GS-IV UPSC PYQ 2019

What do you understand about the term public servant? Reflect on the expected role of a public servant. (150 words, 10 Marks)

In a modern democratic polity, there is the concept of political executive and permanent executive. Elected people’s representatives from the political executive and bureaucracy form the permanent executive. Ministers frame policy decisions and bureaucrats execute these. In the initial decades after independence, relationships between the permanent executive and the political executive were characterized by mutual understanding, respect and cooperation, without encroaching upon each other’s domain. However, in the subsequent decades, the situation has changed. There are instances of the political executive insisting upon the permanent executive to follow its agenda. Respect for and appreciation of upright bureaucrats has declined. There is an increasing tendency among the political executive to get involved in routine administrative matters such as transfers, postings etc. Under this scenario, there is a definitive trend towards ‘politicization of bureaucracy’. The rising materialism and acquisitiveness in social life has also adversely impacted upon the ethical values of both the permanent executive and the political executive. What are the consequences of this ‘politicization of bureaucracy’? Discuss.

What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest itself in the public domain? (150 words, 10 Marks)