilities, rights and duties, awareness of the current affairs in the society, free, independent, unbiased and impartial thinking, quick and sharp decision making skill, readiness and courage to implement the decisions, prompt and right actions, dedication and sincerity to the work, a sense of responsibility towards the society which nurtured him and to the one he is serving, compassion towards the poor and the weak and vision and innovation to bring light to the society and improvise the conditions are the basic qualities for a civil servant, to name a few! Does this mean that a civil servant has to be a ‘Super Human’? He has to be a ‘Real Human’! There are some wrong notions about the career as some might have thoughts as “my aim was to become an IAS officer; I have become an IAS as I admire the power and authority and for my parents’ social status and not to serve the society; I have accomplished the dreams and now my work is over.’ It is a misconception, the work is not over; it has not started yet! The ‘Civil Service’ is a ‘Position’ and not a ‘Qualification’. Many misunderstand or rather do not distinguish between these two important words when it comes to the civil services scenario. For getting a qualification (for e.g. a degree), we strive hard putting all efforts in learning much and more as one can, to be the topper. Once we get a degree, the work associated with it ends and we do not have any responsibilities or duties to be discharged related to it. Here knowledge matters. The case is different when it comes to a ‘Position’, which can be considered as a superset of qualification. We attain a position by the same means as we get a qualification but here wisdom matters. Once we get to a position we have many associated responsibilities and duties to be discharged.

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A Civil Servant is an Artist! An artist has to have a clear picture of his piece of art, his work should have a message which can be conveyed to the buyer or the admirer, he has to procure the fund and the resources to turn his imagination into reality, work on his project till it gets the finishing touches; mistakes, drops and failures are unavoidable or inevitable in any project which have to be managed appropriately; the way solution is sorted reveals the real talent as mentioned in the Best-seller “Wings Of Fire” by APJ Abdul Kalam, the master mind in Indian Rocketry. Similarly, for a civil servant, he has to implement the ideas that are beneficial to a better lot of the society and proves as a sign for social development. A mere piece of work, simply spending the funds to make a mark in the history or a stone to rise to the level of a metro or a developed city is a waste of time and money! He has to recognize between what is ‘wanted’ and what is ‘needed’!

As versed’ If you want to leave your footprints On the Sands of time Do not drag your feet.’

The administration is active 24x7. There is no time to stand, wait and watch, unless the situation is so crucial that an immediate act can cause failure. Once the three ‘M’s as mentioned in economics (Man, Money and Machine) are ready, there should not be an excuse from the Authority to act, they should not be falling into the clutches of politics or influential people to wait till the time is reached when those powers feel that it is the favorable time for them. Civil servant has to keep up his Personality, which includes both intellect and appearance. He has to carry himself in Formal attire which commands respect at the first sight itself. A well-groomed, trimmed and pleasant appearance adds as a plus point to building a good personality.

The former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi often criticized public administration for acting as a stumbling block in the way of country’s social and economic progress. Officials understandably obey and help pliant ministers. They make things hot for those who overrule them and issue orders contrary to what civil servants think as the correct line of action that is the line that tradition, redtapism and rule book dictates. The rigidity associated with the government is in reality imparted by the civil servants who are well entrenched in their posts. Looking in to such a behavior and conduct, it is the high time that there should be a change in their conduct.
Formalities have always had its place from the past at all places and in all cultures around the world. Clinging to formalities at all levels, social or career level, adherence to professional ethics and free interaction with the people who approach, can take him personally and professionally to greater heights with appreciation of all around him. Knowledge without wisdom is of no use. Patience is the sign of wisdom.

He has to wait for the right time to take actions and has to keep in mind ‘Haste is waste’. Some occasions may arise when finding a solution for a problem can take time from the ‘Civil Servants’ side; society and media may withdraw their support. But he has to face them with all his courage and, make them understand his views and build confidence in them which tells them that though he takes time for a decision, it will be a right one and towards the right path. He has to be a strong Leader!

With India developing so dramatically and coming as an international centre for commerce and trade and many other fields the representatives of government need to be really careful of their actions. They should act as real servants to the people of India. They should take in to account the need of people of India and their make decisions. Civil service should consist of people who think and see that things which are necessary for progress are implemented properly. The Civil servants should remember that the reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour.

So it can be said that a two-way interaction between the civil servant and the society builds a strong bond between the two. Civil servant is the one who can build the society and in turn the state and the country. He has to make a difference in his area of action. He has to be in a continuous journey of enriching his qualities to mould himself into the true meaning of ‘being a Civil Servant’. Let us hope for a strong administrative body which aims for the betterment of the society and create a peaceful and happy life for its residents!

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