EVOLUTION OF CIVIL SERVICES IN INDIA

Introduction:
The civil service in India began as a mechanism created by the East India Company for commercial purposes, but over time developed into a structured administrative system to govern British-controlled territories.

Role of Cornwallis:
- Cornwallis (Governor-General, 1786–93) is considered the father of modern Indian civil services.
- Measures to curb corruption:
  - Increased salaries of civil servants.
  - Strictly banned private trade by officials.
  - Prohibited acceptance of gifts and bribes.
  - Promotions based strictly on seniority.

Role of Wellesley:
- In 1800, Lord Wellesley established Fort William College (Calcutta) for training new recruits.
- In 1806, the Fort William College was rejected by the Court of Directors.
- Instead, East India College at Haileybury (England) was established to train recruits for two years.

Charter Act of 1853:
- Ended East India Company’s patronage system.
- Introduced open competition for recruitment.
- Indians were barred from higher posts through:
  - Charter Act 1793 reserving high posts for covenanted civil servants.
  - Beliefs that:
    - Only English officers could protect British interests.
    - Indians were inferior, untrustworthy, and not fit for high office.
  - High competition among Europeans reduced chances for Indians.
- Although Charter Act 1833 allowed Indians to join service, the provision was never implemented.

Indian Civil Service Act, 1861:
- Reserved important posts for civil servants selected through examinations.
- ICS exam held only in England, in English, testing Greek and Latin.
- Age limit reduced repeatedly:
  - 23 years (1859)
  - 22 years (1860)
  - 21 years (1866)
  - 19 years (1878)
- Satyendra Nath Tagore became first Indian ICS officer (1863).

Statutory Civil Service (1878–79):
- Introduced by Viceroy Lytton.
- One-sixth of covenanted posts reserved for Indians.
- Indians to be nominated by local governments, subject to approval by Secretary of State and Viceroy.
- System failed and was abolished.

Aitchison Committee (1886):
- Set up under Lord Dufferin.
- Recommendations:
  - Remove terms ‘covenanted’ and ‘uncovenanted’.
  - Create three categories:
    - Imperial Civil Service (exam in England)
    - Provincial Civil Service (exam in India)
    - Subordinate Civil Service (exam in India)
  - Increase age limit to 23.
- In 1893, British House of Commons supported simultaneous exams in England and India, but never implemented.

Montford Reforms (1919):
- Recommended:
  - Simultaneous examinations in India and England.
  - Recruitment in India to be one-third initially, rising by 1.5% annually.

Lee Commission (1924):
- Recommended:
  - Secretary of State to continue recruiting ICS, Indian Forest Service, and Engineers.
  - Provincial governments to recruit for provincial services.
  - 50:50 parity between Europeans and Indians in ICS within 15 years.
  - Establishment of Public Service Commission (provided in Govt. of India Act, 1919).

Government of India Act, 1935:
- Provided for:
  - Federal Public Service Commission.
  - Provincial Public Service Commissions.
- Real power remained with the British.
- Indianisation had begun but did not transfer real authority to Indians.

Evaluation of Civil Services under British Rule:
- European dominance was maintained throughout the British period.
- ICS exam was deliberately tough for Indians:
  - Held only in London.
  - English language.
  - Included Greek and Latin.
- Age limit reductions discouraged Indian candidates.
- Most powerful and well-paid posts were held by Europeans.
- Even after nationalist pressure (1918 onwards), Indians rarely attained top administrative roles.
- Indianisation did not lead to real power-sharing—Indians acted as instruments of colonial rule.
 

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Subject: Modern History

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