Education and training of civil servants in Govt of India

 

The Indian Civil Service has a long historical background and is a product of centuries, and so is the system of its Education and Training, which has progressed slowly but steadily under three regimes – the East India Company, the Crown and the Republic of India.  

The post-Independence era brought about fundamental changes in the system. The constitution of India is based upon the concept of `Welfare State’. It follows the principle of `Justice: Social, Economic and Political’. It desired socio-economic development of the masses rather than only to attend routine regulatory functions. The responsibility of implementing welfare plans and developmental policies is assigned to Higher Civil Service. 

In order to make the persons engaged in governance i.e. civil servants well-versed with the changes in the strategy, structure and management techniques, and gear them to meet the challenges of modern times and make the services more effective, efficient and goal-oriented, training becomes necessary. It is training that imparts knowledge, shapes attitudes, cultivates skills and builds work-habits. Education of the recruits before entering into civil services is mostly degree-oriented rather than job-oriented. Training fill-ups the gaps between learning and practical requirements.

Independent India recognised the role and importance of Education and Training for inculcating the qualities of leadership, supervision, efficiency in communication, decision making etc. in its higher officials and also for changing their attitudes. Such a recognition is evident from the successive Five Year plan documents, reports of Administrative Reforms Commission and other Committees – all stressing the need for planned and systematic programmes of training for officials at various levels.

Although considerable attention has been paid to the system of Education and Training of officers, yet it has not been able to bring out the desired results. For removing the short-comings of present system and for making public services more effective, some improvements in the system requires to be done. 

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