Indian Public Administration

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Continuity and
Change
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Continuity -
 There has been continuity in the Indian Administration after 1947 from the pattern
that existed before independence.

 The most important reason for this continuity was the sudden and peaceful
transfer of power from the British rulers to the Indian people.

 Another reason was that millions af'fefugees migrated between the two post-
partition countries, India and Pakistan.

 Most of the cadres in Administration got depleted as most of the Muslims and
European Civil Servants resigned and left the country. So there were neither the
resources nor the people to set up new administrative machinery. A stable and
well-founded administrative organisation comprising departments and civil
services was the critical need of the hour. So, the then existing administrative
framework continued after independence.
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Change -

1. Independent India adopted its own Constitution within three years after
Independence. The objectives and nature of this Constitution are
altogether different from those of the constitutional Acts prevailing under
the British rule. Free India's has been a democratic constitution - free
periodic elections to the national Parliament and the State legislatures,
adoption of laws, amendments of the Constitution, control over the
executive and expression of popular opinion.

2. These and other provisions of the Constitution have increased the

 At independence on 15 August 1947, the following eighteen departments functioned under the
Government of India: (1) External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, (2) Defence, (3) Finance,
(4) Home, (5) States, (6) Legislative (Law), (7) Commerce, (8) Industries and Supplies, (9)
Railways, (10) Transport, (1 1) Communications, (12) Labour, (1 3) Agriculture, (14) Food, (15)
Education, (16) Health, (17) Information and Broadcasting, (1 8) Works, Mines and Power.

 From five departments in 1858, at the transfer of the government in India from the charge of the
East India Company to the control of the British Parliament to eighteen in 1947 indicated an
enormous increase in the administrative activity.

 British rule witnessed the beginning of the elementary social services like primary education, health
and medicine, agricultural research, fiscal incentives for industries, etc. Legislative activity had
commenced. The two World Wars introduced price and physical controls over the essential supplies
including food, cloth, petrol and kerosene, etc., besides growth in armed services, war industries
and supplies. In 1921, the number of departments stood at nine, which were increased to twelve in
1937, After 19 19 the main administrative activities in agriculture, education, health, and labour
were conducted by the provincial governments, due .to decentralisation under the 1919 and 1935
Government of India Acts.
Post Independence-

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1. Administrative work at the Centre and State levels became more complex and challenging after Independence.

 2. New forms of organization and specialized knowledge emerged in administrative activities, reflecting India's expanding roles

 .3. The state's involvement in economic, social welfare, scientific, and technical activities contributed to the complexity.

 4. Growing international and defense responsibilities also added to the administrative workload

 .5. The low levels of literacy and awareness among the population increased the administrative tasks and responsibilities

 .6. Ministries at the central level have multiple departments for specialization. For example, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension
has three departments.

 7. The need to accommodate more ministries and departments arose due to political and administrative requirements, and the need for specialization
(e.g., science, technology, energy).

 8. New ministries and departments were created to address economic and social needs, such as those for petroleum, energy, and social justice.

 9. Advisory bodies like the Central Board of Education and the Central Labour Advisory Board were created to involve interest groups in policymaking.

 10. Independent agencies like TRAI and SEBI were formed for quasi-judicial functions such as arbitration, rate-fixation, and conflict resolution.

 11. Despite these changes, hierarchy, red-tapism, and reliance on written communication still persist in many departments

 .12. The Chief Secretary role continued at the provincial level, while the Cabinet Secretary was introduced at the Centre to head the administration

 .13. New administrative bodies like public corporations, government companies, and specialized institutions (e.g., National Academy of Administration)
were established.
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Public Service Structure – continuity and
Change
 The post-independence administration in India was fairly stable due to the continued tenures of
the public services which were in office before independence. The Indian Civil Service and the
Indian Police Service were the two All India Services that helped the country to hold together.
The other All India Services included the medical, engineering, forest, educational and others.

 The Indian Civil Services was the most pivotal and prized of these services. Its members
occupied positions in the executive councils of the Governor General of India and the provincial
Governors. Most of the posts of Secretaries to the departments in the Central and provincial
governments and of heads of executive departments were held by them. ICS men were district
collectors- and magistratesldeputy commissioners.

 At independence about two hundred and fifty European ICS officers retired, while about fifty of
them opted to be in office here. Vallabhbhai Patel, India's Home Minister realised the dire need
of the Indian members of the ICS continuing in service here after 1947. He assured to honour
the existing terms and security of their tenure. They did contribute to the stability and continuity
of the Indian administration.
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 CHANGES

 1. The all India Service Act 1551 led to the creation of two main services: the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the
Indian Police Service (IPS). This decision followed discussions in the Constituent Assembly of India. The Constitution of India
contains Part XIV, titled 'Services under the Union and the States,' which governs these services. Article 312 of the
Constitution specifically deals with the All India Services.

 2 In July 1966, the Indian Forest Service was created as a new All India Service. The All India Services Act, 1951, was
amended in 1963 to provide for three new services: the Indian Forest Service, Indian Services of Engineers, and Indian
Medical Service.

 3 Central Services consist of several specialized services like Central Engineering Services, Indian Audit and Accounts
Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Economic Service, and more. These services are divided into four groups (A, B, C, and
D) based on pay scales.

 4 Before 1947, various specialist officers served in different Central Government departments in distinct service cadres. Some
examples include the Statistical Service, Information Service, and Foreign Service

 .5. After Independence, with the diversification of State government functions, several new specialist services were formed,
such as the Forest Service, Agricultural Service, Police Service, and more

 .6. Public services in India emphasize political impartiality, merit-based selection, and integrity, similar to pre-independence
services like the ICS

 .7 Local bodies and cooperatives have their own personnel and do not fall under the All India Services framework.
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PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

 1. The Public Service Commission in India was established in 1926 with a Chairman and four members to ensure impartial
selection of civil servants.2.

 The Commission was responsible for recruitment to All India and Central Services and handling disciplinary cases. It also
advised on qualifications and methods of examination for civil services

 .3. In 1935, it was renamed the Federal Public Service Commission under the Government of India Act, 1935.

 4. Under the 1935 Act, provincial governments were to form their own Public Service Commissions, either independently or in
groups, with similar functions to the Federal Commission.

 5. After independence, the functions of these commissions increased due to the growing number of public servants needed at
the Union and State levels.

 6. Commissions now advise on promotions, transfers, legal defense costs, and other matters related to government employees.

 7. The President appoints members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), while Governors appoint members of
State Commissions, in consultation with the council of ministers.

 8. The term for members and the Chairman is typically six years, with age limits set at 65 for UPSC members and 62 for State
Commissions to prevent vested interests.

 9. The recommendations of the Commissions are advisory, not binding, but must be presented to Parliament or State
Legislatures. If the government rejects any recommendations, it must provide reasons.

 10. Annual reports of the Commissions are submitted to Parliament or respective State legislatures for discussion.
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