National Civil Services Day

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    Every year, 21st April is celebrated as the National Civil Services Day, dedicated to India’s civil servants for their contribution and hard work in public administration.

    About Indian Civil Services

    • These are responsible for the public administration of the government of the country.
    • These do not include legislative, judiciary and military personnel.
    • Their origin can be traced back to the British time when British East India Company civilian staff were involved in administrative jobs and were known as ‘Public Servants‘.
      • Its foundation has been laid by Warren Hastings and later more reforms were done by Charles Cornwallis and so he was known as the “Father of Civil Services in India“.
    • Civil Service in India consists of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and a comprehensive list of All India Services and Central Services Group A and Group B.
    • A unique feature of these services is that the members of these services are recruited by the Centre, but their services are placed under various State cadres, and they have the liability to serve both under the State and under the Centre.
      • This aspect of the All India Services strengthens the unitary character of the Indian federation.
    • The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services exam in three stages (a preliminary exam, a main exam and personality test). The Exam has been held since 1922.
      • The First Public Service Commission was established in 1926 on the recommendations of the Lee Commission (1924) with Ross Barker, a member of the Home Civil Service of the United Kingdom, as its first Chairman.
      • It was later reconstituted as the Federal Public Service Commission by the Government of India Act, 1935 and was renamed as UPSC, post independence.
    • 21st April is celebrated as Civil Service Day to encourage civil servants for their immense contribution to the nation.
    • Related Constitutional Articles
      • Article 309: Recruitment & conditions of service of persons serving Union or States.
      • Article 310: Pleasure exercised by President of India on appointment & dismissal of Civil servants.
      • Article 311: Dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities under the Union or a State.
      • Article 312: Creation of one or more All India Services common to Union & States (Special Power of Rajya Sabha).
      • Article 315: Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States.

    About Civil Service Day

    • History
      • On this day in 1947, India’s first Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel had addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers at the Metcalf House in New Delhi.
        • Sardar Patel also laid out the rules and principles of good governance for the civil servants in his address.
        • He referred to administrative officers as the ”Steel Frame of India”.
      • First such function was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi in 2006.
    • Objective
      • To motivate and appreciate the work and efforts of Civil Service officers.
      • To evaluate the work of various departments under the civil services.
      • To felicitate and award the best working individuals and groups.
        • PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are presented on the day.
    • Significance
      • It is an occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to cause of citizens and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work.
      • It is also an occasion for all civil servants to transform governance and constantly try to implement public policies that will make the country ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant).

    Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration

    • These are given to Districts/Implementing Units for implementation of priority programme & innovation categories.
    • The function is organised by the Department of the Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

    Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950)

    • Birth: At Nadiad, Gujarat on 31st October 1875.
      • In 2014, the Government decided to celebrate his birthday as the National Unity Day to honour his contribution in integrating and unifying India.
    • Titles
      • Iron Man of India.
      • Patron saint of India’s civil servants for establishing the modern all-India services system.
    • Pre-Independence Contributions
      • He was a barrister, politician and one of the leading figures of the Congress party during the Indian freedom movement.
      • He along with Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachari and M.A. Ansari came to be known as the ‘No-changers‘, who opposed entry into legislative councils.
        • The Gaya session, December 1922, resulted in the defeat of the Swarajists (Pro-changers or who favoured the council-entry move).
      • In 1928, he successfully led the landowners of Bardoli in their resistance against increased taxes.
        • Women of Bardoli bestowed him with the title ‘Sardar’, which means ‘a Chief or a Leader’.
      • In March 1931, he presided over the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress. Karachi Session (1931 ) : President
      • He also participated in Salt Satyagraha (1930), Civil Disobedience (1930), Quit India Movement (1942).
      • He also played an important role in the Mutiny of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) of February 1946 by counselling the participants.
    • Post-Independence Contributions
      • During the first three years of Indian independence after 1947, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, Home Minister, Minister of Information and Minister of State.
      • Played a significant role in integration & political unification of India.
        • He was responsible for uniting all 562 princely states of the country to build the Republic of India.
        • In September 1948, he led the Operation Polo, name given to the police action for annexation of the erstwhile state of Hyderabad into the Indian state.
      • Idea of Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat
        • Ek Bharat: He is recognized as the real unifier of India for his colossal contribution to integrate and make India a united and independent nation.
        • Shresth Bharat: He requested the people of India to live together by uniting in order to create the foremost and great India.
    • Statue of Unity
      • It is the tallest statue of world (182 m) and has been built as a tribute to Sardar Patel.
      • It is located at Kevadiya in Narmada district of Gujarat.
      • It overlooks the river basin of the Narmada River and the Sardar Sarovar dam. It stands on the Sadhu Bet hillock, connected by a 300-metre bridge, which offers access from the mainland to the statue.
    • Death: In Bombay on 15th December 1950.
      • In 1991, he was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India.

    Source: TH

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