MAINS 2014
GS2
12.5 marks
Has the cadre-based Civil Services Organisation been the cause of slow change in India? Critically examine.
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Critically examine whether the cadre-based civil services slow down change in India.
Critically examineWeigh the strengths and the weaknesses, then give a balanced verdict.
Demand-wise check
- 1How cadre system can slow change: generalists, seniority-based promotion, job security, frequent transfers, status quo culture, resistance to lateral entry≈35 words
- 2Counter: cadre system gives national integration, continuity, field experience, neutrality (Patel's 'steel frame'); slow change also due to political, legal and procedural factors≈35 words
- 3Evidence of change: digital governance, reforms led by civil servants≈35 words
- 4Reforms: domain specialisation, lateral entry, performance appraisal, Mission Karmayogi≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Cadre system explainedArguments it hinders changeCounter-argumentsReformsConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Blaming civil services alone and ignoring political causes
- No reform committees
Draw this
- Table: cadre system strengths vs weaknesses
Value addition
- Report2nd ARC 10th Report 'Refurbishing of Personnel Administration' (2008) recommended domain assignment and performance-linked careers.2nd ARC, 2008
- SchemeLateral entry at Joint Secretary level began with appointments in 2019; Mission Karmayogi launched in 2020 for competency-based training.DoPT
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 11 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 35 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 9 minutes, then get it checked.