Present Relevance of Ethics in Public Administration

Published on 24 Nov 2025

Ethics in public administration is in decline

As time progresses, we observe a declining trend of ethical standards in Public Administration. Winston Churchill rightly stated that after a time, civil servants tend to become no longer servants, and no longer civil. 

• Corruption: In 2021, over 581 complaints of corruption were filed against IAS officers.

• Example:  Former Jharkhand mining secretary involved in money laundering case.

• Placing self-interest over public interest:  Public employment being a public trust, the improper use of a public service position for private advantage is regarded as a serious breach of duty.

• Example: Recently a Food inspector in Chhattisgarh had ordered a drain for a reservoir to find his lost phone.

• Lack of accountability: When civil servants are not held accountable for their acts, it allows them room to stray from the moral course of action.  

• Example: Civilian Killing in Mon, Nagaland and the culture of impunity in North- East India due to laws like AFSPA

• Lack of objectivity: Public officials are expected to make decisions based on merit and free from any partisan consideration. 

• Example:  Top official of NSE heeding to the advice of a yogi in Himalayan ranges regarding official decisions.

• Lack of Empathy and Compassion: Without empathy and compassion, public administration can become tyrannical, which undermines public confidence in democratic institutions and the functioning of the government machinery.

• Example:  Bulldozer Justice in parts of UP where Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) demolished the house of activists.

In order to improve the delivery of services to the common man and to ensure the fruits of development reach the people, there is a need for a moral resurgence of civil services in the country. The Mission Karmayogi program for civil servants, which places the issue of ethics and values at the top of its agenda, is a step in the right direction.

Ethics in Public Administration is still relevant

Though we see a decline in ethical standards in administration, it is unfair to judge the entire administration based on the deeds of a few corrupt officials. There are still a large number of civil servants who actively uphold ethical values and morality in their service.

• Devotion to duty:  This trait compels civil servants to faithfully fulfil their mandate even when the situation is not in their favour.

• Example: Saumya Pandey IAS, who was appointed the nodal officer for COVID in Ghaziabad, UP, got back to work, 14 days after giving birth, showing commendable dedication to her duty.

• Selflessness: This quality helps civil servants to place public interest over personal interest.

• Example: Narendra Kumar IPS endangered his own life when  opposing the illegal mining activities by the mining mafia.

• Integrity:  Civil servants who are incorruptible themselves can only have the courage to point out the injustices and corruption plaguing the administration.

• Example: Vinod Rai IAS was the one behind the anti-corruption movement in India in the early 2010s. He brought out the report on 2G spectrum scam.

• Objectivity: Unbiased decision making based on facts and merits of the situation helps in efficient working of administration.

• Example: VR Lakshminarayanan IPS was the one who detained Indira Gandhi during the Emergency, well aware but unconcerned about the repercussions that would follow.

• Compassion: Compassionate and empathetic civil servants tend to go an extra mile in ensuring help to the needy and disadvantaged section of the society.  

• Example: IAS officer Himanshu Nagpal spearheaded the Mission Muskaan which aimed to reunite lost children living in Varanasi’s ghats, railway stations, and temples with their families across India. 

Ethical and efficient conduct of civil servants is the need of the hour and it is high time that civil servants shift from a focus on enforcing compliance and meeting minimum requirements of service delivery to finding ways to ensure high-quality services and regulation.

Tags:
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Keywords:
Present Relevance of Ethics in Public Administration Ethics in public administration is in decline Winston Churchill Ethics in Public Administration is still relevant devotion integrity objectivity compassion impartiality

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 4

Topics:
Public Service Values