Context:

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the gateway to India’s top administrative posts. While it plays a crucial role in shaping governance and public administration, growing concerns around its structure, fairness, and relevance have sparked debate on the need for reform.

Civil Services in India: An Overview

• Backbone of Governance: Civil services ensure continuity in administration, policy execution, and public service delivery.
• Three Broad Categories:
  • All India Services: IAS, IPS, IFoS
  • Central Services: IFS, IRS, IAAS, etc.
  • State Services: Managed by respective State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs)
• Coined as the “Steel Frame of India” by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947, their role in nation-building is celebrated every year on April 21—Civil Services Day.

Historical Evolution of the CSE

• Macaulay Report (1854): Introduced merit-based recruitment.
• Kothari Committee (1975): Recommended the current three-stage format—Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
• Key Reforms Since 2000:
  • 2005: RTI Act introduced transparency in evaluation.
  • 2011: Paper-II (CSAT) introduced as a qualifying paper.
  • 2013: General Studies restructured based on Arun Nigvekar Committee recommendations.

Constitutional Framework

• Part XIV (Articles 315–323): Governs public services and commissions.
  • Article 315: Mandates UPSC and SPSC formation.
  • Article 316: Appointments by the President (UPSC) and Governors (SPSC); tenure—6 years or till age 65 (UPSC)/62 (SPSC).
  • Article 320: Outlines functions—exams, recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary advice.
  • Article 317: Removal of members by the President on grounds of misbehavior after Supreme Court inquiry.
  • Financial Autonomy: Commission expenses are charged to the Consolidated Fund, ensuring independence.

Key Challenges in the Current System

• Prelims as a High-Stakes Elimination Round:
  • Designed for screening, the prelims now filter over 5 lakh aspirants down to ~10,000, raising concerns over accessibility and fairness.
• CSAT (Paper-II) Bias:
  • Though qualifying in nature, it often advantages candidates from Science/Engineering backgrounds, disadvantaging those from Humanities.
• Unpredictability of Paper-I:
  • Increasingly dynamic and resource-intensive, placing aspirants from rural or underprivileged backgrounds at a disadvantage.
• Issues in the Mains Examination:
  • Overemphasis on short answers prioritizes factual recall over analytical ability.
  • Lack of long-form questions curbs evaluation of deeper thinking.
  • Optional subjects often chosen for scoring advantage rather than academic alignment, undermining specialization.
• Concerns with Lateral Entry:
  • Critics argue it conflicts with Article 309, which outlines recruitment rules.
  • Short tenures (3 years) limit long-term policy contributions.

Why Reform is Necessary

• Redesign the Preliminary Exam:
  Ensure a more balanced and inclusive screening process.
• Revamp Paper-II (CSAT):
  Address bias by redesigning it to cater to a broader academic spectrum.
• Reform the Mains:
  • Introduce long-form analytical questions.
  • Replace optional subjects with common papers (e.g., Governance, Public Policy, Ethics) directly relevant to administrative roles.
• Protect Inclusivity:
  Continue current age and attempt limits until 2030 to promote diverse participation.

Looking Ahead: Post-2030 Adjustments

• Future reforms should be evidence-based, aligned with changing demographics, education access, and social equity.
• The core focus must remain on ensuring merit-based recruitment while preserving inclusivity and regional diversity in the bureaucracy.

Conclusion

India’s civil services system has long upheld democratic governance, but its recruitment process must evolve with time. Reforming the Civil Services Examination is not about diluting standards—it's about making the process more equitable, relevant, and future-ready. Ensuring that the best minds across diverse backgrounds have a fair chance is key to building an effective, inclusive, and modern administrative machinery.