Bridging a Divide with an ‘Indian Scientific Service’

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• India’s generalist post-Independence service rules, once vital for nation-building, now hinder effective scientific governance in an era driven by technology and complex environmental challenges.

The Core Issue

• Scientists entering government are governed by general civil service rules.
• Administrative systems prioritise hierarchy, uniformity, and procedural compliance.
• Scientific work requires evidence-based reasoning, transparency, peer review, and open discussion of uncertainty.
• This mismatch weakens the effective use of scientific expertise in policymaking.

Impact of this System

• Scientific advice remains reactive rather than institutionalised.
• Experts often lack autonomy to record long-term risks or dissenting technical opinions.
• Science becomes advisory and peripheral instead of central to decision-making.
• Limited career mobility and recognition discourage top scientific talent from entering governance roles.

International Government Models

• Many advanced democracies have dedicated scientific cadres or advisory systems within government. These systems:
  • Protect scientific integrity.
  • Institutionalise expert input in policymaking.
  • Balance democratic authority with technical expertise.
• India lacks such a specialised governance framework.

Need for the Reforms

• Changing Nature of Governance: Modern policymaking increasingly involves climate science, AI, biotechnology, epidemiology, and environmental risk areas requiring specialised scientific expertise.
• Mismatch in Service Rules: Existing generalist civil service rules are not designed to accommodate scientific methods, peer review culture, or documentation of uncertainty.
• Weak Integration of Scientific Advice: Scientific input remains advisory and reactive rather than structurally embedded in decision-making processes.
• Long-Term Risk Assessment Gaps: Issues like climate change, water stress, pandemics, and technological disruption require long-term forecasting something administrative systems are not structurally designed for.
• Protection of Scientific Integrity: Scientists need institutional safeguards to present evidence-based opinions without bureaucratic or political pressure.
• Attracting and Retaining Talent: Lack of clear career progression and recognition discourages top scientific professionals from entering public policy roles.
• Global Best Practices: Many advanced democracies have institutionalised scientific cadres within governance, India lacks such a structured framework.

Way Ahead

• Creation of an Indian Scientific Service (ISS): Establish a dedicated scientific cadre within government. Key features:
  • Separate recruitment based on scientific credentials.
  • Independent professional evaluation system.
  • Clear career progression pathways.
  • Safeguards for scientific independence.
  • Embedding scientists directly in ministries and regulatory bodies.
• Institutional Context: India has recently created the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to strengthen research funding.
  • However, ANRF focuses on research promotion not on embedding scientists into governance structures.
  • Hence, a separate Scientific Service is needed for policy integration.

Source: TH